How To Clean Car Floor Mats

Car floor mats take a beating as you make your daily commute to Metairie or the surrounding areas. These mats protect your vehicle from dirt, mud, snow, and spills on a regular basis, so it is no surprise that they require a good cleaning every so often. But what is the best way to clean rubber floor mats? What is the right way to clean carpet floor mats? What supplies do you require for each type of mat? Get your floor mats ready to defend your vehicle another day in Harvey—follow this guide on how to clean car floor mats from the service experts at Leson Auto Spa!

Supplies You’ll Need

You want to make sure you have the proper supplies before getting started:

• Rubber Floor Mats: Vacuum, rubber floor mat cleanser, stiff bristle brush, hose or bucket of water, microfiber towel, or a place to hang your mats
• Carpet Floor Mats: Vacuum, carpet floor mat cleaner, brush, hose or bucket of water, wet vac if available, or a place to hang your mats

The Best Way to Clean Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber floor mats are great for off-road enthusiasts and drivers who live in areas that get significant rain and snow. Ensure they remain effective at keeping your interior clean by washing your rubber mats regularly using these steps:

1. Start by removing them from your vehicle to avoid damaging the interior of your model with water.
2. Shake out the mats and vacuum any leftover debris from your vehicle interior.
3. Rinse the mats with clean water, such as from your garden hose.
4. Apply a cleanser designed for rubber mats and gently scrub with a stiff bristle brush to remove additional grime and debris.
5. Rinse the mats clean.
6. Hang up the mats to dry or dry with a microfiber towel. Make sure mats are completely dry before placing them in your vehicle. Wet mats can contribute to mold in your car cabin. 

How to Clean Carpet Floor Mats

If you drive a luxury vehicle around Gretna and New Orleans or use factory-provided floor mats, they’re probably carpet instead of rubber. The steps for how to clean car floor mats made of carpet are different from rubber. Here’s how to complete the job:

1. Remove the floor mats from your vehicle.
2. Vacuum the floor mats to remove dirt, dust, crumbs, and other debris.
3. Shake and whack the floor mats against a hard surface to rid them of remaining dust and smaller dirt particles.
4. Use a cleaner designed for carpet floor mats and apply it to your mats. Make sure you follow the application directions on your particular cleaner, as they can vary.
5. Scrub the mats to remove any stains and ground-in debris.
6. Rinse the mats thoroughly.
7. If you have access to a wet vac, try vacuuming your floor mats again. This will help remove any additional dirt and reduce the drying time of your mats.
8. Hang your mats to dry. Make sure they are completely dry before placing them back in your vehicle to avoid mold and related issues.

Need Help Cleaning Your Floor Mats?

Now that you know how to clean your car floor mats at home, you want to make sure you have the materials to do it properly! Visit Leson Auto Spa today and we will ensure you do. You can also get your vehicle washed and detailed by our certified experts! Simply schedule an appointment online to get started. If you have any questions, such as those about the best way to clean rubber floor mats, contact us online to start a conversation! We also invite you to review our guide on how to clean car seats.