To clean car mats, take them out, beat or vacuum out the loose dirt, then wash them by type: scrub rubber mats with diluted AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner and a stiff brush and rinse them, and shampoo carpet mats with an upholstery-safe cleaner. Dry them completely before refitting, and finish rubber mats with a non-slip dressing such as Koch-Chemie Gummifix.
How do you clean rubber car mats?
Scrub them with a diluted all-purpose cleaner and a stiff brush, rinse them and let them dry, then add a non-slip dressing. Never use a greasy tyre shine on a mat.
- Take them out: knock or rinse off the loose dirt and grit.
- Spray a diluted all-purpose cleaner: AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner is a highly concentrated cleaner that AutoBead lists for carpet, upholstery and tyre rubber as well as interior plastics. Spray it on and agitate with a brush, as AutoBead directs.
- Scrub the grooves: rubber mats hold dirt in their channels and texture, so use a stiff brush. A stiff nylon brush such as our TDHQ Tire Brush gets into the pattern well.
- Rinse thoroughly: use a hose or pressure washer and stand the mats up to drain.
- Dry them completely: let them dry fully before they go back in.
- Dress them with a non-slip product: Koch-Chemie Gummifix is a non-greasy, silicone-oil-free care product that Koch-Chemie makes for rubber foot mats and plastic floors where slip resistance is necessary, and says it makes surfaces appear as new. Apply it evenly with a sponge or spray bottle to clean, dry mats and leave it to dry.
How do you clean carpet car mats?
Beat and vacuum them, shampoo the pile with an upholstery-safe cleaner, lift the dirt and dry them fully. Damp mats are what make a car smell musty.
- Beat and vacuum: shake or beat the mats against a wall to loosen grit buried in the pile, then vacuum both sides.
- Lift hair and lint: if you have pets, draw a Green Interior Pet Hair Remover Block over the mat first; the hair gathers into a roll you can lift off.
- Clean the pile: spray an upholstery-safe cleaner such as Stjarnagloss Inni, which Stjarnagloss makes for both hard and soft interior surfaces, or AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner, which AutoBead dilutes 10:1 for heavy interior soiling and up to 30:1 for general use.
- Agitate: work the cleaner into the pile with a brush in two directions.
- Lift the dirt: blot and wipe with a clean, damp microfibre, or use a wet vacuum or extractor if you have one, and repeat on stubborn stains.
- Dry completely: hang them or stand them up somewhere warm and airy. Damp carpet mats put back in the car are what cause musty smells and steamed-up windows.
What is the best thing to clean car mats with?
It depends on the mat. Every product below is in stock with us, and the details come from each maker's own website or the product listing.
For both rubber and carpet mats. AutoBead dilutes it 10:1 for heavy interior soiling and up to 30:1 for general use, and says it is not suitable for leather.
A gentler all-surface interior cleaner for carpet mats and the rest of the cabin.
The finishing care for rubber mats, made to keep slip resistance.
Maxshine Carpet Lint and Hair Removal Brush
A rubber brush that its listing says lifts hair, lint and fur from carpet and upholstery.
Our stiff nylon brush, made for tyres and handy for the grooves of rubber mats.
Car mat cleaning at a glance
| Mat | Clean with | Agitate with | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber | Diluted all-purpose cleaner | Stiff nylon brush | Rinse, dry, non-slip dressing |
| Carpet | Interior or all-purpose cleaner | Brush in two directions | Blot or extract, dry completely |
| Carpet with pet hair | Rubber block or brush first | Short strokes | Then vacuum and clean |
Common questions
How do you make car mats look new again?
For rubber mats, a thorough scrub and a non-slip dressing do it: Koch-Chemie says Gummifix makes rubber and plastic floor surfaces appear as new. For carpet mats, a deep clean that lifts the trodden-in dirt brings the colour back, and brushing the pile up while it is still damp helps it dry evenly. Worn-through carpet or split rubber cannot be brought back by any product.
Can you use tyre shine or dressing on rubber car mats?
No. Glossy tyre dressings and silicone sprays make rubber slippery, and a mat under the pedals must never be slippery. Use only a product made to keep slip resistance, such as Gummifix, or leave the mats clean and bare.
Can you put car mats in the washing machine?
We would not. The rubber backing on carpet mats can break up in a machine, and the mats take a long time to dry. A brush, a suitable cleaner and a wet vacuum or a thorough rinse do the job more safely.
For the rest of the carpets and seats, see how to clean car seats and carpets, and for choosing a cleaner, the best car interior cleaner.
Need help?
Tell the TDHQ team what your mats are made of and how dirty they are, and we will point you to the right cleaner. You can also browse every all purpose cleaner, interior cleaner and the full AutoBead range.
Last updated 15 October 2026.
