Ever looked down at your floor mats and said, “I should probably be cleaning these more”? Or maybe you have seen some dirt forming at the corners and were never quite sure the best way to deal with it without making more of a mess.
You’re not the only one.
While plenty of people are in the habit of using custom floor mats to help maintain the interior of their car, those mats require some maintenance of their own.
The good news?
They don’t require a lot of maintenance. With a little bit of basic maintenance, your custom car floor mats will stay clean, odour-free, and ready for whatever you track in.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to clean and maintain your mats right with instructions on how to remove dirt, common stains, and prevent them from curling or deteriorating prematurely.
No fuss, no frills, no bells and whistles, just straight up direction to help you make the most out of the mats you rely on time and time again.
Contents
Why Proper Floor Mat Care Matters?
When your floor mats are smudged over or still have the trace of the sandwich you had last week, then they are not only not doing their job, but they are hardly fashionable in the process too.
Cleaning your custom floor mats is not the only way to take care of them. It also helps the mats to remain longer and to keep and to serve their purpose of covering your interior.
If they get covered in debris or start to curl on the edges, they can be a tripping hazard, wear out early, and even potentially shift under your foot when you pedal.
But a little regular cleaning and a couple of habits can help prevent those problems. Your mats will look crisper, will keep their shape, and will to you season upon season through rain, snow, mud, the middle of nowhere, etc.
Plus, clean mats will make your car’s whole interior feel more taken care of. Little details like those can matter, especially if you ever think you might sell or trade in your car.
Know Your Floor Mat Type
Before you do the dirty work, determine what kind of floor mats you have. Mats aren’t one-size-fits-all, and they can wear out too soon if the wrong treatment is used.
Many automobiles now have all-weather mats, which are rugged, mud-resistant, spill-proof mats, actually the type of plastic rubber that mud isn’t allowed on.
They are normally TPE, which is a flexible, eco-friendly substance that neither cracks in the cold nor stinks during hot days. There are then the double-layer pads, which have a soft, carpet-like top layer that is placed on a waterproof bottom layer.
This can be washed alone, and hence it is not difficult to maintain clean. Those less expensive mats are also probably thermoformed, and this may result in a looser fit, and they are not as durable.
In case you do not know what sort you possess, check the tag (in case you still have it) or pose yourself questions like whether its layers can be removed, what its texture and weight are.
The more that you learn about what you are receiving, the more you will be capable of understanding how you ought to treat and clean your mats without spoiling them throughout the process of cleaning.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Floor Mats
Cleaning your custom floor mats doesn’t take long, and you don’t need anything fancy to get it done.
Whether you’ve got basic all-weather mats or a double-layer setup with a carpeted top, the steps are pretty simple.
Step 1: Take the Mats Out
Whenever you have gone to the car, the first thing you should do after getting out of the car is to take out the mats. Trying to clean them in the vehicle results in pushing the dirt around and creating more labor.
Step 2: Shake Off Loose Dirt
To shake off dust, sand, and loose materials, shake the mats and clear them off. Something jammed in the grooves can be removed using a soft brush or a vacuum, too.
Step 3: Rinse With Water
Simple water will suffice in most of the messes. Wet or give a shower to the mats or use a bucket to wash the surface. In the event that you have a removable carpet top on your mats, you have to take it out and wash it accordingly.
Step 4: Use Mild Soap (If Needed)
A little drip of car shampoo or gentle detergent will not do any harm in case of stain/or accumulated dirt. It has mats prepared to deal with it, and do not use anything that is too strong and has a lot of bleach.
Step 5: Rinse Again
Make sure you rinse off any soap or cleaner completely. Leftover product can make the mats slippery or leave behind a film.
Step 6: Let Them Dry
The mats are aired out flat. Do not hurry on this part; to cool them back in when they are wet will lock the moisture and cause odors. A towel pat-down turns out to be faster than usual in case you are pressed for time.
Step 7: Put Everything Back
Once they’re fully dry, pop the mats back into place. If you have double-layer mats, make sure the carpet piece is reattached properly and everything fits snug.
That’s it, no sprays, no machines, no special tools. Just a quick routine that keeps your mats clean and ready for the next round of dirty shoes or spilled coffee.
How to Deal With Common Problems?
Despite the fact that you have a set of high-quality custom floor mats, after a while, a couple of common problems will present themselves.
There’s a right way to handle them.
- Mats don’t lie flat right out of the package: Unroll in the sun to return the mats to their original shape, or heat with a hair dryer to soften.
- Mats slide around in the car: Ensure that the mats are installed with the logo facing out toward the window and pulled as snugly as possible toward the seat.
- Mats seem misaligned or don’t fit right: Check placement and adjust to follow the floor contours; for double-layer mats, ensure the top layer is secured properly.
- High heels leave marks or dents: Avoid applying constant pressure in one area, or consider heel protectors to prevent damage.
- Mats appear folded out of the box: Bend gently in the opposite direction or let them sit flat until the shape returns.
Do’s and Don’ts for Floor Mat Care
When you are done caring about your mats properly, they will last longer and your car will be cleaner.
The following is a brief checklist of the dos and don’ts.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Remove mats before cleaning. | Avoid intense chemicals. |
| Use water to wash regularly. | Don’t scrub with rough tools. |
| Use mild soap if needed. | Don’t reinstall when damp. |
| Let the mats dry fully. | Don’t ignore curled edges. |
| Keep mats flat and properly placed. | Don’t install backward or upside down. |
| Check rear fasteners for secure fit. | Don’t forget to lock in the carpet top layer. |
| Use sunlight or low heat to flatten mats. | Don’t bend or fold mats during storage. |
Storage and Seasonal Care Tips
How you keep your mats matters too, when you have them stored away or you need to make the switch to the thick ones for cold weather.
- If stacking is the only way you can store the tarp, stack it as evenly as you can and try not to pile anything heavy on top.
- Just wash the mats down with a hose and dry them off before putting them away, and you won’t have to worry about any foul smell or mildew.
- And don’t keep them in a very hot or very cold place for long periods, even though that material can handle it.
- In case a mat curls when in storage, it can be softened on a flat surface by the sun or blow-dried on low.
- The mats you swap with changing seasons should be stored in a dry, risk-free place, whether that is an attached garage or a storage space with a trunk bin.
- There are a few additional steps to take when storing to help ensure your custom floor mats last longer and remain ready for everyday use.
To Sum Up
In this guide, we went over the basics of how to keep your custom floor mats clean and in good condition. We talked about why taking care of them matters, how to tell what type you have, and the best way to clean them step by step.
We also covered some common issues like curling or slipping, and gave you clear dos and don’ts to help avoid damage.
You also got a few tips on how to store your mats during different seasons, so they stay in good shape when not in use.We hope this answered your questions and made things easier.
If you follow these simple maintenance tips, your custom car floor mats will stay useful and last longer, with no stress, no guessing.
