Carpet Cleaning Cost in London 2026: What You Should Pay (and Why)

Carpet cleaning in Greater London ranges from £25 a room to £85 a room depending on three things: the equipment, the chemistry, and whether the company actually rinses the carpet or just leaves shampoo residue behind. Here's how the pricing breaks down — and what you should actually be paying in 2026.

Average London carpet cleaning prices

• Single bedroom carpet: £30–£40
• Living room carpet: £40–£60
• Stair runner: £30 (flat fee, regardless of length)
• 2-seater sofa: £40–£55
• 3-seater sofa: £55–£75
• King-size mattress: £50–£70
• Whole 3-bed home of carpets: £120–£175

Why do prices vary so much?

Two reasons. First, equipment. A consumer-grade carpet shampooer costs £200; a commercial hot-water extraction machine costs £4,000. Companies that own the kit charge more but rinse properly. Second, chemistry. Cheap shampoos leave detergent residue that re-attracts dirt within weeks. Professional pre-spray and rinse leaves no residue and dries in 4–6 hours instead of 24.

What to ask before you book

• 'Hot-water extraction or rotary shampoo?' (extraction = correct answer for stains)
• 'How long until it's dry?' (4–6 hours for extraction, 24+ for shampoo)
• 'Are products pet- and child-safe?' (should be yes, with non-toxic certification)
• 'Do you move furniture?' (should be free for light items, charged for heavy)
• 'Do you offer Scotchgard re-protection?' (worth it on living-room carpets)

We use a Karcher commercial extraction system with eco-safe chemistry and never use shampoo. Most jobs are dry within 4 hours, fully dry overnight. If old urine, dye or red wine stains don't fully lift, we tell you up-front and won't charge for the failed treatment.