Here's How to Clean an Outdoor Rug That's Seen Better Days

New York Times

a day ago

1. Remove dirt and debris. If your rug is small, you can shake it out or hang it over a railing and give it a few good thwacks with a tennis racket or carpet beater. Otherwise, Melissa Maker, the founder of the YouTube channel Clean My Space, says a vacuum cleaner, leaf blower, or broom work just fine. (Maker is currently part of an ambassador program with Procter & Gamble; the products she recommended for this article are not affiliated with the company.)
2. Lay the rug on a clean surface. If possible, lay the rug down onto a sloped surface, like a driveway, so, once you start washing, water can drain away as you work. If you don't have access to a driveway or other sloped surface, working on any clean, flat surface is fine.
3. Spot-treat stains. Before you clean the entire rug, spot-treat stains by scrubbing some dish soap or stain remover, such as Folex (which Maker recommends), into the fibers of the rug with a firm-bristled brush. Let the pretreatment sit for at least five minutes and up to 24 hours, depending on the severity of the stain. If you're concerned about the colorfastness of your rug, Maker recommends testing your chosen spot treatment on an inconspicuous area first.
4. Saturate the rug with water. Once you've spot-treated stains, give the entire rug a good rinse using a hose, pressure washer, or buckets full of water, saturating it completely. If you use a hose or bucket
5. Add a few drops of soap per gallon of water to a bucket. Mix with the scrub brush to create a sudsy mixture. Dip the scrub brush into the bucket and work the mixture over the wet rug in circular motions. Repeat as needed to get the rug coated in the soapy water.
You should always read the labels of the cleaning products you're using outside, as certain surfactants, phosphates, and other chemicals can be potentially harmful when washed into the wastewater system, according to Barbara Sacks, the executive director at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County in New York. Follow your local laws around stormwater drainage, and if you're unsure about using a particular product in your yard, Sacks recommends contacting your local cooperative extension.
6. If you're using a hose, opt for a flat stream setting on the nozzle to protect your rug. A stronger setting may be too rough on the rug's fibers. Work your way over the rug from the middle out, pushing dirt and debris out and away from the rug as you go. Hold the nozzle about 12 to 18 inches away from the rug to prevent damage.
7. If you're using buckets full of water, similarly work your way over the rug from the middle outward.
8. Continue to wash and rinse until you're satisfied with how clean your rug is. You can also flip it over and repeat on the back side to loosen up any dirt that's settled into the fibers. If you use a pressure washer
5. Load your pressure washer with a concentrated detergent. You could use Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner, which is formulated to be mixed and diluted with water as it comes out of the pressure washer. If your rug has a buildup of mold, mildew, or algae, Maker suggests using a dedicated product for mold and mildew removal instead, like 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate, to break these stains down.
According to 30 Seconds, its cleaner breaks down once rinsed into the soil — just be sure to rinse foliage or grass within 10 minutes of exposure. It should not, however, be introduced to drinking-water reservoirs, lakes, or streams, so the brand recommends minimizing overspray as much as possible where it could potentially enter bodies of water.
6. Switch the spray setting before proceeding. To protect your rug, use a wide spray, low-pressure nozzle on your pressure washer. (For example, Ryobi, the manufacturer of our top-pick pressure washer, recommends using the soap nozzle.)
7. Spray down the rug. Work your way over the rug from the middle out, pushing dirt and debris out and away from the rug as you go. Hold the nozzle about 12 to 18 inches away from the rug to prevent damage. Olan suggests avoiding the outer edges of the rug as much as possible to prevent damaging the binding.
8. Continue to wash and rinse the rug until you're satisfied with the results. You can also flip it over and repeat the process on the back side to loosen up any dirt that's settled into the fibers. Rinse the rug and let it dry
9. Rinse out the cleaning solution. Using a hose, pressure washer (sans soap), or buckets full of water, rinse the rug a final time until the water runs clear.
10. Allow your rug to dry completely. Ideally, you can hang it over a railing and in the sun. To speed up the drying process, use a wet/dry vac to remove excess water, or roll the rug up with towels and squeeze.
To make the job easier next time, show your rug a little proactive love by bringing it inside during severe weather, squeegeeing it after downpours, and regularly sweeping it clear of debris. Your bare feet will thank you.
This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Katie Okamoto. For a stained outdoor furniture cushion: Vacuum it, wipe it, stain-treat it, sun it.
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