How to Make Your Car Boot Liner Last Longer

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.

Skip to the good bit:

• Why clean your car boot liner?
• What you’ll need
• Things to consider before cleaning
• How to clean your boot liner
• What not to do when cleaning your car boot liner

Why clean your car boot liner?

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:

• Prevent build-up of dirt and grime: Without maintenance, mud, dust, and debris can pile up and damage the liner or seep through to the car’s original carpet.
• Reduce bad smells: Moisture can seep into your liner and cause bad smells. As well as this, organic material like leaves, pet hair or food spillages can lead to unpleasant odours if left untreated.
• Protect your investment: A clean liner can continue to effectively protect your car’s interior. This not only keeps your car looking and feeling fresh but also helps maintain resale value.

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!

Types of Boot Liners

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 Boot Liners

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 Boot Liners

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 Boot Liners

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 Boot Liners

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.

Quick Tip!

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.

Things to consider before cleaning

Before cleaning your boot liner, there are a few things to consider before starting:

• Identify the material of your boot liner – different boot liner materials may require different care and cleaning methods.
• Check the manufacturer’s guidelines – look for specific cleaning guidance or warnings from the manufacturer, especially around your liner is machine washable.
• Remove loose debris – before cleaning your boot liner, remove any loose dirt by shaking it out.

How to clean your boot liner

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.

What you’ll need to get started

• Dustpan and brush
• Lint-free cloth
• Mild detergent
• Vacuum

Optional extras:

• Small vacuum attachment
• Rubber squeegee
• Pet hair remover brush
• Standard kitchen or bathroom cleaner
• Soft cleaning brush

Everyday Cleaning

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.

Quick Tip!

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.

Deeper Cleaning

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.

Pet Hair Removal

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.

What not to do when cleaning your car boot liner

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.

Need a boot liner to clean? Shop with MTO

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.

Boot Liner Maintenance FAQs

Can you put boot liners in the washing machine?

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.

What soap should I use to clean my boot 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.

How often should I clean my 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.