How to clean carpet car mats to look brand new

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Carpet car mats are the perfect place for dirt and debris to build up even when you try so hard to keep your car clean. They become not just an eyesore, but also unhealthy. So, it's important to clean out the carpet as often as you can to reduce the chance of allergens and other pollutants getting trapped inside the car. But how do you clean carpet car mats?

The good news is that you can rejuvenate your mats back to brand new status by following simple yet effective cleaning steps. The first thing you'll want to do is to carefully get the carpet mats out of the vehicle to avoid spilling washing chemicals and water into the interior of your car.

If you are looking to get your carpets clean, there are surprisingly simple ways to do it. Here are some quick tips to show you how to clean carpet car mats.

Shake off the dirt first

The first step is to shake off the dirt from your carpets. Do this by rigorously shaking the carpet in an up-and-down motion. You can as well hit the car carpet several times on a hard surface. This gets rid of food particles and debris that might have found their way into your car. Why is this important? It's all about getting loose dirt from the mat so it makes it easier to clean.

A person in a blue shirt and jeans shaking his carpet car mat before continuing to clean it.

Time to vacuum the car mats

For most people, vacuuming car mat carpets would be the first step. Put the vacuum in the shag setting to get up all the dirt particles in the deep pile. Allow the vacuum to run for about 10 minutes in order for all the dirt to get sucked up. Sometimes you have to take longer so take as much time as you need. Once then, vacuum the mats with a brush attachment. This will remove the crumbs and other bits that have beaten their way into the fabric.

A person cleaning his car mats by vacuuming the carpet car mat.

Get a carpet cleaner to wash the mats

When you're shopping for carpet cleaners, it's important to think about your needs and get one that can get your carpet clean, just the way you want it. Some of the features to consider include one that's powerful and will get your carpet very clean. An economical option that makes cleaning simple with little spills.

Spray the mats with a fabric cleaner and wipe them all over with a rag. This often takes care of spots as well as fresh dirt and stains. Finally, generously pour clean water over the mats again to remove the cleaner residue. If you have a pet, be sure to clean the mats after every time your pet enters the car.

The interior of a car to show how dirty the carpet car mat is.

Scrub to get rid of stains

If your mat has got stains, dip your scrub brush into soap water and do some scrubbing over the mark. Pour water over it and repeat the process if necessary. When you are satisfied with the results, make sure you pass the carpet mats under plenty of water. Running water is the best option you have. Here are some tips to get you started when dealing with different types of stains:

  • Use a degreaser when removing grease from your carpets
  • Use soap and water to clean off ink stains
  • Spot cleaning is the most effective method when dealing with alcohol, coffee, and other drink stains. Put a towel on top of the stain and let it absorb. Do not rub, doing this only spreads the stain
  • For food, mud, and dirt stains, use warm water combined with white vinegar plus a laundry detergent to remove.

A man cleaning his carpet car mat with a scourer and soap.

Get rid of odours from your carpet car mats

Scrub your mat with dish soap and water until you get clean and fresh mats. If this doesn't take away the odour from your mats, add a fragrance to freshen the mat and the environment where it's going to be used.

Alternatively, put the mat in the washer and add one cup of vinegar and two cups of oxygen cleaner to it. You can also add a few tablespoons of household fabric softener to eliminate the static cling. Let the solution stay on your carpet mat for thirty minutes or longer and it will all smell better.

A person cleaning their carpet car mat to remove the odour.

Dry the carpet mats

Once you have your clean mats drenching in water, it's time to dry them. You can hang them outside. Depending on the conditions, you might use your mats soon or after a few days. You can speed up the drying process through vacuuming.

A person hanging up car mats and leaving them to dry.

Consider using a commercial carpet cleaning services

To keep your car carpets clean and fresh-looking, you might want to involve commercial carpet cleaning services. That is to say, call a carpet cleaning business and hire them to do the cleaning for you.

With this, you can be sure your carpets will be restored with minimal effort and skill from your side.

Find a sealant and apply it on your car carpets

Carpets that are constantly exposed to moisture will become saturated, and the material itself will become damp, rotting away. If this is left unchecked, mould can grow and this will lead to an unbearable stench. That’s why it’s important to add a sealant to your carpets every few months. This is a quick and easy tip that will help your carpets last longer and look better for longer.

Always look for the newest technology when you go to buy sealants.

A summary on how to clean carpet car mats

If you maintain your car mats, you’ll be surprised at how often they might not need to be replaced. Vacuuming, shampooing, and cleaning them regularly should make them last for years before they start to fall apart. If you do notice that they’re looking like they need to be replaced, this article has some tips to make them look as good as new. Reach out to us to get some of the top picks when it comes to car mats.

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