Although necessary, routine car cleaning doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t always need to hire a detailer to complete maintenance tasks like carpet cleaning. Even more so on a hot summer day, a dirty car carpet can smell bad.
It’s fortunately not as difficult to clean as one might imagine. Your home will look better and have fewer bothersome odors after cleaning the carpet with your vacuum and carpet cleaner. Discover how to properly clean the carpets in your car by reading this article.
What You Will Need To Clean Car Carpets
Broom And Dustpan
If you want to clean the carpet without a machine, a broom and dustpan can take the place of a vacuum. Although they require manual labor, these tools would initially remove accumulated dirt and grime on car carpets just as effectively as a vacuum cleaner.
Car Carpet Cleaner Solution
Use a professional carpet cleaner solution. However, if you don’t want to drive to an auto shop to buy one and would prefer not to spend money, you can make a homemade car carpet cleaner.
Homemade cleaners can be made using a variety of recipes, each of which can meet a specific cleaning requirement. You should choose a recipe or recipes based on your needs and the ingredients you have on hand.
Baking soda and warm water mixture would be effective for spot cleaning difficult stains and getting rid of bad odors. Use hydrogen peroxide and toothpaste to remove caked stains from your carpet. Paint thinner, salt, or cornmeal can be used to remove grease stains from surfaces.
Use a glass cleaner to remove coffee stains. Additionally, cold water and laundry starch would work to remove bloodstains.
You can thoroughly clean the carpets with white vinegar, dish soap, and hot water to remove all stains and odors. Borax, boiling water, grated soap, and essential oils can also be combined to create a successful remedy.
Both approaches are effective, but the latter provides additional fragrance and carpet conditioning.
Nylon Brush Or Toothbrush
For removing specific, difficult stains, you can use either of these. Utilize the nylon brush to thoroughly clean each carpet.
Rag
The stains and spot cleaners could be removed with the help of a rag.
Spray Bottle
When you’re ready to wash the carpets, use a spray bottle to apply your chosen cleaning solution to the carpets.
Towels
After cleaning the carpets, towels would be used to blot away any remaining moisture.
Step By Step Instructions
Organize The Mess
Particularly in a compact area like a car, cleaning a cluttered space can be challenging. Start by clearing the floor and the cup holders of any potential trash. Additionally, cleaning will be simpler if you take out small objects like coins, toys, and the like.
Using a car organizer is a great way to keep your vehicle organized. Depending on the size you need, there are many options. Some have multiple pockets of different sizes and can be hung around the seats.
Organizing-focused compartments may be featured in newer car models. Family cars frequently contain these.
Remove The Mats
Remove and set aside any floor mats you may have in your car. These will be cleaned later. To get the mats ready, shake them vigorously to remove any debris and dust.
Vacuum The Interior
Use a powerful handheld vacuum after cleaning the car, such as the Black + Decker Dustbuster. The ideal tool for cleaning a car is a cordless vacuum. You’ll have more mobility as a result.
Try to park the car close to an outlet or use an extension cord if you don’t have a handheld or cordless vacuum. Use the various attachments, such as the crevice tool, to quickly vacuum the carpet and reach under the seats.
Reach under the pedals and pay close attention to the corners and edges for a complete clean.
Use The Cleaner
To effectively clean the carpet in your car, pick a quality shampoo or cleaner. Using a specialized cleaner like this one from Chemical Guys is something we strongly advise.
Laundry detergent can also perform a thorough job if you are unable to obtain a commercial product.
Treat The Stains
- Put the carpet cleaner on any glaring stains. Wait a few minutes before using the carpet cleaner.
- Circular motions should be used as you scrub the stain with a soft bristle brush or rag until the cleaner is removed.
- If the directions for the carpet cleaner specify it, wipe the carpet with a damp cloth.
- Delay drying the carpet. If the carpet feels overly damp, blot it with paper towels or rags made of fabric.
Pro tip: Mix liquid dish soap, vinegar, and club soda in equal amounts and use the mixture as a spray bottle to remove older, more difficult stains. Before scrubbing, spray the stain with the solution and allow it to sit for up to 10 minutes.
Wash The Car Carpets With A Cleaner
Start by reading the manufacturer’s instructions for the carpet cleaner. Spray the area directly if it is a spray. Concentrations should be diluted as needed; do this in a spray bottle for convenience.
Give the product the recommended amount of time to sit. After that, scrub the cleaner into the carpet using a firm brush. To best remove stains, dirt, and grease, use circular motions.
You can get a more thorough cleaning for your carpet if it is particularly dirty by using a steam cleaner or carpet cleaning machine. A portable carpet cleaner with a small attachment that will fit inside the car, like the Bissell SpotClean, is an alternative.
These will inject water and shampoo deep into the carpet fibers. After that, they will remove any remaining water with powerful suction, leaving you with a nearly dry finish.
Rinse
After cleaning the carpet, wipe off extra cleaner and water with a damp cloth—as much shampoo as you can try to remove.
Air Dry The Car
To prevent the growth of mold or mildew, it is crucial to let the carpet completely dry. Open all doors and let the car dry in the breeze after removing the majority of the water with a cloth. It would speed up the process if the car could remain in a sunny location.
After leaving the car unattended for an hour, check back in on it. If it’s still damp after several tests, give it another hour or so to dry.
Conclusion
There are only a few items you’ll need, which you can easily find in your home’s cabinets. The cost is low, and there are only a few straightforward steps involved in cleaning carpets by yourself. Even after application, some homemade cleaners will complete the task for you. Your car’s carpet needs to be cleaned now.
