Autobody Specialties offers custom carpets for cars and mats for trucks now. These 2 items are very popular products and have been selling fast since we started carrying them. One of the reasons they are so popular is that they are completely customizable to the vehicle you own. Because of our new product’s popularity, our article this week will be on how to clean car carpets and floor mats.

First, you will want to take the mats out of the vehicle. Cleaning is much easier when you can access the whole mat. You’ll want to vacuum the mats to remove dust and debris. If you don’t vacuum the mats first, the accumulated dirt will mix with the mat cleaner and make a muddy mess.

You would be surprised how much dirt and grime to accumulate on your shoes and then get transferred to the mats. You’ll want to have a good semi stuff brush on hand to scrub off stains. To start the actual cleaning, you can either use plain old diluted white vinegar or purchase a commercial auto carpet cleaner at your local automotive store. If you are concerned about vinegar smell, simply letting the carpets dry in the sun will eliminate that problem.

Make sure the carpets are completely dry before placing them back into the car. If the carpets are still damp you run the risk of mold growing. Mold can make the vehicle smell musty and can potentially be unhealthy to breathe. If you need something to do while waiting for the mats to dry, vacuum the rest of the vehicle. Dirt and debris from the rest of the car or truck can fall onto the floor and make your mats dirty again. Car mats always get dirtier in the winter. From salt to mud, you’ll likely have to clean the mats more in the winter. Ice melt can actually break down the material in the mat.