Fitted floor mats. Photo ID 171753065 © Aleksandr Kondratov | Dreamstime.com

Scrub rubber mat. Photo ID 239049346 © Daria Vorontsova | Dreamstime.com

You and the family have had a great day riding snowmobiles in the mountains or taking a hike around the lake where you were hit by a pop-up shower. You watch as everyone climbs in your vehicle, covering the once pristine carpets with mud, snow and grit from their shoes or boots after your recent activities.

Wet carpets can turn your fresh-smelling car into a moldy, musty mess. And you’re thinking to yourself, why didn’t I think of a way to prevent this from happening before we came out today?

There is a simple solution to make sure this never happens again.

Rubber mats keep moisture out of your carpeted areas while at the same time protecting the people riding in the vehicle from perhaps getting sick from allergies. Winter allergies can be triggered by a number of things, including mold spores and mildew, which can live in damp and dirty carpet.

Using Rubber Mats In Your Vehicle

• Make sure the rubber mats are custom-fitted to your vehicle. If the mat is designed specifically for your make, model and year it provides maximum protection.
• Rubber Mats should also have channels–ridges and grooves–that trap the rain and muck before it gets into the carpet.
• Get matts with retention snaps, also known as anchors, that connect to your vehicle floor tethers (found on newer vehicles) and prevent the mat from sliding under your feet. Some mats use cleats that grip the carpet so it doesn’t slide around while you are driving.
• Use grippy, rubber mats that help keep driver and passenger shoes from slipping. Vinyl mats are easy to clean but may not offer the same traction.
• Look for mats that have a warranty from the manufacturer which will give you peace of mind when purchasing them.
• Aesthetics are important to car owners, and rubber mats meet that requirement by coming in a variety of colors and designs that fit anyone’s taste.
• Make sure to clean your mats by washing them thoroughly when you see that they are dirty. Always dry them off before returning them to the car.
• Vacuum the carpets while your mats are drying. Vacuuming will remove any outside elements that may have become embedded in the carpet before placing mats back in the vehicle.
• Consider using a protective spray to the carpet before adding the mats. This can help keep moisture–spilled drinks, wet boots–from getting absorbed and give you time to wipe up mishaps. It also helps prevent mold from growing in damp, dark places.
• Don’t forget the trunk of your car or SUV. Install a cargo liner to keep ice skates, boots, backpacks, hiking gear and other items from getting the carpet in that area wet, thus allowing mold or musty odors.