How to Clean Car Carpets and Floor Mats

The floor takes the most abuse in any car: dust, sand, mud, water and food crumbs. Dirty carpet doesn't just look bad – it's a major source of smells.

Rubber Mats

1. Take them out and shake them off.
2. Spray Road Ready – it lifts embedded dirt and dullness from rubber and is designed for floor mats too.
3. Scrub with a medium brush, especially in grooves and channels.
4. Rinse well and let them dry completely.

Important: never apply tire shine or dressing to floor mats – they become slippery and your foot could slip off the pedals.

Fabric Mats and Carpet

1. Vacuum thoroughly, agitating the carpet with a brush as you go to lift embedded sand.
2. Spray Interior Cleaner on stains and soiled areas and wait a minute.
3. Agitate with a carpet brush in different directions.
4. Remove the dirt with a microfiber towel or a wet vac.
5. Detailing centres: the concentrate at 1:5 for heavily soiled carpet with a hot-water extractor.

Drying: The Most Important Step

Under the carpet is an insulation layer that soaks up water; left damp it causes mould, smells and even floor-pan rust:

• Use as little water as possible.
• Extract excess water with a wet vac.
• Leave the car open in the sun somewhere safe, or run the A/C.
• Dry fabric mats fully in the sun before refitting.

If the Carpet Gets Wet for No Reason

It may be a leaking door seal or a blocked A/C drain; if the water is coloured and smells sweet, it could be coolant from the heater core – have it checked.

Quick Tips

• Rubber mats in winter and the rainy season; fabric the rest of the year if you prefer.
• Vacuum weekly – sand wears out carpet fibres over time.
• For the rest of the cabin, see our interior cleaning guide and odour guide.

FAQ

Can fabric mats go in the washing machine? Some can, but the rubber backing may be damaged; hand cleaning is safer.

Carpet still smells after cleaning? Usually not dried enough underneath – keep airing and drying.

How do I remove white salt and mud marks? Vacuum them dry, then cleaner, a brush and a lightly damp towel.