HOW TO CLEAN RUBBER CAR MATS: 7 EASY STEPS

Whether you have rubber floor mats or WeatherTech floor liners, proper maintenance and cleaning can help keep them looking like new for a long time. Here are some easy-to-follow instructions to help you clean and restore your car’s floor mats.

Why should you clean and protect your car's floor mats?

By cleaning and protecting your car's floor mats, you can keep them looking new for a long time. Doing so will also reduce the amount of dirt and debris that accumulates in them, which helps to protect the interior of your car from damage over time.

What products and tools do you need to clean your rubber car mats?

You’ll need an All Purpose Cleaner, a stiff brush or drill brush, and a vacuum. Depending on how dirty the mats are, you may also want to use an All-Purpose Cleaner or other specialty cleaning product for interiors like GLOVEBOXRx Interior Cleaner. If you are using an All Purpose Cleaner we recommend a dilution of 5 to 1 or even 8 to 1 but test what works on your particular floor mats. We also recommend having a pressure washer to thoroughly spray the floor mats or floor liners down to knock off any debris and loose dirt. We also like the water flow and pressure for final rinsing. For drying your floor mats you can use microfiber tools or speed up the process we like using a car blower or Ego cordless leaf blower to get rid of the majority of the water before towel drying. Finally, to finish off protecting the floor mats or WeatherTech floor liners we like an interior protectant like Lithium Inner Space or 303 Protectant because they restore the look of the mats without making them slippery and dangerous.

What is the best cleaner for rubber car mats or floor liners?

There are several dedicated rubber mat cleaners on the market like Adam's Rubber Mat & Liner Cleaner DP Floor Mat Cleaner And Protectant. This cleaner will penetrate the surface quickly and is safe to use on all types of floor mats or WeatherTech liners. If you are using an All-Purpose Cleaner check out Koch Chemie Green Start or Lithium Hyper Cleanse. Green Star can be diluted at many different strengths which makes it a powerful cleaner when used in an IK Sprayer and used with a stiff brush or drill brush.

How do you clean rubber car floor mats?

1. Vacuum the floor mats to remove as much dirt and debris as possible before removing them from the vehicle so you do not spill dirt all over your interior.
2. Pressure wash or spray the floor mats with your garden hose to wash away loose dirt and contaminants.
3. Spray an All Purpose Cleaner or dedicated rubber mat cleaner on the floor mats and allow it to dwell for 20-30 seconds. Do not let the cleaner dwell too long as it may discolor the material or cause white spots to appear.
4. Agitate with a brush or drill brush to break up any stuck-on dirt particles and reapply your cleaner on any stubborn spots and continue brushing until you reach the desired result.
5. Rinse off the floor mats with a pressure washer or garden hose, if available, to help loosen any remaining dirt before towel drying them.
6. Towel dry the floor mats completely by hand or use a car blower or Ego cordless leaf blower to help speed up the drying process (optional).
7. Once dry, apply an interior protectant like Lithium Inner Space or 303 Protectant to restore shine and protect from UV damage and fading which will make them easier to clean in the future.

How long does it take to clean rubber floor mats or floor liners?

The entire process should take about 30 minutes, depending on how dirty the floor mats are. The more dirt and debris that accumulates on your rubber mats, the longer it will take to clean them properly. If you have a rubber cargo mat to clean as well it may take up to 45 minutes to clean them all depending on how worn out and filthy they are.

How often should you clean your floor mats or floor liners?

It is recommended to clean your floor mats or WeatherTech floor liners at least once every two months. Doing so will ensure they stay in good condition and will make it easier to keep them looking brand new. At the very least you should clean them every 3 to 4 months and make sure they are clean and protected for the next season so you can protect against mud, snow, salt, and more.

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