How to Clean Car Mats: Complete Guide to Car Mat Cleaning

This guide will cover the car mat cleaning process, with specific step-by-step guidance.

On top of detailing how to clean car mats at home, we will recommend the best cleaning products, and share expert tips for tackling stubborn dirt.

If you find that, even with our expert advice on car mat cleaning, your interior is beyond repair, we’ll help you find a suitable replacement here at Finest Car Mats. We’re the most trusted place to buy car mats in the UK. More on that later.

Step-by-Step Guide to Car Mat Cleaning

Important note: This guide covers carpeted car mats. We have a separate guide for rubber car mat cleaning and maintenance coming out very soon.

Step 1: Removing Loose Dirt & Debris By Shaking Out, Vacuuming, and/or Brushing Your Car Mats

Start the cleaning process by removing the car mats from your vehicle. Take the mats to a location you don’t mind getting dirty - be it your garage or yard. Then, shake them out vigorously to dislodge any loose dirt, dust, or debris.

This will get any of the mess on top of the mats off with minimal effort. Then, you can set them down and use a car vacuum cleaner to further remove any remaining loose dirt. Ensure you reach into all the crevices where dirt tends to hide.

Using the brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner can help dislodge stubborn dirt. Then, it’s time to get deep into the fibres of your mats with a cleaning agent.

Massage gun car cleaning trick: You may have also seen a social media video in which a valet is cleaning a car with a massage gun, using it to bring all the dirt in the car mat and foot well to the surface and then vacuum it away. This will work but remember to put a sock or some other covering on your massage gun if you intend to use it for massages later.

Step 2: Deep Cleaning Mats

How to deep clean car mats: For carpet mats, spray your chosen cleaner generously over the mat and let it sit for a few minutes.

Using a scrub brush or microfiber cloth, work the cleaner into the mat, ensuring you cover all areas. After scrubbing, rinse the mat thoroughly with water.

Remember, always read the instructions on your cleaning products before applying them.

Top Tip: It’s always worth taking the time to do a spot test of your products in a discreet area on the mat.

Step 3: Removing Left Over Stains and Odours

Stains can be stubborn, but they're not invincible. For tough stains on carpet mats, use a carpet stain remover and follow the instructions provided.

To remove unpleasant odours, try sprinkling baking soda on your mats and leaving it overnight. The next day, simply vacuum up the baking soda.

How to avoid ever needing to go to step 3

Remember the sooner you clean messes or spills after they’re made, the easier it’ll be to prevent the stain from taking hold in the first place.

One important rule of thumb to follow is to spot clean your mats whenever they get noticeably dirty.

Just returned from a sandy beach trip? Did someone spill their coffee on the mat? A quick hoover or wipe down could be all that’s needed. This will allow for a little bit more time in between deep cleans.

Car Mat Cleaning Products We Recommend

For general cleaning, we recommend a good quality car mat cleaner that's suitable for carpet and velour mats.

One product we like is Turtle Wax’s Spot Clean Stain & Odour Remover. This spray bottle is tough on messes yet gentle on carpet/fabric floor mats. It works wonders for pet messes, food and drink spills, you name it. Meguiar’s is also a highly-reputable brand with a heavy-duty carpet and interior cleaner.

For tougher stains on carpet mats, a carpet stain remover or shampoo can be beneficial. Turtle Wax also offers a heavy-duty cleaner called “Power Out” which we’ve had great success using to remove soils or stains from carpet and floor mats.

Make sure to get the right cleaning product, as the last thing you want is to end up doing more harm than good with an abrasive, chemical-laden cleaning agent. Similarly, use non-abrasive brushes to avoid damaging your mats.

Best Practices for Drying Your Car Mats

Once you've rinsed your mats, it's essential to dry them thoroughly to prevent mold and mildew. Hang them up and allow them to air dry completely. Avoid folding or placing mats on top of each other while drying.

Also, we recommend cleaning your car mats on a day you know you won’t need to drive - giving your mats the full time needed to dry.

How Often is Car Mat Cleaning Necessary?

While it will depend on your car usage, we recommend a thorough deep clean of car mats once a month for the average driver who commutes daily. Frequency can vary based on factors such as:

Car Usage: The more you use your car the dirtier your mats can get. Hobbies can impact your mats cleanliness as well. For example, if you're an outdoor enthusiast with regular muddy boots, you might need to clean your mats more often.
Passengers: The more passengers a car carries, the higher the chance of dirt accumulation. For instance, if you're often ferrying kids to and from school, sports or outdoor activities, the risk of buildup caused by spillage is much higher.
Where You Live: The environment also plays a crucial role in determining cleaning frequency. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, snow, or a lot of dust, your car mats are likely to get dirty faster.

Can You Put Car Mats In The Washing Machine?

No. Washing machines are not designed to handle the varying materials that a car mat is made up of. Some commercial washing machines may be able to handle a car mat, however, we would recommend cleaning your car mat by hand for best results.

Why Car Mat Cleaning is Important

You don’t have to be a car snob to appreciate a clean vehicle interior. If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately been put off by the appearance or smell, just know that cars are no different. Every time you or a passenger steps into your vehicle, the state of your car mats speaks volumes.

And you would be surprised how quickly a car mat will collect dirt. Just a few day trips and before you know it your mats are hidden away beneath layers of grit and grime.

First impressions matter, and that's especially true for your vehicle. Dirty, unkempt floor mats hidden under a layer of dirt, crumbs, or muddy footprints doesn't give the best impression.

And then there are the health implications as over time, dust, allergens, and microorganisms can accumulate in your car mats, potentially impacting the air quality inside your vehicle.

Each time you step onto your car mat, these particles could be disturbed, released into the air, and inhaled by you or your passengers. Additionally, keeping your mats clean ensures they function effectively for longer, maintaining your vehicle's interior quality and potentially increasing its overall resale value.

If Your Car Floor Mats Are Beyond Cleaning, It’s Time to Replace Them at Finest Car Mats!

While the advice we’ve laid out today on how to clean a car mat can significantly extend their lifespan, there comes a point when replacement becomes inevitable.

Over time, mats experience wear and tear that goes beyond surface stains and dirt. If your mats feature worn out or frayed edges, permanent stains or discolouration, odours that don't go away, or thin, worn or torn spots then it's time to take the leap and invest in new mats.

And there's no better place for that than Finest Car Mats with high-quality, customisable mats crafted with care right here in the UK. Here are a few popular collections we have:

Check out the full list of makes and models on our site.

Wrapping Up Our Car Mat Cleaning Guide

So there you have it, your comprehensive guide on how to clean car foot mats and why it's so important.

Remember, car mat cleaning not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle but also contributes to a healthier, more enjoyable driving experience. Not just you, but any passengers you pick up along the way.

And when car floor mat cleaning doesn’t cut it and the time comes for replacement, you needn’t look any further than Finest Car Mats.

Until next time, happy driving and remember to keep those car mats sparkling!

Edited by Jacob Rawley.