Terms of UseHow to Clean Carpeting in Vehicles Explore this Article parts 1 Vacuuming and Shampooing Your Car's Carpets 2 Cleaning Your Car Floor Mats 3 Cleaning Set-In Stains in Your Car's Carpeting Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Chad Zani
Last Updated: September 12, 2025 Approved
X
This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 12 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 401,220 times.
Cleaning your vehicle's carpet may not seem as important as maintaining your car's engine and other mechanical parts. However, cleaning the interior of your vehicle can certainly be the difference between a bad looking car and a well-maintained and loved vehicle. Cleaning the carpeting of your vehicle is easy and does not take very much time at all. The reward of peace and cleanliness that a clean car interior provides is far greater than the little time it takes to carry out this simple task.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Vacuuming and Shampooing Your Car's Carpets
1 Organize your vehicle's interior. Pick up any items that are lying on your vehicle's carpeting. Put away any loose objects you may have floating around your car. There are plenty of specially made car-organizer products available, but many vehicles now have their own built-in organizational compartments which are equally as handy. Take out as much stuff as possible, and either lay it to the side of your car or put it in your house.
2 Remove your floor mats. Take them out and shake them properly so all the pieces of dirt and other trash do not make it into your vehicle. The best thing to do is to simply place them next to your car in a dry area. Advertisement
3 Vacuum your vehicle thoroughly. Reach under the pedals, seats and crevices around the car to pick up and dispose of all remaining dirt, crumbs and trash from the floor of your vehicle. If you leave too much trash in your car when you began to wash the carpet, you won't truly be cleaning all that much.[1]XResearch source
4 Choose your carpet cleaner and find a good brush. There are a wide variety of products on the market to clean car carpets and they are all pretty similar. No matter which product you use, the method is the same. Even laundry detergent will do the trick just as well. Look for a soft-bristled brush that will help you work the shampoo into the fabric of the carpet. EXPERT TIP
Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert
Expert Trick: Buy a carpet brush that attaches to a cordless drill. After you spray the carpets with your cleaner, use the brush head on the drill to clean the floor mats in minutes instead of scrubbing with a handheld brush for longer.
5 Clean your carpet. Spray the carpet cleaning shampoo on the surface of the carpet and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Work it in slowly and methodically with your brush. Remember to use circular motions which will best bring up dirt and grime. Repeat if necessary on problem areas with stains or large amounts of dirt.[2]XResearch source
6 Rinse your newly shampooed carpet. Use a wet rag and dampen the shampooed areas. Try and pull up as much of the soap as possible. Remember, you do not want to get the carpet too wet, which will cause mold underneath. As long as you are able to get most of the shampoo up from the carpet, you should be fine.
7 Let your car dry out. This is important, as you don't want moisture to fester and not evaporate. Open all the doors to your car, and let it sit out in the sun. You should probably wait at least a few hours. Go back and feel your carpets. If they are still damp, give them another hour or so. If not, your job is all done.[3]XResearch source Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Cleaning Your Car Floor Mats
1 Remove and vacuum your car mats. Take the mats out and place them on the ground; preferably cement, concrete, or blacktop. Use a standard vacuum or a shopvac to get rid of noticeable debris and dirt on the mats. Make sure to vacuum both sides. You can also give your mats a few shakes to get off any remaining dirt and grime.[4]XResearch source
2 Wash the underside of your mats. Turn your mats so that the plastic underside is facing upwards. Use a few drops of dish soap on the plastic. Use a water hose to agitate the debris, and ignite the soap's foaming action. Scrub with a towel or sponge. If there is stuck on dirt, feel free to use a brush. Rinse the plastic down one more time with the hose, and then dry with a towel.[5]XResearch source
3 Spray upholstery with cleaner. Turn your mats around so the fabric side is facing upwards. Purchase a carpet cleaning formula, or use laundry detergent. Spray/pour a healthy amount onto the fabric. Use a water hose, and spray the fabric with water. This will initiate the cleaning formula and dislodge any debris.[6]XResearch source
4 Scrub the fabric of your mats. Use a medium sized brush and scrub the fabric in circular motions. Some spots may require more pressure. Feel free to spray the mat with water in between scrubbing different areas of the fabric. After you are done scrubbing, rinse the fabric down again with water until all the soap bubbles are gone.[7]XResearch source
5 Dry and hang your mats. Remove excess water with a vacuum. Then dry with a towel or washcloth. Press down to soak in as much excess water as possible. Finally, hang your mats on a clothes line, or at least in a spot where they can hang freely.[8]XResearch source [9]XResearch source Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Cleaning Set-In Stains in Your Car's Carpeting
1 Get rid of general stains with hot water. General stains are usually brought about by water, mud, dirt, excess moisture, etc. Add together, in a bucket, the following: a gallon of hot water, a few drops of dish detergent, and a cup of white vinegar. Mix these until they form one body of liquid. Dip a rag or sponge and soak the stained area with the mixture. Then take a bristle brush, and move in circular motions against the fabric. Blot this area with paper towels.
2 Dilute coffee, alcohol, and soda spills with cold water. First add a healthy amount of cool water to the stain. Do not add hot water, which will cause the stain to set-in even further. Then blot the stained area with paper towels. Let the area have some time to sit and dry.
3 Clean up vomit stains with club soda. Buy a can of regular, non-flavored club soda. Pour onto the stained area. Then scrub in circular motions with a damp washcloth. Dry the area with a towel. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and water to treat the stained area. This will get the job done just as well.
4 Lift pen stains with hairspray or salt. Spray on hairspray to the area which has been marked by pen ink. Rub the area down with a damp cloth in circular motions. Dry off with a towel. You can also add salt to the area. Simply sprinkle a healthy amount and wait a few minutes. Then wash off with a damp washcloth.
5 Rid your car of greasy stains with paint thinner. Use a small amount of paint thinner on a cotton cloth. Scrub the area in circular motions to remove the grease. Then take a paper towel and blot up the remaining paint thinner. Warning: paint thinner can cause your carpet to fade. First try this in a secluded area of your car, or preferably your trunk.[10]XResearch source
6 Spray glass cleaner onto the stained area. This can be for general stains or more set-in stains. Simply spray the glass cleaner onto the effected area. Wait about 5-10 minutes to let the cleaner act and lift the stain. Finally, wipe away with a damp washcloth and let dry.[11]XResearch source
7 Make a hydrogen peroxide paste. Some stains are incredibly hard to get rid of, and require extra strength. Make a paste using 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a dab of non-gel toothpaste. Lather it onto the stained carpet area. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, with a rag, rub the mixture into the carpet using a swirling motion. Finally, dab with a paper towel to wipe off the excess.
8 Treat blood stains with a laundry starch paste. Mix together equal parts laundry starch and cold water into a bucket. Stir the ingredients until the paste is fairly firm. Apply the paste to the blood stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then scrub the mixture in with a wash cloth. You can wipe away any excess with a wet paper towel.
9 Clean off gum after freezing it. Place one or two ice cubes over a piece of gum that is stuck to the carpeting in your car. Let it sit there for about ten minutes. This will harden the gum (freezing it). You can then use a scrape, or your hands and pry the gum off. Finally, wash the area with a damp washcloth and let dry.
10 Apply Borax to get rid of animal smells. After your pets have been in your car long enough, your car tends to get an animal odor. Sprinkle some Borax onto the carpeted areas. Let this sit for about an hour to let the Borax act on the smell. Then, vacuum up the Borax, and wipe clean with a dry washcloth.[12]XResearch source
11 Rub in a meat tenderizer mixture. Add together, in a bucket, equal parts cold water and meat tenderizer. Mix both together until the tenderizer has diluted. Then place on the stained area using a towel. Let the mixture sit on the stain for 30 minutes. You can then clean the area up using a damp washcloth and let the area dry. Advertisement
Community Q&A
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Question How do I get the smell of smoke out of the car? Community Answer Cut an apple in half, place it anywhere in the car overnight. The apple will absorb the cigarette smell. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 43
Question How do I get fish smell out of my car? Community Answer You can steam clean the upholstery and the carpets. Then use something like Febreeze if necessary. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 25
Question How can I rid my car's carpet of a sour milk smell? Community Answer Get some alcohol (preferably clear 95%,alimentary grade) and spray it on your upholstery. Let it sit till it evaporates. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 27 Helpful 30
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Video
Tips
If you are trying home remedies, try them in a secluded spot first. If they cause damage, it will only be noticeable in a remote place. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Make sure to always use circular motions when scrubbing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Take your time. It is best to set aside two to three hours in order to clean. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Don't dampen your carpet too much, otherwise mold will produce and cause damage to the underside. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 2
Use protective gloves when you are washing, especially when you use the hydrogen peroxide mixture. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 7
Buy cleaning products which are friendly to your skin. If you have any known allergies, make sure to check the labels on the bottles. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. This article has been viewed 401,220 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 14Updated: September 12, 2025 Views: 401,220Article SummaryX
To clean carpeting in vehicles, start by taking out all of the car mats and vacuuming the floor of your vehicle. Then, work some laundry detergent or carpet-cleaning shampoo into the carpeting using a soft-bristled brush. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping up as much of it as you can with a damp rag. Don't get the carpeting too wet or mold could form. Once you've wiped up as much of the cleaner as possible, open all of the doors and let your vehicle air dry for several hours. For tips on eliminating set-in stains, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Mandy Boodram
Jan 24, 2017
"Great tips for removing grease from my SUV mat. The article covers a wide variety of things that can happen in a car or SUV with steps, pics and methods that are easy to read and follow."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert Co-authors: 14Updated: September 12, 2025 Views: 401,220100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Mandy Boodram
Jan 24, 2017
"Great tips for removing grease from my SUV mat. The article covers a wide variety of things that can happen in a car or SUV with steps, pics and methods that are easy to read and follow."..." more
Kelly Watkins
Aug 9, 2016
"I love wikiHow! This site provides the perfect combination of written explanation and pictures to match, reaching both the visual and reading/writing learner."..." more
Gumnam Shakhs
Jun 12, 2017
"It was a good experience cleaning the carpets. It's just like washing clothes with hands."
Sheri Meyers
May 9, 2017
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Jul 23, 2017
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Co-authored by: Chad Zani Auto Detailing Expert This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services. This article has been viewed 401,220 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 14 Updated: September 12, 2025 Views: 401,220 Article SummaryX
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1 Organize your vehicle's interior. Pick up any items that are lying on your vehicle's carpeting. Put away any loose objects you may have floating around your car. There are plenty of specially made car-organizer products available, but many vehicles now have their own built-in organizational compartments which are equally as handy. Take out as much stuff as possible, and either lay it to the side of your car or put it in your house. 
2 Remove your floor mats. Take them out and shake them properly so all the pieces of dirt and other trash do not make it into your vehicle. The best thing to do is to simply place them next to your car in a dry area. Advertisement 
3 Vacuum your vehicle thoroughly. Reach under the pedals, seats and crevices around the car to pick up and dispose of all remaining dirt, crumbs and trash from the floor of your vehicle. If you leave too much trash in your car when you began to wash the carpet, you won't truly be cleaning all that much.[1] 
4 Choose your carpet cleaner and find a good brush. There are a wide variety of products on the market to clean car carpets and they are all pretty similar. No matter which product you use, the method is the same. Even laundry detergent will do the trick just as well. Look for a soft-bristled brush that will help you work the shampoo into the fabric of the carpet. EXPERT TIP 
5 Clean your carpet. Spray the carpet cleaning shampoo on the surface of the carpet and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Work it in slowly and methodically with your brush. Remember to use circular motions which will best bring up dirt and grime. Repeat if necessary on problem areas with stains or large amounts of dirt.[2] 
6 Rinse your newly shampooed carpet. Use a wet rag and dampen the shampooed areas. Try and pull up as much of the soap as possible. Remember, you do not want to get the carpet too wet, which will cause mold underneath. As long as you are able to get most of the shampoo up from the carpet, you should be fine. 
7 Let your car dry out. This is important, as you don't want moisture to fester and not evaporate. Open all the doors to your car, and let it sit out in the sun. You should probably wait at least a few hours. Go back and feel your carpets. If they are still damp, give them another hour or so. If not, your job is all done.[3] Advertisement 
1 Remove and vacuum your car mats. Take the mats out and place them on the ground; preferably cement, concrete, or blacktop. Use a standard vacuum or a shopvac to get rid of noticeable debris and dirt on the mats. Make sure to vacuum both sides. You can also give your mats a few shakes to get off any remaining dirt and grime.[4] 
2 Wash the underside of your mats. Turn your mats so that the plastic underside is facing upwards. Use a few drops of dish soap on the plastic. Use a water hose to agitate the debris, and ignite the soap's foaming action. Scrub with a towel or sponge. If there is stuck on dirt, feel free to use a brush. Rinse the plastic down one more time with the hose, and then dry with a towel.[5] 
3 Spray upholstery with cleaner. Turn your mats around so the fabric side is facing upwards. Purchase a carpet cleaning formula, or use laundry detergent. Spray/pour a healthy amount onto the fabric. Use a water hose, and spray the fabric with water. This will initiate the cleaning formula and dislodge any debris.[6] 
4 Scrub the fabric of your mats. Use a medium sized brush and scrub the fabric in circular motions. Some spots may require more pressure. Feel free to spray the mat with water in between scrubbing different areas of the fabric. After you are done scrubbing, rinse the fabric down again with water until all the soap bubbles are gone.[7] 
5 Dry and hang your mats. Remove excess water with a vacuum. Then dry with a towel or washcloth. Press down to soak in as much excess water as possible. Finally, hang your mats on a clothes line, or at least in a spot where they can hang freely.[8] [9] Advertisement 
1 Get rid of general stains with hot water. General stains are usually brought about by water, mud, dirt, excess moisture, etc. Add together, in a bucket, the following: a gallon of hot water, a few drops of dish detergent, and a cup of white vinegar. Mix these until they form one body of liquid. Dip a rag or sponge and soak the stained area with the mixture. Then take a bristle brush, and move in circular motions against the fabric. Blot this area with paper towels. 
2 Dilute coffee, alcohol, and soda spills with cold water. First add a healthy amount of cool water to the stain. Do not add hot water, which will cause the stain to set-in even further. Then blot the stained area with paper towels. Let the area have some time to sit and dry. 
3 Clean up vomit stains with club soda. Buy a can of regular, non-flavored club soda. Pour onto the stained area. Then scrub in circular motions with a damp washcloth. Dry the area with a towel. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and water to treat the stained area. This will get the job done just as well. 
4 Lift pen stains with hairspray or salt. Spray on hairspray to the area which has been marked by pen ink. Rub the area down with a damp cloth in circular motions. Dry off with a towel. You can also add salt to the area. Simply sprinkle a healthy amount and wait a few minutes. Then wash off with a damp washcloth. 
5 Rid your car of greasy stains with paint thinner. Use a small amount of paint thinner on a cotton cloth. Scrub the area in circular motions to remove the grease. Then take a paper towel and blot up the remaining paint thinner. Warning: paint thinner can cause your carpet to fade. First try this in a secluded area of your car, or preferably your trunk.[10] 
6 Spray glass cleaner onto the stained area. This can be for general stains or more set-in stains. Simply spray the glass cleaner onto the effected area. Wait about 5-10 minutes to let the cleaner act and lift the stain. Finally, wipe away with a damp washcloth and let dry.[11] 
7 Make a hydrogen peroxide paste. Some stains are incredibly hard to get rid of, and require extra strength. Make a paste using 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a dab of non-gel toothpaste. Lather it onto the stained carpet area. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, with a rag, rub the mixture into the carpet using a swirling motion. Finally, dab with a paper towel to wipe off the excess. 
8 Treat blood stains with a laundry starch paste. Mix together equal parts laundry starch and cold water into a bucket. Stir the ingredients until the paste is fairly firm. Apply the paste to the blood stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then scrub the mixture in with a wash cloth. You can wipe away any excess with a wet paper towel. 
9 Clean off gum after freezing it. Place one or two ice cubes over a piece of gum that is stuck to the carpeting in your car. Let it sit there for about ten minutes. This will harden the gum (freezing it). You can then use a scrape, or your hands and pry the gum off. Finally, wash the area with a damp washcloth and let dry. 
10 Apply Borax to get rid of animal smells. After your pets have been in your car long enough, your car tends to get an animal odor. Sprinkle some Borax onto the carpeted areas. Let this sit for about an hour to let the Borax act on the smell. Then, vacuum up the Borax, and wipe clean with a dry washcloth.[12] 
11 Rub in a meat tenderizer mixture. Add together, in a bucket, equal parts cold water and meat tenderizer. Mix both together until the tenderizer has diluted. Then place on the stained area using a towel. Let the mixture sit on the stain for 30 minutes. You can then clean the area up using a damp washcloth and let the area dry. Advertisement 
Community Answer Cut an apple in half, place it anywhere in the car overnight. The apple will absorb the cigarette smell. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 43 
Community Answer You can steam clean the upholstery and the carpets. Then use something like Febreeze if necessary. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 25 
Community Answer Get some alcohol (preferably clear 95%,alimentary grade) and spray it on your upholstery. Let it sit till it evaporates. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 27 Helpful 30