The biggest culprit, algae formation!
Wet and humid conditions can cause algae to spread fast in an outdoor carpet. The disgusting green slime can deteriorate an outdoor rug if not taken care of.
Mix 2 tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach with a quart of water. Apply the bleach mixture to the moldy areas of the outdoor rug with a sponge or mop. Let the bleach soak in for about 15 minutes. Rinse the rug with a garden hose to remove the bleach.
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.
Dry The Rug In Sunlight To Prevent 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.
Outdoor rugs are designed to be outside all year round and can withstand sun, rain, sleet, and snow.
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.
While outdoor rugs are weather-resistant, there's no reason to expose them to the elements when not in use. By rolling up your rug and wrapping it in weather-resistant plastic, you can store it in a garage or even against the wall outside.
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.
Placing just any outdoor carpet on your wood deck might cause wood rot, which is costly to repair. Therefore, you must avoid certain rug materials. The wrong choice would lead to staining, scratching, and discoloration, or fading.
An outdoor rug won't exactly damage your concrete patio, but it could cause the surface to darken. If moisture becomes trapped under the rug, it will seep into the porous concrete and change its appearance. There are several approaches you can take to prevent this.
Short of using your dryer, the best way to dry your rug is to hang it outside in the sun. For smaller rugs, use clothespins or clips to hang the rug straight. For larger rugs, you might need to hang them over a clothesline. If you can't hang it outside, you can also use your hairdryer.
Most indoor/outdoor carpets are mold and mildew resistant, but mold and mildew can still pop up. It typically depends on the type of carpet backing you have. If you are going to purchase indoor/outdoor carpet and install it in an area that is typically wet, you will need to buy marine carpet backing.
Outdoor needlebond carpet is made by repeatedly needling UV resistant synthetic fibers to make a felted piece of material. Since there are no individual yarns and the fibers are all intermeshed with each other, this type of carpet experiences no zippering like is common in traditional commercial or berber carpet.
It will stay put with a quality rug pad. Rug pads provide comfort. Most outdoor rugs are fairly thin so adding a pad helps to make them more comfortable to walk on. Look for a thick rug pad to give yourself an extra soft surface to walk on.
Baking soda is effective in drying wet carpet because it removes moisture. Sprinkling it over the carpet and allowing it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes will deodorize and dry up your carpet. Vacuum the carpet afterward to freshen it up.
A carpet cleaner is a quick and easy way to deep clean your area rug.
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.
Mildew and mold can grow within the fibers of your outdoor rug if the rug is exposed to water or humidity over extended periods of time. This is because wet environments create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.