How to clean indoor-outdoor carpet in 5 easy steps

During the summer, indoor-outdoor carpets are a great way to bring a touch of style and comfort to any sunny outdoor or transitional space in your home – be it your deck, entryway or patio.

As winter approaches, however, these carpets become wet and muddy, regularly being trodden on in wet footwear, and subjected to colder, rainier weather. Therefore, it's a good idea to clean them as summer draws to a close.

We spoke to professional cleaners and cleaning experts for their cleaning tips on getting your indoor-outdoor carpets and rugs looking good as new, whatever the weather.

Cleaning and maintaining indoor-outdoor carpets

What are indoor-outdoor carpets?

'Indoor-outdoor carpets are exactly what they sound like – rugs that can be used both indoors and outdoors,' says Larry Snider, vice president of operations at Casago. 'Generally, however, they are most commonly used outdoors, or as inside doormats. They look a lot like indoor rugs, however they are designed to be able to withstand everything the environment brings, from rain, to mud, to direct sunlight.'

They're typically made of durable materials such as polypropylene and being that they're both fashionable and functional, are often used for outdoor kitchen decor ideas to bring outdoor decorating trends to any yard.

Why do indoor-outdoor carpets need cleaning?

Like items in any high-traffic area, indoor-outdoor carpets endure a lot of wear, and can therefore accumulate plenty of dirt, dust and grime. 'They naturally get a ton of foot traffic in the form of muddy sneakers and paw prints,' says Ken Doty, COO of The Maids. 'All this considered, it's pretty much inevitable that your rug will become dingy,' leaving you needing to get odors and mud out of the carpet.

Outside, they can be subjected to mold, algae from decks and other naturally occurring substances that could make them dirty,

How often do indoor-outdoor carpets need cleaning?

Owing to the heavy wear and tear, your indoor-outdoor rugs need regular cleaning, although not as frequently as you might think.

'The frequency is going to depend on where the rug was placed and how it was used,' says Ethan Hynes, interior & home decor expert at You Comfort, as well as if you have kids or pets. Rugs in entryways, for example, will need more maintenance than one in the sun room, or anywhere that doesn't lead directly outside.

'I tend to recommend a more surface level cleaning every month or so, which might include shaking out the rug or vacuuming it,' says Andre Kazimierski, CEO at Improovy. 'Then, do a deep clean at the beginning and end of the warmer seasons when the rug is seeing more use,' such as at the end of summer.

'In the times between, sweeping or vacuuming the rug every week or so helps it stay looking fresh,' recommends Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, if you're not sure how often you should be vacuuming carpet.

What you will need to clean an indoor-outdoor carpet

Once you're ready to clean, here's everything you will need, according to pros:

• Mild detergent: Such as Hoover 64 oz Pet Carpet Cleaner Solution available at Amazon, or Woolite Heavy Traffic Carpet Cleaner available at Walmart.
• Stain remover: Such as Woolite Oxy Deep Power Shot Carpet Spot & Stain Remover available at Walmart. 'It is very effective in removing stubborn stains on rugs, says Ethan Hynes, interior and home decor expert at You Comfort.
• Vacuum cleaner: We've done a roundup of the best vacuums, and Jenny He, licensed contractor, home improvement and landscaping expert, co-founder & CEO of Ergeon recommends the Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum available at Amazon for 'picking up pesky crumbs and pet hair.'
• A scrubbing brush: Such as the Libman Scrub Brush Kit available at Amazon.
• A bucket or hose

How to deep clean an indoor-outdoor carpet in 5 simple steps

Step 1: Vacuum your carpet

'Use your vacuum to clear the surface of any outstanding dust and debris,' says Doty. 'Be sure to clean both sides and smack the rug (outdoors) to loosen any that might be trapped in the fabric.'

If you have a pet, you can learn how to vacuum pet hair the right way in our dedicated guide.

You can also give it a good shake outdoors before slicking your vacuum on it.

Step 2: Apply a stain remover

Next, make sure you're clued up on the golden rules of stain removal, and apply a stain remover to any stubborn spots, particularly if you have pets. Before doing this, I would recommend taking your rug out to the garden, if it is not already.

'Apply a remover to apparent stains,' says Hynes. 'Place the cleanser on the stained area (let it sit for a few minutes) and gently scrub with a scrubbing brush or sponge.'

Step 3: Wash your carpet with detergent

Then it's time to wash your carpet, to remove any remaining dirt or stains. You don't need a machine for this, but if you have one, follow the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding.

'Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water and scrub the rug with the brush, focusing on any particularly dirty areas,' says He. Then, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or longer for particularly dirty rugs, advises Doty.

Prices correct at time of publication.

Step 4: Rinse your carpet with water

Once the detergent has been left on your carpet for long enough, it's time to rinse. It's easiest to do this with a hose, hence being in the garden, but it can be done with a bucket, too.

'Once it's set in, you can rinse the rug using a hose or repeatedly rinsing it with water,' says Doty. Rinse repeatedly until no suds appear, as sticky residue left behind will attract dirt, warns Hynes.

Step 5: Air-dry your carpet

Finally, your carpet is ready to air-dry, before being put back in your home or garden.

Before doing so, Doty recommends using a squeegee, such as the All-Purpose Stainless Steel Shower Squeegee available at Amazon, to 'get as much of the water off as you can.'

If you don't have a squeegee, use a side or dinner plate. Punteha van Terheyden, head of solved at Homes & Gardens says, 'I lived in Tehran, Iran and it's a hot, dusty and dry city where households spend a lot of time in their outdoor spaces. We used a lot of outdoor rugs that needed washing regularly and a simple, sturdy dinner plate was brilliant for squishing excess water out. It was my aunty's favorite household task because the before and after was so profound and the rounded edge of the plate didn't damage the Persian carpet or rug fibers.'

Once you've got the excess water out, leave your carpet in a shady spot to dry. Elevate it off the ground on a drying rack or across the top of a few chairs so it dries well underneath too.

'Do not allow it to come under direct sunshine, as the colors might bleach,' says Hynes. 'Flip it from time to time to let it dry utterly on both sides. You can hasten the process by using towels to blot excess water off the rug before laying it out to air-dry.

'Once the rug is completely dry, you might want to give it another vacuum to puff the fibers out and bring its appearance back,' but this is totally optional, and will depend on the type of indoor-outdoor carpet you are cleaning.

As we head towards colder weather, make sure to avoid any winter garden mistakes for a beautiful, thriving garden come spring.