Its unique recipe perfectly nourishes and protects the surface of seals against aging. The surface regains its original…
How to choose and clean car mats
(photo Moje Auto)
This is the last part of the trilogy on cleaning the interior of your car. We started with the cockpit and its derivative elements, then cleaned and to some extent washed the upholstery. Today, a continuation of these activities - because we will look at our feet. For carpets, floor coverings and trunk carpets. Oh, they've collected quite a bit!
Which car mat should you choose?
Car mats, or as some would say, doormats , are incredibly useful accessories for every car. They collect dirt from underfoot and various debris generated while driving. Trampled on daily, soiled, and unfortunately often forgotten, they "work" in harsh conditions. Therefore, it's worth choosing the right mat for your car.
Generally, the answer comes down to two options - a rug made of fabric (also called velvet) or a rubber doormat. In my case, I choose both solutions - the first for summer, the second for winter. Although this statement is a bit exaggerated, because I replace them in early autumn. Unfortunately, colder and rainy days are approaching, and mud and water collected on the soles of shoes get into the interior of the car. They are much easier to remove with a rubber doormat. If you were to consider choosing just one, this would be the universal solution.
(photo: My Car)
However, both should be cleaned regularly. In the case of fabric, I use a vacuum cleaner or a brush made of hard bristles or a whisk. One ideal for this activity can be found at gas stations. It's much easier to shake off everything from a rubber one, so I try to wash them thoroughly whenever possible. The best device for this is a touchless washer station with a strong stream of water and a shampoo program.
(photo: My Car)
Car mat cleaning – are we really doing it right?
Car mats play a crucial role in a car's interior. Unfortunately, they often aren't given the attention they deserve. Car mats are often overlooked during cleaning, especially when it comes to rubber mats. We limit ourselves to simply shaking off the collected crumbs or, at most, rinsing them with a detergent solution. Such treatment can cause significant damage in the long run.
Sooner or later, the rubber wiper surface will significantly lose its uniform appearance. Our first instinct is to use a spray with cockpit cleaner or tire blackener. The effect is immediate, but it can become slippery underfoot. I wait for it to dry, then apply a few drops of cockpit cleaner to a microfiber cloth (matte, of course), and gradually rub it into the rubber. With one exception – not on the driver's wiper! For safety reasons, avoid polishing areas where a firm foothold is essential, including the accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals!
It's worth using dedicated products when cleaning. A good rubber mat cleaner will not only thoroughly clean them but also preserve them, extending their lifespan and maintaining their pristine condition.
How to clean velor rugs?
What about fabric rugs? It is worth washing these while the weather is still warm. I recommend a preparation in the form of foam, which I spread with a hand-washing brush. I use the same one to wash seat upholstery and door panels. Let's leave the rest to the sun's rays.
Many people wonder if it's possible, and if so, how, to wash fabric car mats . While this is certainly possible, caution is advised. It's best to clean the mats with a wet vacuum cleaner, which will effectively refresh the fabric. Dry cleaning is also an option, using special cleaning products used for car mats in professional car washes. This is an equally effective treatment that wonderfully refreshes and cleans velvet mats. This product can also be used on car carpets.
Where does this mustiness come from?
When we are at a gas station, we often use a vacuum cleaner to at least superficially clean the car mats. However, we do not always take them out and clean the floor covering. And all the dirt that we put on our shoes and wipers like to fall on it and under it. Let's add to this the crumbs from food that we instinctively brush off from our wardrobe and then crush with our shoes. Combined with moisture, we have a ready recipe for mold and bacterial growth. They, just like those from ventilation holes, attack our respiratory tract, making us feel worse. That's why I try to visit these places with a vacuum cleaner at least once a month. My car also has built-in storage compartments in the floor, which are a mandatory point of such cleaning, as are the creases along the seat guides.
Or maybe a vacuum cleaner?
A vacuum cleaner will not always be an effective solution, so I help it by "combing" the carpet's weaves with the above-mentioned hand brush. You can also use a roll of adhesive tape like we use for clothes, sometimes just wiping it with a damp cloth and upholstery cleaning agent is enough. Let's not forget about the trunk carpet of our car. At the same time, we will unpack all the items from it - or do you think that half of them turn out to be unnecessary ballast on a daily basis?
The next step is a superficial cleaning with an upholstery cleaner . As with velvet rugs, I prefer a foam solution that's applied evenly with a brush or microfiber cloth. Alternatively, a 2-in-1 stain remover is ideal for light-colored carpets.
If, despite these treatments, you still notice unpleasant odors in your car's cabin, try an odor absorber . This is a universal liquid that can be sprayed into the air or used to wash carpets or rugs.
In this way, we cleaned the interior of the entire car - we wrote about washing windows in one of the previous entries. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that thanks to this, the smell of freshness of the passing summer will accompany us longer. And autumn, well, will bring us more topics for the blog.
