Should I Buy an Outdoor Rug for Spring

Once spring hits, it’s the perfect time to start utilizing your outdoor living space again. You want your outdoor living space to feel comfortable and a rug is a perfect piece to make it feel like home. Whether it’s a small corner or a large screened-in porch, a rug can pull everything together and provide other benefits. Keep reading to learn if you need an outdoor rug for spring.

First things first, why do you need an outdoor rug?

An outdoor rug can pull your seating area together, just like an indoor rug does. A rug creates a unified space that is welcoming and comforting. Also with a rug, you can create the perfect decor style for your outdoor space. The more practical side of an outdoor rug is that it helps keep dirt and other outdoor elements, like pollen, outside so you don’t bring them into your home. If you have outdoor furniture, putting a rug underneath it will protect the material of your porch or patio.

How do outdoor rugs react to rain?

No matter what, you should purchase a waterproof outdoor rug so you do not have to try to roll it up every time it is about to rain. Even if it is in a covered area, moisture and raindrops can still get to your rug. If you don’t have a waterproof rug, you’ll be faced with a moldy or mildew rug.

The best materials for an outdoor rug are tightly woven polypropylene or other synthetic fibers. These fibers do not absorb water and are easy to clean.

After a rainstorm, make sure your rug dries on the top and bottom. Once the top is dry, flip it to allow the back to dry. While the rug itself won’t mold, mold can grow underneath it if water is trapped. Using a rug pad can help prevent moisture build-up underneath the rug but still check regularly that it is dry and ventilated.

How do you clean outdoor rugs?

Outdoor rugs are much easier to clean than indoor rugs. A simple vacuuming or sweep will get rid of any dirt and debris. If you need to clean up a spill, you can spot clean it with a mix of water and dish soap. After cleaning, you can spray it down with a hose and hang it to dry outside.

Mildew is minimized with sunshine, so in the shade more mildew can form. If you spot any mold or mildew, you can try spot cleaning with a 50% water and 50% white vinegar solution. Bleach will often remove the color from even outdoor fibers and can weaken them over time.  

If you need your outdoor rug professionally cleaned or repaired, we are happy to help. Cristomar cleans outdoor rugs to remove pollen, built-up soils, and mildew. We can pick them up or bring them in for a discount on cleaning. Check out our website to learn more!

Sources:

https://therugedit.com/does-my-outdoor-furniture-need-an-outdoor-rug/

https://www.reviewed.com/home-outdoors/features/things-to-consider-when-buying-an-outdoor-area-rug

https://rugandhome.com/blogs/decorating-guide/how-to-choose-an-outdoor-rug-for-your-porch-or-patio