Rugs and carpets can add some flare to an outdoor living space, but you’ll need to properly clean an outdoor rug regularly to keep it in good condition.
This guide provides instructions on effectively cleaning an outdoor rug, detailing optimal cleaning methods and maintenance tips to preserve its appearance.
Key Takeaways
First, beat and vacuum the rug to remove loose dirt and debris. Next, wash the rug from end to end. Give special attention to dirty spots.
After cleaning the rug, hang it on a clothesline to dry. Allowing ample time for it to dry will help prevent mold and mildew growth.
How to Clean an Outdoor Rug
Step One: Assess Your Rug
You need to assess your rug to determine which cleaning method will work best.
Consider its condition, shape, pile, colors—anything that’ll be affected by cleaning.
Older rugs, shag rugs, and other delicate rugs should be cleaned with mild carpet cleaner and gentle carpet-cleaning tools.
If there’s algae, mold, or mildew present, take note of this so you can gather all the required materials.
Step Two: Gather Your Supplies
Once you know the best way to clean your outdoor carpet, gather your cleaning supplies.
If you’re going to clean an outdoor carpet the conventional way, you’ll need:
- Cleaning solution
- Bucket of warm water
- Microfiber cloths
- Rug beater or broom
- Vacuum
- Carpet rake or scrub brush
- Hose
Don’t want to use a chemical-based solution to get your carpet clean? White vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda are effective alternatives.
If mold and mildew are present, consider using a product that targets both to clean your carpet.
Step Three: Prepare Your Work Area
This is an essential step when getting ready to clean an outdoor rug, yet it’s often overlooked.
You’ll need to keep your outdoor rug away from soil, dust, twigs, leaves, etc. while it’s being cleaned. If possible, do it in your driveway or on your patio.
Also, make sure your clothesline is free. Your area rug will be hung here before you beat out the loose dirt and debris, and it’ll be hung again to dry.
Certainly, you can clean outdoor rugs indoors, but you may not achieve the same results as cleaning them outdoors. After all, indoor cleaning may not allow for thorough rinsing.
Step Four: Beat the Rug
Hang your rug from your clothesline. You can either drape it over the line or hang it with clothespins.
Once it’s hung up, hit it with a rug beater or broom to remove loose dirt and debris.
If your outdoor rug is older, avoid vigorously beating it, as this can damage the rug fibers.
Instead, gently beat both sides of the rug to remove loose dirt. After thoroughly beating the rug, remove it from hanging and lay it on a clean surface.
Step Five: Vacuum
Even though you just beat the rug to remove dirt and debris, vacuuming your outdoor rug afterward is essential.
Of course, beating is quite an effective way to remove the dirt, but sometimes the dirt is only loosened. This is when a vacuum comes in handy.
A vacuum has the power to remove loosened dirt and debris, and it’ll also get the fibers ready for cleaning.
Step Six: Wash
Now, it’s time to clean the rug. Gather your cleaning materials and decide on your cleaning method.
Usually, professional rug cleaners start at one corner of the rug and clean vertically or horizontally until they reach the opposite corner.
Before washing the entire rug, test the cleaning solution on a small section to ensure it effectively cleans without causing damage. If it proves effective, proceed with cleaning the whole rug.
At this stage, focus on giving the entire rug a general cleaning; addressing stubborn stains can be addressed afterward.
As you begin cleaning, you’ll likely observe a change in the rug’s color. This occurs as dirt and other substances that dull the rug’s natural color are removed.
Once you’ve cleaned one side of the rug from end to end, flip it over to address dirt and surface-level stains on the other side.
Gradually, your rug will appear, feel, and smell cleaner. Now, it’s time to tackle those persistent stains.
Step Seven: Blot or Scrub Stains
To get your rug looking like new, you’ll have to blot spills and stains.
Chemical cleaners will work well here, as will baking soda and vinegar solutions.
Blotting is the best way to remove stains because you won’t run the risk of damaging the fibers. That said, if a rug is heavily soiled, you may need to scrub it to remove caked-on dirt or debris.
Step Eight: Rinse
Once all the stains have been addressed, rinse the carpet with a hose. You could use a power washer for a machined rug, but a typical garden hose is best.
After you rinse the rug thoroughly, use a carpet rake to get out the soapy water. This part is especially important if you use a mixture of baking soda or white vinegar.
Give it one final rinse before you hang the rug on the clothesline again.
Step Nine: Dry
Now wait several hours for the rug to dry completely. It’s best to do rug cleaning on a warm, sunny day, as the rug will dry quicker in these conditions.
This is an important step because a rug that’s not fully dry is prone to mold growth.
Just monitor how much sunlight your carpet is getting, as too much can damage the carpet.
Once the rug is completely dry, remove it from the clothesline and lay it flat on a clean surface.
Let it sit for a few minutes before walking over it or placing furniture on top of it.
Outdoor Rug Maintenance Tips
Vacuum the Rug Regularly
Regular vacuuming not only maintains the cleanliness of your rug but also extends its lifespan.
When placed outdoors, your rug or carpet can attract dirt and debris. While a bit of dirt on the rug’s fibers isn’t a major issue, leaving it there can lead to potential problems in the future.
For instance, if dirt becomes trapped between the fibers, walking on the rug could push it deeper, potentially causing damage to the fibers.
Vacuuming is the best way to prevent this from happening. Vacuums are great at sucking up dirt and debris, and they can even remove particles that are deep in the rug.
How often you should vacuum depends on a few factors including the rug’s age and location.
With that in mind, it’s recommended to vacuum at least once a week, and twice weekly if the rug has experienced heavy foot traffic recently.
Address Stains Promptly
When you spot a stain, attend to it promptly. Acting quickly increases the likelihood of completely removing the stain.
Even stubborn stains such as coffee, wine, urine, and tomato sauce can be effectively removed if you begin blotting immediately.
The longer a stain sits, the greater the likelihood of scrubbing the carpet to remove it, which can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Checking your outdoor rug for stains daily or every other day is a prudent practice to prevent stains from lingering unnoticed for extended periods.
Lastly, outdoor rugs are typically designed to withstand the elements, making them more resistant to stains compared to other types of rugs.
Consider Using a Rug Pad
A rug pad can help prevent stains and mold growth but needs to be cleaned every so often. Cleaning it when you clean the rug is a good move.
Also, a rug pad should prevent the rug from slipping. This is important because a rug slipped out of place is more likely to get damaged.
Hire Professional Rug Cleaners
To keep your outdoor rug in top shape, hire professional rug cleaners to clean it regularly. No matter what kind of rug you have, an experienced and skilled professional will know how to clean it.
Additionally, they’ll give you maintenance tips specific to your rug so you can keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
Final Thoughts
To maintain the optimal appearance of an outdoor rug, regular cleaning is essential.
Start by removing dirt and loose debris by beating the rug. Follow up by vacuuming any remaining debris.
Once all loose particles are removed, proceed to clean the rug. Blot stains to safely remove them, and if needed, gently scrub the rug.
After cleaning, rinse off the rug and allow it to dry thoroughly as the final step.
