Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to clean your car mats

Mark Wolfe
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder
XArtProduction/Shutterstock

Floor mats are there to protect the car carpet and make it easier to keep the interior clean. They collect dirt and mud from your shoes along with food crumbs, drink spills, and more. In areas that get lots of precipitation, they collect the water that could cause harmful and smelly microbes to grow in the carpeting. You can simply remove the car mats and give them a good shake whenever they need it to eliminate loose dirt. But sometimes they need more.

No matter how picky you are about your ride, spills happen, and dirt collects on the car mats. Regular vacuuming helps tremendously in keeping the interior looking good, but over time, stains and residue begin to build up. When it’s time to reinvigorate the interior, spruce up the mats by giving them a deep cleaning. How you do it depends on the type of mat: Rubber or carpet.

Recommended Videos

Gather your gear

When it comes to keeping your car mats clean, along with dozens of other messy jobs around the house, one of the best investments is a compact, powerful wet-dry vacuum, like this one. Use it to pre-vacuum to pick up the loose stuff and to pull out some of the excess moisture after washing the mats. You’ll also need a good garden hose with a multi-spray nozzle.

Cleaning rubber car mats

Got your gear together? Let’s get cleaning!

  • Remove the mats from the car: This job is wet and kind of messy. The driveway is a perfect place to do it.
  • Knock off loose debris: Shake and knock off any loose dirt before wetting the surface.
  • Dislodge sticky dirt and crumbs with clear water: Give them a quick rinse with a jet of plain water from the hose.
  • Scrub with warm soapy water: For best results, use a product like Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner that is specially designed for cleaning and conditioning rubber.
  • Rinse with clear water: Thoroughly rinse to remove all soap residue for a clear finish.
  • Air dry: Lay or hang flat in the shade.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
fotografos/Shutterstock

Cleaning carpet car mats

  • Remove them from the car: You probably need to vacuum beneath them anyway.
  • Vacuum top and bottom sides: Remove any dry, loose material before wetting.
  • Remove odors with baking soda: Dust liberally with plain baking soda and massage into the fibers with a soft brush. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
  • Wash option 1: Hand-wash. Apply automotive carpet cleaner like Armor All Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner to thoroughly wet the fiber, then scrub stains vigorously with a soft bristle brush.
  • Wash option 2: Most carpet car mats can be run through household washing machines. Use your regular detergent and normal cycle. Check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before proceeding.
  • Vacuum to remove excess moisture: This is not absolutely necessary but will help move things along more quickly.
  • Air dry: Lay or hang flat in the shade.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Vershinin89/Shutterstock

A note on air drying

For the best results, dry them in a flat position in the shade. Sun exposure leads to fabric color fading and cracks in the rubber. Laying the mats over a fence may cause them to take on a bent shape, causing a mat bubble on the floor of the car. Instead, lay them out in the driveway, use a clothesline with pins, or mount spring clamps to a wall or fence to hang them.

When to purchase new floor mats for your car

Many automobiles do not come from the factory with floor mats. Some new car buyers opt not to add the expense, especially for fleet vehicles. Over time, mats wear out, especially in the driver’s heel area. If you purchase a car without mats, or if the ones in your car become worn out, it’s a good idea to purchase a new set to protect your interior.

Dealerships offer both original equipment and upgraded mats, but there are many other options to choose from. Amazon offers a wide assortment of mats that fit a wide range of vehicles. WeatherTech offers custom mats to fit your car make and model. You may also find what you need at auto parts stores or general retailers.

It feels good to drive around in a car that looks good. Keeping your floor mats clean and in good condition makes the car look, feel, and smell its best.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Wolfe
Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
Your travel bag probably doesn’t have an Apple AirTag, but it needs one — here’s why
AirTags are tiny, and make losing baggage almost impossible
Apple AirTags in carrying cases

Anyone who has ever had to replace a lost suitcase full of clothing on vacation understands the hassle it can be. Oh, and don't forget about the shoes, toiletries, and accessories — the cost adds up quickly. Plus, who wants to spend their hard-earned vacation days schlepping to a store to buy a new wardrobe? I feel like I'm not alone in saying that precious time is much better spent enjoying the fruits of your trip planning, relaxing, or exploring. But that's only one of the reasons why every travel bag you have needs an Apple Air Tag.

Whether your wayward bag is buried beneath a massive pile of lost luggage in a foreign airport or accidentally left behind in the back seat of your Uber, tracking an AirTag may be the best bet you have to track it down. The concept is super simple and nearly foolproof. Slip an AirTag in your suitcase, and you'll almost always be able to find out where it is. Above and beyond the obvious, there are plenty of great benefits to keeping an Apple AirTag in each piece of luggage when you travel — both checked bags and carry-ons. 

Read more
Costco has a secret online store, Costco Next, that any member can access – here’s how
It's just like Costco, only premium - and there are no hot dogs
Ft. Wayne - Circa August 2017: Costco Wholesale Location. Costco Wholesale is a Multi-Billion Dollar Global Retailer X

 

Whether you have a bunch of kids and need that Costco membership for the snacks or are entering your middle-age era and have started shopping for your jeans there, Costco membership holders are die-hard people. There are whole Reddit pages dedicated to how to best shop at the store and plenty of TikToks showing how to maximize Costco hauls. Plus, where else do you get a hot dog and a drink for $1.50 these days? But we all know that staying home and ordering online from your favorite store is where it's at, so get ready to be blown away by how to access Costco Next, Costco's best-hidden feature.

Read more
Here’s your camping and outdoor guide for the Pacific Northwest
Add these spots to your list of must-see areas in the PNW
The Pacific Northwest

Few places on Earth offer an outdoor lover's paradise quite like the Pacific Northwest. From forests to deserts, mountains to islands, and beaches to alpine slopes, just about every type of landscape is represented. There's even a rainforest. And whatever outdoor activity you prefer, whether it's hiking, cycling, snowboarding or skiing, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, or virtually anything else, you can enjoy it in the Washington-Oregon-British Columbia trifecta.

With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the best outdoor opportunities in the Pacific Northwest for camping, hiking, and more. Perhaps I should amend that. "Best" is hard to define. Instead, let's just say that these are some of the "greatest" and leave it at that. So without further ado, here are some Pacific Northwest camping spots to choose for your next great outdoor adventure.

Read more