Carpet and upholstery cleaning deep-cleans soft flooring and furnishings by hot-water extraction, lifting soil and stains that vacuuming leaves behind. Optus Glean UK delivers it nationwide across offices, hospitality and communal areas - priced per square metre - using COSHH-assessed products and DBS-checked, PAYE-employed operatives working to a documented scope.
Hot-water extraction, explained
Hot-water extraction - often called steam cleaning - injects a heated cleaning solution deep into the carpet pile or upholstery fabric and immediately extracts it along with the dissolved soil, leaving fibres clean and only lightly damp. It is the method most manufacturers recommend for a genuine deep clean, and it lifts embedded grit, stains and allergens that vacuuming and surface methods cannot. We pre-treat heavy soiling and spot-treat stains before the main pass.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning is a specialist line within our wider deep cleaning work and pairs with hard-floor cleaning for mixed floor types. It is also a standard inclusion in larger end-of-tenancy cleans.
How much does carpet cleaning cost?
Commercial carpet cleaning is usually priced per square metre. The UK average is around £2.50 per square metre (roughly £2-£5 depending on soiling and access), commercial premises are often budgeted at about £4 per square metre, and providers typically apply a minimum charge of around £85 per visit. Cleaning is standard-rated for VAT at 20%. For the full breakdown see our carpet cleaning cost guide, or get a figure from the cost calculator.
Upholstery, drying and protection
The same extraction method cleans fabric upholstery - office chairs, reception and breakout seating, and soft furnishings - with fabric-appropriate solutions and controlled moisture so pieces dry evenly. We advise on realistic drying times (helped by good ventilation) and can apply a fabric protector to extend the clean. Delicate or specialist fabrics are assessed first so we use the right approach.
Chemicals, colour-coding and safety
Every solution is COSHH-assessed, equipment is BICSc colour-coded to avoid cross-contamination, and wet floors are managed with signage during and after cleaning to control the slip risk - slips and trips are the single largest category of workplace injury reported to the HSE. Each job runs to a method statement and risk assessment.
Directly-employed, national coverage
Whether you need one office carpet refreshed or a rolling programme across a property portfolio, you get the same PAYE-employed, DBS-checked (Disclosure Scotland / AccessNI in Scotland and Northern Ireland) teams and the same documented standard on one national contract. It sits neatly alongside your routine commercial cleaning.
Indicative carpet cleaning costs (UK, guide only)
| Basis | Typical rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK average (per sq m) | ~£2.50 / sq m | Range £2-£5 by soiling and access |
| Commercial premises | budget ~£4 / sq m | Larger areas, contract programmes |
| Minimum charge | ~£85 / visit | Applies to small jobs |
| VAT | +20% | Cleaning is standard-rated |