Can Outdoor Rugs Get Wet | Rained on, Mold and Mildew?

Are you wondering if you can leave your rug outside during winter and spring? Can your outdoor rugs get wet? What distinguishes a well-made rug from a shoddy one is how they are designed to deal with moisture.

You might have heard a lot of good news about outdoor rugs, especially their resilience and durability. Openly, outdoor rugs will get wet due to rain or condensation. 

However, well-made outdoor rugs will deal with wetness or dampness better and are made to dry quickly. So when your rug is wet, dry it properly to prevent the growth of mold and mildew or damaging your rug.

When you find yourself in this type of situation, how to deal with it is important; below is everything you can do to care for your outdoor rug when it gets wet.

Can my indoor-outdoor rug get wet?

By their default design, outdoor rugs are all weather-resistant. In addition, outdoor rugs do not suffer from dampness like other rugs because of the materials used, even though it gets wet. For example, a damped rug on a wooden deck could cause it to rot and encourage the growth of mold and mildew when not correctly cared for. 

This outstanding feat is accomplished by combining water-resistant materials with eye-catching designs to create durable and attractive rugs for contemporary and traditional outdoor spaces.

To cut the story short, outdoor rugs will get wet when rained or when spills occur, but it is designed neither to absolve nor retain the water; therefore, wetness rarely risks its durability. 

 

 

Can outdoor rugs stay out in the rain?

Outdoor rugs are frequently made of high-quality materials resistant to the sun, humidity, mist, and water droplets. Outdoor rugs come in various styles and are made of multiple materials; however, only a few materials, such as nylon, polypropylene, synthetic, and polyester, perform exceptionally well in the rain.

By this, we don’t suggest that there are outdoor rugs that can’t stay in the rain. It only means that some materials will be more reliable than others. Yet, as a minimum standard, all outdoor rugs should be able to withstand elements, and that includes rain and sunshine.

The best material for manufacturing outdoor rugs is polyester, which is made to ensure it is resistant to all weather. Polyester is a very reliable material that is also one of the most versatile.

Polyester rugs come in various colors and patterns and have varying durability. The rug will remain in good condition even after being wet, as it can withstand prolonged exposure to water. Additionally, it is simple to clean and maintain over the long run. 

Furthermore, assume you’re considering purchasing a new water-resistant outdoor rug. Nylon, polypropylene, or synthetic are other ideal materials to choose from the numerous other options available.

This rug type provides both quality and durability at a reasonable price. Another advantage of nylon is that it is eco-friendly, which means it has no adverse effect on the environment. Be confident that outdoor rugs can stay out in the rain.

Do outdoor rugs mildew?

The fact is that, even though outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements, they are not entirely impervious to the whims of Mother Nature. For example, various dirt can stain a carpet, and rain and snow can cause mildew and mold growth within a carpet’s fabric fibers. Because of this, it is critical to perform regular maintenance on your outdoor rug to maintain its appearance and keep the rest of your outdoor space clean. 

Causes of mildew in outdoor rugs

If you notice circular brown, green, or black stains within the fibers of your outdoor rugs, or if you smell a pungent, musty odor, mold is growing on them. If your outdoor rug is exposed to water or humidity for an extended period, mildew and mold can grow within the fibers.

This is because moist environments provide an ideal habitat for mold and mildew to thrive. Apart from staining the rugs and leaving an odor, you’ll want to remove the mold or mildew. If left unattended, mold can eat away the fibers of your rug, causing it to degrade and deteriorate over time.

Mold and mildew can also be harmful to pets, children, and adults with mold allergies. Wash your outdoor rug and expose it to direct sunlight for some days. Molds and mildew find it difficult to thrive in such a climate. Check out how to clean mold and mildew from pavers. 

 

 

Do outdoor rugs get moldy

Mold thrives in moist environments because it provides the ideal breeding ground. Mold can grow on your outdoor rug; that is true. Whether inside or outside your house, mold is a common problem.

Outdoor rugs are constantly subjected to an excessive amount of moisture. Leaving mold on outdoor rugs will cause the fibers to break down, causing the rug to become discolored and deteriorate.

Mold has the potential to damage your outdoor rug permanently, And it can also cause unsightly stains and spread to other areas through the release of spores.

How to prevent mold growth

It is possible to reduce the likelihood of mold growing on your outdoor rug by taking simple precautions. When your rug has been exposed to water, it should be dried on a clothesline or in the sun as soon as possible.

This will help to ensure that it is not exposed to moisture for an extended period. Also, Make sure to flip it over and dry thoroughly on both sides if you’re allowing it to air dry on the ground in the sun to ensure that all of the water has evaporated.

Bringing your rug inside when you aren’t using your outdoor space is also recommended, or if you expect a significant amount of snow or rain shortly. But, again, take care to store it in a dry place in your home where it will not become damp.

How to remove mildew and mold from outdoor rugs

• Using Bleach

To prepare the rug for bleaching, first sweep, vacuum, or shake it to remove excess dust. Using a spray bottle, mist the moldy areas with water and bleach solution until they are damp. Remove the bleach and mold from the rug by thoroughly rinsing it with clean water.

Make sure you do this in a location where water will not run off and contaminate your plants, as bleach can be harmful to both plants and grass if misused. To ensure that the bleach will not discolor your rug, ensure to spot test a small patch in the corner before proceeding with this method.

• Using baking soda and vinegar

The baking soda and vinegar method is similar to the one described above, and you should first sweep, vacuum, or shake the rug before beginning. Next, fill a spray bottle halfway with roughly one part vinegar solution and three parts distilled water.

Pour baking soda on the stained and moldy spots, then liberally spray the vinegar mixture on the baking soda. You’ll notice tiny bubbles forming on the rug’s surface, which is good! In this case, the vinegar and baking soda work together to clean and kill the mold. After thoroughly rinsing with clean water, allow the rug to dry on a clothesline or in the sunlight.

• Hydrogen peroxide and carpet foam

Another effective method of combating mildew odor is to spray your rug with hydrogen peroxide before vacuuming. Examine a small area of your rug to ensure it is safe before applying it to the entire rug. Kindly note that it is not recommended to use the product if you notice discolorations in the test area. 

If the colors of the carpet are not affected, combine five parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, And spray the back of the carpet with the mixture. Mold spores, which are the source of the odor, will be killed due to this procedure.

Carpet foam is another option for removing odors from rugs and carpet padding. Before doing anything else:

1. Vacuum the affected area and use carpet shampoo to clean it.
2. After applying a generous amount of carpet shampoo to the carpet, rub it in with a sponge to ensure it is thoroughly absorbed.
3. Leave the product to dry for at least half an hour, if not longer, to ensure complete drying.
4. Following that, vacuum the carpet.

• Professional touch

Without professional help, the unpleasant mildew odor may never completely disappear. To get rid of the mold spores and prevent them from returning, you’ll likely need the help of a team of rug cleaning experts.

In addition, your carpets will smell and breathe better if you hire a professional who has the right equipment and technology to perform deep cleaning, which you need if you want to reclaim your carpet smell.

Can you put the outdoor rug on dirt?

Using rug adhesive or double-sided tape, you can quickly and easily install outdoor rugs on various clean, flat surfaces. However, you can install indoor/outdoor rugs directly on the dirt. However, it is not recommended because the adhesive will not harden on surfaces that contain debris.

The rug will also roll up and curve at the edges, which may cause you to trip if you are walking on dirt floors. Finally, Outdoor rugs have a rubber backing that adds a layer of cushion to the surface of the rug material.

The rug is made of synthetic, rubber, and plastic fibers but is not as soft as carpeting. Therefore, applying a layer of rug adhesive or double-sided carpet tape to the back of indoor/outdoor carpeting is necessary to prevent the material from shifting, curling, or shifting during installation.