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How to Clean Floor Mats and Cargo Liners

Updated on May 5, 2025

Cleaning dirt and debris from cargo liners and floor mats.

Floor mats and cargo liners are engineered to keep your vehicle's floor clean. The trade-off, however, is that these coverings get dirty themselves after taking the majority of wear, tear, and contamination from spills, muddy boots, and inclement weather.

Cleaning your ride's floor coverings—including floor mats, floor liners, and cargo liners—is quick and easy if you follow a few basic guidelines. Before breaking out the aggressive cleaners and dirty scrub brush, follow this guide to learn how to clean floor mats and cargo liners.

Table of Contents:

Types of Floor Mats

Cleaning Floor Mats and Liners

Tips and Tricks

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Types of Floor Mats

Floor mats, floor liners, and cargo liners aren't all the same. These accessories come in numerous materials to suit different drivers, vehicles, and contaminants. Some popular floor mat styles include all-weather floor mats, all-weather floor liners, and carpet floor mats. Each material requires different cleaning practices and products.

All-Weather Floor Mats

All-weather floor mats, like the Husky Liners® All-Weather floor mats, feature robust constructions from durable, water-resistant materials, like automotive-grade rubber. These accessories come in universal and vehicle-specific styles, with universal requiring additional trimming to fine-tune the fitment.

Floor mats offer solid coverage, though not as much as comparable floor liners, which are molded from Thermoplastic or Vinyl to provide a flawless fit and comprehensive coverage.

All-Weather Floor Liners

Man hosing down a black SUV parked outside a house in a driveway.

All-weather floor liners, like Husky Liners® X-act Contour® floor liners, are similar to all-weather floor mats. However, they typically offer superior coverage due to the choice of materials and manufacturing processes. Floor liners are vehicle-specific, and manufacturers employ laser scanning and precision molding to ensure maximum coverage and a snug fit against the floor pans.

Liners are typically constructed from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). This material maintains its shape and elasticity in all weather conditions, resists moisture, and safeguards against abrasions and punctures.

Carpet Floor Mats

Car floor storage compartment with a textured mat and surrounding trim.

Lastly, we have carpet floor mats, like the Coverking Designer Premium Plush floor mats. These accessories feature heavy-duty, automotive-grade carpet construction. While plush and stylish, this material absorbs moisture and stains like factory carpeting. Compared to all-weather options, carpet mats are less durable and less protective. They're also more challenging to clean and maintain.

How to Clean Floor Mats and Cargo Liners (Step by Step)

Cleaning floor mats and liners is a walk in the park—so long as you have the right tools, products, and know-how. Follow this step-by-step guide to keep your ride's floor mats, floor liners, and cargo liners in tip-top shape.

Step 1: Remove from Vehicle

This step is self-explanatory. Before cleaning, remove your floor mats from the vehicle. While they're removed, we recommend vacuuming the underlying and surrounding carpet for a fresh appearance.

Step 2: Dry Brush to Remove Loose Dirt

While not mandatory, cleaning is far easier if you remove most caked-on dirt, mud, and debris before washing. We recommend using a dry, medium–stiff bristle brush to scrape off any loose debris on the mat surface.

Step 3: Wet the Mats to Loosen Remaining Dirt and Debris

Once all loose dirt and debris are off the mats, hose down the surface with plain water to soften any remaining dirt and debris. The longer, the better—consider reapplying water if necessary, especially on a warm day.

Step 4: Apply an Appropriate Detergent/Cleaner

With the mats still damp, apply an appropriate cleaning solution. Most detergents are safe for TPE and rubber all-weather mats—from dish soap to heavily diluted degreasers. However, test the product on the underside of the mat first to ensure no staining or damage.

We recommend a carpet cleaning product for carpet mats. Foam or liquid cleaners are both excellent choices, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions.

Step 5: Agitate with a Soft–Medium Bristle Brush

Next, it's time to clean. Using a soft–medium bristle brush, agitate the cleaner, ensuring there's plenty of water left on the mat/liner. Drill brushes and other powered devices are fine for most all-weather options—however, we'd recommend scrubbing by hand on carpeted mats to prevent pulling at the fibers.

Step 6: Rinse and Repeat (If Necessary)

After thoroughly scrubbing the mat or liner, rinse completely until all suds are gone. Inspect the surface for additional staining or dirt, and repeat steps 4–6 as necessary until all stains are removed.

Step 7: Allow to Dry Thoroughly

With the mats thoroughly cleaned, set them in a warm, dry area to dry. All-weather mats can be dried thoroughly by hand, though carpet mats typically require a couple of hours in the sun to remove all moisture. Once dry, reinstall the mats and liners in your vehicle for a rejuvenated interior appearance.

Tips and Tricks when Cleaning Floor Mats, Floor Liners, and Cargo Liners

Clean Frequently: Just like cleaning your vehicle's exterior, the more frequently you clean the floor mats, the easier it will be to clean them. Leaving spilled beverages, sticky mud, and other contaminants on the floor mats for a prolonged period can lead to an increased chance of staining. If spills occur, we recommend hosing the mats off ASAP to avoid lingering stains.
Stay Away from Stiff-Bristle Brushes: While stiff brushes may clean faster, they're also likely to damage the finish of your floor coverings. Stick to soft–medium bristle brushes to avoid abrasions and pilled carpet.
Be Mindful of Cleaners: While most floor mats are chemical resistant, it's still a good practice to use highly diluted or application-specific cleaners. The last thing you'll want are bleached floor mats or warped liners caused by improper product usage.

Shop Floor Mats and Liners at RealTruck

At RealTruck, we carry a wide selection of premium floor mats, floor liners, and cargo liners for all makes and models. Shop top brands like Husky Liners, Rugged Ridge®, 3D MAXpider, and more for unmatched floor and cargo area protection.