Cleaning the carpeted floors of your vehicle doesn't have to be an expensive proposition given the wide variety of options among products you may already have in your home. From vinegar to shaving cream, each product can produce professional results at very little additional cost.
Remove the floor mats and thoroughly vacuum your vehicle. Spot treat stained areas. Club soda works for very recent stains. Use a small amount of club soda on a towel and rub on the stain. Grease stains can be treated with dry baking soda. Shake a bit of baking soda on the stain and gently brush with a scrub brush. Vacuum the baking soda when stain is clean. Shaving cream also can tackle tough stains. Spray shaving cream on stain, allow to dry and then use a damp towel to remove the buildup. Avoid using hot water to treat stains of an unknown origin.
Mix one part white vinegar to 10 parts water to create a solution for overall carpet cleaning. Dip a scrub brush into the solution and gently scrub the carpet. Sharon Stevens, a textile and apparel management instructor at the University of Missouri, recommends avoiding excessive rubbing, which could damage the carpet. Concentrated rubbing on an area also could alter the color or spread the stain. Try to avoid soaking the carpet.
Allow carpet to dry. The vinegar smell will dissipate. Vacuum one more time.
