How to Clean An Outdoor Rug

If you’re wondering how to clean an indoor outdoor rug, you’ve come to the right place! You may be wondering if outdoor rugs are easy to clean. The good news is, keeping your outdoor patio rug looking like new is simple. In fact, indoor/outdoor rugs are the easiest type of rug to clean because they are made from synthetic materials that are made to handle lots of dirt, moisture, and sunshine. Outdoor rugs dry quickly and resist fading. Outdoor rug cleaning and maintenance are simple with these steps.

Shake

• Firmly hold the corners of your outdoor rug while you powerfully shake it.
• Continue shaking until dirt, debris, and crumbs stop falling from the rug.
• If your rug is too large to shake alone, hang it over a railing, fence or clothesline. Then hit your outdoor rug with a broomstick or other strong stick until there is no more debris coming from the rug fibers. Don’t forget to hit both sides of the rug to help extend the life of your rug.

Vacuum

Vacuum your outdoor rug frequently to keep dirt, dust and stains at bay. Vacuum both sides of the rug every few weeks to help loosen dirt and debris and to keep your indoor outdoor rug looking its best.

Sweep

For flatweave or low pile rugs, sweeping the rug on a frequent basis helps to keep the rug clean and looking sharp. However, sweeping can’t completely remove the dirt so we still recommend vacuuming your outdoor rug occasionally to help remove any dirt left behind.

How To Spot Clean An Outdoor Rug

If your rug only has a few areas that need to be cleaned, spot cleaning will be your secret weapon.

• Remove any excess moisture or debris from the spot. Blot liquids (like urine or wine) with a clean towel.
• If the stain has dried, use the edge of a utensil like a knife or a spoon to remove any solid debris.
• Mix together water with a small amount of mild detergent.
• Use a clean sponge to blot the spot with the detergent water. Be sure not to rub as this can drive the stain further into the fibers.
• Clean the sponge and repeat until the stain is gone.
• Next, rinse the rug with clean water until all the soap is removed.
• Make sure the rug dries completely on both sides to avoid mold and mildew growth.

How To Store Your Indoor Outdoor Rug

During snowy months, you’ll want to store your rug to extend its life.

• Before you put your rug away, make sure your rug is clean and dry by following the above steps.
• Once your rug is clean and dry, roll it up and store it indoors in a cool, dry place. We recommend wrapping it in a protective fabric to further protect it from any moisture, dust or pests.

Can You Wash An Outdoor Rug? The Answer Is Yes!

Take your rug outside on a warm sunny day, preferably with little wind. Don’t wash your rug on the grass as the soap may be harmful to plants.

• Thoroughly wet down your rug using a hose or several buckets of water.
• Mix a small amount of soap or rug cleaner with warm or cold water in a bucket.
• Test the soap mixture in a small corner of the rug to be sure the soap doesn’t affect the color of the rug. Let the soap sit for a few minutes and then rinse it out thoroughly. If the color doesn’t fade or bleed then you’re safe to clean the entire rug.
• Using a soft scrub brush, lather the soap mixture into the rug. Let the soap sit on the rug for a few minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with water. Make sure the soap is completely rinsed out and the runoff water is clear.
• Roll the rug up tight and then stand it upright for several minutes to remove excess water.
• Lay the rug flat and allow the rug to dry completely.

How To Clean An Outdoor Rug With Mold, Mildew Or Moss

Outdoor rugs aren’t usually prone to moss, mold, and mildew as they are made from synthetic materials. However, if you live in a humid environment, you should check your rug regularly to make sure nothing is growing. If you notice any moss, mold or mildew on your rug, it can be removed using bleach or other natural cleaners. Always be sure to spot test an area before cleaning the whole rug.

Using bleach:

• Mix a small amount of bleach with water. Most synthetic rugs are bleach safe but we still recommend testing the mixture on a corner of the rug first.
• Next, use a spray bottle to spray the mixture on your rug.
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then rinse the rug thoroughly with a hose.
• Bleach can harm plants and discolor wood so we recommend doing this on cement. A driveway is a great place for rug cleaning.

Using a natural cleaner:

A natural cleaning solution that can get rid of moss, mildew, and mold, but won’t harm plants is baking soda and vinegar.

• Sprinkle baking soda evenly over a dry outdoor rug.
• Next, use a spray bottle to spray the mixture on your rug.
• Spray your rug with vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for several minutes.
• Next, rinse the rug thoroughly with a hose. Make sure all of the solution is removed before letting it dry.

How To Dry An Indoor Outdoor Rug

After using your cleaning method of choice, your rug needs to dry completely.

• Lay your rug flat in a sunny area to allow it to dry.
• Once the top is dry, flip your rug over to dry the bottom.
• The rug will be dry when you can’t feel any moisture when you push your fingers into the rug. The fibers may be a little crunchy but will soften over time.
• Next, rinse the rug thoroughly with a hose. Make sure all of the solution is removed before letting it dry.

Alternative Considerations

If you're looking for a lower maintenance rug we offer a wide selection of stylish, high-quality washable rugs. Perfect for busy households, these rugs can be easily cleaned, saving you time and effort. Explore our washable rug collection.

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