How to clean car, cargo mats and foot wells

How to clean car, cargo mats and foot wells

Tread Lightly: The Art of Keeping Your Car Mats Clean and Your Footwells Fresh

Your car is more than just a machine it’s your chariot, your companion on winding roads and city streets alike. And just as you wouldn’t walk barefoot through a storm, your car deserves protection from the grit, grime, and wear of the everyday. That’s where your car mats step in unsung heroes, whether made of rich fabric or rugged plastic, bearing the brunt of muddy boots and rainy days.

But like all things that serve, they too need care.

Why Clean Matters: The Footwell Foundations

Before you even lay down your trusty car mats, take a moment—pause and peer into the footwells. Dirt loves to hide there, gathering in corners, clinging to carpet fibres, and dancing on plastic linings. If left unchecked, it can lead to odour, wear, and even mould. Not the welcoming embrace you want from your vehicle. To insure these issues do not arise, take from here some helpful advice!

So start from the ground up:

  • Vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to edges and seams.
  • Wipe down hard surfaces with a mild cleaner.
  • Let the space breathe before you place your mats—give your car a moment of clarity.

A clean base means your mats can do their job with grace and longevity.

Salt!

So, it's not just water that is entering your car, it's corrosive salt-water! Now this is not good, if you look at your carpet mats over time, you will see the white colouration beginning to show, this is a clear sign that salt is in your carpet.

So its essential after a winter or spring weekend away, that you clean that carpet, otherwise, it's going to rot. Don't forget that if it's very wet then this water has already gone through the carpet and is now in the bottom of your vehicle, where it's much more difficult to remove.

So our WeatherTech advise, is :-

  1. Get yourself a good carpet cleaner or go to the car wash like elephantbleu, where they have professional carpet cleaning machines.
  2. Or just don't use carpet, get a "cut-2-fit" or a 3D custom-fit 100% waterproof car mat that has high sides to keeps the liquid in a bay. Ensure that it has a good fit all around the edges.

Dirt and Sand!

Here's another one, getting dirt into your car is easy, one trip to the beach and with kids, dogs and any blankets, you will have sand all over your car, now with mats, you can shake it out, but the carpet on the floor well. Well that's near impossible.

But there is another issue, that carpet mat, whether you are in a Bentley, Porsche or your Fiat 500, isn't the most expensive carpet - I can tell you that. It's the cheapest possible carpet that they can get away with and don't let the Bentley letters full you!

Most car carpets are made from synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene (also known as olefin). These materials are chosen for their durability, resistance to wear, and cost-effectiveness.

Common Materials in Car Carpets

  • Nylon: Known for its strength and resilience, nylon is widely used in automotive carpeting. It offers excellent abrasion resistance and maintains its appearance over time.

  • Polypropylene (Olefin): This fiber is lightweight, stain-resistant, and has good colorfastness. It's often used in areas like trunk linings and floor mats.

  • Polyester: While less durable than nylon, polyester is soft and resistant to fading, making it suitable for certain interior applications.

These materials are often manufactured using a process called needle punching, where fibres are mechanically entangled to form a dense, felt-like fabric. This method produces a carpet that's durable and cost-effective.

Why Car Carpets Are Difficult to Clean

The dense construction of needle-punched carpets means that dirt, debris, and stains can become deeply embedded in the fibres, making them challenging to remove. Additionally, the synthetic fibres used are hydrophobic, which means they repel water but can attract and hold onto oils and grease, leading to stubborn stains. 

Furthermore, the tight weave and low pile height of automotive carpets limit the effectiveness of standard vacuuming, often requiring specialised cleaning techniques or equipment to achieve a thorough clean.

Caring for the Keepers: Fabric & Plastic Mats Alike

Whether you’ve chosen the lush warmth of fabric mats or the hardy shield of plastic all-weather liners, each deserves a regular ritual of renewal.

For Fabric Mats:

  • Remove and shake out loose debris.
  • Vacuum both sides to catch hidden dust and stones.
  • Spot clean with upholstery-safe cleaner, or for deep grime, a gentle scrub with warm water and mild detergent.
  • Let them dry completely before placing them back. Moisture is a silent enemy.

For Plastic or Rubber Mats:

Spotlight on Trusted Brands

These brands offer more than mere accessories. They offer a promise: protection, precision, and pride.

WeatherTech

WeatherTech's custom-fit floor mats are laser-measured to fit your vehicle's exact specifications, providing superior protection against spills, mud, and dirt. Their TechCare® FloorLiner and FloorMat Cleaner and Protector Kit ensures your mats stay in pristine condition.

WeatherTech Cleaning and Finishing Spray liquids for cleaning Car mats and Cargo Liners

Walser

Walser offers high-quality car mats that are both functional and stylish. Their products are designed for durability and ease of maintenance, ensuring your vehicle's interior remains clean and comfortable.

Aristar

Aristar provides tailored boot liners and foot mats that are durable, aesthetic, and practical. Their products are made from high-quality materials, ensuring complete protection of your car's interior.

The Rhythm of Regular Cleaning

Even after your mats are laid down, the work isn’t done. The footwell beneath is still a living part of your car. Dust settles. Moisture seeps. Debris finds its way. So make it a habit—every few weeks, lift the mats, clean the base, and check for wear.

This ritual matters.
 It keeps your car’s interior young.
 It honours the space where you begin each drive.

Final Thoughts: The Poetic Path of Maintenance

Caring for your car is like caring for yourself. In the details the fresh smell of a clean cabin, the soft texture of a mat unburdened by dirt, the gleam of a well-maintained liner you find a certain kind of peace. A whisper of order in a chaotic world.

But more importantly, if you have a SUV, with family and pets and you go into the mountains, down the beach or travel, carpets are really not the best choice for you. With the "wear and tear" over time and the eventual fact, that you can't get all the dirt out, our advise is to upgrade to car mats that offer greater protection.

So, in our opinion spend around 450 CHF for a full set of custom-fit, 3D, 100% waterproof car and cargo mats, these will go a long way to saving you loads of time, keep your car clean, reduce carpet cleaning and also keep your car in better condition for the future.

Check out WeatherTech's extensive range of car and cargo mats, plus the cleaners, to help you get the best out of your car and avoid the maintenance and annoyances of a muddy, sandy and wet weekend!