How to Clean Your Car's Carpet
Updated on Jun 6, 2024
Cleaning the carpet inside your car isn’t the same as pushing a vacuum through your living room. Dirt, mud and debris can linger in hard-to-reach areas inside your vehicle. You also won’t have as much room to see what you’re doing, which can make carpet cleaning all the more painful.
As it turns out, car owners aren’t cleaning the interior of their cars as often as they should be. One-third of drivers only clean their car once a year, instead of the recommended once a month. If you’ve been neglecting the carpet inside your car, you will have your work cut out for you. Use these tips to get started.
Getting Ready to Clean
The first step is to take your car floor mats out of the car, if you have them, so you have full access to the carpet underneath. Pick up any trash or debris that might be lying around. Use a shop vac or car vacuum to remove dirt from the carpet. Go slow to let the vacuum suck up any stuck-on dirt that may be lingering between the cracks. If you’re having trouble reaching some of those nooks and crannies, use compressed air to push the dirt out into the open.
Using the Right Cleaning Solution
Once you’ve removed all the loose dirt from the floor, it’s time to start scrubbing.
If you prefer the DIY method, you can create your own cleaning solution at home. Mix a cup of club soda, vinegar and dishwashing soap into a spray bottle and mist the carpet in your car. This mixture is perfect for removing grease, coffee and other tough stains. Let the mixture soak into the fabric for around ten minutes before you start scrubbing. You don’t want to soak the fabric, but don’t be stingy with the cleaning solution either.
You’ll also need to find a hand brush that will work well on carpet. Use moderate force when scrubbing the fibers of your carpet. Try to move the brush in the same direction so you don’t wear down your carpet.
If the first cleaning solution doesn’t work, you can also try adding some hydrogen peroxide into the mix. This will help you get rid of stains that have been caked onto the carpet for months.
When the cleaning is finished, let the inside of your car air out for the rest of the day to prevent oxidation and mold.
Carpet Steam or Shampoo
The steps mentioned above will help you spot-clean certain stains and get rid of debris, but if you really want to wow your passengers, you can go the extra mile by steam cleaning or shampooing the carpet in your car. This will soften the fibers of the carpet so you and your guests can stretch out and relax as if you were at home.
We’ve found that steam cleaning can damage the interior of some cars over time so it’s best to go with carpet shampoo instead. Use warm water when washing the shampoo into the fibers of the carpet. When you’re finished, you can soak up the excess water with a wet vac. This will help you catch any dirt you might’ve missed the first time around.
Removing Stains
The problem with carpet is that it tends to stain. Mud and beverages can easily linger in the fibers of your carpet, filling up your vehicle with strong odors and even mold. Regardless of what may have spilled, there’s a solution out there for you.
For most household stains, you can try using a mix of vinegar, baking soda and laundry detergent. Mix once cup of vinegar, one cup of baking soda and half a cup of soap in a spray bottle. Gently mist the surface of the stain and try scrubbing it away. This recipe works for coffee stains as well if you like sipping a thermos on your way to work.
You can also try using carpet spot stain cleaner. Check the instructions to see what kinds of stains the product is designed to remove. Make sure you use the right type of cleaner based on what kind of fabric you’re working with.
You may have to resort to nontraditional products when it comes to removing nontraditional stains. For example, paint thinner can be used to remove grease stains. If you’re dealing with a particularly tough stain, research how to remove it and use the recommended product. Don’t forget to let your car mats air out after cleaning off the stain.
How to Remove Gum from Car Carpet and Floor Mats
Okay, so you were chewing gum in the car and now it’s all over the carpet or car floor mat. A nasty situation for any driver. Unlike other stains and spills, gum tends to stick to the fibers of the mat, making it that much harder to get out. But have no fear—we are here to help you get out of this sticky situation. Follow these steps to remove gum from a car floor mat the right way.
1. Frozen or Hot?
The internet is full of theories on how to remove gum from car mats and other carpeted surfaces. Some recommend using a blow dryer or intense heat to essentially melt the gum unit it’s malleable enough to remove with a paper towel, but in our experience, this only makes the mess worse.
That’s why we recommend freezing the gum until it forms into a rock, which makes it that much easier to remove. We used compressed air, which many people use to clean out their keyboard or the inside of electronics. The compressed air comes with a freezing liquid that keeps it cold. As you continue to blow air onto the gum, the can will start to get cold.
It’s best to turn the can upside down, so the freezing agent sinks to the bottom. Now use the plastic nozzle to blow the compressed air right onto the gum. It should start to get hard after a few minutes. Freezing the gum makes it less sticky, so you should be able to pull it up from here.
2. Scrape it Off
Once the gum is frozen solid, use tongs or a fork to chip away at the gum until it goes away. You might have to use some upper-body strength as you try to pull the gum away from the fibers of the carpet.
If the gum isn’t budging, you may have to cut a few strands of the carpet loose to remove it. Use a pair of scissors to cut out the gum so you can still use the mat, even if it looks a little uneven.
3. Vacuum the Remains
The gum may crack into smaller pieces as you try to pull it away from the carpet. To finish the job, use a vacuum or shop vac to suck up any remaining particles. The mat should look as good as new after a few minutes.
4. Preventing Future Stains
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the gum, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to protect your floor mats going forward. You should be able to chew gum in the car without worrying about making a mess behind the wheel.
Instead of using carpet floor mats that tend to attract spills and stains, we recommend using heavy-duty floor mats made with thick rubber so you can easily remove the stain. Carpets tend to trap dirt, dust and other airborne pollutants that can make it harder to breathe so you might want to consider tossing your old carpet mat. With a rubber mat, the mess slides right off the surface and you can clean out the interior in just a few minutes. Use soap and water to quickly rinse off the mat. For stickier stains, use some Goo Gone to get rid of the mess.
For more peace of mind, it’s best to invest in custom fitted car floor mats that cover every inch of the floor, leaving nothing to chance. The mats also come with pegs that lock them into place beneath your feet so they stay in place until you remove them by hand. Learn more about the differences between floor mats vs. floor liners to make the right choice for your vehicle.
From spilled soda and juice to grease stains, so many things can go wrong behind the wheel. You shouldn’t have to live in fear every time you sip a beverage on your way to work. Use rubber floor mats to keep the mess out of your car.
How to Clean Car Mats
The floor of your car can be a magnet for dirt, dust, mud and just about anything else you may be tracking around on the bottom of your shoes. You also have to worry about stains, food and beverages if you like to eat and drink behind the wheel. You don’t want to scare away passengers with excess dirt and bacteria.
That’s why you should take the time to thoroughly clean your car mats as time goes on, especially if you love driving off-road and exploring the great outdoors. Regularly cleaning your carpet floor mats will help you and your guests feel more comfortable on and off the road. It’s best to give the interior of your car a deep clean once every month. That may be a little too often for some drivers, but regular cleaning will extend the life of your vehicle.
There’s nothing like stepping into a beautiful, spotless interior every time you get behind the wheel. Show your car the love it deserves and clean your car mats the right way with this in-depth guide.
Cleaning Your Mats Step by Step
We’ll go over the best ways to clean all types of car mats, including traditional carpet, rubber and all-weather floor mats. Dirt and debris can easily hide throughout your vehicle, gathering in all kinds of nooks and crannies. If you want your car to stay clean, it’s best to be as thorough as possible. Follow these steps for that lasting clean feeling.
1. Remove the Carpet Mats
To get started, take your carpet mats out of your car so you can see what you’re doing. This gives you a chance to see what’s going on underneath your mats. Water and dirt can easily start to gather under carpet mats if they are without protection.
Try to place your mats in a dry, clean setting so they don’t get even dirtier while you’re cleaning your car. It’s best to get them up off the ground so they have a chance to air out. You can hang them up on a clothesline, lay them out across a series of panels or boxes or put them in the grass.
2. Vacuum
Now it’s time to get rid of any debris that might be lying around. For the carpet and fabric mats, use a shop vac or car vacuum to pick up loose dirt and crumbs. Throw away any trash that’s in your car.
For rubber floor mats, you can use a high-pressure hose to blast away stuck-on dirt and debris, but most of the crumbs and dirt should slide right off.
Slow down and take your time with this step. If it’s been a while since you cleaned your car mats, dirt may be stuck to the surface. Crumbs may be lodged within the fibers of your carpet mats. You don’t want to start scrubbing your mats too soon or you’ll just push the dirt further into your mats. Make sure the surface of the interior is as clean as possible before moving on.
3. Scrubbing Your Mats
To complete this step, you’ll need a special car interior cleaning spray and a sturdy brush. It’s best to find a brush with a strong handle. That way, you don’t have to worry about losing control when the bubbles start flying. Floor brushes tend to be a great choice. They are mostly flat with a handle on the backside, making it easy to press down and give the underlying surface a good scrub.
For carpet mats, you can either use a car carpet cleaning solution or just some white vinegar. Professionally made cleaning solutions will go the extra mile, but if you’re short on time, vinegar can get the job done. Use a spray bottle to gently mist the surface of the mat and the carpet inside your car. Avoid soaking the mat in liquid. Bend down and run the brush through the carpet. Don’t push too hard or you might ruin the fabric. Follow the direction of the fabric for a professional, all-over look. Don’t forget to brush the backside of the mat as well. When you’re done, rinse off the mat with a high-pressure hose to get rid of excess vinegar.
For rubber car floor mats, you can use a rubber car cleaning solution or regular dishwashing liquid with equal parts water. You can think of fitted rubber mats as giant Tupperware containers. You don’t have to be as gentle with rubber mats as you would with those made from carpet, so don’t be shy. Pay special attention to the edges and ridges of the mats. Many all-weather car mats come with deep grooves to give you extra traction so make sure you dip between the cracks. When the mat is clean, rinse it off again with the same high-pressure hose.
4. Let it Dry
Now you need to give your mats some time to dry before putting them back in your vehicle. Leave the doors open for several hours to let the inside of your car dry out as well. Give the inside some fresh air and the smell of vinegar will soon dissipate.
Leave your carpet mats out in the sun for a few hours to let them dry naturally. Again, try to keep them in a clean, dry location so you don’t accidentally load them up with more dirt and debris.
For rubber mats, most of the water should run right off, but you can use a microfiber towel to soak up excess fluid. You can also lay them out in the sun to let them dry on their own.
Once everything is clean and dry, put your mats back in the car and enjoy the feeling of being dirt-free.
Tips for Keeping Your Car Mats Clean
Congratulations, you have a beautiful car interior. Now that your mats are clean, it’s time to look towards the future. If you want to keep your mats as clean as possible, adjust your daily routine to keep dirt out of your vehicle.
Clean Off Your Boots
One of the best things you can do for the floor of your vehicle is to get rid of as much dirt and debris as possible before sliding behind the wheel. Spend a few seconds knocking off all the mud from your shoes. You can bang them against the side of your vehicle or a nearby tree if you’ve been hiking around in the woods for hours on end.
If you really like to get dirty, keep a microfiber cloth in the side compartment of your vehicle. You can quickly brush off excess dirt and mud before you head home. Throw the towel in the wash at the end of your trip.
If you plan on taking off on the camping trip of a lifetime or you know you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, bring along extra towels and cleaning supplies so you can clean yourself off regularly throughout the trip.
Take Out Your Mats
Your carpet mats need room to breathe. Pull them out of your vehicle between each long trip. This gives you a chance to see what’s going on underneath so you can pick up any dirt before it settles into a stain. If excess moisture starts to gather under the mat, make sure you let it dry out or soak it up with a towel so it doesn’t turn into mold.
Regularly shaking out your mats is an easy way to stay on top of your cleaning duties. You can get rid of excess dirt and mud in just a few seconds. Make this a part of your new daily routine to improve the overall cleanliness of your vehicle.
Organize the Inside of Your Vehicle
Nothing will dirty up your vehicle like a sea of clutter. If you tend to spend a lot of time in your car, it can easily turn into your second home as you eat, drink and make a living behind the wheel. Learn to respect the interior of your car by organizing the space. Wipe down cup holders and storage spaces to get rid of stains and residue that might end up on your floor.
Come up with a storage strategy for your vehicle. Keep commonly used items in central, easily accessible areas so you don’t have to go digging for the things you use every day, such as charging cables, maps, your EZ pass and other driving essentials. Put these items back in their original location.
Make a pact with yourself to clean up and remove garbage as you go. Take your thermos into the house when you get home from work. Toss out fast food containers and soda bottles at the end of your drive.
Limit What You Eat and Drink Behind the Wheel
We know you’re bound to eat behind the wheel. Eighty-three percent of drivers drink (non-alcoholic) beverages in the car and 70 percent eat some type of food while driving. If you have to eat in the car, choose foods and beverages that can be easily contained. Try to stick to water instead of overly sugary beverages that will leave your car smelling like the aftermath of a child’s birthday party. Eat foods with minimal crumbs, such as string cheese, beef jerky and granola bars, instead of trying to down a bag of chips.
Go With Rubber
If you don’t like the idea of scrubbing your floor mats, it’s best to buy rubber car mats instead of those made of carpet. Rubber surfaces tend to be much easier to clean than fabric. You can design a custom-fit rubber mat for the interior of your car so you don’t have to worry about dirt and fluid slipping between the cracks. Cover as much of the floor with rubber as possible to protect the floor of your vehicle.
As you can see, cleaning off your car mats isn’t too difficult. In just a few minutes, you will have a beautiful, dirt-free interior that will make you feel all the more comfortable behind the wheel. Your guests will feel more at ease in the car as well.
Don’t fall behind on your responsibilities as a car owner. Cars are made to get dirty from time to time, but with a little maintenance and upkeep, you can prevent dirt from ruining your vehicle.
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