Office carpet and hard floor care

Office carpet cleaning by hot water extraction or encapsulation, plus scrubbing, buffing and resealing of vinyl and LVT floors. Typical UK prices.

In short: Office carpet and hard floor care is periodic floor maintenance beyond daily vacuuming and mopping: hot water extraction or low-moisture cleaning of carpet tiles, stain removal, and machine scrubbing, buffing or resealing of vinyl, LVT and other hard floors. It suits offices whose floors look tired or are wearing in walkways. In the UK carpet extraction typically costs £2.50 to £4.50 per m².

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Daily vacuuming removes loose dirt, but carpet tiles in walkways, around desks and by kitchen doors gradually darken as oily soil and spills bind into the fibres. Periodic deep cleaning lifts that soil and extends the life of the carpet, which is much cheaper than replacing tiles early. The two main methods are hot water extraction, which flushes the fibres and extracts the dirty water, and low-moisture encapsulation, which dries quickly and suits regular maintenance between deeper cleans.

Hard floors such as vinyl, safety flooring, LVT and sealed wood need a different approach. Regular mopping keeps them clean on the surface, but scuffs, ground-in dirt and dull traffic lanes need machine scrubbing with a rotary or scrubber dryer and, on some floors, buffing or a fresh protective seal. The right method depends on the floor manufacturer's guidance, so the floor type is identified before any machine or chemical is used.

What is included

Inspection of carpet and hard floor types, condition and any manufacturer cleaning guidance
Pre-vacuuming and pre-treatment of traffic lanes and heavily soiled areas
Hot water extraction or low-moisture encapsulation cleaning of carpets
Spot treatment of common stains such as coffee, ink and food spills
Machine scrubbing of vinyl, safety flooring and LVT with a rotary or scrubber dryer
Buffing, or stripping and resealing, of floors that use a protective finish
Entrance matting cleaned, as it traps much of the dirt brought into the building
Advice on a sensible periodic schedule for each floor area

Who it is for

Offices with carpet tiles darkening in walkways and around desks
End-of-lease handovers where carpets must be returned in clean condition
Hard floors in receptions, kitchens and corridors that look dull or scuffed
Offices adding periodic floor care to a regular cleaning contract
Businesses wanting to delay the cost of replacing worn flooring

How much does it cost?

As a guide, office carpet cleaning by hot water extraction usually costs £2.50 to £4.50 per m², with low-moisture maintenance cleans and hard floor machine scrubbing often a little cheaper per m² and stripping and resealing hard floors costing more. Small areas usually have a minimum charge. See our full cost guide.

How it works

Identify floor types

Each floor is checked for type and condition, because the wrong chemical or machine can damage some finishes.

Choose the method

The cleaning method is matched to the floor, the level of soiling and how quickly the area must be back in use.

Clean out of hours

Work is carried out in the evening or at a weekend, with signage and ventilation to help carpets dry and floors cure.

Set the schedule

A periodic schedule is agreed, such as encapsulation every quarter and extraction once a year in busy areas.

Office carpet and hard floor care: FAQs

How long do office carpets take to dry after cleaning?

After hot water extraction, carpets usually take a few hours to dry, and sometimes longer in cold or poorly ventilated offices. Low-moisture encapsulation cleaning often dries in an hour or so. Booking the clean for an evening or a Friday, and leaving ventilation or air conditioning running, means the office is normally ready to use the next working day.

Hot water extraction or encapsulation: which is better?

Hot water extraction gives a deeper restorative clean and is best for heavily soiled carpet or an annual clean. Encapsulation uses a low-moisture chemical that crystallises around dirt, which is then vacuumed away, so it dries fast and suits regular maintenance. Many offices combine them: encapsulation every few months and extraction once or twice a year.

Can all stains be removed from office carpet?

Most common office stains, such as coffee, tea, food and mud, can be removed or greatly reduced if treated reasonably soon. Old stains, bleach marks, dye transfer and some inks may be permanent because the colour of the fibre itself has changed. With carpet tiles, replacing a few badly stained tiles from spare stock is often the practical answer.

Will floor cleaning damage our LVT or vinyl?

Not if the right method is used. Many LVT and vinyl floors should only be cleaned with neutral cleaners and soft pads, and some should never be stripped. That is why the floor type and manufacturer's guidance are checked first. Aggressive pads, strong alkaline strippers or too much water on joints are what cause damage.