Your Outdoor Rug Care and Cleaning Questions, Answered

December 29, 2023 Nourison Staff

Last updated on April 1st, 2025

Outdoor rugs are the perfect way to bring your personal style from the indoors out. While they are made to stand up to the elements, regular maintenance will help them stay fresh season after season.

In this guide, we’ll go over your frequently asked care questions so you can get the most out of your outdoor rugs, season after season.

Are indoor/outdoor rugs easy to clean?

Yes! There are a number of different ways to clean an indoor outdoor rug. We go over the most common methods in our guide on how to choose and care for outdoor rugs.

If you’re using an outdoor rug inside your home, we recommend vacuuming at least once a week on a suction only setting. You can either take the rug outside to rinse away spills or spot clean indoors.

Learn more about how to clean your rugs at home.

How do I keep my outdoor rug from blowing away?

Whether on a deck, on concrete, or directly on grass, the last thing you want is for your rug to fly away in the wind. You can stop this by placing heavy furniture or sand bags on the edges.

For a more aesthetic look, add accessories like poufs and side tables around the edges of the furniture!

Rug pads or grippers designed for outdoor use are also great alternatives. Just make sure they’re safe for your porch or patio! Some materials can damage wood decks, for example.

Can you leave outdoor rugs out all the time?

No matter where you live, it’s a good idea to bring your rug inside during extreme weather like heavy storms and snow.

While you can leave your rug outside in light to moderate rain, give both sides time to fully dry as soon as possible. This will help prevent mold and mildew buildup. The easiest way to do this is by placing the rug somewhere that’s fully exposed to natural light.

Important: Sunlight helps dry rugs quickly after rain, but prolonged exposure may cause fading over time.

You can also drape the rug over a railing or clothesline to cut down on drying time.

How can I clean mildew out of my outdoor rug?

If you’ve already had the misfortune of leaving your rug completely wet long enough for mold or mildew buildup, follow the steps below:

Start with a fully dried rug (refer to the previous section on how to dry your rug).
Spread an even layer of baking soda on the affected area.
Add white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on the baking soda.
Wait a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
To clean mold, leave the baking soda applied in step 2 on overnight, then follow remaining steps above.

How to store your outdoor rug

If you live in an area with snowy winters, you’ll want to consider a longer term storage solution for protection through the colder months.

To store, roll the rug up so the backing faces outward. This helps protect the face from dust-buildup or damage. Use plastic wrap or strings around the middle and ends to keep the rug from unrolling. If you can, cover the rug with a polyurethane bag for extra protection.

Store it in a cool, dry place such as the garage or storage shed. Do not store anything on top of the rug so it doesn’t develop creases. Try to avoid keeping it directly on the ground, especially if you haven’t covered it with a bag.