Have you ever noticed how dirty and grungy an old car's carpet can look? Or have you ever noticed that the carpet in your car, truck, van or SUV is starting to fade from the sun? You have 2 options to correct this problem; you can clean and dye your auto carpet or you can replace the vehicle's carpet completely!

Why would I want to dye my auto carpet?

Believe it or not, you can dye your auto carpet and try to get it back to it's original color. Those who I have talked to have had varying degrees of success with this method and usually it is impossible for the auto carpet to come back to exactly its original color. In order for this method to work, you will first need to remove the vehicle carpet from the car, and then thoroughly clean it. Remember, the cleaner you can get your auto carpet, the better the finished product will look. Once you have all the stains and gum cleaned out of the automobile carpet, you should then prepare and apply the dye according to the instructions. Once the auto carpet is completely colored and dry, then you can replace the carpet back into the vehicle. This method can be messy, and tedious, not to mention the result will rarely be 100% perfect. It only stands to reason that you can not dye your carpet a lighter color, but you always have to go darker. If you are fortunate, you will be able to find a close match for the color and the shade that you need. The dye can cost anywhere from $25 to $75 depending on the brand of dye and how large your vehicle is.

Why would I replace my auto carpet?

Another option for cleaning up your vehicle's interior would be to completely replace your automotive carpet with a new and fresh carpet. You can now buy custom molded auto carpet that is custom made to fit your vehicle, so installing the auto carpet is something you can do yourself. The simple instructions for doing this would be, to remove your old auto carpet, use it as a template for cutting the new carpet's holes and then laying the new vehicle carpet back into your car, truck, van or SUV. This method does not require any messy dyes, paints or waiting for the carpet to dry, but will require a little patience while cutting and installing the new auto carpet. The new carpet can cost from $100 to $150, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so it will be roughly twice the price as dye, but still affordable. Once installed, the new carpet will look just like new, and you wont have to worry about the dye rubbing off or fading.

So what should I do?

Both methods of cleaning up your vehicle’s carpet will work and there are those that swear by either method. You should choose the method that is right for you and your situation. Most people who are going to spend any money on their car's interior would prefer to spend a little extra and have a new, fresh and clean auto carpet, but if you are on a budget, and can afford to not have things turn out perfect, then you can save a few dollars by dying your old auto carpet. Just remember, you usually get what you pay for!

You can find a large selection of Aftermarket Auto Carpet here at Stock Interiors. You can shop with confidence, because we are "The Auto Carpet Experts!"