Ways To Clean Car Mats
Introduction
You may be extremely proud of your spanking clean car. However, best believe that your vehicle is only as clean as it looks on the outside. Car Mats do their part in making sure that the gravel and grime particles you carry into the car on the sole of your shoes do not destroy your car’s flooring. Additionally, they also function as a safety mat when you inevitably spill drinks or food crumbs in the car.
This article will guide you in a variety of ways on how to clean your car mats properly, no matter what material they are made of.
Preparation
Before you start the cleaning process, it is important to prepare the mats. You can do this by shaking out the dirt and gravel from the mats to smoothen the process of washing. This can also help to prevent your job from becoming more tedious while you are scrubbing them clean.
Vacuuming
Always remove the mats carefully enough from the car such that no sand or particles will spill by folding them into half before bringing them out. If possible, hit the mats against a hard wall or floor to remove the dirt that has rooted itself in the mat threads. Vacuuming can be done together with an attachment that is suitable to clean upholstery. Such carpets can also withstand high-powered vacuuming, which can easily found at your local car wash outlets.
Quickest way of cleaning
The most common type of mats seen in cars are rubber mats, which combats the various types of dirt rainy and snowy weather will bring. For terribly dirty mats, the most efficient way to clean them is by scrubbing at the surface side using a concoction of laundry soap and baking soda mixed with warm water.
If your mats are not extremely dirty or grimy, light cleaning involves merely hosing them down using a garden hose and drying them off in the sunniest spot you can find.
Washing-Machine Cleaning
If you find cleaning by hand too time-consuming and wish to let your washing machine do the job for you, bear in mind that you can only throw your car mats in only if they are manufactured from pure carpet material. Mats with rubber or plastic components or fibres in them should be strictly cleaned by hand.
To be fully certain that your car’s mats can be machine-washed, it is advisable to follow the care label usually stitched onto the mat. A general rule of thumb is to place the mats into the machine with the usual laundry detergent and wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water.
Deep-cleaning
For carpet mats, the traditional soap and water method may be more efficient in thorough cleaning. Otherwise, you can follow this cleaner recipe to get the job done quickly.
All you need to do is mix soap and water in a bucket before using a brush to scrub the surface side of the mat. Remember to take gentle care in removing dirt and mud from the threads. After scrubbing, hose them down with clean water to rinse off the solution and lay them to dry on their own.
Keep in mind that to dry efficiently, car mats should be placed in a location with optimum sunlight. To waste less time, a vacuum can be used to remove excess water in the mats.
Steam Cleaner Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a more targeted method to clean a floor mat, as it does its best to fish out dirt and remove bad smells. Steam cleaning can be applied to mats made of mostly fabric or carpet.
To start, the existing debris and dust are vacuumed while the mats are laid on flat ground. Next, add the cleaning solution to your steam cleaner and attach the brush. Clean each mat in a top to bottom direction methodically, and repeat for each section. To make sure that no inch of carpet is left out, move the brush attachment in an overlapping manner. Mats should be fully dried before they can be replaced in your car.
Vinegar cleaning
Another carpet cleaning solution that is suitable for removing stains would be using vinegar. To prepare, mix one cup of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Shake well before using, and make sure that each mat is sprayed thoroughly with the solution. Vinegar is a good alternative for cleaning solutions and is easy and convenient enough for you to make at home when you urgently need one.
Removing Stains
Accidental oil stains can look disgusting and offensive on car mats, however, they can easily be removed with this recipe. To start, absorb as much of the oil spill as possible with a cloth, then mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle together with detergent. Shake to mix the solution well before spraying it directly onto the stain. Use a sponge to scrub gently at the stain in an inwards circular direction until it disappears.
Removing Odors
Sometimes, your car mat is clean but it emits a lingering odour from past takeaway orders. Baking soda is your best friend in such cases, as it acts as a deodoriser and removes putrid smells from carpets. Scatter a handful of baking soda onto each mat’s surface, and use a brush to gently root the baking soda into the threads of the mat. Let the baking soda absorb the lingering odours, then vacuum up the powder after 20 minutes.
Drying
It is essential to avoid moisture and water from accumulating in your car mat. This can lead to mould growth and we want to avoid that as much as possible. Therefore, one of the most effective ways of drying your car mats is to hang them on coat hangers in the sunniest location you can find. By securing the mat to a hanger with clothespins, both sides of the mat will be given ample sunlight to dry off quickly.
Conclusion
Now that we have gone through the most effective ways and methods to clean your car mats, you can analyse your car mat’s conditions to determine the best recipe for you to work with. Be prepared to proudly boast about your clean car - this time inclusive of its interior!
---
Published: 17-Feb-2021
Author: Victoria Berry
You can see a list of our current authors and short bio here