How to Clean Outdoor Rugs in 2 Simple Steps

Are you fed up with the frequent cleaning of your outdoor rugs due to the chaos caused by the weather, pets, and kids?

Are you searching for an easy and simple way to maintain the quality of your outdoor rugs?

Don’t worry about this! I got you.

When it comes to enjoying quality time with your friends, family, or guests on your lawn in your garden, or near your swimming pool, the last thing you want to be concerned about is the wear and tear on the outdoor rugs.

This happens due to multiple factors like sunlight, harsh weather, rainfall, wind, etc.

Keeping your outdoor rugs well maintained and also preserving their quality seems like a hectic and time-consuming task and it’s difficult to carry out frequently because of your busy routine.

So, don’t even sweat.

In this comprehensive guide, I will tell you about the simplest and most effective methods to clean your outdoor rugs and make sure that they are well-maintained at all times. 

Just before I start explaining all the details regarding the methods, here is a short and quick overview of all the methods that I will be discussing in this article i.e. if you only want a summary of the entire article.

Home Remedies:

• When it comes to home remedies, take some vinegar and baking soda.
• Pour the vinegar on the outdoor rug and dilute it if required.
• Sprinkle some baking soda on it and wait for a few minutes.
• After some time, wipe off the paste with a clean damp cloth and wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.

Pressure Cleaning:

• First, get rid of all the debris and dirt by shaking the rugs off.
• Set the washer to any level of your own choice.
• Test on a small area.
• Use a mild detergent on the rugs and rinse them thoroughly with the washer.
• Repeat the process.
• Let it dry off for the best results.

As I have discussed the methods for cleaning your outdoor rugs, now I’ll tell you about all the details that you need.

Preparing for Cleanup

Talking about the cleaning process, the beginning stage holds a lot of importance. Before you even begin with the cleaning process, you should have all the useful materials with you.

This is an important step to save time and your valuable efforts. You will need a variety of tools for the cleaning process i.e., vinegar, warm and clean water, baking soda, soft fabric clothes for cleaning, and certain cleaning tools like a vacuum cleaner, a pressure washer suitable cleaning solutions, etc.

These tools will help you in different situations involving large stains or even small stains. Make sure that you have the suitable attachments with yourself.

As the materials have been gathered and prepared, you’ll have to identify the type of outdoor rug you have i.e., Propylene, Polyester, Nylon, and vinyl. Each specific type of rug has its own specific care precautions and methods.

You should also tend to the guidelines for the most accurate information for getting the job done.

I would also suggest you get expert advice as well. Remember to try each cleaning method on a small area of the rug to check whether it is compatible with it or not and in order to keep your rugs protected from any kind of damage.

After completing all these steps, you can start with the cleaning process.

You should choose the most suitable method according to the materials available and also according to the type of your outdoor rug.

The methods can be home remedies cleaning tools etc. It’s entirely your choice.

Method One: Cleaning with Home Remedies

Materials:

For cleaning your outdoor rugs using home remedies, you will require the following materials:

1. White Vinegar: A natural cleaning agent.
2. Water: For diluting the vinegar.
3. Bucket: For mixing the vinegar solution.
4. Baking Soda: For additional cleaning.
5. Soft Bristle Brush or Broom: To scrub the rug.
6. Hose or Pressure Washer: For rinsing.

Preparing the solution:

1. Take some white vinegar in certain quantities depending on the size of your outdoor rug and also according to the size of the stain.
2. Add some water in order to dilute it and make it a solution.
3. Pour the solution into a spray bottle or in a bucket from where you can pour it.

Shaking off any dust or debris:

1. Before applying the solution, remember to shake off any additional dust or debris on the rug.
2. Just grab it and shake it thoroughly to get rid of any leaves, dust, or dirt.
3. Repeat until all the dust and debris has been shaken off.

Applying the solution:

1. Thoroughly apply the spray over the entire rug for complete cleaning.
2. You can apply more solutions to certain spots where the stains are tough and hard to remove.
3. Keep on spraying until the entire surface of the rug is covered.
4. Stop after the solution is applied and wait for some time.
5. Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the rug for about 10-15 minutes to properly break down stains and odors.

Applying baking soda:

1. After waiting for some time after applying the solution, you can sprinkle baking soda over the rug.
2. Sprinkle where baking soda is needed and where the stains are bad and stubborn.
3. Wait for some time after applying baking soda so that the stain can be cleaned thoroughly.

Rinsing off the solution:

1. As the rug has dried, you are ready to rinse off the solution.
2. Use clean water for rinsing.
3. Pour the water from the bucket onto the rug and thoroughly brush it with a soft brush.
4. Make sure that the entire surface is brushed and no spot is left.
5. Repeat the process until the entire rug has been rinsed thoroughly and no stains are left on the rug.

Drying Process:

1. After rinsing the rug with water and gently cleaning it, leave it in the open air for some time to dry or you can also lay the rug flat in a well-ventilated area to dry it completely.
2. The more it dries, the better results it will show.
3. Leave it for about 2-3 hours to make sure that the entire rug is thoroughly dried leaving no stains or dirt moreover.

Method Two: Cleaning with a Pressure Washer

Materials Needed:

• For cleaning your outdoor rugs with a pressure washer, the following materials will be required for the entire process:
• Water Supply: Enough water to thoroughly rinse the rugs
• Pressure washer: For rinsing the rugs according to your pressure choice
• Mild detergent or rug cleaner: For removing the stains

Remove Debris:

• Before even starting the cleaning process, you need to sweep or shake off any loose debris.
• The loose debris might be dirt and leaves due to harsh weather conditions.
• Get rid of them by thorough shaking in order to proceed with the cleaning process.

Setting Up the pressure washer:

• You’ll have to set up the pressure washer according to the pressure you want for accurate results.
• You can select from three categories i.e., high, medium, or low.
• The pressure should be selected according to the stain and dirt type.
• High Pressure: This mode of dirt and stains is really sturdy and is quite difficult to get rid of.
• Medium Pressure: This mode is used if the dirt and stains are neither too hard nor too easy to get rid of. (Mostly preferred)
• Low Pressure: This mode if the dirt and stains are really easy to get rid of and no high pressure or effort is required.
• Selecting the appropriate pressure is important because it ensures accurate results and the safety of your outdoor rug.

Testing in a small area:

• Remember to test the pressure in a small area of the outdoor rug.
• This helps in making sure that the selected pressure is suitable for the stain and also for the type of your rug.
• Wrong pressure can cause damage to your rug.

Applying the detergent:

• Now, you can actually begin with the cleaning process.
• Apply the mild detergent or a rug cleaner that you bought according to the type of rug, and according to the stains.
• Make sure that the cleaner is applied thoroughly over the entire surface of the rug, making sure that no spot is left unapplied.
• Don’t use excessive detergent for safety precautions.
• Read the guidelines for applying the detergent.
• Test it before applying it over the entire rug.

Pressure Wash:

• Use the pressure washer with the appropriate pressure to clean the rug.
• Make sure that all the proper attachments are attached to the washer before using it.
• Keep the nozzle of the washer at a safe distance from yourself and also from the rug to avoid any type of damage.
• Use the pressure washer in sections, making sure that no part of the rug is left.
• Overlap each pass for thorough pressure washing of the rug.

Rinse Thoroughly:

• As the pressure washing is complete, thoroughly rinse the rug with clean water.
• Make sure that the water is clean.
• Keep on rinsing the rug until no detergent residue is left.

Allow to Dry:

• You should let the rug dry in an open and well-ventilated area.
• Make sure that the entire rug is thoroughly dried.
• After drying it off, you will get your fully cleaned outdoor rug.

Tips and Tricks for the Long Life of Outdoor Rugs

Here are some important tips and tricks that will offer remarkable help to you in keeping your outdoor rugs fresh, cleaned, and maintained no matter what time it is.

As people pass over the rugs, harsh rough conditions like sunlight, dust storms, rainfall, etc. cause heavy damage to the outdoor rugs.

These tips and tricks will keep your outdoor rugs fresh, in peak condition, and well-maintained.  You don’t need to worry anymore and let’s just dive into the details.

Regular Cleaning of outdoor rugs

• You should clean the outdoor rugs regularly to keep them fresh and maintained.
• Frequently clean your outdoor rugs with the proper tools and methods.
• Use a gentle approach every time you clean your rugs to keep them safe.
• Don’t use much force, because it can cause damage to your rugs.
• In terms of daily maintenance, shake off any additional debris or dirt to avoid piling up dirt.

Proper Placement

• To keep your rugs well-maintained, proper placement according to the weather conditions matter a lot.
• Keep a note of the weather conditions, i.e., whether it is really sunny, a dust storm, or even rainfall.
• Take your outdoor rugs inside when there is a dust storm or a rain storm outside.
• When it is sunny, you can place your rugs under a shade to protect them from harmful UV rays.

Suitable Cleaning Methods

• Remember to only use suitable cleaning methods for your rug.
• Test the method on a small area, before using it overall.
• The more suitable the method is, the more accurate results you will get and your rugs will also stay protected and fresh.

Professional Cleaning

• You should also tend to professional cleaning.
• Professional cleaning after certain time periods can help you keep your outdoor rugs well-maintained and in good condition.
• This is because their methods are different and their results are more accurate in most of the cases.

How to Maintain Outdoor Rugs

Keep your outdoor rugs looking new with these simple care tips.

Spot Cleaning with proper solutions and a soft approach

You can clean your outdoor rugs with proper solutions and with a soft approach. The spots on your rugs should be cleaned accordingly.

The proper solutions can be prepared according to the type of stain and also according to the type of your outdoor rug.

Identify these factors, make a suitable solution, and apply it with a soft approach. Complete the cleaning process and dry it off for better and more accurate results.

Storage during harsh weather conditions, roll, and store, ensure dryness:

You should store your rugs during harsh weather conditions like rain storms or dust storms. This process keeps your outdoor rugs well-maintained.

Just pick up your rug, roll it, and store it. You can set the rug later on when the conditions are good.

Before rolling it and storing it, make sure that the rug is dried off from any type of moisture or water.

Inspections and repairs to make sure it stays in good form:

Remember to conduct weekly inspections. Thoroughly check your rug for any type of wear or tear, any type of stains or debris stored in the rug.

After the inspection, if the rug needs any type of cleaning or maintenance, make sure to clean it.

Dry off the rug and keep it maintained.

This process is important to keep your outdoor rugs fresh, clean, and in good form at all times.

Professional Cleaning of the rugs so that they stay maintained:

You should take your rugs for professional cleaning from time to time. This is because the methods and the tools used by the professionals are more accurate and precise as compared to yours.

They carry out the job in an efficient way.

The professional cleaning will make sure that the rugs are well-maintained, clean, and in good condition.

The professionals can also give you any type of advice to keep your rug maintained and how to clean specific types of stains. So tend to the professionals when needed.

Deep cleaning of the outdoor rugs after some time to increase the lifetime:

You should deep clean your outdoor rugs from time to time. Deep clean tends to those types of stains and dirt particles stuck in your rugs which are stubborn and hard to get rid of. Use specific tools for deep cleaning like a vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer.

These tools will help you deep clean your outdoor rugs, get rid of those stubborn stains, and keep your rugs in a well-maintained condition.

Deep cleaning from time to time increases the lifetime of your rugs and they last longer even in harsh weather conditions.

Conclusion

Now for the conclusion, I have discussed all the methods of how to clean your outdoor rugs in detail, maintaining their quality, tips, and tricks to increase the lifetime of your rugs. I have precisely explained all the methods in clear and easy-to-understand words.

Here is a quick recap of the methods:

1. Home Remedies: Make a vinegar and water solution, spray it over the rug, wait for some time, apply baking soda, rinse off the entire solution with water, repeat when needed, and dry off the rug for good results.
2. Pressure Washing: Set up the pressure washer, attach the attachments, take a suitable mild detergent for the rug, apply it, wait for some time, rinse the entire rug, repeat the rinsing, and dry it off in open air.

For a more detailed guide on how to clean and maintain your outdoor rugs or similar materials, refer to our other articles.