It was the year 1970, vehicles were just starting to gain their traction when it came to implementing the latest automotive trends. One of these trends involved carpet floors which were changing gears and were now being used in cars instead of just your home.

Although in the beginning carpeted vehicle floors seemed a bit odd, as the interior of vehicles changed so did the appeal of automotive carpet. Nowadays we all know how appealing and beneficial car carpets can be. They can help reduce the wear and tear on the original floor whilst minimising noise levels, thus making your vehicle much like your home. Nowadays, soundproofing cars has become a big deal, and installing a proper car carpet plays a big role in it.

Can You Put Any Carpet in a Car?

While it is possible to install many different car carpets in your vehicle not all of them are made the same. Therefore, not every carpet will provide the same qualities. The most versatile and fitting solution here would be a moulded auto interior carpet as it fits the floor of your vehicle best since it’s made especially for it.

Installation Process

Prepare

But if you decided to go for a different type, then you’ll need to prepare your vehicle for the installation process. This will involve cleaning your vehicle thoroughly. You should use a stiff wire brush on any rust spots together with a mild solvent. Either vacuum or sweep the floor and then get ready to start removing the old vehicle carpet.

Remove

1. To remove the old carpet you need to first unplug the battery terminals and remove the front seats. With that done you will then also need to remove the kick panels, shifter, console, trim panels, and in some vehicles even the belts too.

2. With all those parts removed from the vehicles, check your current carpet for holes designated for the mounting of the parts you just removed. Mark those holes for future reference and then start removing the old carpet.

3. While removing the old car carpet be careful not to remove the body insulation found on the floor. This, alongside the catalytic converter shield, is needed. With the carpet removed, sweep or vacuum the floor for any debris left from the removal.

Install

1. To install the new vehicle carpet, first, lay out pieces of it inside and mark the shapes using chalk. Once you’ve done that cut the carpet following the marked shape. Make sure to start out in the middle and then make your last cuts on the outside edges.

2. Always install the cut carpet as you go, meaning when you install one piece of carpet and then install the component near or in the middle of it. Using a sharp knife for the cuts is essential here as it will make for a safer experience and one that will allow you to spend as little time as possible when cutting the carpet.

3. With all the pieces cut and all the holes made into the cut pieces start installing the new auto interior carpet. Make sure that every piece of it fits its area snugly and that no excess material is present. In case there is some excess material on a certain piece, trim it off using a pair of scissors. Don’t use a knife for this.

4. Once you’ve placed all the carpet and put everything in place, give your car one last sweep or vacuuming and you’re done. Make sure when you put the shifter back on it works the way it should since if you install it incorrectly it can wreak havoc on your transmission.

Tips on Keeping your Car Carpet Clean

Vacuum

Just as you would keep your motorcycle clean you’ll also want to keep the inside of your car clean. The most important task you need to do regularly in order to keep your ideal auto interior carpet in good shape is to vacuum it. Even if you have a “no food” rule in your car, all kinds of debris from your shoes can end up on the floor. So, vacuuming it even for two minutes will make a big difference in how the inside of your car smells and looks.

Treating Stains

If you happen to have some stains on the carpet then you should revert to a more thorough cleaning. Treating stains is done with hot water, dish detergent, and a cup of white vinegar. This homemade combination is the best DIY solution for the removal of stains from your car’s carpet floor. That is if the stain is a recent one and not a spot that you’ve been eyeing for months. Just rub in the mixture and then let it sit for about 30 minutes before you blot the spot with cotton cloths until you dry it off.

Use Paper

Vacuuming can sometimes be inefficient when it comes to removing odours from the carpet in your vehicle. This is where you can use a preventative measure to get rid of foul smells and stubborn stains. Placing a paper towel in the footwell will help absorb some of the nasty particles that can cause both, and save you lots of time cleaning the carpet afterwards.