I Tried 3 Ways to Clean My Outdoor Rug, and the Winner Required Zero Scrubbing

While the seasons have begun to blend into one another all over the country, in my native Southern California, springtime is the best time to spend outside before the summer heat arrives, and luckily, my balcony is the perfect outdoor hang. I’m always looking forward to taking advantage of this little sanctuary, but like most outdoor spaces, it requires some cleaning and maintenance for spring to enjoy it to the fullest.

I noticed my outdoor rug was looking a little dull, making my balcony feel less inviting than usual. To get it back to its bold and bright original state, I set out to learn how to clean an outdoor rug in the quickest, most effective way. I tried out a few different tricks and the winner wasn’t something I expected, but it’ll be something I’ll be using year-round to keep my space looking fresh from here on out. 

I tested three methods on my outdoor rug from Urban Outfitters, which is made of 100% recycled plastic, is mildew-resistant, and meant for indoor/outdoor use. Using twine for separation, I created three distinct sections to test each method and compare their effectiveness. I hadn’t cleaned my rug in about nine months aside from a quick sweep around the edges, and all three sections of the rug were about the same level of filth. I used the same dish brush with a long handle for two of the three cleaning methods that required it.

The ratings: I used a rating scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the least effective and 5 the most effective. I determined each rating based on overall effectiveness, convenience, and time spent implementing the method. 

Rating: 2/5

Method: I added 1/4 of a cup of baking soda to a bowl and poured in 1/4 of a cup of vinegar into the bowl before pouring it onto the rug and scrubbing with a dish brush. 

How it went: The gritty texture of the baking soda and vinegar paste was surprisingly difficult to wipe away cleanly. It also got into the weave of the rug and I could only dissolve it by pouring some water over it. I had high hopes for the method, but it didn’t clean stains and dirt as well as the other two I tested.

Rating: 4/5

Method: I sprayed a few spritzes of Seventh Generation foaming dish spray into a bowl and added a little bit of water. Then, I used the dish brush to scrub the rug with the solution. 

How it went: I was impressed with how foamy the mixture stayed throughout the process, even when scrubbing it into the rug. I could see a lot of dirt and dust lift away as I scrubbed, and it was easy to wipe it away with a paper towel. With just dish soap and water, I was happy with how clean this method got its section of the outdoor rug.

Rating: 5/5

Method: For the all-purpose cleaner, I used Speed Cleaning Red Juice Concentrate, a ready-to-use spray that was touted on TikTok as amazing for cleaning outdoor rugs. I diluted it into the included spray bottle with water as directed and sprayed it directly onto the rug, waited for 30 seconds, then wiped it away with a paper towel. 

How it went: I previously used this all-purpose heavy-duty degreasing cleaner for kitchen surfaces — I love that the instructions say “spray and wipe, no rinsing needed” — and figured that would make it easy to use on an outdoor rug. I sprayed the solution onto the rug, let it sit for 30 seconds, and wiped it away with a paper towel, no scrubbing or using any other products. Almost instantly the result was extremely impressive, a huge difference compared with the other methods. It was so significant, I decided to spray it on the entire rug and wiped it with a large damp microfiber towel. In minutes, the whole rug was as bright as it was when I bought it.

Before testing, I thought the dish soap method would be the winner, thanks to its simple degreasing powers. While it performed decently well, the Speed Cleaning Red Juice was the easiest and quickest cleaning method, blowing me away compared with the other two solutions. Of course, it was convenient that I already owned the cleaner, while most people likely always have dish soap on hand. 

The Red Juice concentrate may seem a little pricey at $36.99 for 32 ounces, but keep in mind that it’s a concentrate, so it makes up to 20 bottles of solution that can be used on dozens of surfaces. I also appreciate that it’s nontoxic, odor-free, and biodegradable. 

In the future, I’ll likely use the dish soap method for larger deep cleanings, but for in-between cleanings (like before guests come over or if it’s looking a little dingy), an all-purpose cleaner that doesn’t require scrubbing or rinsing is the way to go for a clean outdoor rug with minimal effort.