My internet opinion is that I just use the car wash soap on them. Like you found out protectant makes them slippery. To me it looks like the rubber gets the top layer worn off giving the mats a dull look. I've learned to live with it.
Simple Green here too. Watered down Nero won't be slippery. I usually use Nero mixed 1:1 with distilled water. For the mats, 2 parts water/1 part Nero. But it does not last long, well at least on the drivers side, not many passengers in Poco.
Spray nine is a really good cleaner/bacteria killer I'd say a step above simply green, but not for cleaning everything on a car, or don't use on glass or painted surfaces.
Yeah, I don't think there's a real solution. That's the thing I hate most about the rubber mats... they show wear almost immediately... and there's not way to get the "new" look back.
I switched from the carpeted MINI mats to the rubber ones (just periodically hose 'em off) and guess what? The rubber ones make the inside of the car quieter!! Who'd-a-thunk!!
I pressure wash the floormats first or use the steam cleaner if there is stuff stuck to it. I use a nylon bristled brush with an APC as well. Once cleaned, I spray a mix of about 10:1 of Meguiar's Hyper Dressing..that's 10 parts water, 1 part concentration. Spray it on, wipe it off. You don't want it slippery or shiny, but just enough to "moisturize" it. If you have a dull spot from your foot resting on it while not clutching, don't worry about it..everyone has that unless they have an auto, lol.
Like you've found, you don't want to put anything slippery on it, and especially don't use Black Wow or any silicone based dressing on floor mats..things get a tad too slippery here!
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