This time of year people naturally gravitate to the outdoors. This is especially true in more northern regions of the country where we know that only too soon the cold air and snow will return! With the current economic situation and the prevalence of "staycations" - it's only natural that more and more people are decorating their patios and deck areas for maximum summertime use. And the #1 decorating tool this season - outdoor area rugs. Sometimes referred to as "all-weather rugs," they can make any outdoor space feel more like an extension of your home. But gone are the days of having to accept a bland, rubberized mat as a covering for your outdoor "floors." Today you have literally hundreds of choices in a wide range of colors, patterns and styles. And they are more durable to stand up to the elements than ever before. Before you buy an outdoor rug, think about how it will be used. It may make logical sense to purchase a natural fiber rug - such as one made of bamboo or jute - for outdoor use, but in reality these don't do well if left outdoors permanently. For a covered porch, entry way or sunroom, they make an excellent choice. But they tend to deteriorate if they consistently get wet. Instead, you should buy a rug made entirely of polypropylene, including the backing and any trim. This will not only stand up to the weather, but polypropylene also resists mold and mildew. When it gets wet and then dries, it will maintain its size and color. By the way, a common name for polypropylene is olefin. Same thing. Just easier to spell and say! In the world of textiles, fabrics and fiber manufacturing there is something called moisture regain. It is a measure of how much water something like a rug will absorb. Cotton, as you might well suspect, is basically off the chart. When it gets wet, it absorbs it all and does a great job of retaining it. Polypropylene, on the other hand, is at the other end of the scale with a rating of 0.05. There are some specialty fabrics intended for outdoor use that drop to 0.01. Another benefit of polypropylene for outdoor rugs is how easy they are to clean. You can use a mild detergent and a scrub brush, although most people tend to just spray them with a garden hose. As mentioned previously, it will hold its color and shape without a problem. jcressrealestate rugs rug area rugs area rug bath rugs rugs runner outdoor rugs wool rug bath rug kids rugs oriental rug round rug round rugs rugs wool kitchen rugs outdoor rug rug carpet accent rugs contemporary rugs persian rug rugs shag runner rug shag rug bathroom rugs braided rug braided rugs rug cleaning square rugs hand rug persian rugs rug hooking rugs store bathroom rug cheap rugs oval rug rug store zebra rug bamboo rug contemporary rug kitchen rug round area rugs rug pad rugs sale square rug wool area rug cotton rug floor rug hooked rug modern rugs rugs discount shaw rugs sisal rug sisal rugs tufted rug wool area rugs floral rug hook rug hooked rugs indoor outdoor rug jute rug jute rugs large rug nourison rug rug pads throw rugs antique rug capel rugs custom rug discount rug floor rugs large rugs modern rug natural rug natural rugs rag rugs rug company rug runners rug sale shaw rug traditional rugs woven rug accent rug cheap rug hand knotted rug mohawk rug rugs for sale throw rug baby rug cheap area rugs chenille rug contemporary area rug handmade rugs large area rug rug designs rug patterns silk rug tibetan rugs traditional rug buy rug contemporary area rugs custom rugs rug kits silk rugs small rug carpets and rugs handmade rug hearth rug outdoor area rugs rug gallery rug making rug repair shaggy rug aubusson rug buy rugs discount area rugs hand knotted rugs karastan rug kilim rug outdoor area rug rug carpets rugs online small rugs tibetan rug chinese rug discount area rug kids area rugs designer rugs gabbeh rugs hearth rugs rug online shaggy rugs shaw area rugs southwestern rugs turkish rug turkish rugs designer rug game rug modern area rug sheep skin rug rug mats rug shop cheap area rug rug sales circular rugs rug direct tropical area rug rug man entry rug furniture bedding floor cleaner cleaning carpet hook mats runners woven carpet cleaning hooked carpet cleaner carpets hooking tufted floor covering jute carpeting doormat wall hangings sisal door mat seagrass karastan latch hook nourison floor coverings kilim aubusson berber carpet carpet store carpet stores flokati tabriz discount carpet oriental weavers hand knotted carpet runners