Professional Carpet and Floor Cleaning Across Ireland
Floors are the most heavily used surface in any commercial building. They absorb foot traffic, spills, dirt, moisture, and wear on a daily basis. Without professional maintenance, carpets trap allergens, bacteria, and odours that affect air quality and employee health. Hard floors lose their protective seal, become scratched, and develop a dull, worn appearance that undermines the professionalism of your premises.
Optus Glean provides commercial carpet cleaning and hard floor care services to offices, hotels, healthcare facilities, retail units, schools, and industrial premises across all 26 counties of Ireland. We use the right method for every floor type and every situation — because a marble reception floor requires a fundamentally different approach to a warehouse safety floor, and a heavily soiled office carpet needs a different treatment to a monthly maintenance clean.
Every floor cleaning job is carried out by trained, Garda vetted operatives using professional-grade equipment. We carry €6.5 million in public liability insurance and €13 million in employer's liability cover. All work is backed by documented method statements and quality audits.
Carpet Cleaning Methods Compared
There are three primary methods for commercial carpet cleaning. Each has distinct advantages, and the right choice depends on your carpet type, soiling level, and business requirements.
Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning)
Hot water extraction (HWE) is the gold standard for deep carpet cleaning and is recommended by most carpet manufacturers. A pre-conditioning solution is applied to the carpet, then hot water (60–80°C) is injected into the carpet fibres under high pressure. The water, dissolved dirt, bacteria, and allergens are immediately extracted using powerful vacuum suction.
HWE reaches deep into carpet fibres and removes embedded soil that surface cleaning methods cannot reach. It is the most effective method for removing stains, odours, bacteria, and dust mites. The main consideration is drying time: carpets typically take 4 to 8 hours to dry fully, though they are walkable with protective overshoes within 2 hours. We schedule HWE cleans during evenings or weekends to minimise disruption.
Best for: Quarterly or bi-annual deep cleans, heavily soiled carpets, stain removal, end-of-tenancy cleans, post-construction cleaning, healthcare environments requiring deep sanitisation.
Encapsulation Cleaning
Encapsulation uses a crystallising polymer that is worked into the carpet using a rotary or cylindrical brush machine. The polymer surrounds and encapsulates dirt particles, which dry into brittle crystals within 30 to 60 minutes. These crystals are then removed through normal vacuuming. No wet extraction is involved, so drying times are minimal and carpets can be walked on almost immediately.
Encapsulation is ideal for regular maintenance cleaning in busy commercial environments. It uses less water than HWE, generates less waste, and leaves no sticky residue that attracts resoiling. It is not suitable for heavily soiled carpets or deep stain removal — for those, hot water extraction is required.
Best for: Monthly maintenance cleans, offices that cannot tolerate downtime, interim cleaning between deep extraction cleans, corridors and high-traffic areas.
Dry Compound Cleaning
Dry compound cleaning involves spreading an absorbent compound across the carpet, working it into the fibres with a brush machine, and then vacuuming it up. The compound absorbs soil from the carpet fibres without adding any moisture. The carpet can be walked on immediately after vacuuming — there is zero drying time.
Dry compound cleaning is the least disruptive method and is suitable for situations where the area must remain fully operational. It provides a good surface clean but does not reach as deep into carpet fibres as hot water extraction.
Best for: Retail environments during trading hours, hotel corridors during peak occupancy, areas where any moisture is unacceptable, very light maintenance cleans.
Method Comparison at a Glance
| Criteria | Hot Water Extraction | Encapsulation | Dry Compound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning depth | Deep (full fibre) | Medium (surface & mid-fibre) | Surface only |
| Drying time | 4–8 hours | 30–60 minutes | Immediate |
| Stain removal | Excellent | Moderate | Light |
| Allergen removal | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Water usage | High | Low | None |
| Ideal frequency | Quarterly/bi-annual | Monthly | As needed |
| Cost per m² | €4.00–€5.00 | €3.00–€4.00 | €3.00–€3.50 |
Carpet Cleaning Pricing in Ireland
Commercial carpet cleaning costs in Ireland vary by method, area size, soiling level, and access requirements. Below are indicative 2026 pricing ranges. Every Optus Glean job is quoted individually after a free site survey.
| Service | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water extraction per m² | €4.00 – €5.00 | Deep clean, all carpet types |
| Encapsulation per m² | €3.00 – €4.00 | Maintenance clean, fast dry |
| Dry compound per m² | €3.00 – €3.50 | Surface clean, zero downtime |
| Small room (up to 15m²) | €40 – €60 | Meeting rooms, small offices |
| Medium room (15–30m²) | €60 – €120 | Standard offices, hotel rooms |
| Large open-plan (100m²+) | €3.00 – €4.50/m² | Volume discount for large areas |
| Stain protection treatment | €1.50 – €2.50/m² | Scotchguard or equivalent |
| Minimum call-out | €120 | Applies to areas under 30m² |
Contract clients who combine carpet cleaning with office cleaning or other services receive preferential rates. Ask about bundled pricing during your site survey.
Hard Floor Cleaning and Restoration
Different floor surfaces demand different cleaning methods, chemicals, and equipment. Using the wrong product on the wrong floor causes damage that is expensive to repair. Optus Glean's floor care specialists are trained in the requirements of every common commercial floor type.
Vinyl and Linoleum Floors
Vinyl is the most common commercial floor covering in Ireland, found in hospitals, schools, offices, retail units, and care homes. Vinyl floors require regular machine scrubbing to remove ground-in dirt, followed by the application of a protective emulsion polish. Over time, polish layers build up and need stripping back to the bare floor before re-application. Optus Glean provides:
- Machine scrubbing and buffing for regular maintenance
- Full strip, clean, and re-seal programmes
- Anti-slip treatment for safety compliance
- Specialist products for healthcare and food-grade environments
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Tile floors are durable but grout lines trap dirt and bacteria. Our tile cleaning service includes deep cleaning of grout lines using rotary brush equipment and alkaline cleaning solutions, tile surface degreasing and sanitisation, and grout sealing to prevent future staining. Suitable for washrooms, kitchens, restaurant floors, and reception areas.
Marble and Natural Stone
Marble, granite, limestone, and slate floors require specialist care. Acidic cleaning products damage natural stone surfaces. Optus Glean uses pH-neutral products specifically formulated for stone care. We provide diamond polishing to restore the mirror finish on marble, honing to remove scratches and etch marks, and impregnating sealers that protect against staining without altering the stone's natural appearance.
Concrete Floors
Concrete floors in warehouses, car parks, and industrial premises require heavy-duty cleaning. We use ride-on scrubber dryers and industrial degreasing agents to remove oil, grease, tyre marks, and embedded dirt. Concrete floor treatments include shot blasting for deep surface preparation, epoxy and polyurethane coating application, and anti-dust sealing treatments.
Safety Floors
Safety floors (textured, non-slip flooring) are mandated in many commercial environments including kitchens, washrooms, changing rooms, and wet areas. The textured surface that provides grip also traps dirt and grease. Standard mopping is not effective. Optus Glean uses rotary machines with specialist brush pads that reach into the textured surface, combined with alkaline degreasers that break down the buildup. Regular machine cleaning is essential to maintain the anti-slip properties of safety floors.
Hard Floor Pricing
| Service | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Machine scrub and buff per m² | €2.50 – €4.00 | Vinyl, linoleum, safety floor |
| Strip, clean, and re-seal per m² | €5.00 – €8.00 | Full restoration, vinyl & lino |
| Tile and grout deep clean per m² | €4.00 – €6.00 | Includes grout line treatment |
| Marble/stone polishing per m² | €8.00 – €15.00 | Diamond polishing, honing |
| Concrete floor scrub per m² | €1.50 – €3.00 | Industrial, ride-on machine |
| Anti-slip treatment per m² | €3.00 – €5.00 | Ceramic, porcelain, stone |
Upholstery Cleaning
Office chairs, reception seating, hotel room furniture, and restaurant upholstery accumulate dirt, body oils, food stains, and bacteria over time. Professional upholstery cleaning extends the life of furniture, improves hygiene, and keeps premises looking their best.
Optus Glean cleans all fabric and synthetic upholstery using hot water extraction or low-moisture cleaning depending on the fabric type. Leather upholstery is cleaned and conditioned using specialist products. Stain protection treatments are available to guard against future spills. Office chair cleaning is typically priced from €8 to €15 per chair, making it a cost-effective way to refresh an entire office.
Planned Maintenance Programmes
The most cost-effective approach to floor care is a planned maintenance programme that combines regular maintenance with periodic deep cleaning. Optus Glean designs bespoke floor care schedules for each client. A typical programme includes:
- Daily — Vacuuming of all carpeted areas and damp mopping of hard floors (included in contract cleaning)
- Monthly — Encapsulation cleaning of high-traffic carpet areas and machine scrubbing of hard floor corridors
- Quarterly — Hot water extraction of all carpeted areas and buffing/polishing of hard floors
- Bi-annually — Full strip and re-seal of vinyl and linoleum floors
- Annually — Deep cleaning and restoration of stone and tile floors, carpet stain protection re-application
Planned maintenance programmes are priced as annual contracts with a fixed monthly payment, giving you budget certainty and ensuring your floors receive the right treatment at the right time throughout the year.
Eco-Friendly Floor Care
Optus Glean offers an eco-friendly floor care option that reduces environmental impact without compromising on results. Our green floor care programme uses EU Ecolabel-certified cleaning products, microfibre systems that reduce water consumption by up to 90%, encapsulation methods that use 80% less water than traditional extraction, and waste management processes that recycle cleaning solution where possible. Eco-friendly floor care is available at no additional cost on most contracts.
Sectors We Serve
Our carpet and floor cleaning services are used across every sector:
- Corporate offices — Carpet maintenance, reception floor polishing, meeting room care
- Hotels and hospitality — Guest room carpets, lobby floors, restaurant flooring, conference room care
- Healthcare — Hospital and clinic vinyl floors, anti-bacterial treatments, HIQA-compliant care
- Retail — High-traffic retail floors, entrance matting, fitting room carpets
- Education — School corridors, assembly halls, classroom carpets, sports hall floors
- Industrial — Warehouse floors, factory production areas, loading bay cleaning
- Residential — Apartment block communal carpets, lobby floors, stairwell cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions About Carpet and Floor Cleaning
How much does commercial carpet cleaning cost in Ireland?
Commercial carpet cleaning in Ireland typically costs between €3.00 and €5.00 per square metre in 2026. A standard office of 200m² would cost approximately €600 to €1,000 for a full hot water extraction clean. Per-room pricing for smaller areas starts from €40 to €80 per room depending on size and condition. Optus Glean provides free site surveys and fixed-price quotations with no hidden charges.
How much does carpet cleaning cost per square metre in Ireland?
Carpet cleaning costs between €3.00 and €5.00 per square metre in Ireland depending on the method. Hot water extraction is €4.00–€5.00/m², encapsulation is €3.00–€4.00/m², and dry compound cleaning is €3.00–€3.50/m². Volume discounts apply for areas over 500m². Contract clients with regular office cleaning arrangements receive preferential rates.
What is the best method for commercial carpet cleaning?
The best method depends on the carpet type, condition, and drying time available. Hot water extraction (HWE) is the gold standard for deep cleaning and is recommended by most carpet manufacturers. Encapsulation is ideal for regular maintenance with faster drying times. Dry compound cleaning is best when zero downtime is needed. Most commercial properties benefit from a combination: encapsulation for monthly maintenance and hot water extraction for quarterly or bi-annual deep cleans.
How often should office carpets be cleaned?
Office carpets should be professionally deep cleaned at least every 3 to 6 months depending on foot traffic. High-traffic areas such as reception, corridors, and meeting rooms may need monthly attention. A planned maintenance programme combining daily vacuuming, monthly encapsulation, and quarterly deep extraction will maximise carpet lifespan and maintain a professional appearance.
What is hot water extraction carpet cleaning?
Hot water extraction (often called steam cleaning) is the most thorough carpet cleaning method. A cleaning solution is injected into carpet fibres under high pressure using water heated to 60–80°C. The solution and dissolved dirt are immediately extracted using powerful vacuum suction. It reaches deep into carpet fibres and removes embedded soil, bacteria, allergens, and stains. Drying time is typically 4 to 8 hours with good ventilation.
What is encapsulation carpet cleaning?
Encapsulation carpet cleaning uses a crystallising polymer worked into the carpet with a rotary or cylindrical brush machine. The polymer encapsulates dirt particles, which dry into brittle crystals within 30 to 60 minutes and are removed by normal vacuuming. It uses less water than extraction, dries faster, and is ideal for regular maintenance cleaning in busy commercial environments.
How long does it take commercial carpet to dry after cleaning?
Drying time depends on the method. Hot water extraction takes 4 to 8 hours to dry fully (walkable with overshoes in 2 hours). Encapsulation dries in 30 to 60 minutes. Dry compound cleaning requires zero drying time. Air movers and dehumidifiers can accelerate drying. Optus Glean schedules deep cleans during evenings and weekends to minimise business disruption.
What is floor stripping and sealing?
Floor stripping and sealing removes old layers of polish or sealant from hard floors, cleans the bare surface, and applies fresh coats of protective seal. This restores floors to their original appearance and provides a barrier against wear, staining, and moisture. It is essential for vinyl, linoleum, terrazzo, and stone floors. Most commercial hard floors need stripping and resealing every 6 to 12 months depending on foot traffic.
