Cleaning mats without extractor

I

imported_carclean

New member
I am working on cleaning my own car mats. I don't have an extractor, but I have a low-powered wet/dry shop vac. I tried cleaning the mats using a foam cleaner, a little bit of water, and then using the vac to suck up the dirty foam. Using just a little bit of water each time, it will take foreever to get all of the soap out. I want to get all of the soap out to get the carpet really clean, and also because I want to use 303 protector, and they recommend that all of the detergent be removed before using the protector to get best results. So, my question is will I harm my mats if I rinse out the soap with a few buckets of warm water, and then follow up with a garden hose. I can then use the vac to pick up as much water as it will get. I can then either put a fan on the mats, or hang them outside. Will this process damage the mats?
 
You should be fine doing that.



make sure you agitate the mats prior to vacuuming, this will help to loosen dirt and such.



I will agitate with PC brush, vacuum, spray on cleaner of choice, scrub with PC brush, let sit, pressure wash, extract with shop vac, hang dry on fence in the sun....
 
Thanks for the really fast response. I do have a pressure washer, but I did not think to use that on the mats. Do you mean pressure wash with a pressure washer, or will a high pressure nozzel on a garden hose be good enough?

bonehead question- what is a "PC brush?" I checked the abrieviation post and could not find it.
 
carclean said:
Thanks for the really fast response. I do have a pressure washer, but I did not think to use that on the mats. Do you mean pressure wash with a pressure washer, or will a high pressure nozzel on a garden hose be good enough?

bonehead question- what is a "PC brush?" I checked the abrieviation post and could not find it.
Click to expand...



No prob.



Yup, I pressure wash mats. I do this until all cleaning solution is removed and the water that is coming out is totally clear (clean)



Not a bonehead question: PC brushes are an attachment that can be used on the Porter Cable Cyclo Soft Shampoo Brush



I have the white andf black brush but have found the white to be the only one I have needed for carpets
 
I don't have a "PC." I might get one in the future. For this weekend's mat cleaning project I'll just have to do it the old fashion way - a hand held brush. I know that probably won't get the mats as completely clean as using a PC, but at least I'll get some exercise!!

Thanks.
 
You wont hurt them at all, thats how I clean my mats.



I vacuum them then spray them out really good with the water hose. Spray APC on them and scrub them really good with a scrub brush then spray them out again. Then I vacuum all the water out and hang them up to dry. Once they dry I vacuum them again to get any sand/dirt left out of them and to fluff them up. Works great! :)
 
carclean said:
I don't have a "PC." I might get one in the future. For this weekend's mat cleaning project I'll just have to do it the old fashion way - a hand held brush. I know that probably won't get the mats as completely clean as using a PC, but at least I'll get some exercise!!

Thanks.
Click to expand...



You should be a-ok with a regular hand brush. That's how I did it before I had my attachment and all was well.



Just make sure you scub before you do the initial vacuuming, this is an important step for initial dirt removal
 
Thanks for all of these tips. I would not have thought to scrub the mats with a brush before the first dry vac. I have a coin op place near me. I'll check to see if they have a mat clamp.
 
I just did the mats from my Sequoia. Hand brushed them dry. Sprayed with Prestone carpet cleaner. Let soak. Damp mopped with a grout sponge, then tried to absorb all the soap out with damp MF towels. Wasn't getting anywhere with soap removal that way, so I rinsed them thoroughly with the garden hose, then used the shop vac to suck all the water out. Got all the soap out that way, and they only took about an hour or 2 to air dry after that. Then I vacuumed them with my home vac with the beater bar to raise the nap again. They look really good.
 
All i do is wet them with garden hose, spray with APC and brush. Hang on clamps and rinse with garden hose until water runs clean. Leave on clamps to dry, water will drain and only the bottom will stay wet. Wet vac the bottom if needed. Pressure washer is ok if you stay at a distance. Brush to raise the nap again.
 
salty said:
All i do is wet them with garden hose, spray with APC and brush. Hang on clamps and rinse with garden hose until water runs clean. Leave on clamps to dry, water will drain and only the bottom will stay wet. Wet vac the bottom if needed. Pressure washer is ok if you stay at a distance. Brush to raise the nap again.
Click to expand...



I do exactly the same thing, but I use a VERY small amount of laundry detergent (it's amazing how concentrated that stuff is). Brush it into the mat, wait about 5 minutes, brush again, then rinse. I clamp them to my A-frame ladder, and set it out in the sun. The mats are usually dry by the time I'm done with the exterior of the car. (I do the mats first, then complete the interior, then go on to the exterior)
 
Wow! thanks again for these tips. The A-frame ladder is a great one. I was trying to think where I would hang them up. I have to get some more clamps. I'm getting the impression that so long as I am not trying to remove stains (which I am thankfully not), that most any good detergent, cleaner will work fine.
 
Hey guys,

I have been known to take my mats into the bathroom & wash them in the bathtub! Only do it when I'm home alone too.



I spray them with diluted APC (simple green) and use a normal unscented bar of soap. I have a little nylon nail brush I use if they're in real bad shape too. I rub the soap in then rinse away with hot water until only clear water rinses out.



Them take them outside and hang em out to dry. Once dried I spray them with some scotch guard protector.



Does a good job, but I only do it under extreme circumstances, spilt softdrink, mud & dirt from camping or the beach...



:bolt
 
BigJimZ28 said:
most coin op places have mat clamps

$2 and 5min they will look great after they dry
Click to expand...
Yes, that! Coin ops aren't totally useless!



In the winter Ive been known to throw my car mats in the cloths washer and then let them hang dry in the laundry room.
 
For my own car, I toss them in the bathtub (can you tell I am divorced? :LOLOL ) with some laundry detergent and let them soak for a couple of hours. Spray them off with the shower head, then let them soak in the rinse water about 30 minutes. Squeegee as much water out of them as I can, then toss them in the dryer on medium heat.



On customer's cars, I use BioKleen Traffic Lane Cleaner, let dwell 5 minutes and (depending on the filth level) use either a hand held brush or my PC and carpet scrubber. Wipe dry, spritz with clean water, wet vac and wipe dry.



Seems to work okay...



2003_Lexus_RX330_mat_before1.jpg




2003_Lexus_RX330_mat_after1.jpg




2003_Lexus_RX330_mat_before2.jpg




2003_Lexus_RX330_mat_after2.jpg
 
'I use FABRIC CLEAN-Heavy Duty carpet-upholstery shampoo/odor eliminator from Chemical Guys. Agitate with vacuum cleaner, soak with warm water, mist with cleaner, scrub-brush, rinse and repeat.\r\n\r\nBefore (Grease and Coffee Stains - many are more than a yr. old and have been prev. cleaned with carpet cleaner machine which is sucky):\r\n\r\n
IMG_0181.jpg
\r\n\r\n
IMG_0183.jpg
\r\n\r\n
IMG_0184.jpg
\r\n\r\n
IMG_0185.jpg
\r\n\r\nAfter:\r\n\r\n
IMG_0188.jpg
\r\n\r\n
IMG_0187.jpg
\r\n\r\n
IMG_0190.jpg
'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top