One of the most common complaints about cars these days is how dirty the rubber on the floor mats can get. Not many people actually know how to clean rubber car mats. They're often greasy and grimy owing to dirt, mud and food particles that spill over them. Rubber mats don't absorb liquids or dirt, so they can really show off anything you spill. If you want to keep your car mats looking new, we've come up with tips on how to clean them using household products.
These tips are not expensive, so you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve an amazing result. Before you start, there are two important things to consider. First, you should have a clean surface at the start, and secondly, get a vacuum cleaner with a hose to remove the dust. In some cases, you might need a water hose as well as a broom.
What you'll need is available at home
Most of the tools and cleaning products you need are often available at home. If you can't find some of them in stock, buy them at a local shop. These include a spray bottle, a sponge, a cloth, a toothbrush, a soft sponge, rubber gloves, soap and a kitchen scrubber.
Step by step process for how to clean rubber car mats:
Remove the rubber mats from the car
- Start by removing the rubber mats from the car and place them on the clean surface ready to wash. Doing this helps you avoid exposing the interior of the car to the water you are going to use.
Blast the mats with a garden hose
- Take your garden hose and blast the mat down with high pressure to get rid of the dirt and grime. Afterwards, shake the rubber mat to drain trapped dirty water.
Do some scrubbing
- Get some powder soap and mix it with water. Then take a soft-bristled brush, dip it in the soapy water as you scrub off any grit left on the mat. If need be, use the toothbrush to clean the ends and nooks of the mat to remove hidden dirt.
- If there are stains that won't get off, you can take a solution of one part water and one part vinegar and soak over the mat for a night to remove the stains. This may take long so do it when you're not using the car soon after.
Rinse the rubber mat with clean water
Take off the rubber mats and hose them down with clean water. Use the garden hose with high-pressure settings on. Once you are done, hang your mats to dry completely. You can put them in direct sunshine as well.
Always remember to clean the surface of your car before placing the rubber mats back in their original position. You can also polish the car mats with a little bit of soap and water and a towel to restore the sheen on them before returning them into the car.
Using heat and steam to clean rubber mats
To keep your rubber mats looking new, you don't have to go to the extreme of using heat and steam for cleaning. Also, avoid harsh cleaning chemicals because combining them with heat from the steam cleaner can damage the rubber mats even more.
As mentioned before, the best way to clean rubber mats is to use a mixture of soap and water. This won't harm the rubber and there is no need for any chemicals. When cleaning the mats with soap and water, just use a cloth, soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub them. Use the dry mop technique on the mats and use a light touch on the mats if possible.
If there are any stains, a mixture of soap and white vinegar can be used with a sponge to help remove them.
How long does it take to dry rubber car mats?
Unlike cloth mats that may take several days to dry depending on the weather, rubber mats dry faster. Hanging them in sunny and windy weather will take them a few minutes to shade off all the water. You can even wipe them down with a dry rag and start using them immediately.
Alternatively, use a vacuum cleaner as an easy way to dry your rubber car mats. It will suck up water, mop up mud, and pull up dirt from your mat immediately after cleaning. Another benefit is that it distributes the suction evenly across the entire surface.
How to deodorize rubber car mats
Again, unlike fabric mats and carpets, rubber mats don't develop much odour as long as they are sufficiently cared for. If there is a smell because of a particular food spillage or something else, regular cleaning often does the job. Washing them with warm water and soap can also help.
This helps to neutralize bad smells by primarily emitting negative ions. Using this technique, you can deodorize your car mats by filling the car mats with hot water and adding a microwavable glass jar of vanilla extract. The vanilla extract emits negative ions that neutralize the bad odour.
Now you know how to clean rubber car mats
I hope this article has helped show you how easy it can be to clean your rubber car mats to look new again. Rubber car mats like Crysler Jeep Renegade are durable, but they will eventually start to look worn and old over time, especially if you neglect them. But making your car mats look new again doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you can make your car mats looking like new again quickly. By following what we've shown you in this article, you will not just get clean and new mats but you'll save yourself time and money in the process.
