Mobile carpet and rug cleaning

Deep clean carpets and rugs in homes and small offices with your own extraction machine.

A worker using an extraction machine to clean a carpet in a living room.
Startup costC$2k to C$8k
Monthly revenueC$1k to C$5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • C$2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

Visiting homes and offices to clean carpets and rugs, usually with a hot water extraction machine, plus spot and stain treatment.

Your first three steps

  1. Take a carpet cleaning course or get hands-on training, and practise on friends' and family's carpets
  2. Price a portable or truck-mounted machine, new or used, and compare against your likely jobs
  3. Contact local landlords, property managers and realtors to offer move-out and turnover cleans
Who pays

Homeowners, tenants, landlords, property managers and small offices.

How it makes money

Price per room or per square foot, with add-ons such as stain treatment, pet odour treatment and protectant. Repeat clients and property managers give steady work.

Skills that help
  • Operating cleaning machines
  • Knowing carpet fibres and stain treatments
  • Reliable scheduling and customer service
Watch out for
  • Commercial general liability insurance, which property managers often ask for
  • Check whether your municipality requires a business licence for a mobile service
  • Risk of shrinking or colour damage on delicate rugs, so test first and agree terms in writing
  • Winter slows some work, and drying times are longer in cold or damp weather
  • A suitable vehicle and safe lifting of heavy equipment

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile carpet cleaning business in Canada?

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your extraction machine and vehicle. You will need a suitable vehicle and a safe way to lift heavy equipment.

How much revenue can a mobile carpet cleaner make?

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many homes and offices you book. Winter can slow some work, and drying takes longer in cold or damp weather.

What should I check before starting a carpet cleaning business?

Check that you have commercial general liability insurance, since property managers often ask for it. Check whether your municipality requires a business licence for a mobile service, and test delicate rugs first and agree terms in writing.

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Photo: stevepb on Pixabay

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