How to Clean and Maintain Indoor/Outdoor Rugs for Lasting Beauty
Proper care and regular maintenance are key to keeping your indoor/outdoor rug in top shape and looking just as beautiful as the day you bought it. High-performance outdoor rugs are designed to resist water, stains, fading, mold, and mildew while standing up to exposure to the elements or heavy indoor foot traffic—but that doesn't mean they're indestructible. Our care guide offers expert advice on how to clean indoor/outdoor rugs, tips for removing stains, and the best ways to store them to keep your floor coverings beautiful for years to come.
Four Steps to Clean Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
Easy care is one of the primary benefits of choosing an indoor/outdoor rug for your home. Most indoor/outdoor rugs will have a care label with specific cleaning instructions for their material and construction. For the best results, always follow the manufacturer’s directions. In a pinch, you can follow these four simple steps to clean your outdoor rug.
- Remove loose dirt and debris. Shake, sweep, or use a leaf blower to remove pollen, leaves, and flowers that have settled on the rug.
- Wet the rug. Rinse the rug on both sides with a garden hose until thoroughly saturated.
- Apply soap and scrub. Use a gentle cleaning solution to scrub stains or dirty areas; make your own using lukewarm water and mild dish soap or choose an all-purpose cleaner.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse the rug thoroughly, then hang it in a sunny area or drape it over a fence to let it dry completely.
How Do You Maintain Outdoor Rugs?
Regular maintenance will keep any floor covering in top shape—but it’s especially important if your indoor/outdoor rug is used in an exposed area, such as a patio or deck, if your rug is in a high-traffic area, and during spring and fall when pollen and fallen leaves are common. While many indoor/outdoor rugs are designed to be stain-resistant, dirt and debris can cause stains if left on the surface of a rug.
To keep your indoor/outdoor rug looking beautiful as long as possible, regularly shake it out, sweep, or use a leaf blower to remove dirt and debris from its surface. If the forecast calls for rain, storms, or snow, it’s best to roll up your patio rug and store it in a covered area to protect it.
Outdoor Rug Stain Removal Tips
Outdoor rugs are crafted of synthetic material that resist stains, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to pesky spots or discoloration. Small spots can be scrubbed away using mild dish detergent and water—but tougher, set-in stains might require something stronger. When removing stains from outdoor rugs, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Always follow your rugs’ care instructions. If you’re not sure if something will cause damage, err on the side of caution.
- Test any stain-removal mixtures on the rug in an inconspicuous area before using them on a prominent spot.
- Avoid using bleach, chemical stain removers, and pressure washers which may damage the rug’s fibers.
The Best Way to Store Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs can be left outside year-round. However, to protect your investment and prolong the life of your indoor/outdoor rug, store it during winter or when you’re not regularly using your patio, deck, or porch.
To store an outdoor rug, first clean it thoroughly according to the manufacturer's instructions and let the rug dry completely. Then, roll it up and store it in a dry, covered space. When you remove the rug from storage in the spring, give it a good shake and, if necessary, a quick rinse.
Indoor/outdoor rugs are favored for their durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance, and can transform the look of your outdoor living space. Proper care and storage can help prolong the life of your seasonal floor covering. For more on choosing and caring for high-quality home products, explore our other Guides.