One of the most abused places in a car (like in most places where there are people) is obviously the floor area. In a car, the floor is usually covered by floor mats. Likewise, these mats are the parts that collect the most dirt and thereby needs frequent and regular cleaning.

For car owners, cleaning these floor covering devices can sometimes becomes a bore. The chore is also aggravated especially with some types of dirt that can be hard and stubborn to remove. For new car owners who want to do their own cleaning, what should one do? How should it be done?

Regular cleaning

Floor mats in cars come in different materials – fabric, plastic, or rubberized molded materials. These man-made synthetic materials have become popular among practical car owners who do their own car detailing and cleaning. The main reason is ease of washing and cleaning. Even drying these mats is not a problem. For a really immediate use, you can manually wipe off the water in a matter of minutes and they are ready for use. Floor mats with hard-to-remove stains and discoloration as well as those made of fabrics or a combination of synthetic and natural materials have their own methods of cleaning.

Washing fabric-based mats

Like the floor mats made of synthetic or man-made materials (plastic, rubber), mats made of natural fabrics have to be handled differently. The first step is to physically remove the mats and bring them out of the vehicle. Thoroughly vacuum the car’s floor (carpeted and otherwise) to remove grits, sand particles and dust that accumulated inside the car. Next, fill up a large container (big garbage cans, bath tub, big plastic containers, etc) with water.

Add enough non-chlorine liquid laundry detergent to the water. Without using your hands, stir the mix to make sure the detergent’s density in the water is uniform.

Cleaning mixture

The amount of the cleaning liquid you can work on (and to be used as your basis to the estimated water-detergent mixture ratio on any container you may use) is one cup to a big garbage container. (You may use other size garbage plastic containers or other receptacles, but keep the same ratio.) Soak all your floor mats in this soapy water-detergent mix for at least half a day (12 hours). After which, proceed with the cleaning process – scrubbing off the dirt and other particles embedded in the mats.

Stains

For stained mats, make sure that they are soaked a bit longer than usual (3 to 5 more hours). After soaking, use a nylon brush or any soft fiber brush (metal brushes are out) to scrub out the stain in the area and the few inches around it. After the scrubbing, return the floor mats to the soaking solution for another 12 to 15 hours more. Rinse the mats with regular water in the open, using high-pressure garden hose water.

Hang the clean mats in open air to dry. You can have them under direct sunlight, although this can cause fading the colors after several cleaning. To preclude possible allergies and other adverse reactions, use rubber gloves and some paper masks.
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Kipp Scott, your GMC Dealer in Red Deer. At Kipp Scott we offer both quality new and used cars in Red Deer, we also have great service and parts department to cover all your automotive needs. Come see the difference at Kipp Scott, visit us today at www.kippscott.ca 

Check the car’s history

An essential factor when car browsing is to learn the car’s history. This entails finding a reliable source as to whether the automobile has ever been flooded or involved in an automobile accident.

Take a drive test

Generally, used cars in Red Deer buyers will be permitted to take a test drive and also may think about requesting permission to take the automobile to a trusted mechanic for an additional inspection. The best way to confirm that the automobile is in the condition as stated is to take it to a mechanic, who can properly inspect used cars and locate any underlying problems. Even if most used cars are exactly as stated, when auto safety and any amount of money is involved, there is no room for error in judgment.

Know the car value

Before buying any used car in Blackfalds, it is important to be familiar with the value of the vehicle. One way to determine an accurate value is through the use of Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) and their extensive pricing system. By entering specific information about an automobile, consumers will receive instant value estimates online. In order to get an accurate value, consumers must know the make and model of the automobile, current mileage, additional features and overall condition.

Ask for an extended warranty

It may also be possible to purchase an extended warranty when you buy an used car in Penhold. Because the original warranty has already expired on most previously owned vehicles, this option is available for the consumer who wants to make sure their purchase is covered. It is important to realize that the warranty is not automatically included in the sticker. In fact, the consumer should ask the dealer specifically about purchasing an extended warranty. More often than not, an extended warranty can be added into the total cost and may even be included in the financing.

If you are looking for a quality preowned car in Red Deer, Kipp Scott, your GMC Dealer can help. Check out our invventory online today!