Some people keep their cars spotless and seem to subscribe to the, “cleanliness is next to Godliness” rule when it comes to their car. Other people, however, treat their car more like a movie theater, meaning they don’t think twice about leaving food debris, wrappers and other detrius everywhere. That could be why studies have shown that cars tend to be much dirtier than homes, with up to 17,000 times more bacteria. When looking to clean up your car, one of the best places to start is with your car flooring.
Nylon car carpet is not as prevalent as it once was in cars. Most cars now have some sort of rubber flooring, although you still may be able to find mats with carpet on them. Still, car flooring can get very dirty. Most people don’t think twice about taking off their dirty shoes when entering a home, but they would never think of doing so in their car. That means that in addition to all the food and other debris that may get dropped on your car floor, you also have to add in mud and whatever else gets picked up outside. That can make your car flooring extremely dirty, especially if you have carpet or carpeted mats.
It’s important to vacuum your car floor and your floor mats regularly to help keep them clean. This isn’t enough, but it is a start. Every few weeks, it’s a good idea to clean your carpeted car flooring with a carpet cleaner. You also can take your car to a car wash or dealer to have the carpets professionally cleaned.
To cut down on how dirty your car floors get, you can put in rubber floor mats, which still get dirty but don’t trap in mud, allergens and other nasty things. Rubber floor mats are more durable and are much easier to clean as well. These mats are not that expensive, and your dealer may even throw in a set when you buy a car.
If your car carpet is in bad enough shape, you may want to consider having it replaced, especially if it is 10 years old or older. However, this can be a pricey option, so it may make more sense just to buy floor mats to cover up the dirty carpet.
Taking care of your car will keep it in good shape, and that includes the inside of your car. Paying attention to your car’s flooring will help it retain its value while also giving you more enjoyment of your car.