6 reasons you should upgrade to rubber floor mats in the winter

If you spill coffee or track mud into your car, it's easy to just pop rubber mats out and hose them down with water. That makes rubber floor mats perfect for drivers in wet climates, and those who haul around dogs or small children.

Floor mats serve to protect the carpeting beneath them, and rubber mats do a better job of that than carpet ones. Over time, dirt, stains, and grime can seep through and damage the carpeting underneath. So, if preserving your carpeting is top-of-mind for you, go with some rubber mats.

If you live in a weather-prone area that gets a lot of rain or snow, having the wrong floor mats can potentially cause serious damage to your car. Standard floor mats allow moisture to penetrate all the way through your carpeting and down to your floor pans, which can lead to rusting over time.

Normal fabric floor mats tend to degrade over time, appearing worse and worse as they see more dust, mud, dirt, foot traffic, and moisture. Since rubber mats are more durable and easier to clean, they may keep your interior looking clean and tidy for longer.

First, a caveat: There are countless factors that can add to, or take away from your vehicle's resale value. When you decide to trade in your car or sell it privately, worn-out carpeting — or, worse yet, rusty floor pans — can seriously hit your pocketbook, even if you took great care of your vehicle otherwise. So, rubber floor mats can be a savvy investment to protect the long-term resale value of your car.