How to Clean Floor Mats: Rubber and Carpet

Take the mats out of the car and clean them separately: scrub rubber mats with mild soap and water, and vacuum and shampoo carpet mats like a small rug. The step people skip is the one that matters most, which is putting the driver’s mat back correctly so it can’t reach the pedals.

Figure out which type you have first, because they need different treatment.

	Rubber or all-weather mats	Carpet mats
Time	A short job, plus air drying	Longer, mostly because of drying
Difficulty	Easy	Easy
Main risk	Leaving a slippery surface	Putting them back damp
Cleaner	Mild detergent soap and water	Carpet cleaner or mild soap

What you need

• A stiff brush for rubber, and a carpet brush for fabric (brush types explained)
• Mild detergent soap or a carpet cleaner (what to look for in cleaners)
• A bucket and a hose, or a sink
• A vacuum for carpet mats
• Clean towels
• Somewhere to hang the mats, like a fence or a railing

How to clean rubber mats

1. Pull them out and knock them together. Do it outside, away from the car, so the loose dirt falls on the ground.
2. Rinse off the loose dirt. A garden hose is fine for this.
3. Scrub with soap and water. Work the brush into the grooves, where most of the grit lives. WeatherTech’s instructions for its liners call for only a mild detergent soap and water.
4. Rinse well. Leftover soap can leave a slick film.
5. Dry them. Hang them up, or wipe them down with a towel.

Leave the shine products on the shelf. WeatherTech says not to use Armor All, Son of a Gun or other silicone-based treatments on its mats because they make the surface slippery. That’s the last thing you want under the foot that’s working the brake.

How to clean carpet mats

1. Beat out the dirt. Hit the mat against a wall or a railing to shake out the sand.
2. Vacuum both directions. Brushing it first loosens what’s trapped in the pile.
3. Treat stains. Apply a little carpet cleaner, or a weak solution of soap and warm water, and scrub gently. That’s the same approach Jaguar’s manual gives for marks on carpet and mats.
4. Rinse. Soap left behind attracts dirt. Unlike the carpet inside the car, a loose mat can take a proper rinse.
5. Squeeze out the water. Press it with a towel or use a wet/dry vac if you have one.
6. Hang to dry. Give it air on both sides, and be patient with thick mats and their backing.

Getting salt out

Winter road salt leaves a white crust on both types, but it matters more on carpet mats. Cars.com suggests a 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar and hot water. Apply it, let it sit a few seconds, then blot and repeat for stubborn stains. Vacuum up what’s left and hang the mat to dry.

Keep it simple with chemicals. Don’t add bleach to this or any other cleaner. The Washington State Department of Health warns that bleach and acids such as vinegar give off chlorine gas. Never mix cleaners, and follow the label on whatever you use.

How often to clean them

There’s no fixed schedule. Shake them out whenever you vacuum, and wash them when dirt starts to show or after a wet, muddy or salty stretch. If you live with snow, rubber mats can make winter easier, because they won’t stop slush getting into the car but they’re simpler to clean. Just remember the rule below: swap the carpet mat out, don’t lay rubber on top of it.

Pressure washers and driveways

A pressure washer can make fast work of rubber mats, but keep your distance and use a gentle setting. On carpet mats, a powerful spray can damage the fibers and backing. The pressure washer guide covers safe technique.

Where the dirty water goes can also matter. Rules on washing at home vary by place, so check with your city or county, or start with this rundown on whether driveway washing is legal.

Putting the mats back

This is a safety step, not tidying up. NHTSA’s floor mat tips say to check the driver’s mat every time the interior is cleaned or the mats have been out. Here’s what to do:

1. Take out anything already there. NHTSA says to remove old mats before you install new ones.
2. Never stack mats. A rubber mat on top of a carpet mat can increase the risk of pedal interference.
3. Use the right mat. It should be the correct size and fit for your car.
4. Lock it down. Use the retention clips or hooks so the mat can’t slide forward.
5. Test the pedals. With the car parked and off, push the accelerator, brake and clutch through their full travel. Nothing should touch the mat.

Wait until the mats are dry before they go back. A wet mat traps moisture against the carpet below.

Common mistakes

• Leaving a mat loose. A mat that isn’t clipped in can slide forward.
• Stacking a new mat over an old one. It’s tempting in winter, but don’t.
• Dressing rubber mats. Silicone-based shine products make them slippery.
• Refitting damp carpet mats. The carpet underneath stays wet and starts to smell.
• Using a mat from another car. Mats that don’t fit can shift or ride up, however clean they are.

When to hire a pro

Clean mats are one of the easiest jobs to do yourself, so this is rarely worth paying for alone. The exception is carpet mats with deep stains, heavy salt, or a bad smell. A detailer’s extractor can handle what a brush can’t, and mats usually get done as part of a bigger interior job.

Once the mats are out, the carpet underneath is the natural next step. Here’s how to clean car carpet properly.

If you want the whole floor done for you, search the directory for a local detailer.