Favorite Product For Cleaning Floor Mats?

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XxMerlinxX

New member
Hi guys, I've got some floor mats that need cleaning and was wondering what products you like to use? Specifically I'm looking to whiten the logo that's on them which has gotten somewhat dirty.
 
What type of floor mats? Carpet? Rubber?

I use APC for my rubber mats and treat carpet almost like normal auto carpet.
 
I've been happy with CG Lightning Fast for non-rubber-backed mats. Wet the mats, spray on CGLF, let sit for 30 seconds, then work it into the carpet with an upholstery brush for a minute or two. Then extract with plain hot water in a bissell.

For rubber-backed mats, I will usually reach for CG Fabric Clean. Hose out the mats, spray on CGFC, let sit for 30 seconds, then work into carpet with an upholstery brush. Rinse with hose really well. Final extract remaining rinse water with bissell. CGFC foams quite a bit, so I don't like to use it unless it is something I can rinse with a hose really well.
 
CGLF is some amazing stuff, I use it as well on carpet matts but another go to for me that will bring that white back and work on either type is CG Nonsense which I believe is an APC
 
Any APC will do the trick,if its really dirty carpets,use lower dilution and going over with a brush is recommended anyway.
 
As mentioned, for rubber any APC, dwell, brush and rinse should do the trick. For carpet, I too will use a carpet cleaner and extraction (I have a Bissel upright but just got a more portable 'spot bot' I'll be trying).
In either case, if/when I have it out, I may even use the pressure washer.
 
Try Oxi-Clean and LA Awesome (yes, the "cheap" all-purpose cleaner from Dollar General or Dollar Tree) mix on white lettering of carpeted matts. You can use an old, stiff-bristled tooth brush on the lettering and scrub rather vigorously to clean the threads of the lettering, then scrub with clean water, using the same toothbrush.. If you do not have an extractor, try wicking the dirtied lettering with a damp, absorbent microfiber towel. It may take a few repeated applications of the cleaning solution and clean water to "brighten" the white lettering. Heavy stains from tar (like asphalt sealants) may require an organic solvent (like Goo-Gone), BUT they tend to dissolve and spread the tar and it never really comes clean and bright white, at least in my experience. Many years ago I used naphtha on tar and oil stains, which is what dry cleaners use (you know that smell that makes you feel light-headed in a dry cleaning establishment), but I am not sure that this can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) anymore due to volatile-organic compounds (VOC) restrictions.
 
Merlin, on carpet it's 3D's carpet/upholstery cleaner. On rubber it's Optimum's Power Clean.
 
I've had potent APCs bleach out colored rubber floormats, in a way that wasn't reparable. If in doubt, I use the stupid-gentle Griot's Rubber Cleaner or the miraculously effective Griot's Rubber Prep.
 
I should've specified that they're black carpet mats. I tried a bottle of residential carpet cleaner (forgot the brand) on them and it didn't do much for the white stitched logos. I've got some Oxiclean that I can try next.
 
XxMerlinxX said:
I should've specified that they're black carpet mats. I tried a bottle of residential carpet cleaner (forgot the brand) on them and it didn't do much for the white stitched logos. I've got some Oxiclean that I can try next.
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If you are going for local products, you might try Folex. I think Lowes and Home Depot both carry it.
 
Accumulator said:
I've had potent APCs bleach out colored rubber floormats, in a way that wasn't reparable. If in doubt, I use the stupid-gentle Griot's Rubber Cleaner or the miraculously effective Griot's Rubber Prep.
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Amazing Roll Off works great for rubber mats. I've been diluting it 1:4.
 
i've just been using 3:1 optimum power clean on my weather techs and that seems to do a pretty good job.
 
tom p. said:
Merlin, on carpet it's 3D's carpet/upholstery cleaner. On rubber it's Optimum's Power Clean.
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Optimum Power Clean is OK for rubber, but not for carpet, in my opinion. The industrial-like fragrance is absorbed by the carpet fibers/fabric and it lingers. I found it to be, while not totally offensive, not very pleasing to my olfactory (AKA sense of smell) and if I notice it, I am sure, if you are cleaning the interior of someone else' vehicle for them, they may find the smell as I did.
 
tom p. said:
Merlin, on carpet it's 3D's carpet/upholstery cleaner. On rubber it's Optimum's Power Clean.
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Optimum Power Clean is OK for rubber, but not for carpet, in my opinion. The industrial-like fragrance is absorbed by the carpet fibers/fabric and it lingers. I found it to be, while not totally offensive, not very pleasing to my olfactory (AKA sense of smell) and if I notice it, I am sure, if you are cleaning the interior of someone else' vehicle for them, they may find the smell as I did.
I currently use DSC Products, Inc, out of Muskegan, MI Sure-Pass heavy-duty fabric spotter and Steam-Plus carpet detergent for carpet/fabric floor matts. This came as a recommendation from a local carpet dealer near me, who also sells high-end Pursian rugs and wool carpeting. I do floor matts by hand, using a scrub brush and absorbent microfiber towel to wick away the dirt.
Another "trick" for carpet floor matts is to remove them from the car, turn them over fabric-side down on a hard,smooth floor, and beat or tap the encrusted dirt and debris from the carpet. You'd be surprised how much dirt falls out. I vacuum the fall-out from the floor and repeat this process over several times until very little dirt falls out. You would never get this embedded dirt out by just vacuuming the carpet floor mat with the fabric-side up.
Also, for tar, grease, or oils spots, I use WD-40's Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover on these types of stains. Works just as good as regular WD-40 without the petroleum-type smell. You can find it at Wally-World (Wal-Mart) in the household cleaning section for about $4.00 for a 16ounce spray can.
 
Accumulator said:
Both Folex and Amazing Roll Off get rave reviews, but somehow I've never gotten around to trying them!
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I've never used Folex myself. I think it is similar to CG Lightning Fast but I get 2.5 gallons of product for $10 with CGLF when Folex is @ $12/gal (maybe it can be diluted though??). Definitely try ARO for rubber mats. It actually leaves some protection behind so you get decent color coming through, esp on black. I like it on plastic wheel wells too. APC always left a bit of a haze in these areas.
 
Bocar powerplay.. 1:1 amazing exterior APC diluted to interior strength can easily clean floor mats, carpets, seats, head liners, seat belts.. Best multi purpose/ APC used thus far
 
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