With spring here and the summer holidays quickly creeping up on us, there’s no surprise that outdoor areas become the most utilised space. We certainly believe there is no better time than now to begin freshening up your entertainment area and ensuring you are prepared for the upcoming festive season!
An accessory that most people tend to avoid is cleaning their outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs are the perfect transitional piece to transform a functional space into a comfortable living area. Most outdoor rugs are synthetic, so they’re mould and mildew resistant, yet the accumulation of dirt and grime cannot be prevented. Seeing as we’re the outdoor furniture experts, we thought we’d share our top tips for cleaning your outdoor rug.
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Know the fabric
The material of the rug will certainly determine how you approach cleaning it. The common types of materials are:
- Acrylic
- Bamboo
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Polypropylene
Whilst these rugs are more durable and robust, each material has its positives and negatives that you should research. If you are unfamiliar with the type of material your rug is, feel free to contact us and we can assist you in the right direction.
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Clean off surface dirt
Once you’ve done your research, use a soft brush to sweep off any debris on your rug. Make sure you vacuum any of the remaining dirt and surrounding floor area. If possible, try shaking your rug to help remove any excess.
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Spot clean if necessary
Any liquid stains that are fresh should be blotted to prevent the stain from seeping deeper into the rug fibres. Using a butter knife to carefully lift any dry debris and vacuuming it after is also very handy!
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Soapy Water
Using a big bucket, pour about 1 tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid for every 3 ½ litres of water. Clear soap will stop the colours from transferring onto your rug!
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Begin the deep clean
Lying your rug down on an elevated driveway or any clean surface will help with the wash away. Begin hosing down the rug and use a soft brush to start scrubbing! Use your own intuition to decide whether the entire rug needs to be cleaned or just certain areas. Rinse the rug again and either lay it in the sun or hang it over a fence to dry.
Pro tip** Trial the soap and scrubbing brush in one corner of the rug to see how it takes to it. Proceed the clean if there are no damages visible. Discontinue the clean and consult a professional if issues arise.
That’s it! Depending on the size of the rug, this process can take about 30 minutes to one hour to clean. There’s no better feeling than revitalising your favourite rug and saving some $$$ in the process.
We’d like to remind our lovely readers that this process will present better results if your rug has been cared for throughout the year. If you’re unsure of what we’re talking about here are a few more tips.
- Blot spills immediately after an accident with a white cloth
- Avoid harsh chemicals, as it can cause fading
- Store your rug in a dry area when the outdoor entertaining season is over
- Allow your rug to dry completely from moisture before vacuuming
- Vacuum and shake regularly
If you’re looking for a new rug to make your outdoor entertainment setting more inviting, then give the team at Daydream Leisure Furniture a call. We have a large variety of outdoor rugs to suit everyone’s needs and we can give you the best advice on which rug is best suited for you!