Good carpet cleaner

JAURS · 11-09-2003, 08:37 PM

I went off-roading this weekend in my ZJ and found myself in around 4ft of water. I run 31" tires, but some water came in through both the front driver side and passenger doors. I didn't get much water inside, but after using the wet-dry vacuum at the car wash, the floor is still a little damp. Anyone been in a similar situation and found a good cleaner to use on the carpet? Also, I ran the heat to get rid of some of the dampness so the wetness wouldn't do any damage to the floor, will this be enough to prevent a future problem? Thanks for the help.

Jeeper4life · 11-09-2003, 09:19 PM

I had a similar problem when i went wheelin and ended up with water up to the door handles
my xj was totally swamped with water and mud it was not a pretty site

after taking 50 gallons of water out of it with my 8gal wet vac i let it dry for a few days until the mud harden then used carpet cleaner i think it was "409" to clean carpet.

it took about three weeks before all the smell was gone.

any carpet cleaner should do the job just make sure all the water is out or your jeep will smell like mildew all the time

Might i added my jeep still runs strong gotta love em

97RedBird · 11-10-2003, 08:43 AM

I used laundry detergent, lots of water, and a scrubber. After I was done scrubbing I would wet vac up the water, and rinse. Again I would wet vac the water up and let it dry with the windows all down and the rear hatch up. This was in July or August so it was warm enough to let everything dry sufficiently. Still looks good and the detergent took out all the smells from the previous owner.

JAURS · 11-10-2003, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the replies. I've tried using just some cleaner I had and using the wet-dry vac again. It seems to be working and doesn't really smell or look that bad. Now it's on to changing the transmission fluid and front and rear differential fluids. The transmission doesn't look like it sucked up any water at all, but I'll probably do it anyway to be safe. Jeeps truly are tough, I am pleasantly surprised that I was able to get out of that situation and 4 wheel the rest of the day.

bazfan1234 · 11-20-2003, 09:12 AM

I really like Tuff Stuff carpet cleaner. It always seems to work plus it smells good. I had a camaro with t-tops that leaked all the time so I had to clean the carpet all the time. It would get ride of the mildew smell also. Moral of the story...never buy a camaro.

11-09-2003, 09:19 PM	#2
Jeeper4life Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 288 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I had a similar problem when i went wheelin and ended up with water up to the door handles my xj was totally swamped with water and mud it was not a pretty site after taking 50 gallons of water out of it with my 8gal wet vac i let it dry for a few days until the mud harden then used carpet cleaner i think it was "409" to clean carpet. it took about three weeks before all the smell was gone. any carpet cleaner should do the job just make sure all the water is out or your jeep will smell like mildew all the time Might i added my jeep still runs strong gotta love em __________________ 96 Cherokee Country Inline 6 HO 4L offroad lights,stereo system,Dual Batteries,Indash tv,SuperWinch 9000,Hidden hitch lll,Front tow hooks,Venom 400 Performance Control Module, bfgoodrich mud terrain ___________________ "Im Just Glad Its Not My Problem....."

11-10-2003, 05:11 PM	#4
JAURS Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 65 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for the replies. I've tried using just some cleaner I had and using the wet-dry vac again. It seems to be working and doesn't really smell or look that bad. Now it's on to changing the transmission fluid and front and rear differential fluids. The transmission doesn't look like it sucked up any water at all, but I'll probably do it anyway to be safe. Jeeps truly are tough, I am pleasantly surprised that I was able to get out of that situation and 4 wheel the rest of the day.

11-20-2003, 09:12 AM	#5
bazfan1234 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NC Posts: 5 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I really like Tuff Stuff carpet cleaner. It always seems to work plus it smells good. I had a camaro with t-tops that leaked all the time so I had to clean the carpet all the time. It would get ride of the mildew smell also. Moral of the story...never buy a camaro.