Seeking advice on the best way to deep clean the carpets from an 1800s ('69) without causing shrinking or worse yet, falling apart. The carpet is in superb physical shape in regards to the backing and very little wear/tear on it's surface. Needs to be deep cleaned though because the car was neglected for two years in the damp NW so the carpet was subjected to mildew & mice. Unbelievable the mice didnt' eat it up but they left it alone for the most part, (looks like they preffered the sheepskin seat covers).

Anyway, didn't figure it would be safe to wash them in the washing machine even on gentle/cold cycle. Nor will spot cleaning from a can be sufficient. Would it be okay to use something like a steam clean machine? Open to ideas and would love to hear some other suggestions.
Thank you,
Lena '69

I had a similar problem with dried mold on a mercedes. I would scrub them in a large tub, using a mild cleaner like simple green, etc. After getting the easy dirt out, Squeegee out the water and saturate with a commercial mold and mildew killer from a commercial janitorial supply store. Usually, these use an enzyme to kill the bacteria. about $10 a quart

Then you will have to rinse the carpet A LOT, so perhaps a trip to the car wash sprayer. Then, let things dry in the SUNLIGHT, which helps kill things. Don't reinstall until bone dry. Perfect?, no, but they will be better, and the commercial product should inhibit the growth of mold

I don't know about the deep cleaing, but I just used some carpet dye from Leatherique on my '73 ES, and am fairly pleased with the results...there is still some shadowing from sunlight fade, but all in all they look MUCH better.

I am also using Leatherique to condition and re-dye the leather seats, so far, so good...just need the upholsterer to repair a few open seams! If the Rolls Royce Club and Jag clubs endorse it, it must work.

I've no connection to the product or the distributor, just reporting my limited experience so far ( www.leatherique.com)

I can't give you 1800-specific experience, but after hanging 25-year old carpets on the line and using a pressure washer cleaned them but not thoroughly, I spent an afternoon with them in the bathtub. Maybe I should re-word that... The carpets spent the afternoon in the bathtub with me in attendance, gently working out the years of dirt and most of the odor. I washed and rinsed them many times before being happy with the amount of residue left in the tub.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore