While the whole point of a car mat is to keep the carpet clean. It is understandable why you did want to keep your car mats clean too. Unfortunately, when you have children, animals, or any other species in your car that does not understand rules. It is easier said than done.
I recommend trying to prevent as much dirt as you can from entering the car. This will not only help you to keep the car mats clean but the rest of the car too. To know how to protect car floor mats follow the below steps and requirements.
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Car Carpet Cleaning Products & Hacks
You have many options for the soap you use in washing car carpets. Your everyday laundry detergent, dish soap, or even shampoo can do the trick. Automotive-specific carpet cleaners are also available. As are do-it-yourself concoctions. Some recommendations include:
Automotive Carpet Cleaners
Automotive Carpet Cleaners are sold at most automotive shops and typically come in a spray bottle
- Blue coral DC22 Upholstery cleaner dry-clean plus grabs dug-in debris and dirt particles. It also incorporates odor-elimination technology and features an integrated brush cap.
- Car guys premium super cleaner is a water-based formula that removes debris without leaving behind any residue or smell.
- Turtle wax T-246 Ra power out upholstery cleaner is a built-in soil-repellent and odor-eliminating technology, as well as a detachable scrub brush.
You can purchase all of them on Amazon
Home Recipe Carpet Cleaner
This recipe should be mixed into a bowl until the soap dissolves completely and the mix becomes foamy. Dip a stiff brush inside and scrub it into your car carpet.
- 3 tablespoons of grated soap
- 2 tablespoons of Borax
- 2 cups of boiling water
How To Protect Car Floor Mats?
To know how to protect car floor mats follow the cleaning procedure below
1. Cleaning Rubber Floor Mat
Cars with rubber floor mats are more common in colder climates where it rains and snows frequently. They prevent moisture from damaging parts of the car’s interior and dry quickly. However, they do still collect dust and dirt over time. To clean rubber car floor mats in six easy steps:
1. Remove From The Car
You will be wetting and using cleaning products on the mats, and don’t want to get any inside your car.
2. Whack To Remove Debris
Whack the mat against the ground outside or another hard surface. If any materials stick to the surface, you may want to use a scraper to get them off.
3. Wash With A Hose
Use a pressurized water hose to dislodge loose dirt or crumbs. Only wash the dirty side of the mats, not the side that would touch the car floor.
4. Wash With Soap
Using a rag or spray, add soap to the floor mat. The grime should come off easily with soap and water, but wipes, hand sanitizer, and baking soda with soap mixture work too.
5. Hose Off The Soap
Use a hose again to rinse soap all the way off.
6. Dry The Mats
Have the mats dry fully before putting them back in the car. Find a way to hang them on a railing, wire, coat hanger, or another item to let them air dry.
2. Cleaning Cloth Car Floor Mats
Cloth car floor mats take a little extra work to clean than rubber ones, especially if they are already wet. If they’ve been wet for some time and you never got the chance to dry them, you may even notice a smell. Cloth mats may even have some stains that are tough to remove. To fully clean carpeted floor mats, follow the steps on how to protect car floor mats
1. Remove From The Car.
Like rubber mats, you don’t want the water and cleaning products touching the inside of your car. Plus, it can be difficult to maneuver a vacuum inside a car around seats.
2. Vacuum On Both Sides
Vacuum the mat on both sides to suction up all the dirt and grime.
3. Add Baking Soda
Rub baking soda into the upholstery to remove stains and unpleasant odors. You can also mix baking soda with water and scrub the mat using a stiff brush to scrape off the dirt and grime.
4. Use A Soapy Substance
There are several different ways to get cleaning materials into the carpets and wash them thoroughly:
1. Add Soapy Water And Scrub.
Mix two tablespoons of washing powder with the same amount of regular shampoo. Use a brush with stiff bristles to rub the mixture into the mat and scrub hard. Rinse the soap off with clean water after.
2. Apply Spray Cleaners.
Spray a carpet cleaner onto the mats and let it sit for 30 minutes. After the mats absorb it, use a hand brush to work the material throughout them. You can also use a cleaner designed for car mats (available in many auto shops) or create your own.
3. Wash With A Steam Cleaner, Power Wash, Or Washing Machine.
A steam cleaning vacuum or power washer (often at car washes) work or place the mats in the washing machine with regular detergent and stain remover.
5. Vacuum The Mats Again
Vacuuming will suck up some of the water and remaining dirt particles. A vacuum cleaner designed to suck up moisture work best, but using a regular vacuum’s hose attachments also helps.
6. Dry Mats Thoroughly
Hang mats out to dry, or put them in the dryer. Do not put them back in your car until they are fully dry or they will cause a damp smell.
Carpet Vs. Rubber Mats: Which Do You Have?
After discussing how to clean and protect your mats, it’s important to first talk about the different car floor mat materials available. Rubber mats and carpet mats require their own unique cleaning procedures, so it’s important to use the correct solution to not cause any long-term damage.
Upkeep for both rubber and carpeted floor mats is relatively simple, and with a little elbow grease and persistence, your once filthy car mat can be returned to its original glory.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read our tips the only thing left to do is give cleaning your mats a shot. Whether you spend a few minutes each week or get on a rigorous schedule, your car will surely thank you, and so will your passengers.
