When good-quality carpeting is properly maintained, it should last 10 to 15 years, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. That makes carpeting a good long-term investment you will enjoy for many years. However, it can become an eyesore when stains develop and aren’t treated. You can clean and refresh the carpet fibers with good cleaning either by hiring a professional or doing it yourself using a rented carpet-cleaning machine.
A carpet cleaning service will charge $285, including labor and material, to clean approximately 500 square feet of carpeting. Before the service arrives, you’re usually responsible for removing small furniture and other items; they remove the large pieces. Using a wand and hose, the technician applies a cleaning agent into the carpet pile and water with an extractor to recover the used solution and soil. This is done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home or by a portable system brought into the home.
