A carpet protection device for protecting the carpet of the cargo area in a vehicle includes a housing which may be detachably secured to the vehicle carpet just rearwardly of the front seat of the vehicle. A spring loaded roller has a flexible cover element wound thereon and is positioned within the housing. The flexible cover element is extensible and retractable relative to the housing, and when extended, the flexible cover element covers and protects the carpet of the entire cargo area of the vehicle.