Cleaning your car mats can be a time-consuming task. Depending on the severity of the stains, you might need to try out a few different techniques before you find the one that works. But regardless of how bad the soiling is, you want to start with the basics. So what does how to clean car mats with bad stains look like?
Get the right cleaning products and tools
There are a number of variables that come into play when selecting a cleaning product for soiled car mats.
- First, the type of dirt, stain, or other spillages to be cleaned will need to be determined.
- Second, the type of fabric the car mats are made from will need to be considered as fabric makes a big difference to the type of cleaning product that will be needed.
- Finally, the desired outcome of the cleaning will also need to be considered as it will determine the appropriate cleaning items as well as the type of care needed for the fabric.
Identify the stain on your car mats
There are a variety of different stains found on car mats, so it’s important to figure out what kind of stain you have before using one of your cleaners to tackle it. Sometimes you might be dealing with several stains on a single mat - so take note of this as well. Here are some common examples:
- Oil spills
- Pet stains
- Food stains
- Mud/soil stains
Understand what kind of car mat you have
A car mat can be made of rubber, fabric, plastic, vinyl, or any other material. All of these options are vulnerable to stains resulting from spilt drinks, dirt, and other particles. You can clean them easily with soap and water, but there are some stains that don't seem to go away and may require a rigorous approach.
How to clean car mats with different bad stains
It's not unusual to realise there is bad staining on your car mat. But the stain could be frustrating if it becomes hard to remove and you have no idea what else you can do to clear it. Thankfully there are some things you can do to help with different kinds of stains on your car mats.
Regardless of how a stain occurs, a few simple steps can help you remove them from car mats.
Removing sand and loose debris
Perhaps these are the easiest dirt to remove from different kinds of car mats. All you need is to carefully remove them outside the car. You want to make sure that you are careful not to create the effect that dirt falls back onto the vehicle.
Shake and beat the mats to remove all the loose particles. Then get a vacuuming machine. This should suck away all the sand and loose debris. A soft brush or old toothbrush can help to loosen up dirt and grime from the fibre of the mat to make your work even easier.
Cleaning spills
For spills, use a dry towel to soak up the liquid. Use soap and water to scrub any dried residue. To prevent seepages, try applying a small amount of dish soap to your car mats ahead of time.
Use a soft cleaner specific to the type of stain, as well as a bucket of water to dilute it. Apply the cleaner to the stain and gently scrub the area.
Cleaning oil or grease
Getting rid of oil or grease from mats can be a tricky exercise because using water and a sponge only spreads the patch to the rest of the mat. A good way to clean off oil or grease from mats is to use baking powder to suck up the stain or warm water with soap.
Apply the baking soda and let it settle for fifteen to thirty minutes then scrub it off alongside the oil or grease. If that doesn't work, you will get the most success if you use warm water applied to the surface of the mat at the same time as it is being scrubbed.
Removing dog hair from car mats
Removing dog hair can be a tough task especially if you have fabric car mats. Dog hair can be removed with the use of a vacuum cleaner, or with lint rollers. You can also purchase a special brush that caters specifically to dog hair. These tools will help prevent the dog hair from being spread onto your carpet during the cleaning process.
Removing gum from car mats
Removing gum from car mats may seem to be unachievable but with these two simple methods, it is possible. Get an ice pack and spread it over the affected area. Wait several minutes until the gum is dry and easier to remove. Then use a blunt knife to scrape and pick the gum.
Another way to remove gum is with a hairdryer by running heat over the gum to melt it. Then peel the gum with plastic material. Be careful not to burn yourself during the process.
Cleaning blood from car mats
How can you clean blood off car mats? There are many ways to get blood off of car mats. Simply use a moist cloth or towel using soapy water. You can pour rubbing alcohol on the car mat and then use a towel to clean the mat. You can also use a cloth and spray ammonia and scrub. These methods should get blood off in no time.
Final thought on how to clean car mats with bad stains
If your mats have bad stains that makes them seem to be beyond cleaning, you can still salvage them using the methods we've mentioned above. But if you think your mats have seen the better days, there's plenty of mat options you could choose from.
