Mat problems

A

AquaHawk

New member
I have had problems with cleaning mats, now I haven't had too many jobs but when I do, usually the mats are the hardest to get the dirt off for me. Most times I can't even get the dirt off. What is the best product and stencil to use on those darn mats?



Thanks.



-Hawk
 
I have used oxiclean honestly and it worked very well, that is after I hang the mat and hit it with a broom or whatever to get most of the dirt out. Are you talking about stains or dirt?
 
AquaHawk said:
...What is the best product and stencil to use on those darn mats?
Click to expand...



Maybe I'm just having a brain-pause here :o but what do you mean by "stencil"? :confused:



Are you using an extractor with high-pressure spray? What about a steamer?



I vacuum the mats first using a powerhead on the vacuum to "beat" while suctioning.



Then I pretreat with a carpet pre-spotter (from either Pro-Chem or Hi-Temp) or a good APC, using the extractors high-pressure sprayer if I think it's necessary (usually isn't and I just use a spray bottle). I let that dwell and then extract, usually just using plain water in the extractor to provide thorough rinsing. Repeat as needed, which can sometimes be many times.



If you don't have an extractor (I'm tempted to just say "then buy one" ;) but it's easy for me to spend your money) then you can substitute a wet/dry vacuum or even blot with (many) cotton towels.



"Special" stains do call for, well...special measures. E.g., pet/protein/etc. stains get treated with Protein Stain Remover, salt gets treated with vinegar (note there are better things to use for that), gummy messes get treated with Adhesive Remover, etc. etc.



For especially nasty mats I'll sometimes dunk them in a utility-tub sink. Yep, totally submerged, utterly soaking wet. Now I sure wouldn't do that to Wilton wool mats from my Jag, but it's worked fine on the oe carpeted mats in my wife's A8. Gotta be sure to get them clean after that (to avoid "wicking"), and I make sure to dry them with some gentle applied heat.
 
Hawk, if it is built up dried dirt, etc, take the mats out, buy a $3.00 rubber mallet and beat them to loosen the dirt, do the top, turn it over, do from the back side. The hardened, imbedded dirt will "jump" out, then vac and clean with an all purpose, spray it on, obtain a "good carpet brush", not one from the Dollar Store, etc and agitate, respraying as necessary. Then with a wet vac, suck out as much as you can. Wipe them, really a good "rubbing" with a terry cloth towel to pick up even more and let dry.

I provide this method since you seem to be on a "start-up" budget and not able to obtain an extractor or such at this time..
 
Being in the 'I don't have an extractor or steamer' crowd.... Recently picked up Adam's Upholstery and Carpet cleaner. Agitated with a brush on my DA (or by hand if you don't have one), blotted (or vac'd and then blotted) dry. I have also used Zep's foaming high traffic and Folex (OTC products) with similar methods and gotten good results. But, I do prefer the Adam's. Keys are proper vacuum (I brush, blow, vac or use the powerhead attachment) and it must be dried properly. A cleaner that does not reactivate (like many made for carpet) for non extractor/rinse work is also very important. Stains... hate to say it but do a search around here. Long topic.
 
rdorman said:
... Agitated with a brush on my DA (or by hand if you don't have one)...
Click to expand...



Heh, I completely forgot about that!! I keep the one Cyclo set up with carpet brushes during the winter. Man, I can't believe that slipped my mind :o
 
Accumulator said:
Heh, I completely forgot about that!! I keep the one Cyclo set up with carpet brushes during the winter. Man, I can't believe that slipped my mind :o
Click to expand...



Long Ohio winters will do that to you!



I only tried the Adam's so far on one trashed mat and arm rest (both in my wifes car of course) and was really impressed. Watching them to see if they truly don't wick. Isn't Wilton wool a joy. It was in my Cobra. Nothing like living with a topless roadster with Wilton wool carpet....
 
For really dirty mats I use the pressure washer after treating and scrubbing. (This is not safe for all mats, so don't go jumping into this without knowing what the backing materials are!)
 
Accumulator said:
Maybe I'm just having a brain-pause here :o but what do you mean by "stencil"? :confused:



Are you using an extractor with high-pressure spray? What about a steamer?



I vacuum the mats first using a powerhead on the vacuum to "beat" while suctioning.



Then I pretreat with a carpet pre-spotter (from either Pro-Chem or Hi-Temp) or a good APC, using the extractors high-pressure sprayer if I think it's necessary (usually isn't and I just use a spray bottle). I let that dwell and then extract, usually just using plain water in the extractor to provide thorough rinsing. Repeat as needed, which can sometimes be many times.



If you don't have an extractor (I'm tempted to just say "then buy one" ;) but it's easy for me to spend your money) then you can substitute a wet/dry vacuum or even blot with (many) cotton towels.



"Special" stains do call for, well...special measures. E.g., pet/protein/etc. stains get treated with Protein Stain Remover, salt gets treated with vinegar (note there are better things to use for that), gummy messes get treated with Adhesive Remover, etc. etc.



For especially nasty mats I'll sometimes dunk them in a utility-tub sink. Yep, totally submerged, utterly soaking wet. Now I sure wouldn't do that to Wilton wool mats from my Jag, but it's worked fine on the oe carpeted mats in my wife's A8. Gotta be sure to get them clean after that (to avoid "wicking"), and I make sure to dry them with some gentle applied heat.
Click to expand...



Sorry I ment like a brush, or broom or something along those lines to remove the dirt.
 
I was actually talking about rubber mats guys, I should have probably said that. Sorry, but all the input for carpet mats is great for the near future! I really appreciate all the help this forum has to offer.



Thanks!



-John
 
AquaHawk said:
I was actually talking about rubber mats ....
Click to expand...



Sometimes it can be surprisingly tough to get stains out of rubber mats! I have light gray rubber mats in the more use/abused Crown Vic and I can't say that I've ever gotten them perfectly clean :o



Griot's Rubber Cleaner..way too mild even with aggressive brushing; ditto for all my APCs even with an extended dwell-time. Never tried my GG Rubber Prep, didn't wan to "waste" it on something I don't care that much about.



So when it comes to discolored rubber mats, I can't say I have a good answer :nixweiss
 
Generally I just use APC, agitation, dwell, rinse and dry. However, when running across stains such as an oil based stain I find a solvent such as turpentine can be effective.



Edit for additional info: Salt and hard water stains I use vinegar. Plain old white, not balsamic!
 
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