Learn how to clean your indoor/outdoor carpets with these simple, effective steps. Follow our easy guide to vacuuming, spot-cleaning, and periodic deep cleans to maintain the beauty and longevity of your carpets.
As the weather warms up and spring arrives, it’s the perfect time to focus on deep cleaning our outdoor carpets. This way, we can fully enjoy our outdoor spaces, whether we’re relaxing in the sunshine or hosting gatherings.
Outdoor carpets quickly pick up dirt, especially the ones used both indoors and outdoors. They endure a lot of foot traffic and have to withstand weather too, which means they get dirty even faster than regular carpets.
To make sure your outdoor carpet stay clean, you need to wash them often. But you can’t just throw them in the washing machine. Cleaning these carpets the right way means vacuuming them often, giving them a deep clean now and then, and taking care of spots right when they happen. This might sound like a lot, but if you do it step by step, it’s not so hard.
As we go through the cleaning steps, I’ll also share this gorgeous porch design from Bria Hammel Interiors. Her style features a beautiful southern design on the porch that not only brings a sense of peace but also highlights how well-maintained carpets can improve outdoor living spaces. This visual inspiration is a perfect complement to our topic, illustrating the stunning impact of a clean and fresh carpet in a thoughtfully designed area.
Let`s get started!:)
How Often Should You Clean Your Outdoor Carpet?
Well, it really depends on a few things like how much foot traffic it gets and if it’s exposed to a lot of dirt or weather. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to give it a quick vacuum once a week to pick up any loose dirt. If it’s in a high-traffic area or gets dirty quickly, you might want to do this more often.
Every month or so, it’s a good idea to do a deeper clean, maybe with some mild soap and water for any tough spots. And don’t forget, if there’s a spill or stain, try to clean it up right away to keep your carpet looking nice and fresh!
Here’s What You Need / Cleaning Tools & Supplies
- Vacuum Cleaner: A good vacuum cleaner that can handle outdoor debris is essential for regular upkeep.
- Mild Detergent: For deeper cleaning, use a mild detergent or carpet cleaner that’s safe for the type of fabric your carpet is made of.
- Soft-Bristle Brush: This helps in gently scrubbing the carpet without damaging the fibers, especially useful for tackling stains.
- Garden Hose or Bucket: For rinsing your carpet after scrubbing, a garden hose is ideal. If you don’t have outdoor space, a bucket with clean water will do.
- Sponge or Cloth: Useful for blotting and gentle cleaning, especially on smaller stains.
Steps to Clean Your Outdoor Carpet
Carpets are excellent at trapping dirt, debris, and moisture, which can lead to stubborn stains and mildew growth. That’s why it’s best to have professionals deep clean your carpets every few months. However, if you prefer to do it yourself, that’s absolutely possible. Just follow these simple steps to ensure your carpet remains clean and fresh.
By the way, if you’re taken with this stunning design idea by Bria Hammel, make sure to visit her porch reveal for a detailed look at how she brings such spaces to life.
Step 1: Vacum Regularly
tart by vacuuming your carpet to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris. This should be done weekly or more often if the carpet is in a high-traffic area.
Step 2: Spot Clean Stains
As soon as spills or stains occur, address them immediately. Use a mixture of water and mild detergent, apply it to the stain, and gently blot with a cloth or sponge. Avoid rubbing as it can push the stain deeper into the fibers.
Before addressing specific stains, it’s a good idea to use a steam cleaner on your carpet. This method allows deep penetration into the carpet fibers, effectively removing dirt and stains that aren’t reachable through regular vacuuming or spot-cleaning alone. Before using a steam cleaner, check if your carpet can handle it. Different materials like synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural fibers have specific care needs. Always look at the care instructions to make sure steaming is safe for your carpet.
Step 3: Prepare a Cleaning Solution
Mix a gentle detergent with warm water in a bucket. You can also use a carpet cleaning solution designed for outdoor fabrics.
Step 4: Scrub the Carpet
Dip a soft-bristle brush into the cleaning solution and gently scrub the carpet. Work in sections to ensure thorough cleaning, paying extra attention to heavily soiled areas.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
If your carpet is small and manageable, you can rinse it off with a garden hose. For larger carpets, use a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
Step 6: Repeat the Process if Necessary
For carpets that are extremely dirty, you might need to repeat the deep cleaning process to get them completely clean.
Step 7: Dry the Carpet
Allow the carpet to air dry completely before placing it back in use. If possible, hang it up to dry to prevent mold and mildew growth. If you can’t hang it, leave it flat in a well-ventilated area.
Tips to Keep Outdoor Carpet Clean Longer
- Keep Pet Wipes Handy: If you’ve got pets, it’s a great idea to keep some wipes by the door. After they come in from a muddy or snowy walk, give their paws a quick wipe. It’ll save your carpet from getting all dirty.
- Act Fast on Spills: Spilled something? No worries—just grab some paper towels or an old T-shirt and blot that spill quickly. The faster you act, the less chance there is for it to soak into the carpet and cause a real mess.
- Choose Stain-Resistant Carpets: Got kids or a bit clumsy with your drinks? Think about getting a stain-resistant outdoor carpet. It’s a lifesaver for keeping things looking neat without too much fuss.
- Use Seasonally: Try to keep your rug outdoors only during the warmer months, like from May through September. Cold weather can be tough on them, so when it’s chilly, roll them up and store them somewhere dry, like your basement or a well-sealed shed.
- Clean Before Storing: When it’s time to pack up your rug for the winter, give it a good clean first. This way, you’ll avoid any nasty surprises like mold or bugs when you roll it out next year.
And let’s take a moment to appreciate this amazing porch design created by Bria Hammel. I absolutely suggest visiting her blog to gather some inspiration for transforming your home into a space of comfort and style. The mix of soft blues and crisp whites, along with the natural wood tones and the vibrant greens from the plants, creates this welcoming atmosphere. It’s an ideal spot for relaxing at the end of the day or for savoring a peaceful morning with your favorite drink.
Conclusion
With an outdoor rug under your feet, your porch or patio is bound to become your new favorite place to relax. Just a little upkeep can make a big difference in how long your rug lasts. We hope the easy tips we’ve shared in this article help you keep your rug in great shape. Don’t forget to drop us a comment below—we’d love to hear how it goes for you!:)
