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Keeping your vehicle's floor mats clean is an ongoing challenge. Between snow, salt, sand, and soil, they accumulate dirt and stains year round.
Regular deep cleaning with carpet cleaner goes a long way. So do simple practices like shaking out loose dirt and promptly addressing spills. Sure, the floor isn't the first thing you or other people notice about your car's interior, but it'll help when it's time to sell or trade in the car.
Take it from me: It only takes a little effort, and you'll be so happy to have a presentable car year round.
Regular Upkeep Makes a Big Difference
"Carpet floor mats look great when new, but they take a beating and can appear worn and tattered without regular care," says Chris Hardesty, Senior Advice Editor at Kelley Blue Book.
"Do your best to take care of spills when they happen, and remove anything you track in with your shoes before it's ground deep into the fibers," suggests Hardesty. "Regular cleaning makes the task easier and will help keep floor liners looking new for longer."
His experience is relatable. "I have a 4- and 7-year-old, and I can attest that fitted rubber floor mats are the most forgiving variety. They can keep surface dirt, sand, slush, leaves, water, coffee, Cheerios, milk, or vomit from soaking or embedding into the car's carpeting. And you can easily take care of messes by pouring off the spills, rinsing with a hose, and wiping off with a household cleanser." This is also why I say, "all-weather mats for the win"!
How to Clean Cloth Car Mats
- Remove the car mats and shake off loose debris. Shaking cloth and carpet floor mats to remove debris is the first step in cleaning.
- Use a stiff bristle brush to agitate the fibers. It'll break up any crusty stuff like salt stains and level out matted fibers.
- Vacuum. You can use a powerful Shop Vac or Wet Vac to get the job done but plan on getting a small handheld vacuum cleaner for your car, too. "Nothing beats having a little vacuum on hand," shares Janelle Cohen, expert organizer and author of “The Folding Book," who partnered with Kelley Blue Book to highlight this year’s Best Buy Awards. "This way, light dirt doesn’t build up and deep cleans are more effective for tougher stains." Every trip to the car wash, we grab the mats and use their free vacuums.
- Deep clean the mats. Clean them with store-bought carpet or upholstery cleaner. Under no circumstances should you put cloth mats in the washing machine.
- Rinse the mats completely using a garden hose. During the winter, you can also bring smaller mats into the house to rinse with clean water with a shower hose or in a utility sink.
- Allow the mats to fully dry before returning them to your vehicle.
How to Clean Rubber Mats or Vinyl Mats
- Remove the rubber car floor mats from the vehicle.
- Spray with a power washer or garden hose. A jet stream of water from a high-pressure hose will help rinse loose dirt on vinyl and rubber car mats. A pressure washer can provide extra power, but use a 15- to 30-degree tip.
- Use an all-purpose household cleaner to remove dirt particles. A mild dish soap or detergent, warm water and a medium-bristle scrub brush will help remove stubborn spots along with your pressure wash.
Best Cleaning Products for Floor Mats
If you're comfortable using a specific fabric shampoo or cleaning solution on your sofa or a rug in your home, it's likely to work well on your car floor mats," suggests Hardesty. "Some products—P&S Carpet Bomber is one brand with a solid reputation—that auto shops and professional detailers use may work better in some situations. However, for general cleaning, the average car owner will be satisfied with the results of most carpet shampoos available at their supermarket."
For tough stains and dirt, you may also want to consider loosening stubborn dirt with a steam cleaner.
