I've done inexpensive rugs outside. I usually spot-clean where it's needed with a little mild dish detergent diluted with water, using a soft window washing brush, and then hose them off very thoroughly. Be careful not to use too much soap or anything too foamy, because you need to rinse out every bit of soap or it will attract dirt. I hang them over the porch railing till most of the water has drained out, then lie them flat to dry completely. You need a good sunny, low humidity day for it.

I've slowly changed all our area rugs to polypropylene because we have four long haired cats. I did so because I wanted to be able to clean them on our driveway. We have a power washer which my hubby put in a cleaner that was made for it. Once clean he thoroughly rinsed them with clear water until no suds were seen in the driveway. We let them dry in the sun and brought them back in. I plan on doing it each spring and fall to keep them clean.

Thanks everyone. I figure I've got nothing to lose. Grapefruit, thanks for the sawhorse suggestion. Our climate is fairly dry, so that's good. Low suds. A little Dawn in water?

Yes, Dawn (blue original) would work well. Just make sure to take into consideration what type of Dawn you are using. Some are more concentrated than others.

I actually have the blue original Dawn. What's so special about it? I don't like the scent as much as the New Zealand one.

I had that kind of rug

Just pre-treat any horrible spots with spray cleaner (409 or whatever you prefer) and hose them down. A power washer with any of the cleaners for it - window, wall or patio ... doesn't matter ... followed by clean water rinse works on really grungy rugs.

Bad idea to use Dawn or other dishwashing detergent in a power washer. The suds production is amazing!

Agree w/lazy_gardens. I just use my electric steam mop on my polypropylene rug. If I want to get a spot up, I'll spray Scrubbing Bubble and/or vinegar and baking soda, then use the steam mop. I'd stay away from anything that creates suds and/or film, like Dawn.

I would just use a carpet steamer or rent/borrow one... and use appropriate spot and carpet cleaners... or hire a carpet cleaner. if it was really, really in bad shape, I would just replace it.

I couldn't imagine hauling a large dining room rug outside and trying to hose it off... the larger poly rugs I have are pretty substantial/heavy...if it was a small rug or a runner, yes... but not a dining room rug...

I have a small dining room and this rug's only about 5x7 or 5x8. It's immediately adjacent to a slider opening into the backyard, so humping this guy around isn't a major project.

I don't have spots, major or minor. I just want to clean the darn thing in its entirety. I secretly want to replace it, but I want to see what a thorough cleaning will do.

I'm also afraid of suds, not just that residual soap will attract dirt (and how perverse is that?!!) but I can't imagine the amount of water required to flush it out completely.

So, carpet steamer? Can this be done in place with a hardwood floor underneath?

I do it, but only because the floor underneath the rug is in bad shape, which is why I have the rug - it's a very high-traffic area.

To be safe, though, I'd probably take the rug out and use a steamer on it outside on your patio. I actually use my steam mop on my wood floors too, but the difference is that the steam on the rug could easily turn to water and seep down to the wood floor, and then it's trapped there by the rug.

Tibbrix, thanks, that's what I think too. In fact, I'd want to be darn sure the rug was dry as a bone before bringing it back in.

If you run a rope between two trees, or something, you can then hang the rug to dry, and it will dry quickly, evenly, and cleanly.

Hah, I wish I had enough trees to pull that off. I do think a rug this size will do fine on sawhorses.

What about those foaming carpet/rug cleaners? I've only used them for isolated spots (e.g., cat barf). If I sprayed the entire rug, worked it in with a brush and then hosed it down?

sure, why not? I use Scrubbing Bubbles on mine, probably very similar. But use a soft brush.

Cool, sounds like a plan. Thanks everyone, really appreciate the input.

I could use a little advice re Scrubbing Bubbles, which I've never used in any shape or form. I googled it and expected to find a specific product "for carpet and rugs" but instead they all seem to be about some aspect of the bathroom. Which product would be right to use on a rug?

Any cleaning agent that doesn't create suds/film. Scrubbing Bubbles; Formula 409; White vinegar and baking soda….

I love SB because it cleans incredibly well but rinses very clean - no film or suds.

Btw, if you do go with SB, DON'T get the new-fangled kind - foaming something over other in a blue can. It's AWFUL. Just the original is fine. I use it to clean my bathrooms, kitchen counters and stove top, a lot of stuff. I shouldn't because of the chemicals, but It's my one naughty in that department.

Thanks Tibb, this is very helpful info. Although I use it sometimes, I really hate 409. The smell is awful.

I don't care for Fantastik and Formula 409 either, same reason. love SB…in the GREEN can!

Such as?

The original one, with the green top.

Stay the heck away from this awful stuff:

No to Foamer Mousse. :p

I washed a poly rug that size in my washer. If you fold it lengthwise in thirds, you might be able to get it into the washing machine.

Graywings, that would be impossible with this rug, esp. since I have an old top loader with the agitator in the middle. But even so, I think I'd need an industrial washer to fit even this 5x7.5 (I just measured).

graywings, I gotta tell you, I don't see how you were able to fit a 5 x 7.5 polypropylene rug in your washer, or any washer known to man for that matter. Maybe if I cut it into quarters? Not even then. You know when a few towels or throws can cause the washer to get off balance and rock? This would have caused some catastrophic bomb-worthy event.

I washed it yesterday. First I hit it with the jet setting on my hose. I used a lot of water. It wasn't even wet underneath!!!! So more water. Then I used Scrubbing Bubbles (green cap) and an iron brush. Then plenty of rinsing. Finally it was completely saturated.

I had planned to put it on 4 sawhorses to dry. That little 5x7.5 rug was so heavy with water that it couldn't be lifted. Not remotely. It had become THE THING!!! I managed to wiggle the flattened sawhorses underneath so it would be slightly elevated off the patio tile. Yesterday was sunny, warm and windy. I figured it was a good day for drying. Hah!!

This morning I could tell some water was gone because it was slightly easier to move. I managed to get it on the standing sawhorses and water started seeping out. This is gonna take days. It has to be absolutely pristinely dry before I'll put it on my hardwood floor.

Lesson: I will not do this again, at least not with a polypropylene rug that holds water like a sponge. So glad I didn't try this with my 10x13 rug. Ouch!!!

After I moved the table and chairs and before I took it outside, I took a Before photo. It actually looked pretty good. I didn't see any dirt or grime come out. I suspect that rug was a lot cleaner than I'd imagined.

That's how my rug cleaning place does it only they do it inside a building lay the rug on the floor and shampoo it with rug cleaner. They spray it with hoses. Only thing is they have a drying rack that is heated.

Linelle, I read this thread when I was researching before trying to clean my back patio rug. Funny that we wound up cleaning them on the same day. I had meant to try the scrubbing bubbles since we have some, but I used Oxyclean laundry treatment. I used the jet setting on my hose and my pool brush, My main problem was mildew from the months of rainy weather we've had this year so I needed a little oomph. I couldn't lift mine either and I think that weight would risk damaging the washing machine if you could mash it in there. After DH came home we were able to lift it up and sretch it out to dry. It seemed nearly dry last night, but I left it out and moved it back this morning. I was ready to replace the rug, but it looks better now that it did before the rain started. Think I get another year our two out of this one!

lascatx, we are rug washing twins! What size is yours? Heavy doesn't even begin to describe it. There had to be literally gallons of water being held in that rug. I think the polypropylene and stiff-ish backing made it a contrary, difficult mass to wrangle. I could have never gotten it into a washing machine, not even in little pieces. I'm still in awe over how much water that little rug could hold.

Well, now it sure smells nice. :) I figure one more day in the sun, underside up, should about do it.

Never again.

Mine is 5x7 and that's a big sponge. I could lift a corner but not lift the rug, and even after it had drained a while flat, it was still heavy for DH and I both. I am so glad mine dried quickly. Texas heat? Different weave?

I am borrowing the outdoor table to try to decide on the exact size for a breakfaast room table we are ordering, so when I put the rug back down, my lab wanted to roll on in and the other pup went in the pool and then lounged on it this morning. It is still so much better than the mildew. I can't believe how much ccleaner it got -- I was prepared to toss it and start over. I would do it again, but only with one or more of the guys available to help me move it.

Lascatx, it was a big heavy sponge all right. All I could do the first day was wiggle a picnic bench underneath the middle to get it partially off the patio tiles. Day #2 I finally got it up on 4 sawhorses. By Day #3 I was able to flip it over and finish off the underside. It wasn't too hot here this week, upper 70s maybe, but it was sunny, dry, and the wind usually kicks up in the afternoon.

The rug's back in place and, while it might be my imagination, it looks much better. I think just knowing it's cleaner is enough. Glad I also washed the underneath pad as well.

Mine is out on my back porch, so no pad under it. I'm glad I only had half the battle. Guess that makes up for knowing that I may be doing it again. LOL THink we have been in the 90s now that the rain has stopped.

Good thing I began this on Monday, since it took three whole days to dry. Today we have had gray skies and light rain. Rain of any kind is very unusual during the summer here, never mind that we're in a bad drought.

Speaking of rain, what's the deal with snails? It rains and they appear. Where were they before the rain started to fall?