Looking to keep your outdoor rug as vibrant as the day you bought it?
Homeowners pay for a quality rug and within a season or two it begins to look worse for wear. It doesn’t have to be that way. With just a few minutes of regular maintenance you can dramatically extend the life of an outdoor rug.
Cleaning an outdoor rug properly is easy. Taking care of it isn’t something most people think about. But the reality is…
Neglecting outdoor rug maintenance shortens it’s lifespan by years.
Let’s walk through what every homeowner should know about cleaning and maintaining outdoor rugs:
- Why Outdoor Rug Maintenance Is Important
- How To Clean An Outdoor Rug Step by Step
- Mold Mildew and Stain Removal
- How To Store Outdoor Rugs
Why Outdoor Rug Maintenance Is Important
Sun, rain, traffic and spills.
Outdoor rugs endure plenty of abuse. Harsh outdoor elements break down fibers and fade colors over time. Frequent use wears down rug padding. Spills attract stains. Mold develops anywhere moisture collects.
But…
If you regularly clean your outdoor rug and put it in storage when the weather turns you can expect it to last upwards of two decades. Yet rugs left out year-round with little care will start to fall apart in as little as two years. It’s a drastic difference.
Choosing durable outdoor rugs is step one. Maintaining them correctly is how you make that home improvement dollar last.
How To Clean An Outdoor Rug Step by Step
Cleaning your outdoor rug doesn’t take long at all. Once you get in the habit it’s a minutes work.
Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Pick up your rug and shake it out firmly to loosen dirt and dust trapped inside the fibers. If you have a large rug, try draping it over a deck railing and hit the backside with a broom handle. Do this until no more debris falls from the rug.
This one step alone prevents excess accumulation.
Step 2: Vacuum Both Sides
Grab your vacuum and run it over both sides of the rug. This helps eliminate fine dust and dirt that just shaking won’t remove. Pay particular attention to the underside of the rug. Dirt, spills and moisture accumulate there just like on top.
Vacuum outdoor rugs without the beater bar attachment. It can tear fibers over time.
Step 3: Deep Clean with Soap and Water
Once a month your rug will need a thorough cleaning. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Using a soft bristle brush, apply the soap solution to both sides of the rug. Work over a driveway or similar surface that slopes so dirty water flows away. Rinse the rug with a garden hose until the runoff is clear.
You may need to spot test soap solution on a corner of your rug first to ensure it doesn’t fade color.
Step 4: Dry Thoroughly Before Reusing
Don’t skip this step. Lay your rug out flat in a sunny area and allow it to dry completely. Once dry on one side flip it over and dry the other side. Run your fingers along the rug fibers. If they feel damp anymore leave it to dry some more.
Do NOT store or use your rug while it is still damp. This is where mold and mildew will form.
Mold Mildew and Stain Removal Tips
It happens. You scrub and maintain your rug at home but eventually stains and mold will develop. Don’t worry, here’s how to clean them…
Removing Mold and Mildew
Rugs used in humid climates or those left out in the rain for extended periods are prone to mold. Sprinkle baking soda on affected areas liberally. Allow it to sit overnight then scrub the rug down and rinse well with a hose. If mildew still persists try using a diluted bleach solution on synthetic rugs. Use caution. Don’t soak the rug, spot test solution first and always spot test bleach will fade colors.
Never clean natural fiber rugs with water. Jute, sisal and other natural fibers absorb moisture making them highly susceptible to mold.
Removing Stains
Act fast when dealing with stains. The quicker you treat a spill the easier it will be to clean up.
- Blot spills with a clean dry cloth. Don’t scrub the area immediately.
- With liquid spills, continue pressing the cloth into the area, working from the outside edge inward.
- With solid matter stains scrape up the excess with a spoon or knife then blot.
- Club soda works great on red wine and tomato based stains. Blot quickly to neutralize the spill.
Easy stuff.
Should You Use a Rug Pad?
Here’s a tip a lot of folks miss…
Get yourself a nice rug pad. This is especially important if you choose to leave your rug outdoors year round. Rug pads lift rugs off the ground slightly allowing air circulation underneath. It keeps the rug bottom dry and reduces chances for mold. It also protects rug fibers from scraping against rough concrete or wood decking. A rug pad is a small investment that can add years onto your rug’s life.
How To Store Outdoor Rugs
When the weather changes store your outdoor rug properly and you’ve further increased it’s lifespan. Don’t neglect this crucial step.
After giving your rug a deep cleaning be sure it is completely dry before storage. Roll rug tightly with the backing side out. Do NOT fold rug for storage. Folding causes permanent creases that aren’t easy to fix. Wrap plastic tarp over the rolled rug securing both ends so nothing can get in. Place rug in a dry location like your garage and you’re done.
Roll rug for storage, never fold. Roll with backing out so fibers don’t get damaged.
Outdoor Rug Maintenance Quick Guide
Here’s a summary of what you need to do and how often.
- Daily / As Needed: Clean spills immediately and remove excess dirt before it sets.
- Weekly: Vacuum both sides of rug to prevent dirt buildup down deep in fibers.
- Monthly: Deep clean with soap solution and water. Rinse then allow to dry completely in sunlight.
- Seasonal: Check for mold and mildew, inspect rug pad and rotate rug to ensure even wear distribution.
- Every 2-3 years: You might consider professional cleaning. They have solutions and equipment that go deeper than what you can do at home.
Wrapping It Up… (Clean Rid!)
Let’s make this as simple as possible. Take the rug off your deck or patio 2-3 months every year and give it a good deep clean. Store it somewhere dry during those off months. Vacuum it and shake off dirt weekly. Once a month give it a thorough cleaning. Make sure to dry it well before using.
Boom. You just ensured your outdoor rug meets (and probably exceeds) it’s expected lifetime.
Do this…
Or don’t. Your rug will still fall apart just the same, it’s entirely up to you.
At home, my outdoor rug is going on 4 years strong. With proper maintenance I have no reason to believe it won’t last the full 20 years I’m expecting. How long will your rug last with proper maintenance?
