Carpet Cleaning Prices in Australia: What Affects the Cost?
Introduction: Carpet Cleaning Isn’t One-Price-Fits-All
If your carpets are looking dull, stained, or overdue for a refresh, you’ve probably searched for carpet cleaning quotes in Australia — and quickly realised the prices can vary a lot.
Some companies charge per room, others offer whole-house deals, and some base pricing on the level of dirt or stains. So how do you know what’s fair? And what actually affects the cost?
This guide breaks down the real carpet cleaning prices in Australia for 2025, explains what impacts the cost, and helps you avoid overpaying while still getting quality results.
1. Average Carpet Cleaning Prices in Australia (2025)
Carpet cleaning prices depend on the size of your home, the method used, and the carpet condition. Here are realistic averages you can expect:
✔ Per Room Pricing (Most Common)
- Per room: $30–$55
- Master bedroom: $40–$65
- Living room: $45–$80
✔ Whole Home Pricing
- Small unit (1–2 bedrooms): $110–$160
- Average house (3 bedrooms): $150–$220
- Larger home (4–5 bedrooms): $200–$350
✔ Stain Removal
- Small stain: $10–$25
- Large/old stains: $20–$45 each
✔ Additional Services
- Deodorising: $10–$20
- Pet odour treatment: $20–$50
- Flea treatment (required for tenants with pets): $60–$120
Keep in mind:
➡ Prices are slightly higher in Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane
➡ Regional areas are often cheaper
2. The 7 Biggest Factors Affecting Carpet Cleaning Prices
Not all carpet cleaning jobs are equal. Here are the main things that influence the cost.
1. Size of the Area or Number of Rooms
More rooms = more square metres = more product and time.
Cleaners usually charge based on:
✔ Number of rooms
✔ Total square metres
✔ Whether the room is a bedroom or living space
2. Carpet Condition
This is one of the biggest factors in pricing.
Clean carpets:
- Quick job
- Lower cost
Dirty carpets with stains or heavy foot traffic:
- Longer job
- More chemical use
- Increased labour
- Higher cost
If your carpet hasn’t been cleaned in years, expect to pay extra.
3. Type of Carpet Cleaning Method
Australia mainly uses hot water extraction (steam cleaning) — the gold standard. But some companies use other methods that affect the price.
✓ Steam Cleaning (Most Effective & Widely Used)
- Deep cleans carpet pile
- Removes dirt, dust mites, allergens
- Best for end of lease
- Costs more but gives better results
✓ Dry Cleaning
- Faster drying time
- Good for maintenance
- Not as deep
- Usually cheaper
✓ Shampoo Cleaning
- Good for surface cleaning
- Often part of deep cleans
- Medium price
Steam cleaning is the standard for rental properties because it cleans deeper and dries within hours.
4. Stain Type and Difficulty
Not all stains are equal — some require specialist treatment.
Easy stains:
- Coffee
- Mild food stains
- Light mud
➡ Minimal surcharge
Moderate stains:
- Pet stains
- Grease
- Wine
➡ Moderate surcharge
Difficult stains:
- Ink
- Paint
- Oil
- Old, set-in stains
➡ Higher surcharge
Cleaners charge based on the time and chemicals required.
5. Presence of Pets
Pet-friendly homes often require additional treatment.
Extra charges may apply for:
✔ Pet odour removal
✔ Urine neutralising
✔ Hair removal
✔ Flea treatment (mandatory for some leases)
Animal-related services can add $20–$120 depending on severity.
6. Access to the Property
This is often overlooked, but cleaners consider how easy it is to reach the carpets.
Possible access issues:
- High-rise apartment
- Limited parking
- Long walk from vehicle to unit
- Stairs (no lift)
- Large furniture in the way
If a cleaner needs extra time to set up or move equipment, the price may increase.
7. Whether It’s Part of a Bond Clean
End of lease carpet cleaning costs slightly more because it needs to meet real estate standards.
End of lease requirements often include:
✔ Steam cleaning
✔ Receipts for real estate
✔ Flea treatments (if pets lived there)
✔ Professional-grade machines
Expect an extra $10–$30 per room for bond cleans.
3. What’s Included in a Standard Carpet Clean?
A good carpet cleaning quote should always include:
✔ Pre-inspection of carpet
✔ Vacuuming (sometimes extra)
✔ Pre-spray treatment
✔ Steam or hot-water extraction
✔ Deodorising
✔ Final grooming (for some carpets)
If any of these are missing, the cleaner may be cutting corners.
4. Signs of an Overpriced Carpet Cleaning Quote
Watch out for:
⚠ Quotes without inclusions
⚠ High prices without stain treatment
⚠ Charging extra for pre-spray (should be included)
⚠ No option for per-room pricing
⚠ No reviews or insurance
⚠ Long list of add-ons
A fair quote is detailed and transparent.
5. Signs of a Too-Cheap Carpet Cleaning Quote
Extremely cheap quotes often lead to poor outcomes.
⚠ Old, weak equipment
⚠ Minimal water extraction (carpets left wet)
⚠ No stain treatment
⚠ Rushed jobs
⚠ No ABN or insurance
⚠ “Cash only” offers
⚠ No real deodorising
⚠ No guarantee
Cheap carpet cleaning can leave carpets smelling musty or even worse than before.
6. How to Get the Best Carpet Cleaning Value
Follow these simple steps for the best-priced and highest-quality clean.
1. Compare at least 3–5 quotes
Carpet cleaning prices vary drastically.
2. Ask what’s included
Some cleaners include deodorising — others don’t.
3. Ask about the cleaning method
Steam cleaning usually gives the best results.
4. Be honest about stains and pets
This avoids surprise fees.
5. Move furniture beforehand
Most cleaners charge extra for furniture handling.
6. Look for package deals
Many cleaners offer discounts when combining:
✔ Carpet cleaning
✔ Upholstery cleaning
✔ Rug cleaning
✔ End of lease cleaning
Final Thoughts
Carpet cleaning is one of the most effective ways to refresh your home, improve air quality, and remove stubborn stains. But understanding what affects the price helps you avoid overpaying — and helps you choose the right cleaner with confidence.
With the prices and factors explained in this guide, you can now request quotes knowing exactly what to expect and how to compare them fairly.
