Mat cleaning technique

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

Yesterday I tried the bathtub technique for washing my car mats. Totally unbelievable. What a great job it did. I have a 05 Sebring, Black mats. We bought the car used, and theres no telling how much dirt was in these mats. I followed everything as liquidblack outlined and it cleaned them up to what I would consider "brand new" condition. The only thing I had to do differently was After 3 rinsings with hot water was still seeing alot of dirt rinsing off, at this point I decided to start at the beginning and repeat the whole process again. After 3 more rinsings the water was rinsing clean. At this point I put the mats in the wash machine on spin cycle,(made sure carpet side of mats facing the outer wash drum) let it do its thing when done put them outside to dry. Thanks again liquid black for this great tip.

[BigLeegr]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

I have the rubber type, but when I have someone else's to do, I pre-spray with a spotter, then spray them at a carwash with the high pressure wand, mats hanging from the mat holders. Then I quickly grab the wet/dry vac nearby and attempt to dry them as best as possible in that time. Another $1.00 idea, in case your significant other "prefers" that you don't use the tub method.

[Larry A]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

I will do this in the spring. Once a year , after winter . After that a spray and wipe product should work fine. After they dry mabe a spray down with Scotchguard would be a good idea.

[PandorianOne]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

I took mine to the laundry mat and threw them in a front loader washer with laundry detergent, and presto, good as new, and not so wet it takes forever to dry thanks to the spin cycle.

Have fun

Aaron

That's what I have done for great results. Only thing, is to make sure that the carpet side of the mat, is facing out, rather than in on itself. That way, the rinse and spin can really be effective. Cost a $1, and can usually work on the tires in parking lot while I'm waiting...

[TrufflePig]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

i have checkered flag carpet mats and at times, the passenger side mat tends to get dirty faster than mine. i wonder why...hmmm

anyways, i use OXY CLEAN SPRAY stuff and dish scrubbing square brush. i spray it on, leave fofr 5-10 minutes to penerate. rub it in. and PRESTO. DONE.

CLEAN AS NEW!!!

[cnfowler]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

Other than making such a mess in the tub, it sounds like a system that works.
There are people that actually put their mats in their washing machine to clean them and seem to have no problems.
The tub or washing machine cleaning won't be anything I try just because of the possible after effects on the tub or machine.

An alternative process that I use a couple of times a year:
1. Lay the mats out in the driveway and rinse well with a high pressure stream from the hose.
2. Scrub them with a brush and a soap solution. I have used Dawn as well as several different laundry detergents with no problems and no difference in results that I can tell.
3. Rinse with the high pressure stream from the hose. It takes quite a little runsing to get all the dirty water and soap solution out of the carpet.
4. Let them dry thoroughly and back in the vehicle they go.
5. Regular vacuuming and cleaning them with a 10:1 Meg's APC+ (original formula) and a brush keeps them surface cleaned and looking good the rest of the time. I will be switching to the newer Meg's APC when my old APC+ is gone.

This is the method I use and have fantastic results. If your mats are really dirty, this is probably the best way to deep clean them. With the strong stream of water you are getting deep down to the base of the fibers to get all that dirt and grime up. Flushing them with so much water gets it all out, not just the surface stuff.

As far as vacuuming them, I've always had great results by pulling them out and using a regular vacuum to clean them. The bristles and the vibration from the vacuum brings all that deep down dirt and sand up to the top. Also the bristles from the roller will lift the fibers and "fluff up the mats.

[Mayur]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

For those who might still be concerned with this method's effect on dark or black mats, I humbly submit...


Before: (in case you're wondering, yes, the mats are black with labrador accents)


After:


Not perfect by any means, and this was before I finished brushing out the remaining dog hair, but not too bad. Believe it or not, the first picture was taken not long after vacuuming and a good shaking. I only showed the driver's mat because its the only one that showed a substantial difference, as I very rarely have passengers.

Anywho, thanks for the idea. Definitely not something that needs to be done often, but if your mats get a bit past their prime, this seems to bring them right back.

Wow! That is a big improvement! I must try this out. One of my rear mats has pepsi stains on it because one of my stupid friends spilled pepsi. I wasnt aware that he was drinking it (strict rules in my car). This was on a long road trip and no chance to clean it up in middle of highway. Lets just say I beat the heck out of him afterwards and he will never forget the rules of my car lol.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

On rubber mats I just scrub them with a tire brush and soap. And sometime's I spray some tire cleaner on them. Ofcourse you may want to wipe the excess off before butting your feet on it. And carpet mats I just vacuum them.

[Nappers]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

I took mine to the laundry mat and threw them in a front loader washer with laundry detergent, and presto, good as new, and not so wet it takes forever to dry thanks to the spin cycle.

Have fun

Aaron

[CJ3B]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

An alternative process that I use a couple of times a year:
1. Lay the mats out in the driveway and rinse well with a high pressure stream from the hose.
2. Scrub them with a brush and a soap solution. I have used Dawn as well as several different laundry detergents with no problems and no difference in results that I can tell.
3. Rinse with the high pressure stream from the hose. It takes quite a little runsing to get all the dirty water and soap solution out of the carpet.
4. Let them dry thoroughly and back in the vehicle they go.
5. Regular vacuuming and cleaning them with a 10:1 Meg's APC+ (original formula) and a brush keeps them surface cleaned and looking good the rest of the time. I will be switching to the newer Meg's APC when my old APC+ is gone.

I have been using charlesW's method for years with diswashing soap... man, does this work.

Jorge

[cornflake_81]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

For those who might still be concerned with this method's effect on dark or black mats, I humbly submit...


Before: (in case you're wondering, yes, the mats are black with labrador accents)


After:


Not perfect by any means, and this was before I finished brushing out the remaining dog hair, but not too bad. Believe it or not, the first picture was taken not long after vacuuming and a good shaking. I only showed the driver's mat because its the only one that showed a substantial difference, as I very rarely have passengers.

Anywho, thanks for the idea. Definitely not something that needs to be done often, but if your mats get a bit past their prime, this seems to bring them right back.

[CharlesW]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

Other than making such a mess in the tub, it sounds like a system that works.
There are people that actually put their mats in their washing machine to clean them and seem to have no problems.
The tub or washing machine cleaning won't be anything I try just because of the possible after effects on the tub or machine.

An alternative process that I use a couple of times a year:
1. Lay the mats out in the driveway and rinse well with a high pressure stream from the hose.
2. Scrub them with a brush and a soap solution. I have used Dawn as well as several different laundry detergents with no problems and no difference in results that I can tell.
3. Rinse with the high pressure stream from the hose. It takes quite a little runsing to get all the dirty water and soap solution out of the carpet.
4. Let them dry thoroughly and back in the vehicle they go.
5. Regular vacuuming and cleaning them with a 10:1 Meg's APC+ (original formula) and a brush keeps them surface cleaned and looking good the rest of the time. I will be switching to the newer Meg's APC when my old APC+ is gone.

[Blr123]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

Afternoon all,

Never tried this.......I think her indoors would go nuts if I did

What I do is remover the carpet mats when the weather starts to turn in winter and fit rubber mats.........plenty of time then to clean, bag and store the carpet mats until summer.........just a thought

Bryan

[DaGonz]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

Hmmm, I wonder how my wife would react to me trying this?

Probably the same as mine...

[jenjen204]

Re: Mat cleaning technique

People still use carpet floor mats ... why not rubber or something??? Sure are a heck of a lot easier to clean and keep clean plus they look sharper IMO.... Any who thanks for the instructions may come in handy sometime down the road or something.... Yea....