How to Clean Car Carpet

Vacuum the Carpet

Any vacuum cleaner with good mobility and strong suction will do, especially handheld battery-powered ones and  wet-dry shop vacs. It’s helpful to have various attachments for getting between the seats as well as dealing with larger, open sections of carpet. Brush attachments can also help agitate debris to get it to the surface for removal.

“Vacuums with powerful suction are key!” says Parham Koukia, lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub. “You’ll get things on the first or second pass.

• Remove the floor mats and any trash or debris from the car floor.
• Shake out the floor mats, before vacuuming them.
• Vacuum the carpet, pressing the vacuum firmly into the carpet.
  • Vacuum under the pedals and seats and all nooks and crannies.

“Regular vacuuming will prevent a lot more issues than you’d expect,” says Koukia. “Things can get ground into them over time, producing stains, so a routine vacuum can be more effective at keeping your car clean than having to do an annual deep cleaning. Trust me, it can be tough to get carpets clean after that long.”

Veronica Graham for Family Handman

Treat the Stains

Home carpet cleaning products generally work well for car carpets, too, or you can DIY some using white vinegar, water and a few drops of dish soap.

“For tougher stains, like oil, pour some baking soda on the area and scrub it in; the stain should lift right out,” says Evaldas Zabitis, an automotive expert at carVertical. “Just remember, harsh chemicals can damage your car’s carpet, so always check the label and ensure you’re using the right product for the job.”

Richard McClellan, founder of Elite Customs also recommends Scrubbing Bubbles for cleaning car carpets. Whatever you use:

• Apply the carpet cleaner to obvious stains. Let the carpet cleaner sit for a few minutes.
• Scrub the stain with a soft bristle brush or cloth rag until the cleaner is rubbed away, scrubbing in circular motions. “Always apply cleaner sparingly,” says Ruderman.
• Wipe the car carpet with a damp cloth if the carpet cleaner instructions call for it.
• Allow the carpet to dry. Blot the carpet with paper towels or cloth rags if it feels excessively damp.
  • Pro tip: For older, tougher stains, mix equal parts liquid dish soap, vinegar and club soda into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain and let it sit for up to 10 minutes before scrubbing.

Veronica Graham for Family Handman

Clean the Remaining Surface Areas

• Apply the carpet cleaner to the rest of the carpet, making sure to coat evenly without over applying.
• Scrub the carpet with a soft bristle brush or cloth rag until the cleaner is rubbed away.
• Wipe the carpet with a damp cloth if the carpet cleaner instructions call for it.
• Allow the carpet to dry. Blot the carpet with paper towels or cloth rags if it feels excessively damp.

Veronica Graham for Family Handman

Vacuum Again

• Vacuum the carpet again to pick up any dirt the carpet cleaner may have worked up to the surface.
• Reinstall the floor mats.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning Car Carpet

A common, yet costly mistake is over-saturating the carpet, which will cause the moisture to go into the foam, where it can cause mold and mildew growth, plus continue to resurface back into the carpet, says McClellan.

“Also, using cleaners not meant for upholstery can have devastating repercussions, causing not just discolored carpets but actually affecting the adhesive under the carpets,” he says.

Other tips from the pros:

• Don’t skip the vacuuming step. “Some people jump straight into cleaning, which pushes dirt and grime deeper into the carpet fibers, making it harder to clean and potentially causing damage,” says Zabitis.
• Empty your vacuum prior to tackling the car with it. “Otherwise, it can lead to decreased suction power and letting off a musty smell into the cabin,” says Koukia.
• Use soft brushes and don’t scrub super hard. “Car carpets are delicate, and aggressive scrubbing can damage the fibers,” says Zabitis. “Instead, use a soft brush and repeat the process a few times for better results.”
• Clean on a day when the weather is favorable, so it will dry out quickly. “If you don’t have a warm, dry space, wait for a sunny, breezy day to speed up the drying process,” says Zabitis.
• Don’t assume the self-serve vacuum is clean. “I’ve seen people vacuum some pretty nasty cars and vacuum animal waste up,” says Koukia. “Very unhygienic. I’d advise that you do it at home.”

About the Experts

• Tomer Ruderman is founder and Owner at Car Keys Ottawa, where he works with various vehicles, auto repair shops, garages and organizations on projects large and small.
• Parham Koukia is lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub in Toronto. He has spent more than a decade mastering the art of car detailing, after turning his passion for automobiles into his profession.
• Richard McClellan is a lifetime auto enthusiast and the founder of Elite Customs, a luxury car customization shop in Franklin, Tennessee
• Evaldas Zabitis is an automotive expert at carVertical.