We’ve sung the praises of indoor/outdoor rugs for years. (Need some evidence? Check out our posts on pet-friendly decorating, Bunny Williams’ incredible collection for Dash & Albert, and some fun pairings of weather-ready rugs and accessories.) And while we think all sorts of new indoor/outdoor styles are cause for celebration, in honor of Earth Day, we’re crushing on PET rugs, an eco-friendly weave crafted from recycled plastic bottles!
PET—a blend of recycled polyester—is a newer entry on the home décor market. We admit that we were skeptical when we first heard about them. We love all things recycled, but could a rug made of synthetic fibers look stylish? We took one look, and had our answer.
Since the big selling points of indoor/outdoor rugs are their durability and washability, we turned our attention to cleaning and maintenance. We subjected the rugs to repeat vacuuming—with and without the beater brush. We picked them up and shook them outside.
We smooshed on everything from ice cream to grass stains, mud to red wine, but there wasn’t a single stain we weren’t able to remove with a bit of detergent, a soft-bristle brush, a hose, and a bit of elbow grease. We even let our cats and dogs play on them, eat messy snacks on them, and give them a good scratching, and the wear was barely noticeable.
Okay, so PET indoor/outdoor rugs could take a beating as well as polypropylene weaves. So far, so good. Right?
Let’s face it: we like our décor to be functional, but we also like it to be comfortable and pretty. And the reason why we had bypassed cheaply made indoor/outdoor rugs in the past is because they had the sheen and texture of plastic. Was it really possible for a rug made of synthetic materials to have the look and feel of a natural-fabric rug? So we tested the PET rugs—under hand, bare foot, and paw. We walked on them. We sat on them. We even tossed them out on the lawn and laid down on them, picnic-under-the-stars style. And we came to a unanimous conclusion: these new PET rugs look and feel like woven wool—they’re lightweight yet tightly woven, so they feel substantial, they’re flexible, and they’re soft—not even a little bit scratchy, as some wools can be. And when we discovered the range of styles and colors PET rugs could made in, we were all aboard the PET train.
Now we just have to pick a favorite. Which one’s yours?
8 comments
so interested in seeing more of these rugs!
You advertise that the rugs are washable but I haven’t seen any directions that tell the right way to wash one.
Hi, Jan! These rugs are super easy-maintenance. Beyond basic vacuuming to remove loose dirt and hair, you can either take them outside to wash, or, if your outdoor space is limited, clean them right in the shower or tub. For the latter approach, check out this post: http://www.freshamericanstyle.com/01decorating/washable-wonders-clean-rug-small-space
For the outdoor-cleaning approach, hang the rug over a porch or fence railing, a chair, a table, or other sturdy surface. For general cleaning, simply hose down the rug. For stains or dingy areas, you’ll need a soft-bristle brush, a bucket, and clean, soapy water. (We prefer eco-friendly cleaners like Method or Oxy-Clean as our soap/detergent.) Gently brush the stained area with soapy water; use a little more elbow grease, if needed. If the stain is old, set-in, or especially challenging, repeat the process with bleach; make sure to wear rubber gloves and clothing you don’t mind potentially getting bleach spots on if you go this route. Then rinse with a hose until the water runs clean, and allow the rug to dry thoroughly before moving it back inside. That’s it!
Show more rugs
Hi, Mary and Reece! Feast your eyes on a few dozen different styles right here: http://annieselke.com/PET-Rugs-/c/FAPET
Which are your favorites?
Hi! How do these rugs do with pet stains??
Hi Joann! Just like with any rug, you’ll want to clean out the pet stain immediately. See more details on our P.E.T. Rug guide, and how to clean the rugs here: https://annieselke.com/rug-breeds-pet#FlatWeavePET
My concern is whether they lay FLAT (like flat indoor/outdoor carpeting) and stay in place or whether they have large “wrinkles”?