Driving a car all year means dirt, debris, and other grime are bound to collect on your interior carpeting. Assuming you don’t have the proper protection, you’ll spend countless hours vacuuming, wiping, and cleaning the interior if you want to keep it spotless. Otherwise, consider investing in a floor mat or floor liner. While people use these terms interchangeably, there are considerable differences between the two. Read this short guide on floor liners vs. floor mats: which is right for you to find the right ones for your vehicle.

Floor Liners

Floor liners are auto floor protectors that line up and contour to the outer edges of your floorboards. They typically withstand every type of major weather, from mud to snow to sand to slush. Since they cover the outline of the floor, liners prohibit debris from collecting underneath, saving you time and energy since you won’t have to constantly clean. Ribbed or nibbed backing also prohibits liners from shifting around from weight, so they stay in place even with passengers or heavy items. Floor liners tend to last longer than floor mats, given their durability.

Floor Mats

The alternative to floor liners is floor mats. Floor mats are auto flooring protectors that offer flexibility and durability against weather and environmental debris. While they service similarly to liners, mats do not cover the entirety of the car’s floor. They lay flat on the floor but can shift around depending on the model. Floor mats typically cost less than liners, but you’ll lose the extra durability, security, and protection. They are not tailored to your vehicle, so you can still find unwanted messes underneath the mats when it’s time for interior cleaning.

Which One Is Right for You?

Overall, when deciding between floor liners and floor mats and which is right for you, whichever you choose, you’re going to reduce the messes and unwanted debris that collect on your car’s floor. After all, no one wants to spend hours cleaning their car’s interior carpet when these options exist. If you have a tight budget and want temporary placeholders, go with floor mats. However, if you want custom-fitted, complete protection against the elements, go with floor liners. Whichever you decide, you’ll thank yourself for making the investment.

Still, if you want custom-fit car floor mats with the same durability as floor liners but with the advantage of easy cleaning and maintenance, check out our selection at Gledring USA. We specialize in custom floor mats for all types of vehicles. Just select the make, model, and year of your vehicle to find the best custom floor mat available. Even with our current wide selection, if you still can’t find the ones you’re looking for, call us, and our service members are happy to help.