Outdoor rugs for porch, patio, pergola etc. are often exposed to dirt, mud, and other elements that can quickly make them look dirty. Not to mention, if you have pets, they can track in a lot of dirt as well. And as now you are reading this, it’s time to give your outdoor rugs or carpets a deep cleaning before they get overwhelmed by accumulated stains. Then how to clean outdoor rugs?
Fortunately, It’s not as difficult as you might think to clean outdoor rug. In this blog, we will discuss the steps you need on how to clean outdoor rug so that they can regain their original beauty and luster and be clean outdoor rugs again, especially washable outdoor rugs.
What to Prepare for Cleaning Outdoor Rug
- Broom or tennis/badminton racket
- Vaccum
- Scrubby sponge or soft-bristled scrub brush
- Dish soap
- Baking soda and white vinegar (optional)
How to Clean an Outdoor Rug
Step 1 Remove dirt, debris, and leaves
The very first step to clean outdoor rug is to remove excess dirt, debris, and leaves from the outdoor rug. You can do this by sweeping or shaking off these larger particles. But remember to wear a dust mask before you start to clean outdoor rug. You’ll find it unbelievable how much stuff flies off the rug. For large or heavy outdoor rugs that are too difficult to shake alone, there is another easier way to remove thr dirt: hang the rug from a railing or clothesline and tap it with a broom or tennis racket to make sure you shake off any loose dirt.
Step 2 Vaccum the outdoor rug
After dealing with the surface debris, the next step is to clean the remained fine layer of dust on both sides. Vacuums are an excellent tool to clean outdoor rug thoroughly because they are able to reach deep into the fibers of the rug and remove dirt, dust, and other locked-in debris that may have accumulated over time. Wet/dry vaccums can provide the best suction to clean outdoor rug. Also, your indoor vacuum that has turbo brushes and handheld rods are great for removing pet hair and other allergens from outdoor rugs.
Step 3 Rinse the outdoor rug
This is only applicable to washable outdoor rugs. So if you’ve checked the care label and made sure it’s a washable outdoor rug, it’s time for your garden hose to work. Preferably, you should do the rinsing on a sloped surface such as your driveway or yard, or you could hang the washable outdoor rugs from chair or fence so as to drain excess water quickly. If possible, you can also use a pressure washer or a pressure-adjustable gun to bring all the accumulated dirt to the surface and shorten the process greatly.
Step 4 Scrub the outdoor rug with cleaning solution
The next step is to choose a cleaning solution suitable for your washable outdoor rugs. Do check the care instructions before applying any solution to ensure that your rug won't be damaged by it. The commonly-used DIY cleaning solutions are diluted dish soap, white vinegar, and baking soda. In most cases, simply mixing some warm water with liquid dish soap works well to clean outdoor rugs. But if you are trying to remove mildew or mold from your outdoor rug, then white vinegar as well as baking soda will both be excellent choices. however, you should be careful not to overdo it with these 2 kinds of cleaning solutions since you might end up fading the color of the rug. Another option is to directly buy an outdoor carpet/rug cleaner that are designed to be eco-, pet- and kid-friendly.
Then dip your scrubby sponge or soft-bristled scrub brush into the solution and start scrubbing. Lather the outdoor rug thoroughly from one end to the other. Do it gently as we don’t want to wear down the fibers.
Step 5 Rinse again and dry the outdoor rug
Rinse the rug again with water after the lathering. Several rinses may be needed, depending on how much cleaning agents you’ve used. Make sure all the cleaning agents is completely rinsed off and the runoff water of the final rinse should be clear.
Hang in there! You are now so close to finish the whole cleaning process. All you need to do now is to dry the super-clean outdoor rug. Lay it flat outside in the sun. Flip it over when the top is dry. One way to make sure the entire outdoor rug is completely dry is to push your fingers into the rug to ensure no moisture is felt. Mission complete!