Protecting Your Truck Floors and Keeping them Clean

From Jeeps to trucks, Subaru to Toyota, keeping your floors clean and protected can be a challenge, especially in winter months and rainy seasons. There are a few reasons you should keep them clean and your original carpet intact.

• Resale value: The better shape the interior of your car is in, the greater its long-term worth should you decide to sell.
• Comfort: A dirty floor and carpet that’s overly worn simply isn’t comfortable, and you want your passengers to feel good in your vehicle.
• Safety: Slippery mud, discarded water bottles or soda cans, and other debris can make getting in and out of your vehicle tricky and even dangerous, especially if it’s lifted.

Because of these factors, protecting your floors and keeping them clean should be a top priority when it comes to maintaining the interior of your vehicle.

Vacuum and shampoo often

Regardless of the type of vehicle you own, one of the best things you can do for it is to clean it regularly. This can help you spot problems before they become an issue. For instance, a small carpet tear can be easily sewn. A larger tear or hole might mean you have to replace it.

The same is true for floor mats and other stock protection. Shampooing often prevents stains from setting in or a minor spill turning into a stain. Just like your home carpets, regular care will keep your car interior flooring looking like new.

Install all-weather liners

Another option is to install all-weather liners or mats. One of our favorite providers is Husky liners, which are custom made to fit the contours of your vehicle. This keeps them from slipping around as other mats often do, and the tough materials they’re made of provide excellent protection for your flooring. 

They come in a variety of prices depending on the level of customization and protection you want. Some even extend up your back seats in case they fold down, and you use your cargo area for hauling. The tougher, more customized lining you can afford, the better your protection will be. 

Rinse after using

If all-weather liners get dirty, cleaning them is simple. They can be rinsed off at the carwash or even at home, although watch the temperature when you do so. You don’t want water to freeze on them and increase your slipping hazard.

The same protocol should be used for the rest of your vehicle as well. Muddy side steps will equal muddy floors. Dirt on the side of your truck or Jeep will often make its way to your interior on your clothing or even pets, passengers, or cargo.

If your floor mats are overly dirty, take the time to rinse them off. You’ll save yourself a lot of cleaning later on.

Clean or change shoes before entry

Another good idea is to clean off your shoes or change them before you get in your vehicle especially if you’re out camping, fishing, or hiking. The more dirt you keep out of your car in the first place is less you have to clean out later.

Even with the best protective flooring, dirt can get under or around mats and cause soiling and damage. Prevention is much smarter than having to work harder later. Removing shoes, dirty outer clothing, or at least cleaning off your feet and those of your passengers and pets is the best policy when possible.

Use common sense when loading

While the flooring in front is important, so is the flooring in the rear of your vehicle. One of the most common causes of damage comes from careless loading. Even if you have protective liners, if you’re loading something heavy enough, it can shift if you’re not paying attention, leaving your floors exposed. This can cause damage from simple rips and tears to holes and gaps. Pay attention to liner position, and if you don’t have them, use furniture pads and other protection to keep your flooring intact when hauling.

This is especially true if you’re transporting a battery or some other caustic materials. Even weatherproof liners can be damaged by acid and other chemicals, so be sure to use caution. Put such materials inside a secondary container, and be sure they’re braced properly so they don’t spill.

Protecting your floors is essential to the future value of your vehicle, your comfort, and safety. Be conscious of potential hazards, use protective liners when possible, and clean often. Your vehicle, your passengers, and future owners will thank you for it.