How to Clean an Indoor/Outdoor Carpet

Co-authored by Haim Shemesh

Last Updated: September 11, 2022 References

Indoor/outdoor carpets and rugs attract a lot of dirt, especially if they are placed outside and in an area that is used often. For this reason they are usually made from synthetic fibers. This type of carpet is made to last, easier to clean and more resistant to mould. While vacuuming and professionally steam cleaning indoor/outdoor carpets will keep them looking good, sometimes you’ll also have to do some spot cleaning of your own.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning the Whole Carpet

1
Shake a carpet out to remove superficial dirt and dust. Dirt and dust can damage and prematurely age a rug or carpet. If your carpet is loose from the floor, pick it up and give it a good shake. Regularly shaking a rug will dislodge and remove any dirt that has collected over time in the fibres.^{[2]
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2
Sweep your carpet with a broom. Use short strokes to sweep a carpet clean of pet hair, dirt and dust with a household broom. You will need to apply more pressure than you would if sweeping a smooth surface. Push the dirt onto an area where it’s easy to collect with a brush and shovel.^{[3]
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3
Vacuum your carpet clean. To keep a carpet looking its best, regular vacuuming is important.^{[4]
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Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} Just like inside carpet, indoor/outdoor carpet can also be vacuumed. Go over the carpet twice and in different directions to ensure a thorough, deep clean.^{[5]
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- Vacuuming the carpet will remove dirt from the carpet fibres and limit the ability for mould to grow.
- Mould cannot grow on synthetic carpet, but it will grow on any dirt left behind.^{[6]
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4
Use a garden hose to rinse off large spillages. Rinse your carpet on a sloped surface, like a driveway, so the water can drain away. Dry the wet carpet outside in direct sunlight. It will dry faster if you hang it off the ground, on a washing line, over a porch railing, or some outside furniture.^{[7]
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- Turn the rug over at some point to make sure both sides dry completely.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Spot Cleaning the Carpet

1
Scrape, freeze or use a putty knife to remove solids stuck on a carpet. Chewing gum and hard candy lollies can be difficult to remove from a carpet without ripping carpet fibres. Before removing gum or sticky lollies with a putty knife, dull knife or nail file, freeze them with an ice-pack.^{[8]
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- Remove any remaining residue with warm water and a little soap.
2
Spot clean carpet stains with a commercial carpet cleaning product. Really tough stains will need to be spot-cleaned with more than water and soap. Fill a bucket with warm water and use a special cleaning solution bought from the supermarket.^{[9]
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- Neutralized alkaline or acidic-based products are effective in removing most stains depending on the type of carpet.^{[10]
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  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
- Make sure you read and follow the product instructions carefully.
3
Blot with a sponge to remove stains on a carpet. Always use a blotting technique to remove a stain. Do not scrub or rub as this will only force the stain deeper into the rug. Use a sponge or clean paper towel to blot anything wet lying on top of the carpet such as wine or coffee.^{[11]
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- Use a wet cloth on dry stains.
- Work your way from the outside of the spill inward to avoid spreading it.
- Keep blotting a spillage until the towel picks up no moisture.
4
Remove red wine and tomato sauce stains with club soda. Club soda is water which has had carbon dioxide added to it to create bubbles. Use a dry paper towel to absorb any wet wine or sauce, then dip a cloth in some club soda to clean up what’s left.^{[12]
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- Club soda is also known as carbonated water or sparkling water.
5
Use dishwashing detergent to cut through any greasy marks. Make up your own carpet cleaning solution with 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of warm water. Dip a sponge or cleaning cloth into the solution and blot to remove vegetable oil and grease stains from the carpet.^{[13]
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Lift more stubborn stains with baking soda and white vinegar. Common household items like baking soda and vinegar are great at removing stains from carpet. Sprinkle a little baking soda on the blemished area, take a cloth dipped in white vinegar and dab the carpet.
- You will see bubbles as the vinegar reacts with the baking soda, pulling the stain up out of the carpet.^{[14]
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- Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer.^{[15]
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Spray shaving cream directly onto carpet marks. Grab a can of plain white shaving cream from the bathroom cabinet and apply it liberally to the stain. Leave it to work its magic for 15-30 minutes, then blot clean with a damp towel.^{[16]
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- Use foam shaving cream rather than a gel variety.
8
Mix up a salt and vinegar paste to apply to blemishes. Use a quarter a cup of common table salt with a quarter a cup of vinegar, and apply this paste to stained sections of the carpet. Leave the paste on the carpet until it dries completely, then vacuum it up.^{[17]
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- You can also pour just salt directly onto wet stains like cranberry juice and wine.^{[18]
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- If you have a cat or dog, using salt when cleaning your carpet will also kill any carpet fleas.^{[19]
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9
Use diluted bleach to get rid of moss and mildew. If mould or mildew is present on your indoor/outdoor carpet, using bleach will help remove it. Mix 10 ml of bleach with 1 litre of water and pour into a spray bottle.^{[20]
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Research source} Before using, check how it will affect your carpet by doing a spot test in an inconspicuous place.
- When using bleach always read and follow the manufacturers’ directions carefully.
- Never mix bleach with other cleaning products.
- Only use bleach in a ventilated area.
- When cleaning with bleach, always wear rubber gloves, a mask and an apron to protect your skin, respiratory system and clothing.^{[21]
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- Be careful using bleach to clean or remove stains, as it can damage or discolor your carpet.^{[22]
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  Expert Source
  
  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
10
Eliminate odours from carpet with a spray treatment. Sometimes you’ll have a smelly mess to clean up like vomit or pet urine. To remove any lingering odours after cleaning, use a commercial deodorizer, or mix equal parts of white vinegar with water, and spray the area.

Expert Q&A

Question

How often should I vacuum carpet?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Vacuuming on a steady basis every week helps preserve your carpet and prevents mold from forming.

Warnings

Carpet that is outdoors can attract mould. Especially around swimming pools, in a dark, damp areas and after heavy rainfalls.^{[24]
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