(ARA) – The holidays may be “the most wonderful time of the year” but winter months can be the worst for your vehicle. While holiday lights twinkle and shoppers pound the pavement, salt, sand, melted snow and temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on your car, truck or SUV – both inside and out.

“Taking care of carpeting is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance,” says Jay Lusignan of Lund International, makers of automotive accessories. “Yet carpeting is not there just for looks. It insulates the interior of the car, helps reduce road noise and protects the metal paneling beneath it.”

“Pickup truck or SUV drivers who use their vehicles for work or rugged play can subject their their vehicle’s carpeting to a lot of wear and tear,” Lusignan says. “But with some simple precautions and the right accessories, you can preserve the look and durability of your truck’s carpeting.”

The experts at Lund International offer the following tips for protecting your truck’s interior from the wear and tear of winter months:

* Wipe you feet. “Mom was right – you should always wipe your feet before coming indoors,” Lusignan says. “When we’re talking about the active lifestyle of your average pickup driver, it may not always be practical to completely clean off your footwear before climbing aboard.” But, he adds, whenever possible shake excess dirt, mud and snow off your shoes before getting into the vehicle. This minimizes cleanup and helps protect the carpeting.

* Consider storage for your stowage area. Whenever possible, place messy – and potentially damaging – items inside a sturdy box, bag or tote of some kind before placing them inside your vehicle.

* Vacuum and shampoo regularly. Frequent vacuuming helps remove loose dirt before it becomes ingrained in the nap of the carpet. Shampooing or steam cleaning will help remove any built up dirt and stains.

* For winter driving, consider using an accessory specifically designed to protect the interior of your vehicle. “In most cases, the standard issue floor mats do the trick to protect the vehicle’s carpeting,” Lusignan says. “But trucks can often need more specialized protection.”

The Catch All product line from Lund International’s Nifty brand provides protection for trucks, SUVs and even car interiors. Styles vary from plush OE nylon carpeting to the Nifty Extreme Catch-All which is made of Xynet, a custom molded thermoplastic material. The Extreme Catch-All resists water, snow, mud, grease and chemicals. Easy to install, the mat fits over the truck’s factory-installed carpeting and comes with a lifetime guarantee against cracking, splitting or breaking.

The Nifty Xtreme Catch-All Plus is a step up, featuring a one-piece design for ultimate coverage. Custom molded, the Xtreme Catch-All Plus is made of rubber-like Xynet for a textured, non-slip surface. They are also available with center storage trays and gear shift cut outs if necessary.

To learn more about product to protect your vehicle’s interior, visit www.LundInternational.com.