Get Quotes from Top Carpet Cleaning Services in San Jose, CA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Carpet Cleaner

Over time, dirt, dust mites, debris, stains, and odors accumulate in your carpet and eventually split and deteriorate the fibers. Deep cleaning once or twice a year can help restore and extend the life of your carpet. However, this tedious job requires specific knowledge of washing your kind of carpet, carefully handling cleaning chemicals, and the use of some heavy-duty tools. For less than $0.50 per square foot, you can hire a carpet cleaning technician in San Jose who has mastered all these cleaning requirements to save you the stress. 

As such, when it comes to choosing a reputable San Jose carpet cleaning service, it is important to confirm they are experienced, proficient, and insured by asking the following questions:

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpet Cleaning Companies in San Jose?

When you hire a professional carpet cleaning company, you will be provided with an estimate which typically contains details about the type of work they will perform and a breakdown of the fee. Most professional cleaners in the area use the per-square-foot or per-room rate to determine their charges. Nonetheless, several factors may affect the price of a professional carpet service in San Jose, including:

  • The size of the carpet
  • The carpet type and material
  • The carpet cleaner's reputation
  • The urgency of the cleaning service
  • The amount of damage done to the carpet
  • The location of your property or home within the city
  • The amount of time it will take to complete the job
  • The cleaning solution and method that will be used

Since the cost of carpet cleaning services in San Jose depends on various factors, what cleaning companies charge will vary for each homeowner. As such, it is best that you get and compare estimates from multiple cleaning companies to ensure you get the best deal. Avoid any carpet cleaning company refusing an estimate before signing the contract. This is usually an indication that it is not a legitimate business. Also, be wary of cleaning companies offering the highest or lowest rates because the cleaning company may be trying to scam you.

The average cost of various types of carpet cleaning services in San Jose is listed below:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Square Foot:

250 square feet
$50 - $100
500 square feet
$105 - $200
1,000 square feet
$210 - $400
1,500 square feet
$310 - $500
2,000 square feet
$410 - $800
2,500 square feet
$510 - $1,000

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Room:

1 room
$58 - $90
2 rooms
$60 - $170
3 rooms
$85 - $350
4 rooms
$10 - $360
5 rooms
$150 - $650

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Cleaning Method:

Steam/Hot Water Extraction
$105 - $370
Carpet Shampooing
$105 - $260
Dry Cleaning
$70 - $150
Bonnet
$32 - $90
Encapsulation
$85 - $200

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Carpet Type:

Synthetic fiber carpets
$62 - $300
Natural fiber carpets
$100 - $450

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Type of Service:

Green carpet cleaning
$115 - $240
Carpet stain removal
$32 - $450
Upholstery cleaning
$55 - $100
Pet stain and odor cleaning/removal
$32 - $50 per hour
Stair carpet cleaning
$3 - $5 per stair
Water extraction
$400 – $2,000
Furniture moving
$15 - $50
Carpet patch repair
$100 - $250
Carpet re-stretching
$100 - $300
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians?

Professional carpet cleaning companies in San Jose usually carry out background checks on potential employees to avoid hiring individuals who are not only dishonest but could also expose the company to various liabilities. To this end, before hiring a carpet cleaning service in San Jose, it is important to confirm that the company has conducted proper background checks on the employees working in your home. Some of the checks that a cleaning company performs on prospective employees include:

  • Court record 
  • Credit record 
  • Driving record 
  • Criminal record 
  • Sex offender record 
  • State licensing record 
  • Social security number 
  • Worker's compensation record 
  • Educational and certificate verification

Note that you should consider it a red flag if the carpet cleaning service cannot guarantee you of checking out their employees' background histories.

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

When choosing a carpet cleaning company, it is important that the workers are appropriately trained. The Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), an organization that upholds the industry's most common standards, provides certification to some of the best cleaning technicians in the world. The IICRC guarantees the quality of work the cleaning company technicians will perform will be up to standard because of the certification and training these professionals receive. The certification also helps cleaning technicians stay up-to-date with the latest cleaning techniques to ensure you are left with a satisfactory job.

Having at least one IICRC-certified technician, a business license, and adequate insurance coverage helps a cleaning company earn the prestigious IICRC badge

What Carpet Cleaning Methods Do You Use?

Before you hire a professional carpet cleaning company in San Jose, it is important that you know the type of cleaning methods they use. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right cleaning solution for your carpet. Some of these include the type of carpet and carpet fiber and the nature of dirt that is on the carpet. In addition to these, other factors, such as your preference for eco-friendly products, are also considered. Among these factors, the type of carpets you have plays a significant role in the cleaning company's cleaning solution.

Depending on the type of materials used, most carpets have varying cleaning methods. Most carpets in San Jose are made from either natural or synthetic fibers. Some common carpet fibers include:

  • Nylon: This material is commonly used in areas with high traffic and is resistant to dirt, wear, and mold. However, these types of carpets are susceptible to stains.
  • Polyester: Although it is comparable to nylon, polyester is not as resilient. It can be hard to clean due to its chemical bonds with stains.
  • Wool: Although durable and stain-resistant, wool is prone to get attacked by various insects, such as moths and beetles, and it requires high maintenance.
  • Acrylic: This material is comparable to wool in terms of durability and stain resistance. Unfortunately, this carpet is not widely available.
  • Cotton: This type of carpet is made from a soft, plush material that can endure high traffic. Cotton carpets are easy to clean and maintain but prone to fading and require high maintenance.
  • Olefin: This type of carpet is versatile and can be used indoors and out due to its various features, such as its moisture-resistant and resilient properties. However, this material is not comfortable to walk on
  • Triexta: This is a synthetic carpet that is easy to maintain and is considered to be incredibly durable.

In San Jose, carpet cleaning companies use various cleaning methods when providing their services with regard to the carpet types mentioned above:

  • Hot water extraction: This method involves combining cleaning agents and hot water. The combination is then sprayed onto the carpet at high pressure, which allows for the removal of dust, mud, thick dirt, and other debris to come out from the carpet.
  • Carpet shampooing: This method uses water and a specifically formulated shampoo to clean carpets. A rotating brush is used to apply the shampoo to the carpet. The machine then extracts the shampoo from the carpet until the carpet is clean and dried.
  • Dry carpet cleaning: It involves using a mixture of special chemicals and powders with little to no liquids or water.
  • Bonnet cleaning: The bonnet cleaning process is carried out using a motorized spinning pad designed to apply the cleaning agent on the carpet's surface. It then removes dirt and debris from the carpet.

This method requires using a cleaning solution designed to deeply penetrate and crystallize around the dirt in the carpet before vacuuming the carpet.

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

Method Pros Cons
Steam Carpet Cleaning/Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning Effective for removing dirt and bacteria from carpets
Can help neutralize pollens, dust, and other allergens 
Requires hours of downtime to dry
Retained moisture may cause mold or mildew-related issues
Carpet Shampooing Separates and removes dirt molecules from carpet fibers
Strips embedded pet hairs from tightly wound carpet fibers
Improperly removed shampoo molecules can end up making your carpet look dingy over time
Excess moisture may soak into your carpet’s foam padding and create mold and moisture-related issues down the line
Dry Carpet Cleaning No drying downtime
Safe for all types of carpets
Powders and detergents used can be pungent
Not a good option for homeowners with breathing difficulties or allergies
Bonnet Cleaning Effective for light stains 
Quick-drying
Not effective for deep cleaning 
Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Environmentally friendly
Quick-drying 
Does not rely on water or electricity 
Only useful for surface cleaning and is usually ineffective for deep stains and odors 

Before choosing a carpet cleaning company, it is essential that you thoroughly research the different cleaning methods that they will use and the expertise they will need to get the job completed. You should also inform them about any allergies you might have to ensure they consider them when selecting the right cleaning products to use on your carpet.

Are Your Cleaning Products Safe for Kids and Pets?

When choosing a carpet cleaning company in San Jose, it is important to consider the type of cleaning product that will be used. Conventional cleaning products are commonly known to contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals, such as ammonia, bleach, artificial fragrances, and pollutants. These chemicals also pose health hazards to children and pets. Some of the health hazards posed by these types of chemicals and cleaning supplies include:

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

Although some professional carpet cleaning companies in San Jose use harmless products for pets, kids, and the environment, it is still important to ask the cleaning company about their safety policies regarding the cleaning products they will use. It is also important to ask the company to provide a list of the products they will use for the job. You can check the safety ratings of the products online through the EPA's Safer Choice platform. The platform has a list of cleaning products that have been certified safe to use.

What Other Cleaning Services Do You Provide?

If you plan on doing more than your carpet cleaning, it is important to find out if the cleaning company you prefer also provides the additional services you require. While some companies in San Jose mainly focus on cleaning carpets, others offer other services that are not related to the carpet industry. The following are additional services that some carpet cleaning companies in San Jose also provide:

  • House cleaning services: This includes cleaning, sweeping, and polishing various surfaces such as walls, floors, and furniture. Usually, this service is around $50 to $280 or more, depending on the number of rooms to be cleaned or the size of your home.
  • Deep cleaning: This type of cleaning involves going through the house more intensively and usually involves cleaning hard-to-reach places. Deep cleaning can cost around $200 to $400, depending on the size of your house and the number of rooms to be cleaned.
  • Window cleaning: This involves window cleaning, costing around $1.50 to $13 for each window.
  • Pet odor and stain removal: This service is focused on removing the unpleasant stains and smells that your pets leave behind. It can cost around $150 to $800.
  • Pressure washing: This cleaning is usually done on hard surfaces such as roofs, driveways, and walls. Pressure washing can cost around $100 to $700.
  • Laundry services: This includes washing your dirty, ironing, and folding your laundry and the average cost of this service is around $10 to $25 per load.
  • Upholstery cleaning: This service usually focuses on cleaning furniture that requires special cleaning methods. It can cost around $15 to $250 for each item.
  • Disinfection and sanitization services: This service is focused on preventing the spread of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. This service costs around $200 to $400, depending on the area that requires cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization.
  • Green cleaning services: This cleaning is typically done using organic cleaning supplies and products. Green cleaning can cost between $100 to $250 or more, depending on the size and number of cleaned rooms.
  • Pest control cleaning services: This cleaning mainly focuses on preventing and treating rodents and pests in your home. It can cost from $80 to $1,500. Ensure you confirm if the carpet cleaning company will be required to obtain an occupational license to offer this service.
  • Rug cleaning: Although similar to carpets, rugs are generally smaller and not fixed to the floor. Rug cleaning can cost around $150 to $500.
  • Mattress cleaning services: This service involves getting rid of all the dirt and stains from your mattress and washing the bedding supplies. It can cost around $50 to $150 per mattress.
  • Tile and grout cleaning: This service involves getting the tile and grout cleaned with special care. It can cost about $30 to $50 an hour.
  • Hardwood floor cleaning: Similar to grout and tile cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning is focused on ensuring that the natural beauty of the flooring stays intact. It involves using equipment and cleaning supplies that can help prevent damage. Hardwood floor cleaning costs an average of $40 to $65 per hour.

Before you agree to a contract with a carpet cleaning company, make sure that you are aware of the services they offer and the associated costs. Some companies offer special discounted cleaning packages when offering two or more cleaning services. This should be considered before you agree to a contract with them.

How Long Will It Take for My Carpet to Dry?

It is important to know how long it will take for your carpet to dry after cleaning, especially if you have pets or children who need to be kept away from the wet stuff. Usually, it takes around four to ten hours for a professional cleaning job, but the actual time it takes depends on various factors like:

  • The carpet material: Compared to natural fiber carpets, which are usually much more absorbent, synthetic ones like polyester and nylon tend to dry faster. On the other hand, natural fibers such as cotton and wool can take up to 24 hours to dry completely.
  • The cleaning method: Different types of cleaning methods, such as encapsulation and dry carpet cleaning, can speed up the drying process of carpets compared to methods that use a lot of water and steam.
  • Temperature and airflow: The indoor airflow and room temperature can also affect how fast or slowly your carpet will dry.
  • Humidity: carpets typically dry faster in areas with low humidity

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

  • Move your furniture away from the wet carpet.
  • Use a wet vacuum cleaner to soak up moisture
  • Turn on the AC or fan if you cannot open a window
  • Use a dehumidifier if you live in a relatively humid area
  • Open your windows and doors, if possible, for cross ventilation

Are You Insured and Bonded?

When you hire a carpet cleaning company to come into your home, risks are always involved. These include the possibility of getting injured, damaging your property, or even hurting a third party. For instance, carpet cleaners are typically exposed to harmful chemicals, flammable liquids, and other potentially harmful substances. Also, these workers can easily cause damage to your home when using their specialized cleaning tools and equipment.

When it comes to hiring a professional carpet cleaning company, it is important to make sure that they are bonded and insured. A bond ensures that the client is only protected from losses if the cleaning company fails to deliver the agreed-upon services. Professional carpet cleaning companies often carry insurance policies that protect both themselves and their clients if something unexpected happens. Some of the common types of insurance policies that carpet companies in San Jose purchase include:

  • Workers' compensation insurance: this will provide coverage for injuries sustained by the carpet cleaner's employees while working on your home
  • General liability insurance: this covers bodily injuries, property damage, and personal injuries for third parties
  • Employee dishonesty insurance: This type of insurance covers the losses that are caused by the fraudulent or theft acts that the employees of a carpet cleaning company commit.

This type of financial guarantee ensures that you are protected from various risks associated with the carpet cleaner's work. Note that in San Jose, all cleaning companies must maintain workers' compensation insurance policies for their employees.

Before signing any contract with a carpet cleaning company, ensure they are insured and bonded. This can be done by asking them to provide you with copies of their bond and insurance documents. You should also contact the appropriate issuing organizations for authentication. 

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Carpet Cleaning Service in San Jose

The Office of the Santa Clara County District Attorney handles complaints about carpet cleaners in San Jose.

Despite the legitimate work performed by many carpet cleaning companies in San Jose, many con artists and scammers still target homeowners. In late 2018, a couple was arrested after they reportedly took over hundreds of thousands of dollars from their clients for home improvements but instead used the money for personal use. San Jose residents should be able to recognize the warning signs that indicate a potential carpet cleaner may be fraudulent:

  • The carpet cleaner shows up at your door unsolicited.
  • The carpet cleaner is offering ridiculously low rates
  • The carpet cleaner appears in an unmarked vehicle
  • The carpet cleaner does not remove area rugs before cleaning.
  • The carpet cleaner insists on full payment and cash payment before starting the work
  • The carpet cleaning company often charges a higher price than their initial estimate, and they will tell you that you have special stains that require special cleaning products.
  • The carpet cleaning company will try to convince you that your carpet requires special cleaning methods that cost more than standard rates.

To avoid getting ripped off by a dishonest carpet cleaning company, you should take the necessary steps to protect yourself:

  • Get and compare rates from at least three different carpet cleaners before making the final hiring decision.
  • Confirm that your preferred carpet cleaner is adequately insured and bonded
  • Avoid paying for the full cost of the service upfront.
  • Avoid hiring any carpet cleaning company that shows up at your home uninvited. Instead, ask your friends and family who have had their carpets cleaned to recommend reputable carpet cleaning companies in San Jose.
  • Check out reputable websites and platforms like Google Review, Better Business Bureau, and Yelp that provide reviews and testimonials about carpet cleaning companies.
  • Make sure you get a written contract that clearly states the terms of the service. It should also contain information about the type of services that the company will provide and the products that it will use.


Complaints concerning fraudulent carpet cleaning companies in San Jose can be filed with the Office of the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit via an online complaint form or by submitting a pdf consumer complaint form via mail to:

Santa Clara County
Office of the District Attorney
Mediation Services
Consumer Protection Unit
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110