How To Clean Your Truck's Liners and Mats
How often do you clean your truck's mats and liners? If it has been a while or you never cleaned them at all, now is the time! Whether your mats and liners are made of fabric, rubber, or plastic materials—they can get dirtier than you might think.
Importance of mats and liners
Unkempt original factory carpet will look dull and dirty. Putting mats and liners for the cabin flooring makes the used vehicle look fresh and orderly. Moreover, the truck bed mats and liners cover up the existing scratches and dents on the finish.
There are many mats and liners for the truck’s bed and interior. They all have the same purpose: to protect and keep away dirt, liquids, and other particles that can damage the flooring. The same thing goes with the liners and mats for the truck bed.
Aside from preventing abrasion that can scratch the surface of the bed, they can also provide other benefits. Liners help the things you put on the truck bed from shifting or sliding, while some bed mats help the items slide when you load and unload the cargo.
Whether you are using rubber, plastic, or fabric-made floor protection for your truck, these truck accessories need some cleaning from time to time.
Why should you keep them tidy?
Keeping the liners and mats in good condition is crucial, especially if you want your pickup truck to remain nice and clean. It would be best if you dedicated time to clean these truck accessories thoroughly.
Dirt and grime can build up on the surface of the truck’s flooring if not washed periodically. Don’t let these harmful particles destroy your truck’s interior and exterior. Over time, dirt can accumulate and form a substance that can ruin the truck’s original factory carpet and bed.
Sticky liquids may also form a stain on the flooring. When sticky beverages like juices and sodas spill onto the mat, you must check if they permeate the interior floor’s carpet. If you do not clean the spills, they can turn to permanent discoloration.
Mats and liners are created to protect the vehicle’s interior flooring. However, there are instances wherein moisture and dirt seep through the cracks or gaps. When it comes to truck bed protection, water and dirt can pass through the tiny spaces if you're using mats or drop-in liners.
It is crucial to check and clean them regularly to ensure water does not enter these areas. When using a truck bed mat, corrosion can build up beneath it because it's not water-tight. Water can get trapped and create an environment for rust.
How to clean them
Here are some ways to clean your truck’s liners and mats:
For interior liners and mats:
Remove the mats from your vehicle and set them aside. Unfasten the hooks or snaps of the custom-fit liners from the floor to remove them.
You can lay the mats or liners flat on the ground. You may use heavy-duty clips and hang them up if you have a clothesline pole.
If you're using fabric mats, beat them with your hand or by using a broom handle to help shake out the dust particles.
Have you seen some blotches or stains? To thoroughly clean the mats and liners, you may use specially formulated automotive-grade cleaning products to deep clean them.
Swipe and agitate the mat or liners using a bristled brush to remove the debris trapped in the grooves.
You may use a vacuum to easily remove the dust and dirt from the mats or liners. You must also use the vacuum on the interior’s factory carpet to remove the dirt that might get stuck on it.
If the custom-fit liners you’re using are muddy from an off-road trip, it's better to wash them. If the brush doesn’t work to remove the stubborn mud particles that got stuck onto the grooves of the liners, use a high-pressure hose or power washer.
Make sure to dry them off completely to prevent moisture from the factory carpet.
For truck bed protection:
For initial cleaning of the bed liners and mats, use a broom to sweep dust particles off the surface. To help you get into the cracks and small spaces, you may use a small hand brush.
Since truck bed mats have no hooks and snags, installation and removal are extremely easy. It’s better to remove the rubber mat to clean it meticulously.
If you have a spray-in liner, you can use water to remove the tough stains or dirt marks. Use a cleaner or a simple car washing soap to wash the bed liner. Apply the soap and use a stiff bristle brush to scrub away the stains from the surface of the liner. Make sure that the cleaners you use do not contain harsh chemicals. You will notice that the color will change, and dust will turn the suds darker.
Use a hose or a pressure washer to rinse the dirt off the mats and liners. Please make sure that you include washing all the corners.
For spray-in liners, wash it like you would for the rest of your vehicle. The pressure washer makes removing soil marks or other dirt spots on the liner easier. Do not use silicone-based products to reduce the liner’s skid resistance.
Treat them immediately if you notice some calcium or rust spots on your spray-in liner. You may also use an automotive degreaser with the help of an old toothbrush.
Make sure to dry the truck’s bed liner and mats properly. You can air-dry or lay them on a flat surface where the sun’s rays can dry them. You can also use a microfiber cloth to wipe the wet liner. To avoid mildew or other fungal growth, you must ensure that it’s completely dried before closing the truck bed cover.
Dirt-free pickup truck
The American actress Alexandra Paul says that the cars we drive say a lot about us. Cleanliness will also reflect the personality of a vehicle owner. Keeping your truck clean is essential, especially now that we’re in a pandemic. People must stay hygienic and sanitized to keep away from the virus.
The liners and mats for both interior and exterior have significant roles. They maintain the pristine condition of the factory carpet and bed finish. They also help to make the truck look good for years.
Now you know how to clean your truck’s mats and liners, there's no excuse not to keep them dirt-free.