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We can all agree if you’ve ever had pets, sports equipment or even garden supplies in the boot of your car, it quickly becomes dirty, or even damaged, and gets difficult to manage on a daily basis.
Car boot liners serve as a barrier against wear and tear, offering a simple cleaning solution to keep your car’s interior in top condition.
Maintaining your boot liner is a simple yet effective way to keep your car’s interior in excellent shape. Whether you’re carrying pets, hauling sports gear, or tackling a weekend DIY project, your car boot sees a lot of action and inevitably this brings dirt, moisture, and wear.
To ensure your boot liner continues doing its job, regular cleaning and care are essential. In this guide, we’ll explore why it’s important to maintain your car boot liner, how to clean your liner properly, and how to maximise its lifespan.
Your boot liner is designed to protect your car’s interior, being your first line of defence against everyday messes. Keeping it clean ensures it stays effective long-term, even when it sees heavy usage.
Whether you use your boot to carry wet or dirty items like bikes, fishing gear, gardening tools, or pet supplies, your liner will naturally accumulate dirt and moisture over time. Regular cleaning not only keeps things looking tidy but also prevents unpleasant odours and mould from developing.
Here’s why you should regularly clean your boot liner:
Keeping your boot liner clean doesn’t need to be a chore. With regular upkeep, you’ll extend its lifespan and keep your vehicle looking and smelling fresh.
Our boot liners are designed to be super easy to fit and clean, unlike cleaning your boot without one, which can be a difficult task!
There are many types of boot liners available, with different types of fittings and materials – and the way you clean them can vary depending on the type you have.
Rubber liners are designed for heavy-duty use, being the most durable and low-maintenance option. You can safely follow the Everyday Cleaning and Deeper Cleaning steps from this guide, and they respond well to a more vigorous clean.
Simply shake out or vacuum loose dirt, then wipe or hose down the liner with warm water and mild detergent.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives, as these can cause the surface to dry out and crack over time.
PVC liners are lightweight, flexible, and waterproof, making them easy to clean using the steps below. Both the Everyday Cleaning and Deeper Cleaning methods apply, however please note that it’s best to stick to mild detergents and non-abrasive cloths to prevent dulling the finish.
Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge, and for stubborn stains, use a diluted soap solution rather than any solvent-based cleaner.
Carpet-style liners offer a plush finish but need gentler care. The Everyday Cleaning steps, including vacuuming, brushing, and spot cleaning, are perfect for this material, but avoid soaking or hosing down your carpet liner as it can hold moisture and develop odours.
If your liner is heavily soiled, use a mild detergent solution and a soft brush to lift stains, then blot dry with a clean towel.
Quilted liners are often made from a padded, waterproof fabric to provide a luxury look and great protection. Quilted boot liners are generally easy to clean and can often handle the full cleaning routine outlined below.
For everyday cleaning, you can vacuum and wipe down your quilted liner with a damp lint-free cloth and mild detergent.
For deeper cleaning, many quilted liners are machine washable, but it’s important to check the manufacturer’s care label first as some may require hand washing or spot cleaning instead.
Regularly remove your car boot liner to shake it out and remove any excess dirt and dust that may be sitting on its surface.
For maximum protection and optimum upkeep, vacuum your boot liner weekly to avoid dirt from accumulating and stains from settling.
Before cleaning your boot liner, there are a few things to consider before starting:
How you clean your boot liner will depend on the material of your boot liner, and how much time you have to commit to it. Whether you’re cleaning your boot liner quickly to keep it fresh or are opting for a deep clean, we have a simple, easy-to-follow guide for each.
Optional extras:
Grab your dustpan and brush, alongside a lint-free cloth.
Simply leave any mud to dry and use the brush to loosen any dirt. Sweep it up, along with any pet hairs and grit, or grab a vacuum cleaner and repeat. Make sure you take care to sweep or vacuum any crevices and pockets.
Dampen your cloth with lukewarm water and give your liner a wipe down to remove any deeper mud and dirt. Now let the boot liner air dry.
Whilst you’re cleaning your boot liner, don’t forget your car mats too! Check out our car mats cleaning guide for simple steps to keep them looking fresh.
First, grab your dustpan and brush. Use the brush to loosen any surface-level dried mud or dirt. Sweep this up, removing excess debris from your boot liner.
Then, use a handheld vacuum or smaller vacuum attachment to vacuum the liner clean.
Now that the liner is free from dirt and debris, dampen a lint-free cloth with lukewarm water to wipe your liner clean.
For stubborn stains or spills, use a mild detergent mixed with water. Apply to the stained area and gently scrub with a soft brush or cloth.
Alternatively, a standard kitchen or bathroom cleaning spray can work well on more difficult stains.
Once you are satisfied that the liner is free from stains and dirt, give it a final once-over with your vacuum to ensure your liner is entirely free of any dust or fibres.
Let the liner air dry completely in a well-ventilated room or open area.
Use a dustpan and brush to brush away any pet hairs or dirt that has settled on the surface of your boot liner. Leave wet mud to dry before brushing to remove.
If your boot liner is of a quilted or carpet material, use a rubber squeegee or pet hair removal brush to detach the pet hair from the fibres of the liner and gather the hair into piles. Then use a strong vacuum to collect the hair. Repeat this process until your liner is free of fur.
A sticky lint roller can also work particularly well to remove stubborn pet hairs from your liner, whether it’s carpet, quilted or heavy duty.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that may damage the carpet fibres.
Check your boot liner’s manufacturer guidelines, if your liner is not machine washable, steer clear of washing your boot liner in the washing machine to avoid colour fading and damage to the bindings.
If your boot liner is machine washable, like ours at MTO, first vacuum any loose dirt and debris from the liner, then wash on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, avoiding the use of fabric softener.
Looking for a boot liner that’s easy to fit, simple to clean, and built to last? Browse our full range of car boot liners, including premium quilted options or practical heavy-duty options.
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some boot liners are machine washable, like ours, making them convenient and easy to clean. Others may not be suitable for machine washing – putting these boot liners in the washing machine can damage the shape and material of the liner.
To clean your car boot liner, mix a small amount of mild detergent with water to create a gentle cleaning solution. Avoid harsh detergents such as bleach as these can fade the colour and damage the bindings within your boot liner.
You should aim to clean your car boot liner monthly, as part of a regular car cleaning schedule. It is also recommended to clean your car boot liner after any mess or spillage in order to prevent lasting damage and stains.
Did you know, your car mats are the often the dirtiest part of your vehicle?
Without regular cleaning, they can harbour bacteria, cause bad odours, and even start to rot.
Cleaning your car on a regular (ideally monthly) basis not only protects your car’s interior and value, but also ensures your car stays hygienic and odour-free.
The method you use to clean your car mats will differ depending on whether they are carpet or rubber mats, lucky for you we’ve created a handy guide to help explain how to clean both carpet car mats and rubber car mats.
Just a quick FYI in case our introduction didn’t convince you, there are actually several other important reasons to keep your car clean, which may surprise you.
Besides the obvious removal of dirt, mud and debris, and therefore prevention of damage to your car’s interior, you’ll be shocked to know that Nottingham Trent University researchers found that E.coli, the food poisoning causing germ, existed among the nasty bacteria that builds up in your cars mats.
A study by MythBusters, found that a cleaner car achieves more miles per gallon due to its reduced weight and drag. In times where fuel prices are constantly on the rise, increasing from 132 ppl in May of 2025 to 134.24 ppl in August 2025, the better fuel consumption is a real reason to keep your car polished. Not only would you save money due to better fuel consumption when keeping your car clean but will also save money on car mat replacements by prolonging their life through cleaning.
If you or anyone you know is an allergy sufferer, cleaning your car mats becomes even more important. Removing dust, pollen, pet hairs and other allergens is crucial for ensuring a more comfortable, healthier in-car experience for those who suffer from allergies.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, a study by Intelligent Car Leasing found that drivers with clean cars are actually involved in fewer car accidents than those with messier, dirtier cars.
Alongside this, keeping your car clean in general means a clearer mind, improved comfort for you and your passengers, as well as an improved, slick, car appearance.
Cleaning your car mats is actually a very simple process, but before you get started, here are a few things you’ll need to do before you get started.
Firstly, you’ll need to remove the mats from your car and check a few things:
Additionally, check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations if available.
Carpet car mats trap more dirt, dust and liquids than rubber mats meaning they require more thorough cleaning.
Rubber mats are durable and easier to clean but still need proper care to avoid lingering dirt or odours.
Carpet mats: It is not recommended to clean your carpet car mats in the washing machine as it can damage fibres or backing. The heat damages the backing, warping it, whilst the spin cycle roughens and destroys the edges.
Rubber mats: Do not wash rubber car mats in the washing machine. The weight and imbalance of the rubber mats risks breaking the washing machine.
For carpet mats, use a car carpet cleaner or mild detergent to clean the mat. Mix warm water with car carpet cleaner or mild detergent and then scrub the mats with a brush in circular motions.
For rubber mats, car shampoo or dish soap diluted in water works well.
The most effective technique for getting rid of bad smells in car mats is to sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for 15 minutes for a quick refresh, or overnight for best results, then vacuum.
For stubborn odours, use an enzyme cleaner. Spray the enzyme cleaner onto the affected sections of the car mat, saturating the area. Allow the cleaner to work for at least a few hours, after which, blot the area clean with an absorbent cloth and then allow the car mats to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area.
Yes, you can pressure wash your rubber mats. However, avoid using high pressure too close to the mat, as this may damage the mat surface.
In order to stop your mats from slipping after cleaning, ensure they are fully dry and do not have any residual water present.
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