Rubber car mats are a great way to protect the underlying upholstery from the most annoying dirt. In fact, the choice of rubber mats over carpet or fabric ones is the most practical one when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing treatments.
During the winter months, it is very common for drivers to replace the fabric ones, especially if they have been fitted as standard. In fact, during the cold and rainy months, cars are subjected to greater stress due to dirt, both externally (obviously) but also internally. Rain means muddy shoes and dirty car mats, not just soaked bodywork and misted-up windows.
What affects Rubber Car Mats the Most
Even in summer it is actually good to pay attention to the amount of dirt that enters our car, whether it is sand or leaves and pollen. However, the positive side of summer is that usually just vacuuming is enough to remove periodic dirt. During the winter period, on the other hand, it is good to pay more attention to rubber car mats. It may seem trivial, mud and rain are not the only factors that can endanger the health of the interior of our car: ice and other possible external contaminants can do the same damage (smog and dust due to traffic for example).
In some types of cars, such as off-road vehicles or 4×4 vehicles, rubber car mats are fitted as standard precisely because that type of car is more suitable for routes where dust, dirt and external dirtying agents are present and motorists are provided with a carpet that is easier to clean. The fact that they are easier to clean than those in fabric, however, does not prevent us from cleaning them regularly. Even for rubber car mats, proper maintenance is required to ensure that they last for a long time and in the best possible conditions.
How to Clean Rubber Car Mats
The first thing to do when cleaning the rubber mats, which you can buy in the Withcar online store, is to remove them from the vehicle and remove the dirt deposited by beating them first, and vacuuming the debris later. If the mats are heavily soiled, they should be cleaned using a diluted cleaner such as a general purpose mild soap or, at worst, a degreaser suitable for rubber surfaces. In both cases it is good to apply the product generously over the entire mat and let it act for a few moments to soften stubborn dirt and avoid forcing it with spatulas or brushes. Once the product has been left to act, we can use a soft bristle brush or a micro bristle cloth. Using materials or tools that are too hard can scratch the rubber, leaving grooves that not only will not go away but will be new receptacles for dirt and dust deposits.
If we consider the fact that rubber mats have good wear resistance, we can avoid engaging too much in rinsing operations and just rinse them with plenty of water, helping us with the pressure of the garden systole or a simple bucket of water.
After rinsing, the mats must be placed in a clean place where they can dry in the open air or in an enclosed space as long as it is clean. In this way the cleaning operations will not have been carried out in vain, risking that dust and hair will stick to it.
Treatment of Rubber Car Mats
Once cleaned and dried, the mats can be treated to improve or renew their appearance, a bit like the glossy dashboard for solid car inserts. For this purpose, it is advisable to use only a specific product for the treatment of rubber. It is important not to use any other type of product for this type of operation as it could leave rubber car mats greasy and slippery which, of course, could be dangerous for both the driver and passengers.
In this regard it is good not to improvise as chemists and follow the recipes you find online. Rather, choose a specific product from your favorite retailer or search online among the many brands available. This kind of car renovators are made to meet any need and comply with the safety standards necessary to ensure that the rubber car mats do not become dangerous and that they last a long time and maintain their original appearance.
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