Learn how to clean your car's cloth mats to see a big difference in your interior. Your mats will look like you just drove your car off the lot.
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Cleaning cloth car mats isn't too different from cleaning the carpet in your house. Vacuuming and then scrubbing with a carpet cleaner will make a noticeable difference in the mat's appearance, plus your mats will hold up longer underneath your feet.
Cleaning cloth car mats isn’t too different from cleaning the carpet in your house. Vacuuming and then scrubbing with a carpet cleaner will make a noticeable difference in the mat’s appearance, plus your mats will hold up longer underneath your feet.
“Cloth car mats are one of the most neglected parts in a car, despite being the first line of defense against dirt, moisture and debris,” says Parham Koukia, lead detailer at Panda Hub. “Those uncleaned car mats are the home ground for dirt, moisture, spills and bacteria, so if not cleaned properly, they start to stink and, in some cases, I‘ve seen mold growing underneath.”
The good news is, cleaning cloth car mats is not too difficult of a task. Here’s how.
Note: A foaming carpet cleaner that can sit for a few minutes on the cloth mat to break up stains before you start scrubbing, and then dries quickly, is an ideal choice.
Koukia recommends enzyme-based carpet cleaners, especially for pet or food-related stains. “I also like using an all-purpose cleaner diluted properly,” he says. “The trick isn’t just the product, but the cleaning process. You need to pull the dirt and moisture out, not just spread it around.”
If you have persistent odors, those are probably from bacteria or embedded grime trapped in the fibers. To address that, after doing a deep clean with an enzyme cleaner, use a hot water extractor or steam cleaner to lift out whatever’s left, says Koukia.
“For really tough smells like smoke and urine, I would recommend leaving activated charcoal in the car overnight or running an ozone machine,” says Koukia. “That usually does the trick.”
Next, learn how to clean the car carpet.
Koukia uses a mix of white vinegar and warm water. Spray it on, let it soak for a few minutes, then scrub and extract. “I’ve done this on thousands of mats,” he says. “You might have to go over it twice for thick buildup, but it works.”
It’s not a good idea, as it can damage the backing. “I’ve had customers try that and either wreck their mats or their washer,” says Koukia. “A proper hand cleaning and extraction will get better results without the risk.”
