Choosing and caring for an outdoor rug: from rain to winter
A polypropylene outdoor rug can handle a rain shower and the summer sun, but not weeks of lying wet. Lift it to dry after heavy rain, roll it up in a storm and store it clean and dry when autumn begins.
What makes a rug suitable for outdoors?
Three things: a fibre that doesn't absorb water, a colour that can take the sun and a backing that's allowed to get wet. All our outdoor rugs are polypropylene, flat-woven or low-pile, with a pile of 0 to 6 mm. Sand and leaves then stay on the surface.
Don't put an indoor rug on an open terrace, even if it's polypropylene. The jute backing of an indoor rug holds on to water and starts to smell.
Weather-resistant is not the same as waterproof. Rain runs through the weave, so the surface underneath needs to be able to drain.
Which backing does your outdoor rug have?
The backing decides where the rug works best and how quickly it dries.
| Series | Pile and backing | Best place |
|---|---|---|
| Maestro | Flat-woven sisal look, synthetic backing | Open terrace, balcony, garden |
| Kos | Low 6 mm loop, synthetic backing | Open terrace, balcony |
| Tenerife Plus | 5 mm, jute backing | Covered patio, veranda, indoors |
| Salsa | 4 mm, jute backing | Covered patio, veranda, indoors |
| Ottawa | Flat-woven, felt backing | Covered patio, veranda, indoors |
| Helsinki | Flat-woven, cotton backing | Covered patio, conservatory, indoors |
A synthetic backing dries the fastest. A jute, felt or cotton backing can take a shower but holds on to moisture for longer. Those rugs are best under a roof, and after rain you lift them up to dry. If your rug isn't in the table, treat it as a rug with a textile backing.
You'll find every design among our outdoor rugs.
Can an outdoor rug stay outside?
| Weather | Leave it out? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dry summer weather | Yes | Sweep it every week and check the underside now and then |
| A rain shower | Yes | Lift it afterwards and let both sides dry |
| Days of rain | Better not | Roll it up while it's dry and put it under cover |
| Storm or strong wind | No | Roll it up, or it will blow away |
| Autumn and winter | No | Clean it, let it dry and store it indoors |
| Under a solid roof | Usually yes | Lift it every month and check that it's dry underneath |
After heavy rain
- Lift the rug off the ground.
- Let the water run out.
- Drape it over two or three chairs or a garden bench, so it doesn't hang in a single fold.
- Let the top and the underside dry completely.
- Wipe the floor dry and put the rug back.
Is the rug on wooden decking or on tiles where water collects? Then it stays wet underneath for longer, so lift it more often there.
Can an outdoor rug handle frost?
One cold night won't damage the fibre. The trouble starts in autumn: wet leaves and mud get trapped between the rug and the ground, freeze, thaw and get wet again. That's what causes green algae and a musty smell.
So put the rug away before the autumn weather sets in, which in the Netherlands is usually late October. A rug under a solid roof can stay out as long as it stays dry underneath.
Does an outdoor rug fade in the sun?
Eventually, yes. UV-resistant means the rug fades more slowly, not that it never fades. Turn the rug round 180 degrees every month. It then fades evenly and you won't get a pale strip where the sun shines longest. A mottled colour or mid-tone shows colour differences less than dark anthracite or black.
How do you clean an outdoor rug?
Every week
Sweep or shake off sand and leaves. A vacuum cleaner on its normal setting is fine too.
A fresh stain
Scoop up any residue and blot with a white cloth. Use lukewarm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid. Rinse with clean water and let it dry. For wine, coffee or an accident from the dog, there's a stain chart in the cleaning guide.
A deep clean
- Vacuum or sweep both sides clean.
- Lay the rug on a clean spot where water can drain away.
- Wet it with a garden hose on a gentle spray.
- Scrub with a soft brush and mild soapy water.
- Rinse out all the soap.
- Let both sides dry before you put it back.
Green algae or a musty smell
Algae grows where dirt and moisture sit together for a long time. Preventing it is easier than removing it:
- sweep leaves away the same day;
- lift the rug after rain;
- clean the ground underneath as well;
- never roll the rug up wet.
If the backing still smells musty after drying, give the rug a deep clean and let it dry completely in the sun and wind before you store it. Never mix cleaning products, and above all never mix bleach with vinegar.
Which size for a balcony or terrace?
| Outdoor space | Size | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow balcony | 80 × 150 or 80 × 200 cm | In front of the chair or along the railing |
| Balcony with two chairs and a small table | 120 × 170 cm or 160 cm round | Table and front legs on the rug |
| Small lounge set | 160 × 220 or 160 × 230 cm | Front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug |
| Large lounge set | 200 × 280 cm or larger | All the seating on the rug |
| Garden table for six | 240 × 340 cm | 60 cm of rug all round the tabletop |
| Large terrace | 300 × 400 cm | The whole lounge or dining area on one rug |
Keep the drain and the balcony door clear. For more layouts, see the size guide.
How do you store an outdoor rug?
Clean it and let it dry completely. Roll it up with the pile facing inwards, rather than folding it. Wrap it in an old sheet or a breathable cover, not a sealed plastic bag. Store it lying flat in a dry shed, storeroom or loft, with nothing heavy on top.
Can you use an outdoor rug indoors?
Yes. A flat outdoor rug works well in the kitchen, the hallway, the conservatory or under a dining table where children eat. On a smooth indoor floor, put an anti-slip rug pad underneath.
Frequently asked questions
Can an outdoor rug stay out in the rain?
It can handle a shower. Lift it afterwards and let both sides dry. When it rains for days, roll it up and put it under cover.
Can an outdoor rug stay outside all winter?
Better not. Wet leaves, mud and frost leave the rug dirty and musty. Store it clean and dry at the end of October.
Can I hose down an outdoor rug?
Yes, on a gentle spray. Rinse out all the soap and let both sides of the rug dry. Don't use a pressure washer.
Which outdoor rug copes best with the wet?
A rug with a synthetic backing, such as Maestro and Kos, because it dries the fastest. Rugs with a jute, felt or cotton backing are best kept under a covered patio.
Can I put an outdoor rug on the lawn?
For an afternoon, yes. If it stays there for a few days, the grass underneath turns yellow and the underside of the rug stays wet. It's better on tiles, decking or gravel.
