Outdoor rugs are manufactured in a way that can survive through any season and withstand rain, hailstorm, snow, or scorching sun and can be left outside all year round. The materials usually used to create outdoor rugs are poly silk and polypropylene.
Outdoor rugs are designed to be outside all year round and can withstand sun, rain, sleet, and snow.
Although outdoor rugs are typically mold and mildew resistant, the dirt and moisture that accumulates on them is where these pesky fungi can grow. When cleaning an outdoor rug with mildew, dirt, stains and general grime, some common household items that people reach for include dish soap, white vinegar and baking soda.
Unlike other natural fibers, outdoor jute rugs should be placed in a covered porch or patio because jute rugs can be damaged by moisture and are susceptible to mold and mildew.
Dry The Rug In Sunlight To Prevent Mold
They are easy to clean and resists mold. To ensure that your area rug stays free of mold growth after washing, hang it over a porch railing in the sunlight. If you don't have a railing, lay the rug out in the sun to dry and flip it over to make sure both sides dry thoroughly.
Placing just any outdoor rug material may end up damaging your wood deck in several ways. It can stain, rot, cause mold or mildew growth and scratches to your wood deck which is costly to replace. Which means you must be careful when shopping for outdoor rugs especially when you are looking to decorate the space.
You can put an outdoor rug on a concrete patio without damaging either the rug or the concrete, provided you seal the concrete first and fix the rug down with flooring tape or adhesive. Patio rugs are usually made of polypropylene so are water, mold, mildew, and UV resistant.
Why do I need an outdoor rug? An outdoor rug serves the same purpose as an indoor area rug: it pulls your seating area together into a single, unified space that's inviting and comfortable. It shows an attention to detail, allowing you to create a truly personalized decor for your yard.
The best way to maintain your outdoor rug is to keep it dry. After heavy rain or mornings with heavy dew, allow the rug to dry completely on one side – then flip it and move it to another area so both the bottom of the rug and the ground surface can also dry out.
If your outdoor rug gets wet, it will most likely mildew and create unhealthy conditions which could potentially cause a mold to grow. Your outdoor rug can also be ruined by mildew which would then call for a replacement.
Outdoor rugs are not often waterproof. But they are water resistant. Simply put, they absorb less water than most indoor rugs, and they dry a lot quicker after getting wet. Thanks to these characteristics outdoor rugs can be left outside and stay outside even in the rain.
How to clean outdoor rugs: Unless the outdoor rug is resin/polyester woven, you most likely will battle green mildew, dirt, or weather stains on your outdoor rugs since they aren't as water resistant. It's actually pretty easy to clean your rugs, but it does take a little muscle work to scrub them!
This is because wet environments create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. You'll know your outdoor rugs have mold growing on them if you see circular stains of brown, green, or black within the fibers, or if you detect a pungent, musty smell.
Polypropylene rugs (also known as olefin rugs) have a natural-fiber appearance, but unlike most natural fibers, they are able to absorb water. This makes them well-suited for the outdoors and areas like the bathroom or basement; polypropylene rugs will not grow mold or mildew when exposed to water.
However, if we take into consideration that outdoor carpet flooring experiences increased stress, both from nature and everyday use, the lifespan of indoor and outdoor carpets is about the same—15-25 years if properly maintained.
Unlike indoor rugs, the outdoor mats are designed to withstand adverse weather elements without requiring any waterproofing. Still, you can spray the carpet with a waterproofing agent such as Scotchgard Fabric Protector that forms a super-hydrophobic protective barrier around the surface.
Can Indoor rugs be used outside? No, indoor rugs are not made to withstand the elements – rain and sun – of the outdoors. The sun can fade them. The rain can cause watermarks and the fibers to disintegrate.
Outdoor rugs can be very slippery when placed on the floor and can cause serious injuries or even result in death. This can happen if one accidently steps inappropriately, slides and hits the floor maybe with the head.
However, if we're talking about a polypropylene rug that's made from synthetic fibers, then that is a different story. You see, synthetic fibers are susceptible to heat and will absorb it. So the answer is yes—these rugs can get hot in the sun!
Yes, polypropylene rugs are durable. Made to handle extreme weather, messes, and scratches, polypropylene rugs are extremely resilient and can easily bounce back from wear and tear. In fact, this resilience makes them great rugs for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Things You'll Need
Grass carpeting can be used on any outdoor area not exposed to weather, and plush carpeting can be used on covered decks. Choose a carpet that is comfortable to your feet, stain resistant and able to withstand rain.
A patio or driveway outside with good drainage is a great place to start. Make sure the rug can lay flat on the ground. Outdoor cleaning is the only place to clean your rug. Pressure Washer – Almost any pressure washer will work, the important selection is the type of tip you use.
Technically. According to Good Housekeeping, rugs that are made of cotton or synthetic fibers—even those with a rubber, no-slip backing—can go in the washing machine. Better Homes & Gardens notes that you can wash small braided or woven rugs in the machine was well.