Getting Rid of Nasty Car Carpet Stains for Good

Remove the floor mats, child seats, and all the random junk from the footwells. Toss the mats on the driveway; we'll do those separately.

This is the most important step. Don't even think about getting the carpet wet yet. Vacuum every square inch. Use the drill brush (dry) to vibrate the carpet, this bounces the sand and grit to the surface so you can suck it up.

Look at the stains. Is it oily? Is it red dust? Is it a dried coffee spill? Use your nose if you have to (I know, it's gross, but it helps).

If you're working outside, try to do this in the shade or early in the morning. Interior cleaners can dry too fast in the Aussie sun and leave their own stains.

Find an inconspicuous area (like under the seat) and test your cleaner. You want to make sure it's not going to bleach the carpet or change the texture.

Spray your APC or carpet cleaner directly onto the heaviest stains. Give it 2-3 minutes to dwell, but don't let it dry out.

Using your drill brush on a low speed, work the cleaner into the fibres. Don't push too hard; let the bristles do the work. You want to see a nice light lather forming.

Run your steamer over the area. This helps break down stubborn fats and oils, especially the stuff that's been baked in by the 40-degree heat.

For specific spots, take a clean microfibre and press down hard. Don't rub! Rubbing just spreads the stain and fuzzes the carpet fibres. Press, lift, rotate the cloth, and repeat.

Apply your main carpet shampoo to the whole section. Not just the stain, or you'll end up with a 'clean circle' that looks just as bad as the original mess.

Let the chemicals work for about 5 minutes. This is when the surfactants are busy lifting the dirt off the carpet fibres.

Go over it one more time with your hand brush to ensure you've reached the base of the pile.

Using your extractor (or a spray bottle of clean water and a wet/dry vac), rinse the area. You want to keep extracting until the water coming up is clear.

Run your hand over the carpet. If it feels sticky or 'soapy', you haven't rinsed enough. Residue is a magnet for new dirt.

If you've got that classic Aussie red dust, you might need a second hit. Red dust is basically iron oxide; sometimes a dedicated 'iron remover' (like you use on wheels) can help, but use it sparingly and rinse exceptionally well.

If there's a lingering smell, spray your enzyme cleaner now while the carpet is still slightly damp. It'll follow the moisture down into the backing.

Use your hand brush to 'comb' the carpet fibres in one direction. It looks more professional and helps it dry evenly.

Crack the windows, put a fan in the car if you have one. In a humid place like Brissie or Cairns, this is vital to prevent mould.

Once it's bone dry, check for any 'wicking'. Sometimes stains travel back up the fibre as they dry. If that happens, a light localized clean usually sorts it.