Each year, many homeowners make plans to improve the decor of their outdoor space. From outdoor seating areas to the dining, they want to make the patio or deck as appealing as possible. Adding outdoor rugs can make the inside of the home inviting. Although this type of rug can stand up to the rain, it can fade overtime if not well-maintained. If it’s constantly exposed to the rain, it loses its shine and becomes dull. Therefore, you need to protect it.
Protecting your outdoor rugs from rain keeps the material alive and safeguards them against fading. Stepping on a rug that’s absorbed with water isn’t nice, but you can prevent this from happening. All you need is to add a waterproof fabric underneath and place another waterproof fabric seal on top of it. This way, you have sealed water from penetrating the rug and you can leave it outside in the rain as much as you like.
What is an Outdoor Rug?
An outdoor rug is a decorative material designed to stand up to weather elements, such as rain and sunshine. Rug manufacturers design these materials to be durable while maintaining their gorgeous finish. An outdoor rug is different from an indoor one in that an indoor one are incapable of standing up to outdoor elements. This means when they are exposed to rain or sunshine, they get damaged. Outdoor rugs are designed for all kinds of weather, which makes them irreplaceable.
Most outdoor rugs are built with some kind of protective coating to safeguard it against fading and damage from water. Some coatings can also prevent mold growth, but you’ll still need to wash the rug to keep it completely free from mold. Outdoor rugs are built with different materials, such as olefin, polyester, jute, nylon, polypropylene, sisal, etc.
Polypropylene and olefin are the most popular types of rug materials because they are ultra resistant to sun rays, stains, and often require a low-maintenance. Although jute is a natural fiber, it doesn’t fare well in humidity. So, you might want to reconsider your options when buying an outdoor rug for your patio or deck.
Why Protect Your Outdoor Rug from Rain Instead of Buying a New One?
Yes, you could ditch your old rug and opt for a new one and save yourself the hassle of waterproofing. However, waterproofing your outdoor rug is much more cost-effective than buying a new one. You won’t spend more than one-eight of the total cost of a new rug to waterproof your old rug.
What Happens to Outdoor Rugs When They Get Wet?
Like I said, outdoor rugs are created from materials that withstand rain and other weather conditions. But, over time, their resistivity power wanes, and they absorb more content than before. If your outdoor rug gets wet, it will be potentially destroyed by mildew and suitable conditions will be created for mold to grow inside. Many people assume that synthetic materials like polypropylene can’t become moldy, but it can. This material are durable to an extent and can’t prevent mold growth if constantly exposed to humidity.
How to Waterproof Your Outdoor Rug
Before waterproofing your rug, you’ll need a pair of scissors and carpet tape. Once you have gotten this, proceed to these waterproofing steps below.
- Waterproof Underneath
The rug’s underneath has direct contact with the floor. Therefore, it will attract so much dirt. This is why you need to waterproof it. Since it’s not as visible as the upper layer, you may pick any fabric you want and place it underneath. Cut the fabric with scissors to match the rug’s size. You can use carpet tape to stick it. After you are done, add a grip pad underneath to provide excellent traction.
- Waterproof the Upper Side
After waterproofing the bottom, the rug’s upper side is next. This side absorbs as much dirt as the bottom, so you need to waterproof it as well. Waterproofing this side is much more convenient than the bottom because you don’t need any extra fabric. All you need is a fabric seal spray. We recommend Thompson’s spray for this.
Spray one coat on the rug, and wait for it to completely dry. After the first coat dries, add another layer and leave it out to dry. You shouldn’t expose the rug to any moisture until after 24 hours.
How to Clean an Outdoor Rug
The outdoor space is typically characterised by dirt and bugs, so it’s only natural for your outdoor rug to become dirty. Therefore, you need to clean them from time to time. Cleaning not only keeps the rug hygienic, but it also extends its lifespan. Below are some ways to clean your outdoor rug.
- Hold the rug in one part and shake it vigorously. The vibration will shake off dirt and debris from it. If it’s large, you may need the assistance of another person to hold it in one corner while you handle the other end. Alternatively, you can hang it over the fence and use a broom to strike it.
- You can also vacuum the dug after a few weeks. Run the vacuum cleaner over the top and under the rug to remove the dirt, debris, and to loosen any dirt underneath. After vacuuming, you can shake it off.
- You can also sweep the rug instead of vacuuming it. Your vacuum cleaner may not be long enough to aggressively attack the dirt. Sweeping gives you the edge and maximum control. You can swiftly sweep out the dirt from both sides. Remember to shake it off after you are done.
- If you spot any spilled liquid like wine on the rug, use a dry cloth to blot the stain until it’s absorbed completely.
- For dry stains, dip a sponge into a mixture of water and detergent and gently clean the area. Rinse the sponge out all the time and keep bloating gently until the stain is gone. Rinse the detergent with water and allow the rug to dry.
- If you find mildew or mold on your rug, you can use a mixture of bleach and water or vinegar and baking soda to remove it. With the bleach method, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dirt and debris, spray the rug with a mixture of bleach and water, and then rinse thoroughly. If the rug is unsafe for bleach, vacuum the dirt and sprinkle the area with baking soda. Then spray the area with vinegar and allow it to soak for a few minutes. You may notice some bubbling, but it’s totally fine. Rinse afterward and allow it to dry.
Conclusion
Protecting your outdoor rug is crucial. Although most of these rugs come with natural-resistant capabilities, they can fade over time when it absorbs so much moisture. Waterproofing it is the best way to prolong its lifespan. Even if you purchase a new one and you don’t waterproof it, the same thing repeats itself.