Car carpet floor mats (especially velour ones) stand out from ordinary rubber mats with their attractive appearance and soft surface structure, often providing a premium feel. For example, some velour mats, thanks to their customizable design, offer a visual harmony that no rubber mat can provide.
However, when it comes to cleaning, most users think that car carpet mats are difficult to clean and opt for rubber mats instead. In this article, we will examine how car carpet mats can be easily cleaned and which cleaning methods are right or wrong. Enjoy reading!
3 Car Carpet Cleaning Methods You Should Avoid
First, we will discuss the methods you should avoid when cleaning car mats. These cleaning methods should not be used as they will damage the car mats. After listing the common mistakes, we will explain how to wash them correctly.
Washing With Pressurized Water
One of the most common mistakes is washing car floor mats with pressurized water. Pressurized water can damage the structure of the carpet mat and even tear it. Therefore, it should not be used for washing car mats. This applies not only to carpet mats but also to rubber mats. In fact, considering the damage it can cause to the car’s paint, the car itself should not be washed with pressurized water either.
Wash Car Carpet Mats In The Washing Machine
Another common mistake, as frequent as washing car mats with pressurized water, is washing them in the washing machine. Car mats are usually made of a three-layer structure: the carpet surface, a reinforced and hardened base, and an adhesive that binds these two materials together. Detergents used for washing clothes damage the structure of this adhesive layer, causing the layers that make up the mat to separate. This leads to the deterioration of the car carpet mat’s structure and the softening of the hard base.
Using Bleach and Other Unsuitable Detergents
Another common mistake is using detergents that can discolor the carpet mats, such as bleach. For example, bleach can discolor the mat and cause color changes in places. Or, as mentioned in the previous section, unsuitable detergents can damage the layered structure that makes up the car carpet mat. For this reason, you should only wash car carpet mats with special carpet detergents.
The Best Methods for Cleaning Car Carpet Floor Mats
Now we will discuss the most commonly used and correct cleaning methods for cleaning car carpet mats. By using the methods we will discuss, you can keep your car carpet mats clean and use them for a long time.
Practical Methods (If Your Mats Aren’t Too Dirty)
The cleaning methods we will describe under this heading are suitable if your car mats are not very dirty or if they are cleaned regularly. If your mats are very dirty, you can move on to the next main heading.
Wiping Them with a Wet Cloth
If your floor mats are not very dirty, the first method we recommend is to clean your car floor mats by wiping them with a damp cloth. This way, your mats will not get wet and you will not have to dry them.
You can remove some stains using this method. For example, car mats in vehicles that go to the service station for reasons such as an oil change may have oil stains because they are not given the necessary care. You can clean such a stain by pouring a small amount of thinner onto a damp cloth. (Remember to take the necessary precautions when cleaning, keeping in mind that thinner is highly flammable).
Cleaning with a Vacuum Cleaner
This method is very suitable for cleaning dust, sand, and dried mud stains from floor mats. For example, let’s say your car carpet mats are muddy. The first thing that comes to mind would be to wash the mats. However, there is an easier way to clean them. First, you need to wait for the mud stains on the mats to dry completely. Then, you can brush the mats with a dry carpet brush and use a vacuum cleaner to remove the broken-up mud from the mats.
Note: This cleaning method is particularly effective for velour car mats. If you use a car mat made of felt, unfortunately, this and the other cleaning methods we will describe will not be very useful. You can access our blog post explaining the differences between felt and velour car mats here.
Advanced Cleaning ( If The Mats Are Very Dirty)
If the car floor mats are very dirty, there is no other option but to wash them using detergent and water. Now let’s take a look at how this process can be done correctly.
1) Wash The Mats Using a Sponge and Brush.
Using a bucket of detergent water you have prepared (carpet cleaning detergent should be used), wet the mats with a sponge. Then, using a medium-hard carpet cleaning brush, scrub the mats clean. Repeat the process several times if necessary. Brushing too hard can damage the mats. You can use warm water to make stains easier to remove, but you should not use hot water. Soaking the mats and waiting for a while will allow the dirt to dissolve, making your job easier.
2.Vacuum Carpet Mats with a Wet Vacuum Cleaner
After washing car mats, vacuuming them with a wet vacuum cleaner is the most effective method. This ensures no dirty water remains inside the mats. If you don’t have a wet vacuum cleaner, you can rinse the mats thoroughly with plenty of water. (As mentioned above, pressurized water should not be used for rinsing.)
