How to Clean EVA Car Mats in 10 Minutes (and What to Avoid)

One of the main reasons people switch to EVA floor mats is how easy they are to clean. There is no scrubbing carpet and no waiting a day for fabric to dry. Here is the routine we recommend, plus a few things to avoid so the mats keep looking new.

What you need

• A garden hose or a bucket of warm water
• Mild soap: dish soap or a gentle car-wash soap
• A soft brush, like a dish brush or a soft car-detailing brush
• A towel or a spot in the sun or shade to dry

That's it. No special cleaners required.

Everyday clean (2 minutes)

1. Pull the mats out of the car.
2. Tip each one and shake it. With a honeycomb surface, most of the dirt, sand and water sitting in the cells falls straight out.
3. Knock the mat against a wall or tire once or twice to release anything stuck.
4. Put it back.

Do this whenever the mats look dusty, or once a week in winter when they are full of meltwater.

Deep clean (10 minutes)

1. Remove and shake out as above.
2. Rinse both sides with a hose on a normal spray setting, or pour warm water over them.
3. Wash with a little mild soap and a soft brush. Work into the cells in circles. Pay extra attention to the driver's heel area.
4. Rinse off all the soap. Leftover soap makes the surface slippery.
5. Dry. EVA doesn't absorb water, so you only need to dry the surface. Wipe with a towel or stand the mats up for a few minutes. Make sure the underside is dry before putting them back, so no moisture ends up on the carpet.

Road salt

In winter, salt leaves a white film on dark mats. Warm water dissolves it much faster than cold. Rinse, brush lightly and rinse again. Doing this every couple of weeks during salt season keeps the mats looking black instead of gray.

What to avoid

• Harsh solvents and degreasers. Gasoline, acetone, strong degreasers and similar products can damage the foam and the edge binding.
• A pressure washer at point-blank range. A gentle rinse is fine. A narrow high-pressure jet held close can damage the surface and fray the stitching.
• Tire shine and silicone dressings. They make the surface slippery, which is dangerous under the pedals.
• Very hot water or a dryer. Warm water is fine. Don't put the mats in a clothes dryer or leave them against a heater.
• The washing machine. It's not needed, and the drum can bend the mats and stress the edges.

Keeping the edge binding looking good

The sewn edge is the part that makes a custom mat look finished. Brush it gently along the stitching, not across it, and don't use a stiff wire brush. If a stitch ever comes loose on your Elite Car Mats set, contact us: manufacturing defects are covered by our 2-year warranty.

Keeping the heel area fresh

The driver's heel spot takes most of the wear. An aluminum heel pad on the driver's mat protects that area and cleans just as easily. You can add one when you configure your set.

Short version

Shake out weekly, rinse with warm water and mild soap monthly, and avoid anything harsh or slippery. That's all EVA mats need to last for years.

New to EVA? Read EVA vs. Rubber Car Floor Mats, or find mats for your car.