We need to keep as much dirt, FOOD, toys, and crayons out of the tracks as possible!
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If you own a minivan, or “MPV” [multi-purpose vehicle] like the Kia Carnival, you already know how quickly the seat tracks can become a collection bin for crumbs, dirt, dropped snacks, and tiny toys. Cleaning them can be so frustrating and tricky, especially when things into all the smaller crevices of the track and not in the main part of the track.
You’re gonna need a small rechargeable handheld vacuum with a thin crevice attachment and a tube option on the other end with a blower. For the most part, that crevice tool is gonna do the job, but that blower end may come in handy for the smaller areas of the track to blow out any debris and then you vacuum it up with the crevice tool.
After trying several ideas and seeing what other minivan owners have done, here are five simple solutions that can help keep your seat tracks much, much cleaner.
I’ll also link my video and other videos throughout this post so you can see each option in action.
1. Cover the Tracks with a 2×5 Washable Rug (The option I use)
A simple 2×5 washable rug fits nicely over the center floor area and catches 95% of the dirt, crumbs, and toys before they ever reach the tracks. Since it’s washable, you can simply shake it out, vacuum it, broom it off, or throw it in the washing machine when it gets dirty. During the winter you can put a wet mat on top to cut down on how wet it will get.
To keep the rug from sliding around, I’m adding velcro strips underneath. This helps the rug stay in place and prevents gaps where debris can sneak underneath. I didn’t have it velcroed down for a while, so it moved around quite a bit, letting a few crayons and some chips in the tracks. Make sure to put the rough side of the velcro on the floor of the car and the soft side on the rug.
* The rug I use is here.
Watch my video here:
* The rug I use is here.
* The velcro strips are here.
2. Cover the Tracks with Gaffers Tape
* Another popular option is covering the tracks with gaffers tape, which you can find here.
Many people like this because it’s inexpensive and easy to apply. It should remove cleanly without leaving residue behind. It looks clean and sleek and will definitely keep everything out.
However, I did come across someone who said it left adhesive behind, so I decided not to risk it. I didn’t know how it’d work in the heat and changing temperatures and IF it DID leave residue, that would’ve been a task trying to remove it.
If you choose this method, just know that you’ll likely need to replace the tape every so often as it wears out.
What is Gaffer tape? It is a heavy-duty, cloth-backed adhesive tape used in theater production and television. It is designed to hold cables and equipment in place and can be cleanly removed without leaving a sticky residue or damaging surfaces.
* See an example: https://youtu.be/w5yj3Vm80FA?si=N-7lrwbwMRjt3C-E
* Reddit thread with picture: https://www.reddit.com/r/kiacarnivals/comments/1p6tecp/took_the_advice_someone_mentioned_in_this_sub/
* Get gaffer tape here.
3. Use L-Track Filler Strips
There are rubber or foam track filler strips designed specifically to fill the grooves in your seat tracks.
These are also used for the car roof rack crossbars to prevent that wind noise.
These didn’t work well for me personally, but some people like them. Depending on your van and how often you move your seats, they may be worth trying. The track filler strips can dip in when stepped on or pop out.
See an example here:
4. Cut an Indoor/Outdoor Rug or Large Area Rug to Fit
If you remove your second-row seats, you can create a more permanent floor covering.
Lay an indoor/outdoor rug over the floor and trim it to fit your van.
- Cut openings where the seat latches are located.
- If you’ll still be moving your seats forward and backward, cut narrow slits over the seat tracks.
- If your seats stay in one position (like, you know you’ll keep that seating position permanently or at least for a long time, you only need to cut around the latch locations and not cut slits for the tracks.
This gives the floor a clean, finished look while keeping almost everything out of the tracks. It looks really good!
* The indoor/outdoor rugs people use are like these from Lowes. Very thin and easy to cut.
See an example here:
4.5 Using a Cutesy Rug of Your Choice and Cutting it to Fit Under Seats
5. Use an Area Rug
Many families remove one or more second-row seats to create extra space.
If you remove all three second-row seats, a ~4×6 rug can cover nearly the entire area while you use only the third row for seating.
If you remove one side seat—or the side and middle seats—you can lay down a 2×5 or 3×5 area rug (measure your space). This creates a comfortable space that’s great for changing babies, letting kids, or anyone else, climb into the third row more easily, or simply for keeping the floor and tracks clean.
It’s a simple upgrade that makes the van feel much more open and functional.
See an example here:
What I was using before I finally picked the 2×5 area rug
I HAD to have something over the tracks, so when we first got our van, I was just using 3 bathroom rugs… it worked for weeks, but I wanted something a little neater. This was before I got the 2×5 rug AND the seat covers.
Overall
There isn’t one perfect solution for everyone. The best option depends on how you use your van, your seat placement choice and whether you move your seats often or not.
For me, the 2×5 washable rug with Velcro in my Kia Carnival, is the best balance of simplicity, cost, and protection. It’s easy to clean, inexpensive, and keeps MOST of the mess out of the seat tracks.
Hopefully one of these ideas works for your setup and saves you from digging crumbs and toys out of your seat tracks ever again.
