Floor mats not cleaning up!!!

[pricha00]

Gray floormats in my Toyota are driving me nuts. I don't have access to a extractor or steamer so I just use basic cleaners and a shopvac. Mats look real good when they are wet and remaining looking good for a few hours after that. Once completely dry though the general dirt area where peoples feet reside quickly returns. My usual method is to spray with say CSC at 3:1 and then agitate and let sit for a minute. Wipe with a damp microfibre towel and then I will use the vac and suck as much liquid out of the mat as I can and then allow to sit in the sun to dry. Usually just barely damp when I return to the car in a couple of hours and they look good. Next day though, just look OK. What am I doing wrong? Should I be using another product? I have tried Folex and the results were similar. Can I use ARO diluted?

Thanks, Pat.

 

[Jimmie]

Here's the plan that I use on really dirty mats. Like you're doing now spray with Folex and agitate with a carpet brush. Shoot the mat with fan spray from a pressure washer. Repeat if necessary.
If you don't have a pressure washer go to a coin op car wash to do your mats. You won't hurt them. If you look at the back side some have a layer of rubber. Others are carpet all the way through. Just have enough daytime sun to dry them.
After the pressure washer you can squeege most of the H2O off the mat. Shop vac the rest + a few stripes. Close to new each time.

 

[pt91]

if the apc/pressure washer doesn't work the fibers in the mats may be beyond repair. if so, new mats aren't too expensive. get some rubber ones for rain/snow days.

 

[ScottB]

I would add if you decide to replace the mats with new carpeted ones, then consider some Scotchgard or Fabric Protector which makes them a bit easier to clean up in future.

 

[dannythekid]

I spray them down with a carpet cleaner, usually Resolve. Agitate that with a brush (not scrubbing too hard). Then I get them good and wet/try to get some pressure in there with a hose (I need a pressure washer). Then I let some of the heavy water out and extract it with my old ShopVac minus the filter. Works great!

 

[pricha00]

I will try those suggestions. I was using heavy rubber mats and keeping my OEM in the garage but then I figured why should I keep them mint for the next owner. I will use them myself, they look way nicer when your open the door than those crappy pantsavers.

Pat.