Carpets through the washing machine

JB 3.2 · Dec 9, 2008

Has anyone tried putting the carpet mats or over mats through the washing machine? I've had a look and they seem to be of a similar construction and material to washable door mats.

Many years ago I left the sunroof open all night on a Golf GTi and of course it rained heavily. I finally managed to dry the interior of the car with the aid of fan heaters but it took a long time. About a month later while driving the car I could hear an intermittent 'ping' type of sound which had me rather confused. It turned out the carpet had shrunk following its soaking and the pinging noise was the carpet fasteners letting go as they could no longer retain the shrunken carpet.

Obviously I don't want the same happening to the 993 mats.

Mark Elder · Dec 9, 2008

John,
You could just try one of the rear mats first because it would not make much difference to them if they were a bit smaller - indeed they actually seem a bit big to me anyway.

You are obviously giving your car a lot of TLC at the minute - all these posts about replacing and cleaning various cosmetic parts - can we expect you in some concours competitions in the spring?[

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Mark

JB 3.2 · Dec 10, 2008

Hi Mark,

When I purchased the car as far as I could tell it was sound mechanically but a little frayed around the edges. My intention was always to make some improvements but not so good that I would be reluctant to use it.

Therefore I'm having the paintwork freshened but have set a limit with the body shop on the amount that I'm prepared to spend. They told me what parts needed to be removed and offered me the chance to remove them myself to keep costs down. The front windscreen has also delaminated so I'm having that replaced at the same time.

As you suggest the rear mats do appear a little on the large side, so I'll take some measurements and try one through the washing machine.

Porker993 · Dec 16, 2008

Not sure if I'd risk it - that rubberised backing looks a bit fragile. Not sure if Mrs. P. would be that chuffed if it nadgered her washing machine.

Johnny C · Dec 16, 2008

I was going to suggest taking them to a laundrette rather than using your own washing machine. Take them in a bag so the attendants can't see what you're up to. Carpets collect grit and most washing machine bearings don't like grit, it's a bit like adding a spot of grinding paste in when you change the oil on the car.

3.2_fordy · Dec 16, 2008

I`ve put my wife's 964 mats in the washer no problems came up vary clean, The only problem I found was the washer was a bit over balanced

I don't see how the grit could get to the sealed bearings on the drum or pump[8|]

Johnny C · Dec 16, 2008

My Missus put a hall carpet runner in the machine, and the main drum bearings went. May have been ready to go anyway. As luck would have it, the washer still had 2 months left of a 10 year warranty, hopefully it will last another 9 years before she decides to do something similar.

edelschmetterling · Dec 16, 2008

I washed mine by hand. A little old hand/ nail brush and a little soap and warm water. Wouldn't put them in the washing machine especially if they are the originals... might not last the cycle and new ones are not cheap, in fact you could probably re-carpet a room in your house for the same price. [8|]