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OUTDOOR RUGS – FAQ
Recommended bullet points on outdoor rugs (specific benefits may apply to
individual rug styles)
- Pet friendly, easy spot clean
- Clean with mild detergent and water
- Air dry thoroughly after washing
- Fade resistant fibers
- To extend the rug’s life, store during winter conditions and inclement
weather
- Flame resistant
For additional reference, please see below. If you would like to create additional
bullet points, please forward to Marketing department for approval before
publishing.
General outdoor rug product information
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. It has the added value of helping you keep dirt and other outdoor
residue outside where it belongs.
In addition, if you’ve spent hundreds of dollars building the perfect deck or patio, you want to protect that
investment. A well-constructed outdoor rug helps protect the wood or stone surface from scraping furniture
legs.
Are outdoor rugs safe from rain?
Unless you’re planning to roll everything up at the first sign of dark clouds, you’ll need a waterproof rug.
Wool and other natural fibers may be great for indoor spaces, but they won’t stand up to rain. Even in
covered patio areas where the seating area is protected, moisture and stray drops of rain can still sneak in,
which can lead to mold or mildew, as well as weakening the rug's fibers.
Fortunately, most outdoor rugs are made from tightly woven polypropylene or other synthetic fibers that do
not absorb water. Not only does this help them withstand spring showers, it also makes them remarkably
easy to clean (as we’ll see later.)
Make sure your rug dries out on top and bottom. After a heavy rain, after the top has started to dry out, flip
the rug and allow the back to dry as well. Since the back is typically synthetic and won't absorb water,
excess moisture should dry up quickly. Make sure water doesn't get trapped under the rug, especially if you
have a wooden deck. The rug should be protected, but mold can collect underneath on the deck if not
properly dried.
How do you keep outdoor rugs clean?
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As mentioned, a waterproof outdoor rug makes cleaning easy. Regular cleaning will help keep your rug
looking like new, as well as helping it stand up better against regular wear and tear.
Vacuuming (without the beater bar) or sweeping is important for getting rid of dust, dirt, and debris. As
with indoor rugs, accumulating dirt creates more friction on rug fibers and increases normal wear and tear.
To clean spills, you can typically spot-clean with a simple mixture of water and dish soap after scraping up
any excess. After cleaning, simply hose the rug down and air-dry the front and back.
Can I leave my outdoor rug out year-round?
If you’re living in Arizona, chances are that your patio is open all year. In some cases, you may have a
covered deck or patio designed to provide more shelter and create essentially an outdoor living room area,
such as the outdoor decor IBB Design shared with us. But if you live in parts of the world where you stop
entertaining outdoors when winter comes around, it makes sense to store your rug. 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. It will be ready to go again when warm weather hits. If you notice curling at the
corners of your rug, you can usually fix this by dampening the corners, weighing them down and allowing
them to dry overnight.
Wood surfaces will usually fade in the sun over time, so it's normal for the area under your rug to
eventually be darker than the uncovered area.
Are outdoor rugs resistant to mold and mildew?
Typically, outdoor rugs are created from material that’s resistant to mold and mildew. However, it’s still
best to thoroughly air-dry rugs after washing or after heavy rains to make sure moisture isn’t trapped under
the rug or between the fibers. Moisture can combine with trapped dirt in the rug and cause mold or moss to
crop up, which is why regular cleaning is important. If you do find any mildew or fungus, you can get rid
of it by spot cleaning with a vinegar-water mixture.
Bleach is usually effective for removing growth such as mildew or moss, but make sure to check with your
rug manufacture to see if this will damage the rug's color. Test a small section of the rug's corner first,
before using bleach on the rest of the rug. Clean the rug on a driveway or other location where you can
divert any run-off away from plants or grass.
Using a rug pad will help avoid moisture build-up, but you should still regularly check under the rug to
make sure it's properly dried and ventilated.
Are outdoor rugs safe for wooden decks?
Outdoor rugs are great for guarding against scuffs and scratches on wooden decks — as well as tile and
stonework. As with any rugs, make sure to use a non-skid rug pad, which will help protect the rug from
wear and friction caused by shifting underfoot.
In some cases, rug padding can cause stains or discoloration to wood floors, so make sure to place the pad
with the tacky side up.
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