How to Clean Car Floor Mats? – A Step by Step Guide

Worried about the unsightly and dirty look of your car rugs? Do you want to make them brand-new like before?

Car carpets are one of those things that are used a lot. They get dirty soon due to the dirt and grime of our shoes; the debris accesses each corner of the floor mats, making them difficult to clean if not washed on time.

To protect them from the stubborn buildup of dirt, it is essential to clean them regularly. I clean my car’s floor mats frequently with easily accessible cleaning items so the hard layer of filth does not get a chance to occur.

In this article, I will tell you the easiest, most effective, and quick ways to clean car floor mats that I use to achieve a sparklingly clean look.

Brief Sketch – Cleaning Car Floor Mats?

·        Remove the floor mats from the inside of the car.

·        Shake them well or apply a vacuum to remove all the dirt and debris.

·        If they are made of rubber, lay them on a clean floor, wash them with any safe cleaner, and rinse them with water.

·        In the case of a cloth mat, remove the stains using any harmless stain remover, and wash in a washing machine.

·        Dry them completely before putting them back in the car.

Tools and Materials Required for Car Floor Mat Cleaning

·        Scraper

·        Vacuum

·        Pressure Hose

·        Detergent

·        Baking soda

·        Scrub brush

·        Towel

·        Cloth

·        Protector Spray

·        Vinegar

·        Washing Machine

·        Dryer

How to Clean Car Mats?

We know that all the car floor mats are not made of the same materials, so their cleaning methods differ. I have explained strategies to clean rubber and cloth mats separately with safe ingredients.

Steps to Clean Rubber Car Mats

Rubber car floor mats are mostly used in rainy weather when moisture is found in the atmosphere frequently. The reason is that they dry quickly and don’t allow humidity to damage the car’s interior.

However, they are always in contact with our shoes and get dirty every time. To protect them from hard buildups of dirt, follow these steps:

Step1 Remove the Car Carpets

I have seen most people clean floor mats in cars without taking them out, but this doesn't seem right because the water damages the interior, and there is also a risk of getting the cleaner or moisture into the brake, gas, or clutch pedals.

In rare cases, mats are built-in cars that are not removable, so you must carefully clean them inside the cars. Otherwise, it is strongly recommended to take them out while cleaning.

Pay proper attention while removing the rugs from the car floor so that the dirt particles don’t fall inside the car and make the interior messy.

Step2 Remove Debris by Whacking the Mats

Once you have removed all the mats from the car’s inside, shake them well with a hard surface or in the ground to remove dust, grime, or other dirt particles.

Examine the back and front of the mats; if you find any hard buildup, use a scraper to remove it. Some rubber mats are made with such designs that removing mud and filth from their corners is not possible, so you can use a vacuum to make them dirt-free.

Step3 Lay them on Floor

The next step is to lay all the car mats on a concrete or other smooth floor but ensure the area is completely clean from all dirt and dust. Don’t place them on a grass surface because they will become dirtier due to the loose grass.

Step5 Use a Hose to Wet the Mats

A pressurized water hose is very useful for wetting them because it throws water at high-speed, so the remaining dirt and grime also go away. Avoid washing the side of the mat that touches the car’s floor.

If you don’t have a pressure hose, you can also use a bucket, but applying water in pressure is very helpful in removing loose dirt and debris.

Step6 Apply Floor Mat Cleaner

In this step, you will make a car carpet shampoo. Combine water, liquid detergent, and baking soda in a container and mix them well. Now, apply this solution to all the mats. Leave this solution for a while to remove the stubborn dirt and grime.

Step7 Scrubbing the Mats

Now, grab a brush and scrub all the parts of the mat thoroughly. Focus on the areas that are hard to reach and move the brush in a circular motion. You will notice the mat is covered with foam. Keep scrubbing for a few minutes to achieve the best results.

Step8 Rinse with a Pressure Hose

Next, apply water to rinse the mats. For this purpose, pressurized water is best to use because it will remove all the soap residues thoroughly with a high-speed flow of water, and you will get a clean and sparkling surface of mats.

Step9 Wipe with Microfiber Towel

Use a microfiber towel to wipe the surface of the car floor mat. It will dry its surface as well as if any dirt or mud particles are left behind, they will also remove, and you will be amazed by the brand-new look of these carpets.

Step10 Drying

Wiping them with a cloth will dry them, but they need to be dry completely so that all the moisture can be removed because a little water left can result in mold and mildew growth in your car’s interior.

Hang them on the railing or another item outside but avoid exposure to sunlight or other means of providing high heat.

Step11 Applying Protector Spray

A protector spray protects the surface from getting stains caused by everyday dirt and mud, pet stains, food and soda spills, coffee, and tea.

Before applying the spray, ensure the surface is entirely dry. Use it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Steps to Clean Cloth Car Mats

There are different types of floor mats for a car, so they should be cleaned according to the material’s type to protect them from ruin.

Cleaning cloth mats are slightly different and requires extra effort, especially wet mats.

If moisture occurs on these mats and you don’t have time to clean them, they will create an unpleasant smell. Some stains on these mats become stubborn, requiring too much work. Therefore., you should clean them regularly

Step1 Take Out the Mats

Like rubber car floor mats, it is essential to take them out for cleaning because the inside of the car will be at risk of damage. Furthermore, using a vacuum inside a car will also be difficult.

Step2 Removing Loosen Dirt and Grime

Before washing it, large filth and dirt particles should be removed. For this purpose, first, shake them well. The grime becomes embedded into the fibers of the cloth mats, so only shaking is not enough to take them out; you will require a vacuum with a suction attachment.

Make sure you have applied the vacuum on both sides of the mat.

Step3 Removing Stains

Fabric mats are more prone to stains, so first, you should treat these stains. Combine baking soda, vinegar, and warm water in a container and apply this mixture to the stained areas.

After a few minutes, scrub the spots thoroughly with a brush. Pay attention to scrubbing hard-to-reach places to remove hard buildups of dirt. Now rinse them properly so that all the residues of the cleaning materials can be removed.

Step4 Place the Mats in Washing Machine

Put the car floor mats with detergent and warm water in the washing machine. When warm water combines with soap or detergent, the mixture effectively helps loosen the dirt and buildup.

Run the washer on a gentle cycle to protect the mats from damage. After washing, rinse them with clean water. This way, the remains of the detergent will go out from their fibers.

Step5 Drying

Drying is an essential step because if you put wet cloth mats in the car, they will not only cause the growth of mold and mildew but also create unpleasant smells. Therefore, put them in the dryer to remove all the moisture and hang them in a well-ventilated area to dry completely.

After drying, you can use a protectant to protect the surface of these mats from stains. But choose the one made for cloth mats and use it according to the directions of the manufacturer.

Which Types of Car Mats are able to be Cleaned?

Car floor mats can be cleaned, but each method depends on the materials of the mats. I have given some common types of car carpets:

Rubber Car Mats

They are manufactured from rubber or hard plastic. Mostly, this is chosen by people who live in moist environments because it doesn’t absorb moisture.

They are made from non-slip materials and help you in driving safely. Their surface is textured, so the dirt and water get through it and keep the internal area of the vehicle dirt-free.

Cloth Car Mats

Fabric floor mats are the most inexpensive option, and they are made from the same material used for making the carpets you use at home.

They are manufactured by creating an extra layer of the stuff that is used for logos, branding, or other decorations.

All Weather Vinyl Mats

Typically, they are offered as packaging products. The durability and stylishness of these mats are much higher than the rubber or plastic ones.

The edges of these carpets are slightly elevated, preventing moisture or debris from falling on the car’s floor. They are manufactured from very strong vinyl and last for a long time.

Nomad Floor Mats

This is the latest model of car floor mats. Its surface is designed so uniquely that they soak up water, grime, grease, and every spill that accidentally occurs on the car floor.

They don’t need so frequent cleaning as the other ones require.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Can you clean the floor mats in the car?

If your car floor mats are dirty and stained, their cleaning method is the same as used for car seat cleaning, but if they are removable, take them out to clean them effectively.

Put a few drops of liquid soap into warm water and blend it. Apply this solution on the mats, scrub with a brush, then wipe with a sponge. Hang outside to dry.

How to restore the freshness of the car floor mat?

After removing the mats from the car’s interior, shake them thoroughly to remove all dirt and grime. Now apply pressurized water to remove the loosened dirt.

Wash the surface with baking soda, detergent, and water. Rinse and dry.

How do you clean black rubber mats?

To revitalize your black rubber mats, follow these steps:

·        Remove the dirt particles by shaking and vacuuming the mats.

·        Wet them with pressurized water and use a safe cleaner to wash them.

·        Rinse and dry.

Is it hygienic to use a washing machine for cleaning floor mats?

Washing car floor mats in the washing machine are hygienic if you use a high-quality detergent.

Can I use a dishwasher for car mat cleaning?

You can use a dishwasher to clean car floor mats. The carpets made of rigid stuff are most suitable to clean this way; however, the most flexible ones can also be cleaned in the washer.

Final Thoughts

The floor mats of vehicles get dirty soon due to the grime and dust of the shoes we use, pet messes, or food residues and spills. Whatever the reason, knowing how to clean car floor mats safely is important.

Luckily, their cleaning method is easy and requires a little time, but you must remember that the washing method should be done according to the material type. I have given many effective techniques in this guide to make them sparkling clean.