With the highs & lows of British weather to contend with, what exactly should your outdoor rug be made from?
Stylish, hard-wearing, and ideal for bringing indoor comfort to gardens, balconies and yards – few furnishings tick boxes like outdoor rugs do. However, while durability is a must-have for any garden accessory, it’s safe to say that not all designs and materials are created equal.
The best material for outdoor rugs is anything highly durable and weather-resistant, as staining, rain damage and sun-bleaching are undoubtedly the biggest hazards. Polyester and polypropylene are the two most popular choices – providing style, comfort, and all the protection your rug will need.
But what about the finer details? Let’s go granular on exactly what is the best material for an outdoor rug.
Known for their ability to thrive in damp, rainy and humid weather conditions – nothing suits the British climate better than polypropylene outdoor rugs. They’re comfortable, naturally stain-resistant and highly durable overall, making them an ideal fit for any open-air space.
Polypropylene is resistant to both water and UV rays, so you don’t have to worry about rain, mildew, or your rug’s lovely design fading in the sun.
Polypropylene’s synthetic nature makes it innately hypoallergenic, so it’s the perfect choice for anyone who suffers from sniffles or itchy skin when exposed to natural fibres. It’s also incredibly affordable and low-maintenance, needing just a quick wipe or sponge clean if any stains arise.
Lightweight and rollable for easy transportation – our polypropylene rugs are the ideal companions for beach days, park picnics and any summer adventure you can think of.
So, if you’re looking for something affordable and highly durable – polypropylene is undoubtedly the best material for outdoor rugs.
When it comes to stain-resistance and avoiding fading from the sun – polyester is undoubtedly the best material for an outdoor rug. Stains have a very tough time breaking through polyester’s tight weave, while natural colourfast properties ensure it doesn’t fade or bleach easily.
Our polyester outdoor rugs really shine when it comes to comfort and softness. Made using narrow, rounded fibres which are combined to create a tightly-knit flatweave, polyester garden rugs have a smooth, silky texture that provides cloud-like comfort underfoot. While slightly more expensive than polypropylene, polyester rugs are still relatively affordable compared to most materials.
Both UV and water-resistant, you won’t have to worry about a polyester outdoor rug getting splashed, spilled-on or damaged in the sun. While they’re also impressively quick to dry, we recommend allowing polyester rugs to fully dry indoors after heavy periods of rain – just to ensure it’ll be looking its best when the next sunny day comes along!
Luckily, polyester rugs are easily foldable, which comes in very handy when stowing away or taking them on the go.
Even though they’re highly resistant to stains, our polyester outdoor rugs are still machine-washable at a maximum of 30°C. So, if there’s a particularly unfortunate mishap and your rug somehow picks up a stain, all you’ve got to do is pop it in for a quick cycle! Leave it dry, fold it up, and you’ll be back making sunny style statements before you know it.
If you’re seeking the best in comfort, stain-resistance and non-fading properties – polyester is the best outdoor rug material for you.
Ready to find your new favourite garden accessory? Take a look at our full selection of outdoor rugs.
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