The cost of carpet cleaning comes down to two things: how much carpet you have, and what condition it’s in. At Windell’s Carpet Care, we price by the square foot instead of by the room. We also confirm your price on site before any work starts.
This guide covers everything that affects a carpet cleaning bill in New Albany, Corydon, Georgetown, Floyds Knobs, Lanesville and the rest of our Southern Indiana service area. It includes stairs, pet treatment, move-outs and upholstery, so you’ll know what to expect before you call.
Carpet Cleaning Cost per Square Foot vs. per Room
Many companies charge by the room. The trouble is that rooms aren’t the same size. Under a per-room price, a small bedroom costs the same as a big open living room, and somebody ends up overpaying.
We measure the carpet and charge by the square foot, so you pay for the carpet you actually have. That works in your favor on bigger jobs too: the more square footage we clean, the lower the price per square foot.
Very small jobs have a minimum charge. The minimum can be higher for homes at the outer edge of our service area, because of the drive time.
What Affects the Cost of Carpet Cleaning
The biggest factor is square footage. After that, these are the things that can raise or lower your price.
The cost to clean stairs is a flat fee. Most residential staircases cost the same rate. Exceptionally wide or long staircases, which are usually in commercial buildings, are priced separately. A landing at the top or bottom of the stairs is measured by the square foot. A landing in the middle of the staircase is included in the stair price.
Pet urine treatment cost is added as a percentage, either on the affected area or on the whole job, depending on how widespread the problem is. We clean down to the carpet backing and can do light extraction below the surface. We don’t go through to the pad.
We can’t tell you whether an odor will come out completely until we’ve seen and smelled the carpet. We’ll give you a straight answer once we have.
Tough stains may add a percentage where extra treatment is needed. We can’t promise every spot will come out, because too many factors are involved. What we can promise is that if a spot can come out, we’ll get it out.
Deodorizer is an add-on, priced as a percentage of the job.
Our upholstery cleaning cost can vary depending on size, time, and difficulty. Sofas, loveseats, chairs, and sectionals are priced by the piece.
Area rugs are priced by the square foot, just like wall-to-wall carpet.
Move-out carpet cleaning costs the same as a standard cleaning. Empty rooms are faster to clean, so landlords and property managers with multiple units usually get a better rate for the volume.
We serve New Albany, Corydon, Georgetown, Floyds Knobs, Lanesville and the surrounding area. Homes farther out may have a higher minimum charge.
You might expect some of these to cost extra. With us they’re part of the standard price:
- Very dirty or high-traffic carpet
- Reasonable furniture moving (we move what’s practical, but not every piece)
- Move-out cleaning
How Our Estimates Work
You can get a free estimate by phone, text or email. Photos help but aren’t required. We’ll ask a few questions about the rooms, stairs, pets and any problem spots, and give you a price based on your answers.
When we arrive, we start by walking through, measuring and confirming the price before we unload any equipment. If the estimate was off in either direction, we sort it out up front. We don’t want anyone getting a bill they weren’t expecting.
After that, the price only changes if you add or remove areas, which happens fairly often. Plenty of customers decide to add a hallway or a chair once they see the first room come clean.
Why the Cheapest Carpet Cleaning Can Cost You More
You’ve probably seen the “three rooms for a low flat price” specials. In the trade, those are called “wet and jets.” The crew flushes hot water through the carpet without any cleaners, sanitizers, or deodorizers, and often doesn’t dry the carpet properly. Carpet left too wet can cause problems later.
We use hot water extraction on every job, along with proper cleaning solutions and thorough extraction to pull the water back out. It’s the method we trust for the deepest, most complete clean.
See before-and-after photos of Windell’s Carpet Care cleanings here.
Is Professional Carpet Cleaning Worth It Compared to Renting a Machine?
Yes. Rental machines don’t have the power or suction to reach as deep into the carpet as professional equipment. Most people also aren’t sure how to use them and end up putting down too much water. Overwet carpet can develop musty odors and get dirty again quickly. And almost all carpet warranties require you to get professional cleanings to keep the warranty active.
Ways to Lower Your Carpet Cleaning Cost
- Clean more at once. Larger jobs get a lower price per square foot.
- Stick with us. We usually keep repeat customers at the same price for several years, so over time loyal customers pay less than the going rate.
- Ask about senior and military discounts. Seniors and military get 10% off. The discount doesn’t apply to minimum-charge jobs.
- Landlords and property managers: multiple units and empty rooms usually qualify for a better rate.
- Prep before we arrive. Vacuuming and clearing small items keeps the job quick and simple.
Get a Free Carpet Cleaning Estimate
We price by the square foot and confirm on site before we start, so there are no surprises on your bill. Call 812-738-3014, text 812-972-3477, or see our contact page for a free estimate anywhere in New Albany, Corydon, Georgetown, Floyds Knobs, Lanesville, and the surrounding Southern Indiana area.
Carpet Cleaning FAQ
How long does carpet cleaning take?
Most homes take 1 to 2 hours. Larger jobs can take up to 3.
How long does carpet take to dry?
Usually 2 to 4 hours, depending on the carpet, humidity and airflow. You can walk on it right away as long as your shoes or feet are clean. Be careful stepping from damp carpet onto hard floors, which can be slick.
How should I prepare for carpet cleaning?
Vacuum first. Move as much furniture and as many small items as you can or want to. Clear a path from the driveway to the door, and leave a parking spot close to the house for our truck.
How often should carpet be professionally cleaned?
Once a year works well for most homes, especially those with kids or pets.
Do you move furniture?
We do reasonable furniture moving at no extra charge. We don’t move every piece, so it helps if you clear small and fragile items ahead of time.
Do you guarantee your work?
We guarantee we’ll get your carpet as clean as it can get. If anything comes up afterward, let us know, because we can’t fix a problem we don’t know about. If a spot reappears within about a week, we’ll come back.
Do you clean carpet after a flood?
We clean carpet that’s been through a flood. We don’t do full restoration work like replacing pad, drywall, trim or paint.
Are you insured?
Yes, Windell’s Carpet Care is insured.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, check and card. We don’t require a deposit.
Do you offer same-day or weekend appointments?
Same-day jobs are rare. Evening and weekend appointments are mostly for commercial clients or special residential situations.