Out of Vehicle Carpet Cleaning

[RangerMan64]

Hello everyone,

I figured I'd post a thread for people wanting to thoroughly clean their carpets. If you don't have the money to buy new carpet , and your old carpet is dirty, moldy, and/or smells bad, read this.

This cleaning method is based off of the Interior Cleaning tech article, but a little different.

I started by ripping out the carpet. Then I vacuumed up all of the loose dirt and debris.

The next step is taking the carpet to one of those DIY car wash stations with the high pressure nozzles.

After you get the carpet nice and wet with the "rinse" mode, switch the selector to the "soap" mode. When I say "soap" mode, I mean the one that the soap goes through the nozzle, not the brush.

Now thoroughly blast the carpet, taking your time.

After this is done, switch back to the "rinse" mode and get all of the soap out of the carpet.

To dry, use the vacuums at the wash station. ONLY DO THIS IF THE MACHINE SAYS WET/DRY VACUUM! My wash station didn't have wet/dry vacuums, so I had to take it back home to dry it with my shop vac.

Once you get it as dry as you can with the vacuum, hang it over something and let it air dry. Once dry, install the carpet back into your truck.

You will find that the soap left a very pleasant smell in the carpet.

Now you can enjoy your *like* new fluffed up carpet.

 

[RobbieD]

Thanks for posting this; it's a good tip and well worth the trouble. I've done the same cleaning process, and it does work very well. The carpet will be heavier than hell, especially when it's wet. The most important thing, is to let it dry COMPLETELY before reinstalling it. I let mine sit a couple of days in the hot sun. Foaming cleaner will usually help on any stubborn stained spots.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

I did this same thing with very very good results. However I did this completely at home with a 3200 psi gas power washer and some laundry detergent. Take the laundry detergent and put it on your carpet, I used a scrub brush to lather it in. The previous owner seemed to have not believed in floormats, so the dirt was very thick by the pedals. Take the carpet completely out and lay it out on a driveway. once the detergent is spread out fire up your powerwasher and let loose. I literally ended up with like new carpet, and the drivers side was pretty bad. Smelled great and amazingly it was a hot day, it was dry in a few hours, insulation and all...

 

[RangerMan64]

Well I would have done it with a pressure washer, but when I moved into an apartment I had to sell mine.

 

[RobbieD]

Yeah, I didn't have a pressure washer either. But toting it to the car wash worked great, and that's how I know it's heavier than hell.

 

[dirtsquirt]

You could also use a carpet cleaner with an Upholstery tool and leave the carpet in the truck

 

[baxtej44]

You could also use a carpet cleaner with an Upholstery tool and leave the carpet in the truck

it's nice to do it right if you have the time/ambition and get every little crack and crevice

 

[el_conquistador]

Wow, awesome write up! Thanks!

 

[stackz]

You could also use a carpet cleaner with an Upholstery tool and leave the carpet in the truck

for heavily soiled carpets...power blasting it works soo much better than simply cleaning it...much more force to push out the dirt particles....

though, you have to give at least a week to let the jute dry properly and the hotter the better obviously...

 

[baxtej44]

for heavily soiled carpets...power blasting it works soo much better than simply cleaning it...much more force to push out the dirt particles....

though, you have to give at least a week to let the jute dry properly and the hotter the better obviously...

i think a week is pushin it unless you live in a rain forest lol.

couple of days in the sun max should be fine, true it will be soaked, but as long as it's warm and sunny out and dry

 

[Colin]

I just did this and it turned out great, will post before and after pics tomorrow.

 

[Colin]

Before:

After:

There were some stains I couldn't remove, but I believe thats because the PO did not clean the interior ONCE in the EIGHT years he owned the truck. Oh well, now its finally clean.

 

[rickcdewitt]

i used my steam cleaner and dish soap.my carpet is stiff again with mud though,i guess i need to look for a vinyl floored truck to part out.

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

Best carpet cleaning solution in the world:

Simple Green.

I used to run the motor pool at a major oil company. We cleaned the vehicles once a week, and once every 6 months we would thoroughly clean any vehicle that needed it. The mail van was always the worst. Blue carpet, and it was literally black in places. Pulled the carpet, hung it in the wash bay, and completely soaked it with 1:1 dilute SG. Agitate with a brush, and turn on the power washer. Looked brand-new when it was done. After that was done I banned smoking in ANY company vehicle, and they stayed much cleaner after that. SG will not fade carpets or seats, will not cause shrinkage of fabric, will not break down fibers. And it's bio-degradable if you really care.

The Air Force uses it to remove soot from below the wings/behind the jet exhaust on KC-135 a/c (or did when I was in). It works.

 

[rickcdewitt]

Best carpet cleaning solution in the world:

Simple Green.

i forgot about that stuff,your right.i've used it and my aunt swears by it.