cleaning carpets and mats - safe products to use

Alan_uk

A2OC Donor
I think this warrants a new thread as search did not highlight a previous one.

In this post https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/l’y-the-1-2-tdi.50101/post-492938 @steve_c said with reference to cleaning mats:

........ they are made of tufted wool, .............. Don't use hot water, don't use bleach, don't use synthetic quick fix miracle cleaning fluids, and don't rush the cleaning. There's plenty of good advice (and some horrendous offerings) online; just use a bit of common sense. Hot summer weather means right now is the ideal time for a proper clean.

Do you have any recommended products? I'm finding conflicting advise online. Some say tufted wool carpets are latex backed (hence not to use water) but on the other hand, I've seen recommendations for wool carpets to use vinegar and then rinse off! Dry baking powder is the only dry solution I've seen.

Halfords only list 2 carpet cleaners (Turtle Wax Power Out and Meguiars Carpet and Interior Cleaner) and neither say they are suitable for wool carpets let alone tufted ones

Also, are the carpets also tufted wool like the mats?

Thanks
 
Do you have any recommended products? I'm finding conflicting advise online. Some say tufted wool carpets are latex backed (hence not to use water) but on the other hand, I've seen recommendations for wool carpets to use vinegar and then rinse off! Dry baking powder is the only dry solution I've seen.

Also, are the carpets also tufted wool like the mats?

It's quite safe to use water on these mats, providing you don't use too much. But start by vacuuming the dry mat thoroughly. Most dirt will lift out without any other intervention. Strong suction is essential along with a brush on your nozzle. The advice is that it's best to avoid using a powered rotating brush bar, but I've never had any problem using one on mine.

I use a mixture of two parts water to one part white vinegar for stains, and that rarely fails to work. Otherwise, I'd put a dab of Fairy washing-up liquid in some water and use that.

Using liquid of any sort to clean these mats will require considerable drying time, so don't rush it. It's best to hang your mats out on a washing line for this, particularly in the summer months.

After the mats are fully dried, I always re-vacuum them to check on the final appearance.

Woolite is a commercially available wool cleaner available in the UK. Lux Flakes were the classic soap for wool, but they've not been available for some years, and now it's more common to find liquid soap flakes that any alternative dry ones.

These mats are well made, and considerably more durable than might be expected. I've never needed to use specialist soap products on them, and they've survived very well.

I'll check out the carpets in my A2 when the opportunity next presents itself.
 
I am not saying this is correct but I have used my Rug Doctor spot cleaner on carpets, mats and cloth seats with great success. The only area that I would not use it on is the head lining as it may debond the already weakened by age glue that bonds the layers of the roof lining together.
 
I am not saying this is correct but I have used my Rug Doctor spot cleaner on carpets, mats and cloth seats with great success. The only area that I would not use it on is the head lining as it may debond the already weakened by age glue that bonds the layers of the roof lining together.

Their cleaning solution is certainly compatible with wool.
 
Thanks very much Steve re your full reply above. Re Rug Doctor

Their cleaning solution is certainly compatible with wool.

that's useful to know as I was contemplating hiring one to do the stair carpet indoors (its the only carpet we have - actually it's sisel) and I thought I could do the A2 as well.

In the A2 I've always had not only the A2 proper mats but also on top of those have cheap mats that I replace every year or two. So whilst the A2 mats and carpets have never had feet on them for 17+ years (the car was 8 months old when I got it), I still thought they could do with freshening up, especially the carpet that goes vertically upwards at the sides.
 
Just get some no nonsense carpet cleaner from screwfix, you can’t go wrong. Only downside is that it comes in 5lt, but fairly cheap. You will need to extract the carpet though.
 
In the A2 I've always had not only the A2 proper mats but also on top of those have cheap mats that I replace every year or two. So whilst the A2 mats and carpets have never had feet on them for 17+ years (the car was 8 months old when I got it), I still thought they could do with freshening up, especially the carpet that goes vertically upwards at the sides.

I doubt you need to do more than give them a good vacuum.
 
I am not saying this is correct but I have used my Rug Doctor spot cleaner on carpets, mats and cloth seats with great success. The only area that I would not use it on is the head lining as it may debond the already weakened by age glue that bonds the layers of the roof lining together.
I've been thinking the same about the headliner, so how are we suppose to clean it? The glue partially has come off on mine unfortunately. Thanks.
 
I've been thinking the same about the headliner, so how are we suppose to clean it? The glue partially has come off on mine unfortunately. Thanks.
You simply need to recover it I’m afraid. It’s a job I’ll be taking on (or indeed outsourcing!!) over the coming months on both of mine.
 
I've been thinking the same about the headliner, so how are we suppose to clean it? The glue partially has come off on mine unfortunately. Thanks.
Highly recommended Ambersil Groom upholstery cleaner for the headlining. Easy to spray on, foams well, cleans well and smells great too
 
Thanks very much Steve re your full reply above. Re Rug Doctor



that's useful to know as I was contemplating hiring one to do the stair carpet indoors (its the only carpet we have - actually it's sisel) and I thought I could do the A2 as well.

In the A2 I've always had not only the A2 proper mats but also on top of those have cheap mats that I replace every year or two. So whilst the A2 mats and carpets have never had feet on them for 17+ years (the car was 8 months old when I got it), I still thought they could do with freshening up, especially the carpet that goes vertically upwards at the sides.
We have a carpet and valeting hoover (a George , like a Henry) its excellent. I always use auto glym interior cleaners a a scrubbing brish.
give me a shout if you want to borrow it.
 
I use 1001 Dry Foam on my carpets and fabric seats. Whisk it in warm water, vac fabric to be cleaned, rub foam on with a clean towel, wipe excess with a clean dry towel, it is far from dry. Let it dry and vac again. Never had any problems.
 
The really good thing with the George/ vax or whatever is that you can get the seats damp and give it all a good scrub, and the machine sprays water onto the fabric and it’s the vacuumed out. The water comes out a disgusting colour, but it’s got to know it’s out and not soaked further into the material, eve though it may look cleaner on the surface.
 
I’ve said this before many times
I use a vac carpet and upholstery wet vacuum cleaner and stardrops mixed at 60ml per litre of warm water, as hot as you can hold your hand in out the tap
A bottle at 89p will clean the carpets, mats, seats etc in a A2
The water comes out of the vax a disgusting brown/black colour
You can see the dirty water in the hand tool so keep going until it’s coming out clear.
Then pop the dehumidifier in the car with doors and windows closed for few hours. Everything will be dry by then

Paul


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