If you want to clean the carpets in your car, then you need to remember that they are different from the carpets in your house and you cannot treat them the same way. The major difference is that you do not want to use water at all when you are cleaning your car carpets. Not only is mold and mildew a concern if the water is not properly vacuumed away, but there are a number of electronic systems under the floorboards in a car and too much water could short them out or damage your car in some other electronic way.
The first step to cleaning your car carpet without water is a simple homemade carpet shampoo for stain removal. A combination of vinegar and detergent does wonders on gasoline stains. You can work the mixture into the carpet with a small brush like a toothbrush and then use a wet vac to remove any moisture. Another good home remedy for car stains is toothpaste. Toothpaste does really well with food and drink stains.
For overall cleaning of your car carpets, you want to use a dry foam auto carpet shampoo. Dry foams are good because you do not need water, but you can still scrub them down into the carpet for maximum dirt removal. Spray the foam on the area of car carpet that you wish to clean. The next step is to use a medium to hard bristled brush to work the foam down deep into the carpet. Scrub vigorously until the entire carpet seems saturated with the foam and not just the surface. Then wait for the foam to dry. As the foam dries, it will encapsulate the dirt in the newly formed crystals. The dry crystalline powder that remains after the foam dries can be vacuumed away with a vacuum cleaner. If possible, try to use green carpet cleaners and ones that are nontoxic. Your car is an enclosed space and the fumes could be overpowering if you are using toxic chemicals.
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