How to Care for Outdoor Rugs in 3 Easy Steps

Outdoor rugs may be designed to withstand the elements, but they’re definitely not immortal. With a little love, though, your rug can bring beauty, comfort, and charm to your favorite outdoor space for many years to come. 

Here’s our best advice for keeping your outdoor rug looking like new for as long as possible. 

How to care for outdoor rugs in 3 simple steps

Step 1: Shake or vacuum your rug regularly

The longer dirt is allowed to build up on the fibers of your outdoor rug, the harder it becomes to remove. Allowing dirt or debris to build up can also increase the likelihood of staining or discoloration. To prevent this, we recommend shaking or vacuuming your rug weekly. This routine maintenance is both the easiest and surest way to keep dirt buildup at bay. 

If using a vacuum:

• Choose a low suction setting to avoid damaging your rug’s fibers.
• Disengage the motorized brush roll as this can also damage your rug.
• If using a wet vac with higher suction, use a flathead hose that glides across the surface without agitating the fibers.
• While many outdoor rugs are composed of easy care synthetics that can withstand a turbohead or beater brush, vacuums and rugs both vary, so it’s always a good idea to start with a gentle test on a small, inconspicuous area. 

If shaking:

• Consider using gloves and a dust mask to protect your hands and lungs from dust.
• Hold the rug by its corners and shake with enough force to dislodge dirt and debris.
• If shaking the rug isn’t enough, consider hanging the rug or draping it over a sturdy fence and beating it with a strong, smooth stick, like a broomstick or a baseball bat.
• If your rug is especially dirty, you might want to shake, then vacuum.  

Step 2: Rinse thoroughly with a hose and spot-treat stains as needed

After you’ve removed dirt and debris, the next step is to rinse your rug clean. You’ll want to find an inclined surface for this task so that water runs off quickly and your rug doesn’t get too damp. This will hasten the drying process as well. 

You shouldn’t necessarily need to use soap unless your rug is dirty or stained. If you do need soap, try a mild dish soap mixed with warm water, and apply the mixture with a sponge or soft brush to clean only the fibers that need cleaning. If the stain still won’t go away, try a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water, or a paste made from a 3:1 solution of baking soda and water. 

Once you’ve finished spot-treating, make sure to thoroughly rinse all soap or cleaning solutions from your rug before allowing it to dry.

Step 3: Air-dry fully

While outdoor rugs are designed to resist moisture, too much water over a prolonged period can give mold and mildew the upper hand. So, when you're done washing your rug (or after it rains), help the carpet dry more quickly by hanging your rug. 

Since we’re talking about an outdoor rug, the best and easiest way to air dry is to hang it outside and let the sun and wind work their magic. If the forecast calls for rain or smoke, consider hanging your rug indoors on a rod. You can use a fan or dehumidifier to speed drying. Whichever option you choose, make sure there are no wrinkles holding in moisture.

If you don’t have anywhere to hang your rug, or if your rug is too heavy to hang, try air-drying your rug in a flat, sunny area. When the top side feels dry, flip the rug and allow the other side to completely dry as well. Before declaring your rug dry, feel the rug with your fingers to make sure all moisture has been removed.

Practicing preventive care

Adhering to the following preventive practices can help keep your rug in tip-top shape, year after year. 

Rotate your rug

High traffic and harsh conditions can cause some outdoor rugs to exhibit uneven wear, matting, or fading. To prevent this, turn your rug 180 degrees every three to six months. Rotating your rug will help distribute foot traffic and sun exposure more evenly, which can significantly prolong the beauty of your rug. 

Use a rug pad

Rug pads do more than keep your rug in place — they also extend its life. Placing a pad underneath your rug reduces friction between the rug and floor, absorbs shock from footsteps and furniture, and provides a buffer against dirt and moisture. 

Rug pads also improve air circulation and drainage, helping to prevent mold and mildew growth that can shorten the lifespan of your investment. 

Store the rug in plastic when not in use

If you bring your outdoor rug inside for the winter, be sure to protect the fibers with plastic or some other durable material. The covering will prevent the rug from collecting dust and protect the fibers from becoming damaged. 

Avoiding common mistakes

Your outdoor rug is durable, but it's not indestructible. Avoiding these common mistakes can protect your rug from sudden ruin.

Leaving rugs damp

We’ve already touched on this but it bears repeating because even a little bit of moisture can make any rug a prime candidate for mold and mildew.

Using harsh cleaning ingredients

Unless you skipped all the way to this section, you already know about three cleaning solutions you can safely use to spot-treat your outdoor rug. If none of these solutions removes the stain, before performing a possibly disastrous experiment, try contacting your rug’s manufacturer first to see if there’s a stronger solution you can safely try. 

A final word on how to care for your outdoor rug

Caring for and extending the life of your outdoor rug doesn’t need to be difficult. The more consistently you can take care of routine maintenance like dirt removal and moisture prevention, the less often you’ll have to perform harder tasks like washing, spot-treating, and drying. 

Have you been wanting a wow-factor outdoor rug that’s worth protecting? 

Check out our vast selection of low maintenance, high-quality polypropylene outdoor rugs. Need a custom size? Special orders don’t upset us!