Cleaning your vehicle’s interior may not seem as important as changing the engine oil but it goes a long way to make for a healthy car. The floor is probably the dirties area inside your car yet many motorists still ignore it when taking their vehicles to the car wash.
From tiny snack crumbs and mud to fluid spills and sticky sweat, there is so much accumulation of dirt on the floor that if left unchecked, can begin to smell over time. The only way to avoid this is to clean the carpets every time you wash your car.
Let us look at how you can clean your car carpets!
Cleaning Your Car Carpet
The following is a guide that will help you to get rid of the most stubborn of stains from your car carpet:
Step One: Clear the Trash
One of the first steps to a sparkling-clean car is tackling clutter. For drivers with smaller cars and limited space, it's especially important to take some time organizing items on the floor before beginning your carpet cleaning process.
Start by picking up any obvious trash or loose objects - coins, pins & plastic caps often hide in crevices – then clear out pens, papers, and other non-trashy possessions into door pockets or seats behind you for optimal neatness!
Step Two: Remove the Mats
Remove all the floor mats inside your car to expose the carpet. These can be cleaned separately outside the car. You want to give them a good shake to get rid of any dirt but remember to do this outside the car so that you don’t end up littering the floor again.
Step Three: Vacuum the Carpet
If there is any trash under the floor mats, you’ll have to get rid of it so that you’re only left with dust inside the car. You don’t want to suck in large particles that may damage the vacuum cleaner. Get your handheld vacuum and start cleaning the carpet from the front to the back.
It can be difficult to achieve a deep clean in your car, but using the right tools for the job is essential. A cordless vacuum would provide optimal results; its portability and helpful accessories make it ideal for accessing those hard-to-reach spots like under seats or around pedals. Pay special attention to edges, corners, and other frequently neglected areas – you might just discover where most of the dirt has been hiding!
Step Four: Clean with Shampoo
Choose an applicable carpet cleaning shampoo that you can use to effectively deep clean your carpet. There are a wide variety of options available in the market that will get the job done ( alternatively, you can opt for a laundry detergent solution if you have no access to a commercial product).
Go through the manufacturer’s instructions on the product packaging to determine the right method of applying the carpet cleaner. This will tell you whether to spray on the floor directly and whether it should be diluted before use.
Once applied, let the cleaner sit for a while then use a stiff nylon brush to work the cleaning agent into the carpet. Scrub the floor firmly in circular motions while paying close attention to stained patches on the carpet.
For a thorough clean, switch to steam-cleaning or renting a carpet cleaning machine. This ensures the mixture of water and shampoo can penetrate deeply into your carpets' fibers to remove grease and dirt. A strong suction power also helps extract any remaining liquid from within the fabric when you're finished.
Step Five: Rinse the Carpet
Take a damp piece of rug and wipe off any remaining wetness and cleaner. Ensure that all the cleaning solution has been sucked in so that the carpet is nearly dry. Don’t stop until all the shampoo is removed.
Step Six: Air Dry the Vehicle
After completing your thorough cleanse of the carpet, ensure that it can dry properly. Open all doors inside and outside of the car as well as windows to maximize airflow throughout - this will prevent growths like mold and mildew from developing over time! For best results, find a sunny spot for your vehicle so that everything can be thoroughly dried in no time.
Let the car sit in the sun for an hour or two and check to see if the carpet is drying. Use your palm to feel if the carpet is completely dry. If there are damp spots, wait until everything is dry.
Getting Rid of Stains from your Car Carpet
There are a number of reasons that cause stains on your car carpet, some of which are more difficult to remove than others. As such, you require different methods of cleaning and perhaps alternative cleaning solutions when you are spot cleaning your car carpet.
Let us look at some of the most common stains and the best way to get rid of them:
Fluid Spills
Save your carpets from tea and coffee spills with a few simple steps! Soak the stained area in cold water, then use paper towels to blot it vigorously until dry. Hot water can cause further damage by setting into the fibers of the carpet – so only ever apply chilled H20 for optimal results.
Ink Patches
Ink leaves visible stains on the carpet that you cannot hide from your passengers. Unfortunately, this is something you might have to deal with often if you have kids. To remove ink stains, spray the section with hair spray then sprinkle it with a pinch of table salt.
Take a damp piece of cloth, and using circular motions, scrub the stain until it is no more visible. Finally, dry with paper towels.
Grease Stains
Worried about those unsightly greasy stains on your carpet? Don't fret! With a few simple steps, you can have them removed in no time. A dab of paint thinner is all it takes to restore your carpets to their original luster - just rub the spot with a piece of cotton and then cover it up for good measure using some paper towel!
Dirt and Mud
Eliminating mud and dirt from your carpet is a simple process that shouldn’t take too much of your time. Take a bucket of hot water and add a cup of white vinegar, as well as a few drops of dishwashing soap.
After thoroughly mixing the solution, dip in a piece of rag and soak the stain. Find a stiff brush to scrub the stained patch in circular motions to get rid of it. Blot the area using clean paper towels.
Final Thought
Now that you’re familiar with how to clean your car carpet, there’s no need to waste any more of your hard-earned money at the detailer. If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, the above guide will help to get your car carpet looking spick-and-span.