Keeping your outdoor rugs looking their best requires regular cleaning. Outdoor rugs are exposed to the elements, so they tend to get dirty more quickly than indoor rugs. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn the best practices for cleaning outdoor rugs to remove stains, debris, and buildup. With the right techniques and products, you can keep your outdoor rugs looking fresh and vibrant for many seasons.
Supplies You’ll Need
Cleaning an outdoor rug properly requires gathering the right supplies. Here is an overview of the key items you’ll need:
- Garden hose – Use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle to rinse away loose dirt and debris. Make sure the water pressure isn’t too high.
- Mild detergent – Look for a gentle liquid detergent or one made specifically for washing outdoor rugs. Avoid detergents with bleach or optical brighteners.
- Soft-bristled scrub brush – Use a soft scrub brush to work the detergent into the rug fibers and loosen embedded dirt. Avoid stiff brushes that could damage the rug.
- Spray nozzle – A spray nozzle for your garden hose lets you pretreat stains. Look for a fan spray setting.
- Clean towels – Have some clean cotton towels on hand to blot wet areas and speed drying. Microfiber cloths also work well.
- Broom – Use a broom to whisk away loose debris before washing the rug. Look for one with soft bristles.
- Rubber gloves – Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh detergents. Look for a pair that allows dexterity.
- Rug pad – Placing a mesh rug pad underneath will allow air circulation and drainage while protecting your deck or patio.
Gather all your supplies in one place before getting started for efficient cleaning. Avoid products containing bleach, acid, or ammonia, as these could damage or fade your outdoor rug.
Prepping the Rug for Washing
Before washing, do some prep work to make sure your outdoor rug gets thoroughly cleaned. Follow these pre-wash steps:
Sweep Away Debris
Use a soft-bristle broom to whisk away any leaves, dirt, or other debris from the rug’s surface. Avoid rubbing debris into the rug fibers. Sweep gently in several directions.
Vacuum the Rug
Run a vacuum cleaner over the entire rug, going back and forth in different directions. This lifts up dirt from deep in the fibers. Use a vacuum with an adjustable suction level and turn it to low power.
Spot Clean Stains
Inspect for any visible stains or spills on the rug. Pretreat these spots with a targeted stain remover or spray them with a mix of warm water and mild detergent. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.
Move the Rug
If possible, move the rug to an open, grassy area for cleaning. This prevents dirty rinse water from flowing onto your patio or deck. If moving it is not feasible, protect the surrounding area from splashes.
Thoroughly prepping the rug ahead of time prevents embedded debris from becoming harder to remove. It also lets you spot treat any noticeable stains before the main wash.
Washing Techniques for Outdoor Rugs
When your prep work is complete, roll up your sleeves and get ready to wash. Here are the best techniques for thoroughly cleaning an outdoor rug:
Rinse with a Garden Hose
Attach a nozzle to your garden hose and set it to a gentle spray setting. Rinse the entire top surface of the rug with water to remove loose dirt and debris. Do not use high pressure.
Apply Detergent
With the rug still damp, apply a mild liquid detergent across its surface. Using a soft-bristle scrub brush, gently scrub the detergent into the rug’s fibers and backing. Avoid scrubbing too hard.
Let Soak
Allow the detergent solution to soak into the rug for 5-10 minutes. This gives the detergent time to break down oils and lift dirt from the fibers. Do not let the rug dry out.
Rinse Away Detergent
Thoroughly rinse away all traces of detergent with your garden hose. You may need to scrub gently with your brush to remove detergent residue. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Blot Damp Areas
Once most of the moisture has been rinsed away, use clean cotton towels to blot up any remaining damp patches. This speeds drying time. Flip the rug periodically while drying.
Take care when moving a wet rug to avoid tearing seams or damaging the backing. Thorough rinsing is key to prevent detergent residue from attracting more dirt.
Cleaning Tips for Stubborn Outdoor Rug Stains
No matter how careful you are, outdoor rugs will inevitably get stained from spills, traffic, and weather exposure. Fortunately, you can tackle even the toughest stains with the right techniques. Here are tips for removing stubborn outdoor rug stains:
- For food or grease stains, lay a paper towel or scrap of cloth over the stain and iron it with a warm (not hot) iron. The heat helps break down the stain.
- Mix a spray bottle solution of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar and spritz wine, coffee, or fruit juice stains. Blot with a cloth and rinse. The acid in vinegar dissolves these stains.
- Create a paste from baking soda and water and apply it to rust or mud stains. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. The abrasiveness of baking soda lifts these stains.
- Rub toothpaste on ink or marker stains, let sit for 10 minutes, and rinse. The toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive to remove these types of stains.
- For ground-in dirt stains in fiber crevices, use an old toothbrush and baking soda paste scrub. The brush bristles help dislodge the grime. Rinse thoroughly.
- Mix dish soap with hydrogen peroxide and scrub onto mildew or algae stains. The peroxide bleaches these stains, while the soap lifts them.
Try stain removers before placing an outdoor rug in the washing machine, which could set them permanently. With the right products and techniques, even old or weathered stains can be removed from outdoor rug fibers.
How to Dry an Outdoor Rug
Proper drying is key to ensuring your freshly washed outdoor rug maintains its shape and doesn’t develop mildew. Here are some tips for safely drying outdoor rugs:
- Hang the rug over a railing or fence in a shady spot. Air circulation on both sides speeds drying time.
- Lay the rug flat on a sunny area of your lawn. The sunlight and airflow will dry the rug quickly. Flip periodically.
- Hang the rug on an outdoor clothesline. Make sure to avoid direct sunlight, which could fade colors.
- Place a fan nearby to blow air over the rug’s surface. Move the fan around to circulate air evenly.
- Roll up the damp rug and stand it on one end. The air inside will draw moisture out.
- Lay absorbent towels across damp areas of the rug. Replace them with dry towels as needed.
- For rugs with rubber backing, dry flat rather than hanging to avoid stretching the backing.
Check your rug periodically as it dries. Aim to dry it within 4-6 hours if possible to prevent microbial growth. Thorough drying preserves your rug for seasons to come.
When to Professionally Clean an Outdoor Rug
While many outdoor rugs can be cleaned at home, there are instances when professional cleaning is a better option:
- If the rug is heavily soiled or has multiple stubborn stains that resist DIY cleaning efforts, consider hiring a pro rug cleaner to deep clean the rug with commercial equipment.
- Rugs made from delicate natural fibers like silk, wool, or sisal may require special care. A professional rug cleaner will know the proper methods.
- Antique, hand-woven, or heirloom quality rugs may warrant professional cleaning to avoid any risks of damage from DIY methods.
- If an outdoor rug has developed a mildew or musty odor that home cleaning cannot eliminate, a pro cleaner can effectively sanitize the rug.
- Professionals have specialized tools to thoroughly flush and extract rinse water from an outdoor rug’s backing. This can help restore matted pile.
- For expensive outdoor rugs or ones with sentimental value, a pro provides specialized expertise and minimizes the margin of error.
While an investment, professional cleaning services employ methods and products not readily accessible for home DIY cleaning. For top-quality results, call on the pros every year or two.
Storing Outdoor Rugs in the Off-Season
Caring for your outdoor rugs doesn’t stop after washing them. Follow these tips to properly store outdoor rugs between seasons:
- Allow the rug to fully air dry before storing to prevent mildew growth in storage.
- Roll up the dry rug tightly and place it inside a plastic, waterproof storage bag or container. Compressing it takes up less room.
- Store the rug in a cool, dry place like a basement, garage, or storage closet protected from moisture. Avoid attics or sheds which get too hot.
- Place mothballs or cedar planks in the storage bag to deter moths and prevent rug damage. Do not use mothballs with wool rugs.
- For long-term storage, place an acid-free tissue paper on top of the rug before sealing the plastic to prevent dye transfer.
- Store flat rugs by rolling them around a pole or pipe to maintain their shape. Do not fold flat rugs.
- Label the storage container with the rug’s dimensions and materials. Include care instructions and washing details.
Proper off-season storage keeps outdoor rugs looking fresh and minimizes how much cleaning they’ll need when taken out again for use.
Signs It’s Time to Replace an Outdoor Rug
With regular care and cleaning, outdoor rugs can last for years. But there are certain signs that indicate a rug has reached the end of its lifespan and needs replacement:
- Visible areas of thinning or baldness in the rug’s pile that do not fluff up with cleaning. This signals extensive fiber damage.
- Backing damage including large holes, tears, separation from the rug, or signs of rot and disintegration. This cannot be repaired.
- The rug’s edges and corners have frayed significantly or come unraveled despite repeated fraying mitigation efforts.
- Pervasive stains have changed the rug’s original color and appear resistant to any cleaning methods attempted.
- Mildew, mold, or fungus has taken hold in the fibers and backing of the rug and will not respond to cleaning or drying.
- The rug has a pungent, unpleasant odor that persists after professional cleaning and drying. This indicates unremovable contamination.
- Sections of the rug have become stiff and crunchy. This results from irreversible damage to the fibers.
- Pet urine has caused extensive discoloration throughout the rug due to prolonged exposure.
When one or a combination of these factors are present, it is usually time to replace an outdoor rug. No amount of cleaning can restore some forms of damage.
FAQs About Cleaning Outdoor Rugs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about properly cleaning outdoor rugs:
Can I put my outdoor rug in the washing machine?
Only certain smaller outdoor rugs specifically labeled machine-washable can go into a washing machine. Most should be washed by hand due to their size, materials, and vulnerability to damage.
How often should outdoor rugs be cleaned?
Ideally, outdoor rugs should be cleaned 2-3 times per year. Clean at least once in the spring and fall, and again mid-summer if the rug gets heavy use.
What temperature water should be used?
Always use cool or lukewarm water when washing outdoor rugs. Water that is too hot can shrink or damage rug fibers.
Should I clean both sides of the rug?
Yes, rinse and scrub both the top and bottom sides of the rug to remove all embedded dirt and debris in the fibers.
How much detergent should I use when washing?
Follow the detergent label directions based on your rug’s size. Use only mild detergents and avoid excessive sudsing which can leave residue.
Can I use bleach when cleaning outdoor rugs?
No, avoid any cleaners containing bleach. The bleach can react with dyes in the rug fibers and cause discoloration or fading.
What is the best way to dry a large outdoor rug?
Hang the rug over a deck or porch railing in a shady spot. The breeze airflow on both sides will dry the rug most quickly.
Conclusion
By keeping up a regular cleaning routine and using the right methods, your outdoor rugs can stay looking vibrant and fresh season after season. Always start by prepping the rug thoroughly before washing. Rinse away debris before gently scrubbing with a mild detergent solution. Pay special attention to stain treatment and thorough drying after cleaning. With the proper techniques, tools, and care, you can keep your outdoor living space stylishly decorated for years of enjoyment.