Guide · Car wash and vehicle care ·
How to Clean a Car Boot
The boot gets dirty with dust, sand, mud and spilled liquids from shopping bags, sports bags, suitcases and garden equipment, yet it is often the last thing people think of when cleaning a car. The boot carpet, boot liner, side panels and spare wheel well are cleaned in different ways. This guide explains how to clean a car boot, how to clean a car boot carpet and how to clean a car boot liner. For the rest of the car's interior, see our guide how to clean a car interior.
Before you start
- Empty the boot: take out your belongings, the boot liner and any removable boot carpet.
- Check the spare wheel well: look for water and sand that have collected in the spare wheel well under the carpet.
- Start with dry cleaning: vacuum up dust and sand before any wet cleaning.
- Mind the electrics: do not spray water around the boot light, sensors or wiring connections.
How to clean a car boot? Step by step
- Vacuum the boot right into the corners with the crevice nozzle.
- Brush the fabric side panels and the carpet with a soft brush and vacuum again.
- Wipe the plastic panels and the boot sill with a well-wrung, slightly damp microfibre cloth and dry them.
- Clean stains as described in the section below.
- Leave the boot lid open and let the boot dry completely.
How to clean a car boot carpet?
Take the removable boot carpet out of the car, shake it out and vacuum both sides. A fabric boot carpet can be cleaned the same way as fabric car mats: apply TETİK carpet shampoo according to the label and work it in with a soft brush, remove the dirty foam with a damp cloth and rinse the carpet without soaking it. Carpets with a rubber or felt backing can hold water; do not submerge them. Dry the carpet in an airy place out of direct sunlight and do not put it back in the boot until it is dry. For details, see our guide how to clean car mats.
How to clean a car boot liner?
- Take the plastic or rubber boot liner out of the car and shake off sand and dirt.
- Wet the liner, dilute START car shampoo with water in the ratio on the label and apply it with a soft brush.
- Rinse the liner with clean water.
- Dry the liner with a cloth and put it back in the boot once it is completely dry.
Stains and spills in the boot
- Spilled liquids: blot the liquid straight away with an absorbent cloth; do not rub.
- Mud: let the mud dry, then brush and vacuum it.
- Stains on fabric trim: for stains on fabric side panels and the carpet, follow the method described for interior upholstery stains.
- Oil and fuel: blot spilled engine oil or fuel straight away with an absorbent cloth and air the boot; for lasting stains, go to a car valeter.
Drying
- Leave the boot lid open and dry it in the shade in an airy place.
- Make sure no water is left in the spare wheel well.
- Put the boot carpet and liner back only once they are completely dry.
- If water keeps collecting in the boot, have the boot seal and drain holes checked at a service centre.
What not to do
- Pouring lots of water into the boot or using a pressure washer.
- Wetting the area around the boot light and sensors.
- Putting the boot carpet back while it is still wet.
- Using abrasive sponges on plastic panels.
- Carrying open containers of cleaning products in the boot.
For car valeters, car rental and fleets
At car valeters, car rental companies and fleet operators, the boot is one of the first places a customer looks at when a vehicle is handed over; vacuuming the boot at every handover, cleaning and drying the liner and carpet, checking the spare wheel well and cleaning stains without delay make for a well-organised routine. For a product list, see our guide car wash supplies and chemicals. START car shampoo is produced in 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg and TETİK carpet shampoo in 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.
