How to Clean Carpeting in Vehicles

Any vehicle's carpeting can get filthy very quickly. Dirt and mud are the most common culprits. Mud and grease are the most difficult stains to remove. Shampooing your vehicle carpet will help remove the stains and keep your carpet in good condition. Use the following steps to keep your vehicle carpeting looking not just clean but new.

Things You'll Need

• Fan or blowdryer (optional)
• Towel
• Vacuum with large hose attachment and crevice tool
• Carpet cleaner
• Sponge or scrub brush
• Wet vacuum
• Buckets
• Warm water

Instructions

1. Before shampooing, vacuum the carpet to remove any loose dirt or debris. Use a large hose attachment first; then vacuum the whole floor. Attach a crevice tool to remove debris from hard-to-reach places. Spray stain remover on any stained areas. Let it saturate the carpet for 5 to 10 minutes. Any good carpet cleaner will do.

2. While the carpet soaks, fill a large bucket with warm water. Dip a sponge or scrub brush into the water. Scrub the whole carpet area. For stained areas, scrub from the outside toward the middle of the stain. This motion prevents it from spreading. Continue to wet the brush while you clean.

3. Rinse the carpet. Fill a clean bucket with warm water. Wet a towel lightly and wipe the carpet. Remember to squeeze out your towel often and dampen it again to remove any cleaning fluid. Use the least amount of water possible.

4. Use a wet vacuum to remove any excess water. Let the carpet air-dry with the vehicle doors open if possible. You can use a fan or blowdryer to speed up the drying process, but be careful. The heat from a blowdryer can damage the carpeting. Allow the carpet to dry fully before using.