With summer well and truly on its way, many renters and homeowners alike will be looking forward to freshening up their outdoor space, whether it be a garden, yard or balcony.
British summers are predictably unpredictable and so it can be tricky to know how best to look after your outdoor furnishings when the weather takes a turn. To help keep your outdoor rugs and cushions looking like new for longer, Suzi Samaddar, styling expert at furn shares their top tips.
Can outdoor rugs and outdoor cushions get wet?
One question many of us are keen to know is can outdoor rugs and cushions get wet without going mouldy? Monthly searches for ‘can you leave outdoor rugs in the rain’ have increased 200% YoY. Here’s what Suzi advises.
“As a general rule, if labelled as outdoor, your rugs and cushions should be weatherproof enough against light rain. That said, you should store them away during periods of heavy weather to avoid any unnecessary damage, particularly in the UK where things can take a while to fully dry.”
How to store outdoor rugs and cushions?
Suzi adds: “I would always recommend storing them in an airtight container. This could be a deck box, furniture with built-in storage, or a weatherproof storage bin. Whatever it may be, pop your items in and tightly seal the lid. Alternatively, heavy duty bin liners are a good short-term solution against rainy conditions.”
How should you clean outdoor rugs?
Whilst outdoor rugs are designed with durability in mind, you should still freshen them up every once in a while to help prolong their life.
Suzi explains: “First and foremost, you need to understand the materials your outdoor rug is made from as this will determine the best way to spruce them up. For those made from polyester, you’ll be able to pop this in the washing machine at 30 degrees and simply leave it to air dry.
“For outdoor rugs made from recycled materials, they should still be both weatherproof and UV resistant, but you’ll want to steer away from machine washing. Instead, you should simply shake off any excess dirt and give it a quick vacuum or jet wash, before brushing down and leaving to dry naturally.”
How can you best clean outdoor cushions?
Yes, even your outdoor cushions also need some TLC every once in a while.
Suzi says: “Start by removing the cushion cover and laying it on a flat surface. Get rid of any loose dirt and debris by giving your outdoor cushions a once over with the hoover. You’ll then want to use a mild detergent and mix with warm water. Using a soft-bristled brush, give them a gentle scrub.
“After you’re done cleaning, rinse them with water to remove any excess cleaning products and allow your cushions to dry naturally, whether that be outdoors or indoors next to a dehumidifier. Never try to store your outdoor cushions whilst they are damp as pesky mould and mildew will quickly start to develop. I typically repeat this process every month or so to protect the colour and keep my outdoor space looking bright and inviting.”
