How to clean an outdoor rug? Is it possible to do it at home?

Don’t let your outdoor rug suffer this summer! Learn how to properly maintain it and you’ll be able to enjoy its beautiful appearance for much longer.

An outdoor rug is an essential element of any patio area, so commit time towards caring for it — a small investment now will pay off in the long run.

To keep your outdoor rug looking its best, it’s essential to give it some regular care. Peek for any dust or dirt buildup and shake off leaves, grass clippings, or other debris that the wind may have blown onto the mat.

If you notice your rug is starting to look a bit dingy, don’t wait another moment – be sure to give it a thorough clean.

In this article we are gonna talk about some easy steps, and ways you can clean your outdoor rugs to keep them looking as fresh and pristine as possible.

Things you Need

• Brush or Soft Bristle Brush
• Vacuum
• Water Hose (Pressure washer would be best)
• Broom
• Liquid Soap

Easy Steps on how to clean an outdoor rug

1. Remove Surface Dust and Debris

When it comes to how to clean an outdoor rug, the first step is to remove any surface dust and debris.

Begin by giving your rug a good shake outside to dislodge any dirt or cobwebs that may be clinging to it. You can also use a broom or brush to sweep away any dry particles before vacuuming.

Before you start cleaning your mat or rug, don protective gloves and a dust mask. To remove any deep-seated dirt, carry it to an open area like a grassy lawn and vigorously shake it several times.

If the size makes it unmanageable for holding, simply hang onto a fence or rail instead. Then with gentle strokes utilizing either hands or brushes/brooms sweep away all visible surface debris.

2. Deep Clean Remaining Dusts with Vacuum

Once the surface dust and debris have been removed, it’s time to deep clean any remaining dusts with a vacuum. This is an important step, as it removes dirt that has become lodged in the fibers of your rug.

When vacuuming, use a crevice tool or brush attachment to get into hard-to-reach spots where dirt may be hiding. You can also use a handheld vacuum for smaller mats. Additionally, take care not to tug too harshly on your rug as this could damage the fibers and cause them to fray prematurely.

To ensure complete removal of dust and dirt particles, work slowly in overlapping strokes until all of the material has been lifted away. Afterward, flip your mat over and vacuum the other side for a more thorough clean.

Finally, make sure to empty out your vacuum’s bag or container after each use in order to maintain peak cleaning performance and avoid re-depositing dirt back onto your outdoor rug later on.

3. Start Sprinkling Water On It

Now that you’ve vacuumed away all of the dirt, it’s time to start sprinkling water on your rug.

Gently spray down both sides of your mat using a garden hose or a pressure washer. Make sure not to use too much pressure as this could potentially damage your rug. Depending on the materials of the rug and washing instructions you may use either warm or cold water for it.

For stubborn stains and areas, try mixing a small amount of liquid soap with water in a bucket and lightly scrubbing them away with a soft brush and do a spot cleaning. Be sure to rinse off the soap afterwards before allowing your rug to dry completely.

It’s best that you do this on an inclined surface so that the water and all the soap will drain quickly from your outdoor carpet.

Rinsing will significantly be much easier with a pressure washer. Using a pressure washer to clean an outdoor rug is easier than manual methods due to its powerful spray of water which allows for quick and effective removal of dust, dirt, and debris that may be deeply embedded in the fibers of the rug.

The strong jet of water from a pressure washer also helps break down any stubborn stains or areas on the rug, making it easier to clean them away with less effort than manual scrubbing. Warm water is great with most rug fabrics but cold water is also fine.

Additionally, rinsing off all soap residue after cleaning is much simpler with a pressure washer than using just plain water. All these benefits make it highly advantageous to use a pressure washer when cleaning an outdoor rug.

4. Soap it up and use a Scrub Brush

Just like any indoor rug, your outdoor rugs can benefit greatly from a delicate scrub. Before getting started, always consult the care instructions to make sure that soaps won’t damage any of the materials.

In case you don’t see these directions on hand or if it’s missing entirely, you can quickly and effortlessly find them online through the manufacturer’s website.

Now’s the perfect time to decide on the ideal cleaning solution for your outdoor rug. If you’re looking for a DIY approach, dish soap mixed with water, white vinegar, or baking soda are all excellent choices and can help tackle everyday messes.

For mildew/mold removal from an outdoor rug though consider using either white vinegar or baking soda; however be cautious not use too much as it may change its original coloration.

For the most pesky red wine stains, club soda is your best bet to break them up quickly. Greasy and sticky spots have a simple solution: hydrogen peroxide combined with baking soda.

If you would like an eco-friendly option that’s safe for pets, there are plenty of pet-safe products on the market.

You can use a spray bottle for spot cleaning to make sure that you only treat specific spots and that you will not damage any rug fibers in the process. Be sure to spot test before you start cleaning.

There are also formulated rug cleaner brands in the market but if you don’t have any of that you can just take our advice.

Once applied in abundance on the area needing cleaning, use some gentle brushing to give it one last scrubbing session and make sure all particles are gone.

5. Rinse and Dry

To ensure all traces of cleaning agents are gone, rinse your outdoor rug thoroughly with water. If you need to air and dry it out, either lay flat or hang on a clothesline – just be sure not to drape over railings as this may deform its shape or alter the color.

Many outdoor rugs can just air dry overnight, however some rugs such as synthetic rugs retain more excess water compared to other rug fabrics so you have to dry them more.

Flip the rug periodically so that both sides get ample time in the sun. Once completely dry, feel free place back onto your patio or store away safely for later use.

You have to make sure that your rug is completely dry or else once you put it back in your outdoor space the moist will just make the rug accumulate more dust and pollen.

Bottomline

Taking the time to properly clean your outdoor rug is essential for maintaining its beauty, preserving it from damage and keeping it looking good as new.

With all of these tips in mind, you can now easily keep your outdoor rugs sparkling with minimal effort.

Make sure to clean your rug regularly so that you can keep them fresh and in pristine condition as much as possible.

Having clean outdoor rugs not only creates a pleasant atmosphere for your outdoor space but also a clean and safe environment for your pets and kids to play in without having to worry of getting sick.

Investing a bit of time into caring for your outdoor rug will pay off in the long run by extending their lifespan while also making them look great year-round. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and give those rugs some TLC!