carpet cleaning or replacing

[devis]

My carpet is dirty... filthy dirty... gives the whole interior a very unclean and poorly kept look. I've been thinking of either replacing it or cleaning it. Not too sure where to start or what to do... but I know that carpet cleaning services will just push the dirt further in and won't be as effective. So my ideas are:

Pull it, and pressure wash it.

Replace it.

I know it'll be labor intensive to pull it, but how hard is it to put it back? And the replacing part... would that be easier? I do realize there'll be a lot of cutting and measuring. I am ready to tackle this myself, never had a problem getting my hands dirty. But if I wash it the drying will take quite some time. I can't just throw that in a dryer...

[yodawill2000]

Actually a Steam/Vacuum carpet cleaner will pull dirt out.Its the spinning scrubber dealies that push the dirt down to the backing.

[devis]

So it would probbably be a good idea to pull it out and steam clean it? I was thinking pressure wash since thats what I do with the mats.

[yodawill2000]

If your going to pull the carpet out you can do it either way.Back in my younger days when I ran a carpet cleaning truck I had the cleanest carpet in town in my wife's 4 door !!! Just cleaned it in the car.That Van mounted rig was a BEAST !

[driverdriver]

Do they rent those steam carpet cleaners at the supermarkets where you live?

I would get one of those and buy the cleaning solution with it (the strongest one, that will remove odours, pets stains, etc). If you have a shopvac have that lying around also. It will help you reach the hard to reach places.

That should be sufficient for renewing your carpet.

If you have heated seats protect the switches and wiring before dousing the carpet with cleaning solution and water.

[GerryO]

I'd opt for out of the car cleaning AND drying.

What color is the carpet? Have you tried any of those stain remover kits, consisting of a spray treatment, followed by a powder, some brushing and finally vacuuming?

Make sure that things are totally dry before leaving the car parked with the windows closed.

[yodawill2000]

+1 on the drying thing.I can dry stuff out in a day here.Your results may vary.100+ with the windows down and a good hot breeze will dry stuff out with a quickness.

[steverinaz]

Maybe a new carpet- JC Whitney??? Seems like if you're going through all this work, might as well have new!!!!

[coolyun_98]

I have tried pretty much everything to clean the carpet. I have some experience to share with you.

1) 90% of those AUTO UPHOSTRY CLEANER are INEFFECTIVE.2) Steam cleaner is a bit better.

I found the best way to actually CLEAN/RESTORE your carpet to like-new look is to use Oxy-Clean

Instruction:1) Vacuum ALL LOSE DIRT from your carpet. This is absolutely important. Otherwise the result will not be optimal.2) Mix Oxy-Clean with very hot water (>80c).3) Pour the hot oxyclean on the carpet. Soak the carpet for a couple hours.4) Use Dry/Wet vacuum to suck out all the oxyclean solution. (by now, your carpet should look just like new).5) Pour CLEAN hot water on the carpet again. Soak the carpet for another couple hours.6) Use Dry/Wet vacuum to suck out all the water.7) Let the car sit under the sun for a few hours.9) Enjoy your NEW CARPET

Oxy Clean is very strong. It can even get rid of BLOOD STAINS.

[yodawill2000]

Most excellent tip bud.Got a bottle of that stuff under the sink.~~RIP Billy M~~

But wait .... There's MORE !!!hehe

[colincliff2]

I agree with Coolyun, Oxyclean and a wet/dry vac is a good method. Just make sure you set the car out to dry with the windows open for a long time. A carpet dryer would help if you can fit it in the car. If any dampness stays in there it will smell musty. The OEM carpet is high quality stuff (it's a wool blend like you'd find in many high end european cars), it should come clean.

As for replacement, I wouldn't recommend buying any of the aftermarket molded carpet setups. I've seen several and they are made of low quality carpet that sheds every time you drag your feet across it. It usually doesn't fit as well as the original either.

[diamondj30]

I hand massage after a good brushing with blue coral cleaner.ive brang grease filled baby blue carpet back to life with it.I replaced my carpet too cause i got a little happy cutting it in my j,lol.Maybe some orange clean and let soak in awhile first.massage in..Sometimes id beat the carpet with rubber mallet when vacuuming to get the deap stuff.

[naladude911]

I have floor matts for sale in new condition. Grey with no stains, smooth as suade.

[coolyun_98]

naladude! I kinda miss you.

[naladude911]

lol, Ive migrated from the j30 forum to the QX4 forum

[coolyun_98]

dude, u should give us some update on your qx

[gr8scott72]

If you want it really clean, pull it out of the car. It's really not that hard and the reward of a SUPER clean interior is really worth it.

You'll have to pull the front seats, side door trim pieces, center console, don't remember if you have to pull the rear seat.

Then wash according to some on here. THEN pressure wash it clean (rinse cycle.) Then leave it hanging somewhere until COMPLETELY dry or it will stink. Then put it all back togeth. I drove around with just a driver's seat and pretty much nothing else in the interior for almost a week. lol

I did this on my 94 when I got it AND ran all the stereo wires under the carpet while it was out.

[lino]

Check the link in my signature. They have a ton of new genuine OEM carpets for so cheap. They've sold a ton of them.