How much to charge for upholstery cleaning
Updated 26 September 2026
Many upholstery cleaners price sofas per seat or per cushion, and armchairs, dining chairs and mattresses per piece. Leather and delicate fabrics cost more, because they need different products and a slower hand. Fabric protector is a common extra.
Example upholstery cleaning prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-seater fabric sofa and an armchair | $135 | £110 | A$205 | CA$180 |
| Six-seat leather corner sofa, cleaned and conditioned | $215 | £180 | A$325 | CA$290 |
| Two mattresses and six dining chairs, with pet odour treatment | $225 | £185 | A$345 | CA$300 |
Priced with the starting rates in our upholstery cleaning template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How upholstery cleaners set their prices
Per seat
A price for each sofa seat, so a two-seater and a six-seat corner sofa are both priced fairly. Customers can count seats from home, which makes quoting from a form or a photo easy.
Per piece
A set price for each item, from sofas and armchairs to ottomans and mattresses. It's simple to advertise, but sofas vary so much in size that you'll need more than one sofa price.
By the hour
An hourly rate for antiques, heavy soiling and pieces you can't judge in advance. It protects your time, but give an estimate before you start.
Sample upholstery cleaning price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofa seats, per seat | $30 | £25 | A$45 | CA$40 |
| Armchairs, per armchair | $45 | £35 | A$70 | CA$60 |
| Dining chairs, per chair | $12 | £9.50 | A$18 | CA$16 |
| Mattresses, per mattress | $60 | £50 | A$90 | CA$80 |
| Fabric: Leather (clean and condition) | +20% | +20% | +20% | +20% |
| Fabric: Delicate (velvet, linen, silk) | +30% | +30% | +30% | +30% |
| Fabric protector | +$40 | +£30 | +A$60 | +CA$55 |
| Pet odour treatment | +$35 | +£30 | +A$55 | +CA$45 |
| Minimum job price | $100 | £80 | A$150 | CA$140 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our upholstery cleaning quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Fresh Fabric Care
Upholstery cleaning price
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Pricing leather like fabric. Leather needs its own cleaner and a conditioner afterwards. Our template adds 20% for leather.
- Taking on delicate fabrics at your standard price. Velvet can lose its pile, and linen can shrink or watermark. Our template adds 30% for delicate fabrics. Do a spot test before you start.
- Quoting a sofa as one item. A six-seat modular takes about twice as long as a three-seater, so price per seat.
- Promising every stain will come out. Old stains and dye transfer often stay. Say so before you start, so the result doesn't turn into an argument about the bill.
- Driving out for one armchair. Travel and setting up cost the same for one piece as for five. Our template's minimum is $100 in the US.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- Should I price sofas per seat or per piece?
- Per seat, since sofa sizes vary so much. Per piece works for armchairs and mattresses, which are closer to a standard size.
- How do I price upholstery from photos?
- Ask for a photo of each piece, its care tag and any stains. Many tags carry a cleaning code: W for water-based cleaning, S for solvent, W/S for either and X for vacuum only. Quote from the photos, and say the price may change if the fabric or soiling is different on the day.
- Should I sell fabric protector?
- Offer it on every job, especially light fabrics and homes with children or pets. Our template adds $40 a job in the US.
- How much extra should I charge for pet odour?
- Enough to cover an enzyme treatment and the time it needs to work, since urine often soaks into the foam. Our template adds $35 for pet odour treatment in the US.
- How do I put upholstery cleaning prices on my website?
- A quote form lets customers count their seats and pieces and pick the fabric. They see a price before they book, and you get a list of every piece before you arrive.