Take Your Old Indoor-Outdoor Rugs From Drab To Fab With A DIY For A Fresh Look

By Christy Rae Ammons
patio with rug Theplantedwanderer/Shutterstock

Even if you once had the best rug for your outdoor space, it may have become dingy and unattractive overtime from all the pollen and dirt it's built up. Luckily, you can easily transform an old indoor-outdoor rug decorate and maximize your outdoor living space, or even give it a new life inside your home. By dyeing your rug a new, unique color, you'll be able to breathe new life into it rather than tossing it in the garbage. This is easier to do with lighter colored carpets, but you may be able to take a dark rug and dye it even darker to hide any imperfections. 

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Typical fabric dyes may not cling well to all fabrics, especially synthetic versions. Because your indoor-outdoor rug is likely made from a synthetic material, you'll want to opt for Rit Dye More, available at Joann for less than $6. Though this project will require a few bottles of dye, especially if you're upcycling a larger rug, but it's a great way to avoid purchasing a new one. Plus, it's a fun DIY that allows you to give it a new custom color or pattern.

Dyeing your indoor-outdoor rug

@ritdye

DyeMore can truly dye it all. Here are some helpful tips and tricks if you plan on trying this at home 👇 Full tutorial is up at ritdye.com 🥰 1️⃣ Thoroughly wet the carpet with a hose and place it outside on a tarp. 2️⃣ Mix 1 bottle of Rit DyeMore for Synthetics in 3 gallons of water in a stainless steel pot. Heat until it reaches roughly 200F or just under boiling. 3️⃣ Wearing heat resistant rubber gloves or oven mitts, carefully pour the hot DyeMore onto the damp carpet. Work slowly to avoid any splashes!! 
4️⃣ Use a stiff bristle brush to work the dye into the carpet fibers and spread towards the edges. 5️⃣ Repeat to create additional colors and pour onto the carpet until you have the desired color. 6️⃣ Use the stiff bristle brush to blend in the colors for a seamless watercolor look. 7️⃣ Power wash rug using a hose until the water that drains off the carpet is completely clear of dye. 👉 Optional: Spray with Scotchguard or similar product once dry 👉 Never use an heirloom or irreplaceable item for your dyeing!We recommend this technique for an inexpensive rug or an old rug that you are about to give up on. 👉 Do not attempt this technique for wall to wall carpeting. It can cause mold with improper drying. 👉 Use with a protective rug mat. Dye could stain floor if rug gets wet and dye was not rinsed out properly. #diyhome #howto #upcycle #upcycled @riyhamfayed

♬ Lets Take a Trip - Lynne Publishing

Before you begin the dyeing process, thoroughly clean your indoor-outdoor carpet by vacuuming it and possibly spot treating tough stains. Now, lay your rug on a tarp outside and rinse it with water to help the dye get into the fabric. If you're using Rit Dye More, mix an entire bottle into a pot of nearly boiling water, stirring as you go. Depending on the aesthetic you're trying to achieve, you may want to either spray the dye on section-by-section or just dump it onto the rug.

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Thoroughly spray or pour the dye onto the carpet, making sure it gets to the edges. As you're working, it's crucial that the dye mixture stays hot, and you can return it to the stove to reheat it if needed. Continue making batches of dye and adding it to your rug until it's totally covered. Now, use a hose to rinse the dye completely out of the material. If it's not rinsed properly, the dye could later leak from your rug and stain your patio or floor. Set your rug in a sunny spot to dry, or hang it up outside when you're done. You can vacuum the rug again after it's dry, then place it wherever you like.

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