How to Clean Car Floor Mats

When everyday driving around Schaumburg is starting to show on the floor of your car, it’s time to tidy up and clean the mats. There are two basic types of car floor mats: rubber and carpet. Cleaning your car’s floor mats is an easy afternoon task, and the folks at Biggers Chevrolet tell you how below.

Preparing to Clean Car Floor Mats

There are a few steps to take before you start to clean your car’s floor mats. Gather your cleaning supplies, trash bags, and a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Here are the steps to follow:

• Remove everything from the floor. Your first step is to pick up everything that is on the floor. Put trash like wrappers from fast food or snacks, old receipts, or junk mail into one bag, and place recyclables like empty bottles and cans in another. Remove and set aside anything else that is on the floor like toys, electronic devices, or tissue boxes. You can sort through it later and decide what to put back.
• Take out the floor mats. Don’t try to clean floor mats while they are in the car. Remove them and set them next to the car.
• Vacuum the carpet. Run the vacuum over the carpet under the floor mats to get up any dirt, dust, and crumbs. This is probably a good time to vacuum under the seats, too.

How to Clean Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber floor mats are a must-have accessory around Streamwood, and they are pretty easy to clean if you follow these instructions:

• Spray the mats. Use a strong hose to spray the mats down. This will remove any mud that is stuck to the mats and get them ready for soap.
• Apply cleaner. Rubber floor mats are tough, so they can stand up to strong cleaners like tire wash. You can also use liquid dish detergent if you prefer. Spray or drizzle the soap on the wet mats and let it sit for a few minutes, but don’t let it dry!
• Scrub.  Use a soft bristle brush to scrub the mats, making sure you get into crevices to loosen all of the dirt.
• Rinse. Hose off the mats to rinse away the soap and dirt. If the mats aren’t completely clean, you can reapply soap to the stubborn areas and scrub and rinse again. Let them dry before putting the mats back into the car.

How to Clean Carpet Floor Mats

Some people in the Bartlett area prefer carpet floor mats. If you have this type of car floor mat, the procedure is similar with just a few differences.

• Vacuum the mats. After you remove the mats from the car, vacuum them with a powerful vacuum. This will pull out most of the dirt from the carpet. If you have pets, sprinkle baking soda on the mats and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming. This will help eliminate odors.
• Apply product. From this point, you can proceed in a few different ways.
  • Use a soft bristle brush and dish soap.
  • Apply upholstery or carpet cleaner according to the package directions.
  • Use a steam carpet cleaner.
  • Toss them in the washer if your machine is big enough.
• Dry the mats. You can let the mats air dry or vacuum them with a wet/dry vac. Make sure the mats are completely dry before returning them to the car.

Make an Appointment at Biggers Chevrolet Today!

While you are feeling productive, why not contact us at Biggers Chevrolet in Elgin for a service appointment? Our team can take care of the regular maintenance your car needs to stay in tip-top shape. Check out our inventory of new and used cars while you wait!