How to Clean WeatherTech/All-Weather Floor Mats ｜Step-by-Step Guide

Anyone who has ever owned a car before (including you!) knows that the dirtiest place of any car is usually the carpets.  From dirt, sand, spills, and whatever else is dragged into the car by foot, the carpets take on more debris then we’d all like to think.  And, thanks to all-weather mats, including WeatherTechs, the carpet of the vehicle is protected from the majority of these messes.  But, after a while, cleaning the mats themselves can become a problem, as dirt moves from the surface of the mat into the mat itself.  After even a few months, those black, shiny floor mats can look like a sad brown stain on the interior of the car, and a simple wash won’t even touch it.

As a professional detailer, we run into this all the time.  Through trial and error, we’ve tested all of the different products and methods designed to clean these plastic floor mats, and we’ve landed on one process that works the best.  And, instead of keeping it for ourselves, it would do more good to just share it here.  Plus, I’ll include a secret fourth step that only the pro’s know about.  So, here you go:  Our method of cleaning ANY plastic, rubber, all-weather, or WeatherTech floor mat.

Step 1 – The Pre-Rinse

A simple, yet overlooked step.  Either with a pressure washer, or garden hose, rinse off all mats as best as possible.  It’s as easy as that.  For any debris that is “stuck” in a very fine crack in the mat (such as those in the Mazda CX-5), carefully using a toothpick to lodge the rock/debris out will work, but just avoid scratching the mat in the process.

Step 2 – The Deep Clean

For this, you’ll need the right cleaning agent to get the job done.  Our recommendation for the best results is an automotive degreaser, such as Purple Power, or, our favorite, Road Warrior from Superior Products.  This should be somewhat diluted down, at least to 2:1 - 4:1, with 4:1 diluted Road Warrior being our agent of choice.  Using a spray bottle, spray the chemical thoroughly over the mats.  Then, take a drill with a yellow, circle brush-head attachment, and work the chemical into the mat as it foams up.  For any cracks that the drill brush can’t reach, use a stiff-bristle detailing brush and agitate as much as possible.  The more elbow grease, the better!

Step 3 – Rinse and Dry

To remove all of the chemical, hold the mat up and rinse off all of the chemical from it, making sure not to leave any on the mat.  Once this is done, shake the water off the mat and dry it as best as possible, using either a microfiber towel, low-heat blow dryer, leaf blower, or compressed air.  Then, leave the mats out in direct sunlight for 1-3 hours, depending on temperature/weather conditions.  If some parts of the mat still look dirty, going through steps 2 and 3 again in those spots will help minimize the amount of staining.  But if the mats are very worn, aged, or stained, they may remain somewhat stained.

Step 4 – Floor Mat Restoration

Here’s where the professional secrets come in.  When trying to make the mats look shiny and new again, many DIYers and professionals make the same mistake – using the wrong dressing.  Using any ArmorAll dressing, any VRP, any Tire Shine, or really any product to make the mats shine is both a dangerous and ineffective idea.  Using any of these products will not only make the mats look splotchy and fade quickly, but make the mats become very slippery, which is incredibly dangerous as a slippery mat can lead to a slipping foot and crashes.  Again, DO NOT, and I mean DO NOT use any Tire Shine or ArmorAll dressing on the mats!

So, if you can’t use those products, then how do the mats always look like new again?  Here’s where Koch Chemie’s Gummifix, or GUF, comes in.  This product is essentially the holy grail of floor mat detailing, restoring the mat to its factory shine, while also leaving a non-slip surface.  To apply it, use a microfiber applicator pad, or a fine-misting spray bottle, and use as little of the product as possible.  For most mats, we only use 5-10 drops of the liquid from the original opening in the bottle per floor mat.  Make sure to cover the entire mat evenly, including in all cracks and tight spots.  If too much is applied, level the chemical with a microfiber towel.

And that’s it!  If done correctly, you’ll be looking at a set of clean and restored floor mats!  For anyone on the South Shore or Cape Cod in Massachusetts, if you want this done for you, it’s included in our Full Interior Detail for free!  And if you’re looking for more Professional Detailing Secrets revealed, check out the rest of our blog, including our Interior Detailing Masterclass.