Any BedRug owners? CLeaning tips

I just purchased a BedRug used. The rug was for the owner's dog and has seen many years of such use. Currently the rug is in my bed (not yet installed) and has hair all over and smells like crap. I understand BedRug is not suppose to hold odor once all the crap has been washed out.. What's the best way of cleaning pet hair and odor out of the BedRug? Cleaning it just like it's carpet? What about pouring concentrated bleach all over it?

 

I dont think i'd use bleach for one thing,. I have a Bedrug and it's pretty clean and never have had to wash it. Use like some laundry soap and a brush. Bad areas try like GOJO hand cleaner I use that for grease stains on my clothes. When I got mine i remember it said it wasnt carpet but like a plastic weave? I think not positive. I got mine off of Ebay like 6 years ago. Good Luck.

 

Hmm I bought this thing for $85.. I know it's $380 new but I'm thinking it's not worth all the effort of cleaning any paying for various products to clean it with, without guarantee that it'll get cleaned enough for camping on. The Rug has seen 12 years worth of dogs...

 

I have had mine for 8+ years and have not had to do anything but vacum it when it gets dirty, But I do not carry a pet on it either. According to the company website you can pressure wash it??
http://www.bedrug.com/

I think I would first try vacuming it to get up as much pet hair as possible,
next I would try a low pressure wash & rinse at an coin operated car wash and then let it dry in the sun. Check out the movie they describe how to clean it.

http://www.bedrug.com/experience/movie.php

 

I bought one from a guy the let both dogs and cats piss all over it and hauled around greasy engine parts. I bought it sight unseen cause the price was right. I had to Re-Sew almost the entire zipper too. I laid it out in the driveway and used liquid tide and a scrub brush. A total of 5 times and there was still grease spots. I used oops amazing remover.....that shit works awesome......for everything. It still stunk a little bit, I used fabreze for a couple of months as I have a hard cover. Its good to go now and worth all the effort to save a couple of hundred or so.

 

red: Curious. what do you mean resew the zipper? The zipper on mine is like frozen. I can only get about 1 inch of movement from the end... I'd like to unzip it to clean it more effectively.

 

When you start soaking it with soapy water, see if it will unfreeze. I didnt have a problem with the zipper not working, the stiching was just all ripped and the zipper was just kinda there but not fully attached.

 

I recently replaced my wrecked 2003 extra cab with a 2003 double cab wiiiiith, a snugtop cap and bedrug. I've been giving her a full detail this weekend and started on the bed just a few minutes ago.

Zipper. I used some WD-40 to get it started, then sprayed a little more on the tongue whenever it stuck. Worked like a charm. Also, if it's dirty, vacuum the track FIRST. Figured that part out halfway through.

This was a one owner vehicle and to my delight, there is a virtually new truck bed under the rug. There is a couple of rust spots and a few areas where dirt built up, possibly rubbing the paint. Still easily 95% of the paint is flawless.

Now the bedrug itself isnt terribly stained and is in great shape overall, however it's as dusty as Afghanistan. I'm going to use a carpet vacuum on it first then wash it with some laundry detergent, a scrub brush, and hose.

Ill post some photos in a bit.

 

All finished. This thing dryed surprisingly fast and cleaned up nicely. You can see some of the dirt build up but it didn't do too much damage. Defiantly a quailty product! Very glad it came with the truck!!

 

I've had mine since probably '02

It usually resides under my shell...
and I have no animals to transport.

So besides dust and an occasional spill
it doesn't usually become too fubar'd.

I have run mine with/without the shell in most climates
and have found it holds up purdy well to that abuse.

I've pulled mine out on several occasions over the years and washed it.
Always making sure it was fully dry before reinstalling it.

I've always used diluted Dawn soap detergent to clean...
diluted with water and brushed into the carpet fibers.
Followed up by a generous rinse to be sure the soap is removed
fully and then dry.

If it's just dust... then I'll rinse it with just clean water and no soap.
If it's a stubborn stain... I may apply Dawn directly to that area
and brush it in well, let stand a minute, the rinse well.

A worthy investment IMO
as it has proven itself to be UV durable/stable and mildew resistant.

I would believe the Dawn would wash out the stench
and remove the heavily soiled or stained areas.
Without being too harsh on the BedRug's fibers.

But the dog hair removal might require more effort.
Try using tape to remove the hair ?

^ sorta like a lint roller ?

without my shell...



with my shell...



btw
my shell leaks a little bit...
but the moistue trapped in or under that has never
caused dry rot or mildew to my BedRug.
Most oders usually rinse away - out that I can tell.

Well at least mine doesn't stink
except for maybe the smell of dirt and dust
between cleanings.

I would not use harsh soaps or chemicals to clean it with.

 

TacoDell, 100% man.

I really like what you've done with your set up! Seeing it makes me excited about the possibilities knowing it performs as well without a top. Also, never thought to bold hardware threw the rug as you have. Great idea.

I too have noticed leaking through the top but even when I first purchased the truck, smell hasn't been a problem.

It was very surprising to see how mint the Bedrug kept the actual bed. Also, real easy to clean! Mine is clearly from DOP, thus 13 years old. The underside of yhe rug looks like it was purchased a year ago.

I'm thinking about using a little black paint to highlight the lettering. I have some stuff which works in fabric. Really the only thing I dont like is how undefined they are.

 

Thanks... tho' I must admit I was somewhat reluctant
to poke holes thru the BedRug to install my spare tire mount.
But the tire is really too dang big to stow underneath unless on the tarmac.

So in the bed the spare had to go.

The underside of the tire mount is supported with backing plates
that cannot not bend when the bolts/nuts are tightened.
So it's a solid mounting.



here for more... http://s426.photobucket.com/user/TTORADell/library/Fabtech spare tire mount?sort=3&page=1

I repainted the areas of the bed I had to drill thru
to minimize the chance of rusting.
I also used silicone to seal the bolts holding
so that water cannot intrude thru those.

This tire mount will however sandwich and likely flatten the BedRug some
in those areas that the spare tire mounting pedestals mount.

But quite honestly I doubt I'll ever remove my spare tire mount...
and expose the holes remaining in the BedRug.
Unless I pull the BedRug out for cleaning or what's underneath it.

It's mostly in there to save my knees when crawling around/inside the bed.
For sleeping... I have a trailer with a RTT.

Tho' I must say...
if I were to sleep in the back of my bed...
I'd think it's purdy dang comfy...
and have all the head room I could want.

 

Threw a little black paint to accent the lettering. TacoDell. Yeah I checked out your album, nice rig!

I think the foam material underneath has a lot to do with its ability to repel water and not smell. That foam has no absorption at all.

 

...correct

The same can be said about the BedRug's synthetic carpet fibers.
Generally neither retain moisture, mold, odors or are easily stained.
Any retained foul odor is likely due to surface residual that is embedded into the carpet fibers.
Usually a good cleaning eliminates most all residual odors.

However...

I have found that some dust - dirt ends up underneath the BedRug.
Likely because the bed, tail gate /or shell are not sealed well.
And so dirt and dust can still enter and permeate thru the rug
ending up underneath that and on the bed's surface.

If that residual remains ignored underneath the rug...
it can cause abrasion to both the BedRug's under foam material...
as well scuff (marr) the beds painted surface.

If the bed's painted surface becomes marred enough to expose metal...
any moisture trapped in/under the rug can cause the bed's surface to rust.
So a wet BedRug could create more problems if moisture is left unchecked.

So in other words...
expect to occasionally remove the BedRug and clean out any dirt or dust under the rug.

I have used mine both open and closed to the elements...
nearing 16 years now.
and it has held up admirably to those abuses with no harm that I see.

Granted I have not lived in the snow and salted roads back east.
rolling open bed, vulnerable to the outdoor elements...
definately can degrade most everything.

But I'd think it would hold up...
as long as an occasional cleaning/maintenance were done.

Moisture and the sun's UV doesn't seem to kill these BedRugs...
But what's going on underneath the BedRug needs to be checked.

 

Yes the dirt trapped underneath is the Achilles heel.

 

Great job on the lettering fati tacoma. Which paint did you use?

 

Thanks!!

Some acrylic hobby paint and a brush. Put on kinda thick, took about 20 mins.