Can You Pressure Wash Outdoor Rugs? (Important Facts Before Pressure Washing)

Is your outdoor rug starting to look a little dingy? Want to know if you can pressure wash it or if you’ll damage it even more?

In this article, you’ll discover all about pressure-washing outdoor rugs.

So can you pressure wash outdoor rugs?

A rug can be washed with a pressure washer but it is important to take care not to damage it. When pressure washing, be sure to hold the nozzle at least three feet from the rug. You will need to be cautious to not damage the rug in the process because it will not be easy to remove a spot from the rug.

Unless they’re made of nylon or polyester, it’s possible. For other outdoor rugs that are made of natural materials, such as cotton or wool, you can wash them with a gentle laundry detergent. If the rug is old, it may weaken with multiple washings, so you may want to consider replacing the rug instead.

Some outdoor rugs may need to dry clean instead, so; it is better to read the instructions before you pressure wash your outdoor rug.

Pressure washing is the fastest and one of the easiest ways to clean outdoor rugs. This cleaning method is advantageous to get rid of mold, moss, algae, or dried-on dirt and grime from the outdoor rug. 

The first thing you need to look after before you pressure wash your rug is to make sure that the water temperature is not too hot. 

What Is The Outdoor Rug Material You Shouldn’t Pressure Wash?

It is very important to test different rug materials to figure out exactly what to expect when you pressure wash your outdoor rugs. Wool is a very absorbent fabric and will get untangled or damaged while pressure wash, so it is recommended not to pressure wash wool. 

It also made me think maybe it was time to do the one thing I don’t like doing: research. Well, research is not really my strong point so I decided to just do the pressure washing experiment instead.

I discovered that the materials you shouldn’t wash are the ones that are:

• Delicate
• Thin
• Have a weave
• Made of yarns that are connected to each other 
• Made of natural fibers
• In bad condition

How Do You Clean Outdoor Rugs?

To achieve the ideal outdoor living environment, you need to clean up your porch, walkways, deck, and outdoor rugs often to make it feel welcoming. 

There are various ways to clean outdoor rugs because they are made up of different materials that may not go with specific cleaning agents or specific cleaning techniques.

Here we are mentioning a few techniques with which you can clean your outdoor rug.

1. Jet Spray Pressure wash 
2. Hand Washing with soap or other cleaning agents
3. Machine Washing
4. Dry Cleaning

Can You Put An Outdoor Rug In The Washing Machine?

The general rule for outdoor rugs is to read through the care instructions. Most will tell you it’s safe to machine wash, but they might have some exceptions, so as always, please check them before doing it yourself. Otherwise, hand washing your outdoor rug is usually enough. 

Most outdoor rugs are safe to put in the washing machine, provided they’re made of washable and washing machine-friendly fabrics.

How Do You Pressure Wash Your Outdoor Rug?

It is not required to hire a professional to clean outdoor rugs if you know proper cleaning techniques. Unless and until your rug is very much delicate to handle water and cleaning agents.

Rug cleaning at home is possible with these few simple steps.

1. Keep All Cleaning Tools Ready

If you want to clean your outdoor rug deep then you will need the following tools to make it super clean

• Detergent (or cleaning agent)
• pressure washer 
• Soft-bristle brush or sponge
• Water
• Wet-dry vacuum

2. Remove dirt

Remove the dirt on the outdoor rug by shaking and using some broom or vacuum cleaner.

3. Make Cleaning Solution

If you are using detergent, mix it with water. But one thing you always have to make sure of while using any cleaning agent or solution is reading the washing instructions on the label. Do not use cleaning agents that are not suitable on the outdoor rug fabric.

4. Do a Color Test 

Testing the cleaning agent is also an important part of deep cleaning. It is always better to check the compatibility of a specific rug for a particular cleaning agent. 

Take the cleaning solution and rub it on the small surface of the outdoor rug and check whether the color is spreading or the material is getting shrunk or not.

If you find everything okay, then proceed to the next step.

5. Soak The Outdoor Rug In The Solution

Put the cleaning solution everywhere on the rug and let the cleaner sit on the rug for 5 minutes before you start washing the rug. 

6. Wash The Rug With A Pressure Washer 

The pressure washer cleans very single stains of your rug with high pressure. So pressure wash all the stains that you see prominently by moving the jet spray to and fro. Similarly, clean the remaining part of your rug thoroughly with the same procedure. Now, move the jet only in one direction so that all the dirt will move out of the rug. Flip the side and repeat the procedure. 

7. Rinse The Rug

Rinsing a rug is an excellent way to remove soapy water from the rug. Rinse the rug with a bucket full of clean water or with the help of a garden hose, whichever you are comfortable with.

8. Remove Excess Water

At this point, you will need to get rid of all excess water in the rug so that it will dry faster. A wet-dry vacuum can be a good idea if you have one since it will suck up any excess water. 

9. Let It Get Dry

Drying is a crucial part of cleaning an outdoor rug. Because when to get it dry completely in the bright sunlight in the open spaces, it will kill all the bacterial and fungal growth in the rug, if there is any. Plus, it will get rid of all the pungent smells from the rug.

10. Vacuum Or Brush Off The Outdoor Rug

During the cleaning process, there is a possibility that the threads will remain compacted to the rug. So simply brushing them off will clean your rug throughout. You can also clean it with a vacuum cleaner to make it look even better. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vinegar Discolor Rug?

When you want to remove stains from your outdoor rugs, the best way to do this is to use the right products. Vinegar is an acidic product, so it is better to check with the cleaning instruction for a particular rug type. All the rug types can not go with vinegar solution and may discolor or fade their original texture.

What soap can I use in rug cleaner?

For cleaning outdoor rugs, rug shampoo is the best. But detergent that is used for washing clothes also can be used. It is always better to see the washing instruction before moving ahead with the washing process.

Does baking soda damage carpet?

No, baking soda is a safe cleaning agent. It will remove any odor and stain from your outdoor rug.

Conclusion

To keep your outdoor rug looking great, you can make use of the pressure wash technique. Pressure washing the outdoor rug removes dirt, dust, and ground-in debris. You can brush off leftover debris after cleaning. For better results, let the rug dry thoroughly in the bright sun. The wet and damp rugs may get mold, so keeping an outdoor rug on a railing in the open area under the sun will be a great idea.