Cleaner for Rubber Car Mats: Quick ’n Brite Step-by-Step Guide

We're always surprised by how much dirt our rubber mats can hold. Whether it’s mud from a rainy hike or crumbs from a snack, those mats really take a beating. A good cleaner for rubber car mats does more than make them look fresh—it keeps the car smelling clean and protects the floors underneath. Here’s how we tackle ours with our Quick ’n Brite Ultimate Cleaning Kit.

Contents

• Why Clean Rubber Car Mats?
• Gather Your Supplies
• Remove & Prep Mats
• Clean Rubber Car Mats
• Clean Carpet Mats
• Stain Removal Tips
• Final Tips
• FAQs

Why Clean Rubber Car Mats?

Dirty mats can trap water, dirt, and even salt in winter. We have learned the hard way when a spill turned into a musty smell that lingered for weeks. Cleaning rubber mats:

• Protects the carpet and flooring under your mats
• Stops odors before they start
• Keeps your car looking its best

Gather Your Supplies

We keep all of our tools in a tote bag so that we're never scrambling. Here’s what we pull together before we start:

• ✓Quick ’n Brite liquid concentrate
• ✓Quick ’n Brite cleaning paste
• ✓Pink scrubber sponge
• ✓Microfiber cloths
• ✓Stiff brush
• ✓Vacuum cleaner
• ✓Garden hose or buckets of water

Remove & Prep Mats

Always start outside. First, yank the mats out and give them a good shake—loose dirt flies everywhere. Then we vacuum both sides, paying special attention to the grooves where grit hides. Once that’s done, we're ready to clean.

Clean Rubber Car Mats

Here’s our go-to routine:

• ✓Pre-rinse mats with water to wash away loose grime.
• ✓Spray on the light solution (¼ oz concentrate per bottle).
• ✓Scrub with the pink sponge—focus on grooves and raised edges.
• ✓Rinse until the water runs clear.
• ✓Dry with a microfiber cloth or let air-dry fully before reinstalling.

Clean Carpet Mats

If you use carpet mats too, we treat them slightly differently:

• ✓Vacuum both sides once more after rinsing.
• ✓Spray heavy solution (1 oz concentrate per bottle) on visible stains.
• ✓Scrub gently with a stiff brush.
• ✓Blot with a damp cloth or rinse lightly.
• ✓Hang mats to air-dry completely.

Stain Removal Tips

Sometimes a simple scrub isn’t enough. For tough stains:

• ✓Apply a dollop of cleaning paste to the spot.
• ✓Let it sit 5–10 minutes so it can break down the grime.
• ✓Scrub and rinse or blot with a clean cloth.

Final Tips

Here are a few habits that we've picked up:

• ✓Vacuum mats weekly to stop dirt buildup.
• ✓Spot-clean spills as soon as they happen.
• ✓Use rubber mats on top of carpet mats for extra protection.
• ✓Spray a protectant on rubber mats to keep them looking new.

FAQs

What’s the best way to clean rubber car mats?

Pre-rinse, spray light solution, scrub with the pink sponge, rinse, and dry.

How often should I clean my car mats?

Vacuum weekly and deep-clean every 1–2 months, depending on how much you use your car.

Will the cleaning paste harm my mats?

No—it’s non-abrasive and rinses away clean without damaging rubber or carpet fibers.