Cleaning Tips: Refreshing Your Outdoor Rug for Guests

Now that we’re right in the middle of summer, the draw to go outside and take advantage of your patio space after is strong. An outdoor rug can make your outdoor space feel welcoming.

However, a little cleaning may be necessary to make sure everything is ready to impress your guests. Follow these tips to clean your outdoor rug for the remainder of the summer season.

Scrub It Down

You should clean your outdoor rug at least once a month when it is outside, because outdoor rugs often get extremely dirty. Use soap and water to scrub it down. Clean both sides – not just the side that people have been stepping on. Rinse it with a hose after you are done to get all the soap out of the rug fibers.

Dry It in the Sun

It is important to thoroughly dry your rug after scrubbing it down, because if it stays damp, mold could grow. Hang it over the side of your porch or lay it out flat and let sunlight dry it. Do not forget to flip it so that both sides dry.

Kill Any Moss

Another large risk for outdoor rugs is moss developing. It is important to kill any moss as soon as you notice it. Scrub it with white vinegar and let the vinegar sit in the rug fibers for at least 10 minutes. Scrub it again to clear the moss off. After killing the moss, lay the rug in the sun and make sure it dries completely.

Put in Storage When Not in Use

To maintain it for as long as possible, store your rug when it is not in use. Take it inside and store it before winter hits, so that snow and ice will not damage it. If you do not have space to store the rug, roll it up and wrap it in a tarp, securing it with bungee cords. Then you can store it outside without it suffering any damage.