Get Quotes from Top Carpet Cleaning Services in New York, NY

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpet Cleaning Companies in New York?

You should always find out how much you will be expected to pay for your required carpet cleaning services before signing contracts with any carpet cleaners in New York City. NYC-based carpet cleaning companies typically calculate their charges using either square footage rates, where the client is charged per square foot cleaned, or per room charges, where a flat fee is charged for each room worked on. Several factors typically influence the overall cost of these charges, like

• Carpet size and material 
• The condition of the carpet
• The cleaning method and cleaning supplies used
• Your location within the city
• The urgency of the job 
• Furniture moving and other labor costs
• Additional services like room cleaning, water damage cleaning, and stain and odor removal

Many professional carpet cleaners in NYC offer free cost estimates for their services, and you should strongly consider getting and comparing these estimates from at least three different companies before making your final selection. Consider it a red flag if a carpet cleaner refuses to offer you an estimate before signing any paperwork or if any estimate you get is significantly higher or lower than the others. This is usually a sign that the carpet cleaning service is not legit and may be trying to scam you. 

The list below provides average costs for different kinds of carpet cleaning services offered by professional carpet cleaning companies in New York City:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Square Foot

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Room

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Cleaning Method

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Carpet Type

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Type of Service

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians?

It is not enough to consider a person the right fit for a job based only on skills and experience. Today, most companies conduct background checks on their workers to ensure they are trustworthy. Carpet cleaning services are no exception. Considering that the cleaning company's workers will have access to your home, it is important to verify before hiring the company if they conduct any background checks on their employees. Take it as a red flag if the carpet cleaning service cannot assure you of checking out their workers’ histories.

A good background check helps a carpet cleaning company hire honest workers who will not jeopardize the company's reputation by stealing from their clients' homes. These background checks reveal a worker's history as pertaining to the following:

• Court records
• Credit records
• Criminal records
• Driving records
• Educational and certificate verification
• Financial records
• Sex offender lists
• Social Security number
• State licensing records
• Worker’s compensation records

Are Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians Certified By the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)?

Inquiries about the carpet cleaning company's training programs for its workers are quite important in determining their skills to complete your job satisfactorily. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) upholds the most common standards and certifies some of the finest technicians in the industry globally. Certification is earned by experience and passing written exams, and it is a guarantee of the quality of service to be expected from the technician. 

A carpet cleaning firm with at least one IICRC-certified technician, a business license, and adequate insurance coverage can also apply and earn the IICRC badge.

What Carpet Cleaning Methods Do You Use?

Another key step to take in determining the right carpet cleaning company to hire in NYC is finding out the cleaning methods that they use. Professional carpet cleaners in the city typically consider a lot of factors when deciding the suitable cleaning methods and cleaning products to use for your carpet. These include the type of carpet and carpet fiber, the nature of the dirt or stains on the carpet, and your preference for eco-friendly or commercial cleaning products. Amongst these factors, the type of carpet plays a large role in the right cleaning method for the job. 

Carpets are typically made from either natural or synthetic fibers, each of which has unique characteristics. Some common carpet fibers include

• Nylon: this is one of the most common fibers used for carpets due to its durability and resistance to wear. However, these types of carpets are susceptible to stains
• Polyester: this is similar to nylon carpets, but not as resilient
• Wool: this is a high-quality natural fiber carpet and is durable, stain-resistant, and eco-friendly. However, wool carpets are prone to fading and also relatively high-maintenance
• Cotton: cotton is another natural fiber carpeting option. These types of carpets are considered ultra-soft and easy to clean, but are also high-maintenance, prone to fading, and do not do well with stains 
• Acrylic: this is considered an inexpensive alternative to wool carpets. However, this type of carpeting is not widely available 
• Olefin: olefin carpets are moisture, mold, and mildew-resistant, making them a good option for outdoor and basement carpeting. However, these types of carpets are not comfortable to walk on
• Triexta: triexta is a synthetic fiber carpet and is considered durable, extremely stain and moisture-resistant, and relatively easy to maintain

NYC carpet cleaning companies typically utilize one or more of the following cleaning methods when providing their services in relation to the aforementioned carpet types:

• Hot water extraction/Steam carpet cleaning: this method involves the use of superheated pressurized water to remove dust, mud, thick dirt, and other debris from the carpet
• Carpet shampooing: this involves using a combination of specialty detergents and water to clean the carpet, often with a rotating brush to apply the “shampoo” to the carpet, and a machine to extract this shampoo until the carpet is clean and residue-free
• Dry carpet cleaning: with this method, special powders or chemicals and little-to-no water or liquids are used to clean the carpet
• Bonnet cleaning: this involves the use of a machine with a motorized spinning pad that applies the cleaning product to the surface of the carpet and then extracts it along with trapped dirt and debris
• Encapsulation carpet cleaning: this involves the use of specialized cleaning products that bubble and expand when applied to the carpet, trapping dirt and debris in the process

The table below lists the pros and cons of each of these carpet cleaning methods:

To this end, you should always find out the types of cleaning methods that your preferred carpet cleaners intend to use for your carpet and ensure that they have the necessary equipment and expertise needed to get the job done satisfactorily. It is also a good idea to inform the carpet cleaning service of any allergies that you may have to ensure that this is taken into consideration when they select the cleaning products to use on your carpet. 

Are Your Cleaning Products Safe for Kids and Pets?

The type of cleaning products that will be used for the job is a crucial area to consider when searching for carpet cleaning companies in NYC. Many conventional cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants like ammonia, bleach, and artificial fragrances that can have adverse health effects, especially on children and pets. Some of the health hazards posed by these types of chemicals and cleaning supplies include:

• Eyes and skin irritation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Allergic reactions
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Increased risk of new on-set asthma 
• Increased risk of cardiovascular and lung issues

To this end, even though professional NYC-based carpet cleaning companies typically use cleaning products that are safe for kids, pets, and the environment as well, you should always get confirmation on this from any carpet cleaner that you plan to hire. It is also a good idea to request a list of the cleaning products that will be used for the job. You can look up the products online via the EPA’s Safer Choice platform, which lists cleaning products that have been certified as safe for use by this agency.

What Other Cleaning Services Do You Provide?

While some NYC-based carpet cleaning companies focus solely on carpet cleaning, others offer other types of cleaning services that are not specifically carpet-related. As such, if you are thinking about doing more than just cleaning your carpet, it is a good idea to find out if your preferred carpet cleaning company also offers any of the additional services that you may require. Some additional cleaning services that carpet cleaners in New York City typically provide include: 

• House cleaning services: this generally involves dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and polishing surfaces. This service typically costs an average of $50 - $200, or more, depending on the size of the house or the number of rooms cleaned 
• Deep cleaning: this is similar to house cleaning services, but typically involves more intensive cleaning activities that also target less-often-used or hard-to-reach areas of the house. Deep cleaning typically costs an average of $200 - $450 or more, depending on the size of the house and the number of rooms cleaned
• Window cleaning: this involves the carpet cleaners also cleaning your windows, and can cost you anywhere from $1.50 – $12.50 per window
• Pet odor and stain removal: this service focuses on removing the unpleasant smells and stains that are usually left by pets, and can cost you anywhere from $150 - $800
• Pressure washing: this is usually used for hard surfaces like walls, roofs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. Pressure washing services cost an average of $100 - $700 
• Laundry services: this involves the carpet cleaner also washing your dirty laundry. Depending on the company, this washed laundry may also be folded or ironed. Laundry services cost an average of $10 - $20 per load
• Upholstery cleaning: this involves cleaning armchairs, sofas, and other furniture that typically require special cleaning techniques and supplies. This service costs an average of $15 - $250 per item
• Disinfection and sanitization services: disinfection and sanitization services specifically focus on preventing the growth and proliferation of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. This type of service costs an average of $200 - $450 or more, depending on the number of rooms that require cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization
• Green cleaning services: this refers to cleaning services that are carried out with organic cleaning products and supplies. Green cleaning typically costs an average of $100 - $250 or more, depending on the size of the house and the number of rooms cleaned
• Pest control cleaning services: this type of cleaning focuses on the prevention or treatment of pest and rodent infestations, and can cost anywhere from $80 - $1,500. Note that a state-issued occupational license may be required for this
• Rug cleaning: rugs are similar to carpets, but are generally smaller and not fixed to the floor. Rug cleaning costs an average of $150 - $500 
• Mattress cleaning services: this involves removing stains from dirty mattresses, washing bedding supplies, and airing the mattress out where necessary. Mattress cleaning costs an average of $50 - $150 per mattress
• Tile and grout cleaning: this service involves cleaning tile floorings with special attention paid to the tile grouts. Tile and grout cleaning costs an average of $30 - $50 per hour
• Hardwood floor cleaning: similar to tile and grout cleaning, this service focuses on cleaning hardwood floors and involves the use of cleaning supplies and equipment that help the floors retain their natural beauty without damaging them. Hardwood floor cleaning costs an average of $40 - $65 per hour

Note that you should always confirm the specific types of services that your intended carpet cleaning company is equipped to offer and make sure that you agree on the costs of these services before signing any contracts. Some companies offer discounted cleaning packages that include two or more different cleaning services and you should consider finding out if your prospective carpet cleaners do this.

How Long Will It Take for My Carpet to Dry?

Finding out how long it will take your carpet to dry after the cleaning process is important, especially in situations where you are expecting guests soon or you have kids and pets that you need to keep away from the wet carpet. While it typically takes professionally cleaned carpets an average of four to ten hours to dry, the actual time it will take your carpet to dry completely is influenced by factors like

• The carpet material: synthetic fiber carpets like nylon and polyester typically dry faster than natural fiber carpets like wool and cotton, which are usually more absorbent and can take as much as 24 hours to dry completely 
• The cleaning method: carpets cleaned with methods like dry carpet cleaning and encapsulation that require little to no water typically dry faster than those cleaned with methods like steam cleaning and carpet shampooing that require a lot of water 
• Humidity: carpets typically dry faster in areas with low humidity 
• Temperature and airflow: indoor temperatures and airflow also affect how quickly or slowly carpets will dry

Some ways that you can speed up your carpet’s drying time include:

• Use fans
• Open your windows, and doors if possible, to let fresh air circulate 
• Turn on the AC in situations where opening a window is not an option
• Use a dehumidifier if you live in a relatively humid area
• Move furniture away from the wet carpet 
• Use a wet vacuum cleaner to soak up moisture

Are You Insured and Bonded?

When you invite any workers or service providers into your home, there is always the risk of these individuals incurring an injury, injuring a third party, or damaging your property while offering their services. Carpet cleaners in particular routinely face work-related risks and hazards like

• Exposure to chemicals, flammable liquids, and other potentially harmful substances 
• Injuries from specialized cleaning tools and equipment 
• Damages to the client’s home or worksite 

Hiring a carpet cleaning service that is properly insured and bonded ensures that you remain financially and legally protected if these, or any other types of adverse and unforeseen events occur while your carpet is being cleaned. Note that even though insurance and bonding are both types of financial guarantees that are designed to protect clients and business owners in situations where things go wrong, they are not the same. Bonds typically protect the client only and ensure that they do not incur any losses if the carpet cleaning services fails to provide the agreed-on services. 

On the other hand, insurance typically protects both the carpet cleaning services and the client and ensures that the client does not have to make any out-of-pocket payments in the event of something unforeseen happening. Some common types of insurance policies that professional carpet cleaners typically maintain include:

• General liability insurance: this covers bodily injuries, property damage, and personal injuries
• Workers’ compensation insurance: this covers injuries to the carpet cleaner’s employees
• Employee dishonesty insurance: this covers losses caused by theft or fraudulent acts committed by the carpet cleaner’s employees 

Note that, per state law, all cleaning companies that operate in NYC must maintain workers’ compensation insurance and employee disability coverage plans, or get an exemption for these where applicable. 

To this end, always verify that your prospective carpet cleaners are properly insured and bonded before signing any contracts with them. You can do this by asking for copies of their insurance and bond certificates and validating these documents with the appropriate issuing organizations.