Muddy boots, melted snacks, mystery gunk—your floor liners could tell some stories. (Really, who knew the pulverized dust of a fish cracker had such staying power?) Considering the beating these poor vehicle accessories take in the name of interior protection, it’s safe to say a little TLC is in order. Trust us: a good clean will keep your floor liners in fighting form—and give them a much-needed face lift in the process. Whether you’re sporting premium contoured liners or universal-fit mats, Parts Via walks you through how to clean your floor liners and get them looking (almost) new again.
If it’s been a few years (or… five) since you last cleaned your floor liners, don’t worry—you’re not alone. We recently tackled a set that hadn’t seen soap since 2018, and let’s just say the results were both horrifying and oddly satisfying.
Know Your Liner Type
Before we jump into the step-by-step process for cleaning, let’s quickly discuss liner types. While the cleaning process is broadly the same, different liner materials respond to cleaners differently—some resist staining and chemicals better, while others can crack or discolor if treated too harshly. Knowing what your liners are made of helps you pick the right products and tools.
- TPE: Durable and flexible, most “all-weather” liners these days are made of thermoplastic elastomers or “TPE.” They feature a smooth, non-porous surface that won’t absorb water or odor—making them great for everyday use.
- TPO: Thermoplastic polyolefin shares many of the same liquid- and odor-resistant qualities as TPE but feels harder and more rigid, closer to plastic. These liners don’t always fit as precisely, but they’re cheaper to produce.
- Synthetic Rubber: These liners have the heavy, “grippy” feel you expect from rubber. They’re durable, waterproof, and affordable, though sometimes less comfortable underfoot and occasionally smelly when new.
- Vinyl: A budget-friendly option, vinyl mats offer solid all-weather protection but can become slippery when wet and are more prone to cracking and tearing over time.
- Polypropylene: For drivers who prefer a carpet-like look, polypropylene liners deliver a textile appearance with added moisture resistance. The tradeoff is they can curl or crack faster than other options.
How to Clean Your Floor Liners
Now that you know what kind of liners you’re working with, let’s dive into the cleaning process. You don’t need any fancy tools or setup to get the job done—just a clean patch of lawn or driveway, a gentle all-purpose cleaner, a soft or stiff-bristled brush and a garden hose. We like to keep a small bucket nearby as well, so we can clean off the brush between scrubbings.
Step 1: Remove and Shake Out the Liners
Remove the floor liners from your vehicle and give them a good shake to dislodge the army of dirt, pebbles, and crumbs currently stationed on the surface. Dry-brushing is useful for getting off caked-on dirt, but particularly stubborn messes might need a little extra oomph. We recommend using the heavy-duty vacuums or compressed air at the car wash, but many folks have found success applying a few well-directed gusts with the leaf blower.
Step 2: Rinse Thoroughly with a Hose
Once the surface gunk is off, thoroughly rinse the liners with the garden hose. Generally, the “shower” or “jet” settings are sufficient, but if you have particularly dirty floor mats—and they can stand up to the force of the water—a pressure washer may be necessary. Alternately, you can clean your mats right at the car wash using their sprayers.
Step 3: Apply Cleaner—Here’s What Works Best
After rinsing the liners, apply a liberal amount of cleaner and let it sit for a minute before agitating. Some manufacturers, like WeatherTech, sell a dedicated cleaner and protectant for floor liners; but if you’re on a budget, or just can’t justify squeezing yet another specialty cleaner onto the garage shelf, a quality all-purpose cleaner will get the job done. For heavier buildup, Husky Liners actually recommends mixing a little Formula 409 with water.
Just be sure the cleaner you choose is compatible with the material composition of your liners—and stay away from any bleach or harsh solvents (like acetone), as these can weaken and even dissolve the liner surface. Petroleum-based cleaners are a bad idea too. Even if you don’t see immediate damage, products like mineral spirits, Goo Gone, WD-40, or even some tire shines can cause the liner material to lose its shape and degrade faster, especially under heat and UV exposure. They also tend to make the surface slippery—not something you want transferred to your shoe when about to press the brake pedal.
If you’re not sure what your mats are made of, a mild dish soap solution is the safest fallback.
Step 4: Scrub, But Don’t Go Overboard
When scrubbing, start gentle and gradually work your way up to something more abrasive if necessary. Jumping in bristles blazing could result in scratches, discoloration, and floor mats that look worse than when you started. We recommend a soft or medium-bristle brush, scrubbing in gentle circular motions to dislodge the caked-on dirt. For stubborn messes in the nooks and crannies, an old toothbrush works wonders.
Step 5: Rinse, Dry, and Reinstall
When you finish scrubbing, rinse the liners thoroughly to make sure there’s no soap residue left behind and then let them dry completely.
Air drying is fine (and generally recommended) but we like to use a soft bath towel—or better yet, a microfiber towel—to wipe everything down first. In addition to speeding up the drying process, this helps us see if there’s any lingering dirt.
Do not use a hair dryer or anything that produces hot air to dry the liners, as this can cause warping. If you are particularly impatient, try a few more well-directed blasts with that leaf blower. For polypropylene floor liners, a wet/dry vac might be needed to pull out the moisture.
Once you are certain everything is dry, reinstall the liners. Never put damp mats in your vehicle, as it can lead to musty odors and even mold.
How Often Should You Clean Your Floor Liners?
Since this job takes all of 10-15 minutes and very little energy to complete, it is of course one that constantly gets procrastinated. However, you should try to show your floor liners a little TLC at least once a season—more if your vehicle sees frequent foot traffic, muddy trails, or dusty access roads.
Additionally, if you live in an area that endures rough winters and municipal salt trucks, make this a monthly task during those long cold days. Road salt does a nasty number on your ride over time, leaving an unsightly chalky residue on floor liners and slowly eating through them if ignored.
Find the Right Products at Parts Via
All good things come to an end—including your vehicle’s floor liners. If no amount of spraying, scrubbing, or rinsing can bring those poor accessories back to life, it’s time to explore a replacement.
Whether you’re looking for premium or budget-friendly, vehicle-specific or universal-fit, Parts Via has a floor liner to suit your needs. Shop our quality selection from brands like WeatherTech, HuskyLiners, 3D Mats, Rugged Ridge, Westin, and more—and don’t forget to take advantage of our fast, FREE shipping option at checkout.