How to Clean Tesla Model 3 Highland Floor Mats (Without Damaging Them)

The short answer: take the mats out of the car, hose or rinse them with water, work a mild soap solution into any stains with a soft brush, and let them air dry before putting them back. Tesla Model 3 Highland TPE floor mats are designed to be lifted straight out and cleaned outdoors, so you don't need special products, and you should never put them through a washing machine or scrub them with a stiff wire brush. Below is the full step by step method, what actually causes damage, and how often Australian owners should be doing this.

In this article

• What you'll need
• How to clean Tesla Model 3 Highland floor mats, step by step
• Can you machine wash Tesla Model 3 Highland floor mats?
• How do you get stains out of TPE floor mats?
• Cleaning method by mat material
• How often should you clean your Highland's floor mats?
• Common mistakes that damage floor mats
• FAQ

What You'll Need

Cleaning Highland TPE mats properly takes a handful of things you probably already have at home:

• A garden hose or bucket of warm water
• A soft-bristle brush or old dish brush (nothing wire or stiff)
• A mild detergent, dish soap works fine, or a purpose-made TPE/rubber cleaner
• A microfibre cloth or chamois for a final wipe
• A flat, shaded area to lay the mats out for drying

You do not need a pressure washer, a steam cleaner, or any solvent-based product. TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is a rubber-like material, and harsh chemicals do more harm than the dirt ever would.

How Do You Clean Tesla Model 3 Highland Floor Mats, Step by Step?

This process works for the factory carpet mats and for aftermarket TPE sets alike, and takes about 15 to 20 minutes for a full set.

1. Remove the mats from the car. Lift each mat out, including the boot and frunk pieces if you run an 8-piece set, and take them outside or to a hose point. Cleaning them in place just moves dirt around the cabin.
2. Shake off loose debris. Give each mat a firm shake or knock it against a fence or bin to dislodge sand, gravel and dried mud before any water touches it. This step alone removes most of what's actually on there.
3. Rinse with water. A garden hose on a gentle setting or a bucket poured slowly over the mat will lift the rest of the loose grime. Angle the mat so water runs off rather than pools in the moulded channels.
4. Work in mild soap on stains. Mix a small amount of dish soap into warm water, dip the soft brush, and work it into any marked areas in a circular motion. Focus on the heel points and boot mat, which take the most abuse.
5. Rinse again and shake out excess water. A second rinse clears the soap residue, then a firm shake gets rid of standing water sitting in the mat's channels and ridges.
6. Air dry fully before refitting. Lay the mats flat or hang them over a rail in the shade. Refitting a damp mat traps moisture against the carpet underneath and can cause odours, so give them at least a few hours, longer in humid weather.

Verdict: water, mild soap and a soft brush is all a Highland floor mat needs. Anything stronger is solving a problem that doesn't exist and risking one that does.

Highland-Specific Fitment

Model 3 Highland Floor Mats, 6-Piece TPE Set

Front, rear and key boot areas, lifts straight out for a hose-down in minutes.

Sold by Tes Accessories · Fitment Guarantee

$245.00 AUD Check Availability →

Can You Machine Wash Tesla Model 3 Highland Floor Mats?

No, and this is the single most common mistake. TPE and rubber-type mats should never go through a washing machine. The agitation and heat from a wash cycle can crack, warp or permanently deform the material, and a tumble dryer will do it even faster. Machine washing is fine for soft carpet-style mats or seat covers, but Highland TPE mats are moulded to a precise shape to match the 2024+ footwell, and heat distortion means they stop sitting flush. Hand washing with the steps above is the only method that keeps the factory shape intact.

How Do You Get Stains Out of TPE Floor Mats?

Most stains on a Highland's mats come from three sources: mud and dirt, food or drink spills, and salt residue from wet shoes in winter. For each, the fix stays close to the basic method above:

• Mud and dirt: let it dry fully first, then knock it loose before wetting the mat. Wet mud smears into the texture instead of lifting off.
• Food and drink spills: blot first with a cloth, then use the mild soap solution on the mark while it's still fresh. Old, set-in spills may need a second soap pass.
• Salt residue (white marks): rinse with plain warm water first, since salt reacts with some detergents and can leave a hazy film. A soft brush and water alone usually clears it.
• Stubborn or greasy marks: a purpose-made TPE or rubber cleaner (available from most auto parts stores) will shift what soap and water can't, without the solvents that damage the surface.

Avoid anything containing bleach, ammonia or petrol-based solvents (like mineral turps or brake cleaner). These strip the surface finish, cause fading, and can leave the TPE brittle over time.

Cleaning Method by Mat Material

Highland-Specific Fitment

Model 3 Highland Floor Mats, 8-Piece TPE Full Set

Adds boot side walls and frunk liner, all of it hoses down the same way as the cabin mats.

Sold by Tes Accessories · Fitment Guarantee

$270.00 AUD Check Availability →

How Often Should You Clean Your Highland's Floor Mats?

A quick shake-out and wipe every one to two weeks keeps loose dirt from grinding into the surface, and a full wash as described above every four to six weeks handles everything else. Owners doing regular beach trips, school pickups with muddy kids, or tradie use should shorten that to every two to three weeks. Because Highland TPE mats lift out in seconds, there's no real excuse to let them go, unlike carpet mats that need a proper vacuum session each time.

Common Mistakes That Damage Floor Mats

Most damage isn't from normal use, it's from the cleaning method itself. The mistakes we see most often from Australian owners:

• Using a pressure washer at close range. High-pressure water can force dirt and moisture under the mat's edges rather than clean the surface.
• Leaving mats to dry in direct sun. UV exposure over time fades and stiffens TPE. Dry them in the shade where possible.
• Scrubbing with a wire or stiff brush. This scratches the surface texture and gives dirt more places to grip next time.
• Refitting while still damp. Traps moisture against the cabin carpet underneath and is the main cause of musty odours owners report months later.
• Using degreasers or automotive interior sprays with silicone. These can leave the mat surface slippery underfoot, which isn't just annoying, it's a real safety issue near the pedals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put Tesla Model 3 Highland floor mats in the washing machine?

No. TPE and rubber-type mats should always be hand washed. Machine washing and tumble drying can crack, warp or permanently deform the material.

What's the best way to remove salt stains from winter driving?

Rinse with plain warm water first before applying soap, since salt residue can react with some detergents and leave a hazy film. A soft brush and water alone usually clears it completely.

How long do Tesla Model 3 Highland floor mats take to dry?

Usually a few hours in the shade with good airflow. In humid conditions, or if you've done a full wash rather than a quick rinse, leave them overnight before refitting.

Do I need a special cleaner for TPE floor mats?

Not usually. Mild dish soap and water handles most dirt and stains. A purpose-made TPE or rubber cleaner from an auto parts store is worth having on hand for stubborn or greasy marks.

Why do my floor mats smell after cleaning?

This almost always means the mat, or the carpet underneath it, was refitted while still damp. Make sure both the mat and the footwell carpet are fully dry before putting the mat back in place.

Will cleaning products damage the Highland's carpet underneath the mats?

Keep soap and water on the mat itself and avoid soaking the factory carpet. If water does get underneath, blot it out and leave the door open to air the footwell before refitting the mat.