Eric                   86-VW4x4
vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

wrote :-

> The best and easiest way to clean your carpets, is to remove
> them from the van. I have used a garden hose, washing machine
> soap, and a scrub brush. There is no stain that I
> could out with this method. Cheap to. I have also done this
> with the seats, both front and back. Leave then in the hot
> sun to dry for a few days.

My local garage uses their power hose to clean carpets and seats (out of
the van!) as they think that scrubbing could damage the cloth.

I occasionally use foam carpet cleaner and a toothbrush to pre-treat any
stubbourn stains and then go over with the carpet foam which 'lifts' the
dirt and when dry, can be vacuumed with the Hoover.

The local carpet warehouse sells off-cuts of carpets and samples which
are very cheap. I use colour matched samples cut to shape to protect the
'heavy wear' areas by the sliding door. Not being fully 'fitted', they
can be  quickly removed and hoovered on flat ground.