How to Keep Automotive Floor Mats Clean

One of the simplest ways to maintain your car's value is to maintain it and to keep it clean. Keep your floor mats clean. A little cleanliness goes a long way.

1. First: Remove floor mats from floorboards

   Have a trash receptacle or bag handy. Lift your floor mats by the edges. even if there is no visible dirt and debris. Bend the floor mat over the trash receptacle and pour any loose dirt and debris.

2. Second: Determine whether to vacuum or wash your floor mats

   If your floor mats are vinyl, you may want to wash them off with a hose, either by setting them on your driveway or sidewalk or hanging them on the clips in the car wash. If your floor mats are carpet or have carpet insets, you should vacuum them.

3. Third: Wash or vacuum floor mats, back side first

   Spray vinyl floor mats on their back sides first. Then, flip them over and spray the top side. If anything remains, scrub it off with a brush or cloth. Allow them to air-dry, or towel-dry them. If your floor mats are carpet or have carpet insets, wipe all vinyl surfaces with a damp cloth. Vacuum the carpet surfaces thoroughly. Dress vinyl surfaces with Armor All or similar product, if desired.

4. Fourth: Thoroughly vacuum floorboards and under seats before replacing floor mats

   Thoroughly vacuum all dirt and debris from floorboards and under seats before replacing the floor mats. This will help your floor mats to lie flat. If your floor mats are curling on the edges, especially in the driver's floorboard, they less effective in protecting your carpet and they can even become unsafe, possibly catching your shoe or interfering with your brake, clutch, or accelerator.

5. Fifth: Replace floor mats

   Put the floor mats back on the floorboards, making sure that they are flat. Make sure that there are no edges turned up around the pedals.