Cleaning the carpet of your car will keep it looking and smelling great for many years. Keep your car clean if you want to sell it or enjoy it more. Here are three key steps to cleaning and maintaining the carpet in your vehicle.
Prepare the interior
Be sure to check under the seats before you begin. Remove as much as possible, then remove the floor mats. Shake them vigorously in order to release any dirt or debris. They should be placed next to your vehicle in a dry, clean area.
Grab a vacuum cleaner and start cleaning. Pay special attention to the dirt, crumbs, and trash that may be hidden between the pedals or seats.
How to remove carpet stains from your car
After cleaning the interior, you should turn your attention to the carpet. You can find a variety of carpet shampoos that are effective at removing stains without causing discoloration.
Follow the instructions on the label to spray the carpet shampoo. Circular motions are best when applying the shampoo with a brush. You may have to repeat the process a few times if you are trying to remove stains from your car carpet. Don’t use too much at once. The carpet will not dry as quickly, and the excess moisture could lead to mold.
Let the carpet dry after you have thoroughly cleaned it. This process will take a few hours. Press the mat with a towel and let it air dry. You should park your car in an area with plenty of sunlight and open the doors to allow the carpet to dry more quickly. Allow the carpet to completely dry before closing any windows or doors.
After you have finished shampooing your carpets, vacuum them (and mats if they also require carpeting to be shampooed) once more when they are almost dry. The shampooing process often causes deep dirt and debris on the carpet to surface. It is important to vacuum the carpet before driving again. This will prevent future stains from being caused by this dirt.
Clean car mats
While waiting for your carpet to dry out, clean the mats of your car. Vacuum the rugs on both sides. You can also use carpet shampoo if they are made from fabric.
Wash the mats’ plastic bottoms as well to remove any dirt. After that, dry them completely by hanging them in the sun and patting them with a soft towel. Before you put them back into the car, shake your mats a final time. This will remove any dirt that may have gotten back onto the mats while they were drying.
Regularly cleaning your car carpeting will not only make it last longer but also improve the appearance of your vehicle. Protection is just as important as cleanliness. Learn how Nationwide can keep your car and protect you.
