Buying guide for Best RV patio rugs
With more than 18,000 public and private campgrounds nationwide, the RV lifestyle has gained immense popularity. In fact, approximately 10 million households in the U.S. own a recreational vehicle. Commonly known as an RV, a recreational vehicle is any mode of vehicle that provides transportation and temporary living accommodations. An RV patio rug is one of the few indispensable comforts of home you’ll want to take with you on your journey, whether you’re traveling with a fold-up camping trailer or a Class A motorhome.
RV patio rugs are not only functional; they are an excellent and inexpensive decorating tool you can use to add a bold splash of color, texture, casual comfort, and visual interest to your outdoor leisure space.
Reasons to own an RV patio rug
RV patio rugs trap dust and dirt. Whether you’re staying at a remote rural spot on the riverbank or a luxury RV resort with every amenity, a stylish patio rug helps minimize tracked-in grit, grass clippings, road tar, and other unwanted debris. Attractive and functional, this type of rug is your first line of defense when it comes to chasing dust and dirt out of your personal space.
A serviceable RV patio rug helps minimize the time and energy you spend on household chores. Who wants to sweep, vacuum, or gather up pet hair, leaves, insects, and other contaminants tracked in by foot traffic when a patio rug can catch the majority of the mess? After all, RV travelers “hit the road” to explore and escape the humdrum tasks of maintaining a fixed residence.
An RV patio rug helps keep sand outside where it belongs. This is especially important if you enjoy desert or beach camping. Sand is abrasive, and when tracked indoors, it can scratch RV flooring surfaces or abrade carpet fibers.
RV patio rugs can be recycled. You can repurpose yours for use in the home garage or workshop, or you can take it to a local recycling facility where it can be recycled into a park bench or other solid synthetic product.
Rug size
Start your shopping process by determining which rug shape and size would best fit your RV. RV patio rugs are available in a diverse array of sizes and shapes: square, rectangular, oval, and round. It’s important to accurately measure the areas, both indoors and outdoors, that you would like to cover.
You may opt for a small patio rug or mat to soak up soil at the entryway of your rig, or you may prefer an expansive RV patio rug that accents your arrangement of patio furniture.
Expert Tip
Leave your vacuum cleaner at home! RV patio rugs are easy to clean, requiring only a quick scrub with a mild detergent and water to look as fresh and bright as when brand new.
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Rug design
The RV lifestyle utilizes outdoor space as a bonus living space. A handsome RV patio rug can help tie together your leisure lounging space and your dining furniture by repeating elements of the color palette used in your RV décor.
When purchasing a patio rug, keep in mind how the design and color you select will mesh with your overall RV color scheme and decorating theme. Because designs and colors are available in multiple sizes, it is easy to find the perfect RV patio rug to carry out your RV theme while simultaneously protecting your interior RV flooring.
Rug material
When shopping for an RV patio rug, pay attention to the type of material and the thickness of the weave as well as the tightness and uniformity of the knots. Rugs woven with a low pile tend not to feel as soft and comforting as rugs woven with a higher pile.
Natural fibers
Natural fiber rugs, woven from 100% natural and sustainable materials such as hemp, jute, sisal, seagrass, wool, cotton, coir, or bamboo, are available in a broad range of textures, styles, patterns, and colors. Natural fiber rugs offer several distinct advantages: they are static-free, and they excel at trapping microscopic airborne particles in their weaves. This can help eliminate a fair amount of dust particles from the air, which is beneficial to people and pets who suffer from allergies.
Notably, when incorporated into the RV lifestyle, natural fiber rugs have some drawbacks, too. They are not resistant to moisture, they’re hard to clean, and they may harbor mold and mildew. Another drawback to natural fiber rugs is that they typically have thicker, denser weaves that feel rough on bare feet.
Natural fiber rugs are beautiful, serviceable, and practical for indoor use. If you’re choosing an RV patio rug for outside, however, synthetic material is the best choice.
Synthetic fibers
Synthetic rug yarn fiber options are numerous and include the following.
Polypropylene: One of the most commonly used fibers in the manufacture of indoor/outdoor rugs, polypropylene, also widely marketed as Olefin, is lightweight and sun-fade resistant, and it repels most stains. If you camp in an area where you’re likely to track in city street grime, a polypropylene fiber rug is a smart and budget-friendly choice. It’s easy to clean, and it’s mold and mildew resistant. Polypropylene outdoor rugs are typically cheaper than those manufactured from other manmade materials, too. One drawback, however, is that they are not as durable or resistant to fading and oil-based stains as some other synthetics.
PET yarn: When you select an RV patio rug crafted from PET yarn (polyethylene terephthalate), you’re purchasing one of the most durable rugs available while also doing your part to save our precious planet. Plastic garbage is one of the biggest blights on the earth. PET yarn is manufactured from recycled plastic water bottles, milk jugs, plastic juice, and soft drink bottles. The PET yarn fibers used to manufacture RV patio rugs are a sustainable, eco-friendly choice that stands up to soil, stains, sun-fading, and heavy foot traffic. Because PET yarn fibers are naturally resistant to soil and stains, the textile does not require the chemicals used to treat nylon. Fans of PET yarn love the material because it originates from recycled containers that meet USDA high-quality resin requirements rather than lower-grade synthetic fibers utilized in the production of other types of carpet yarn.
Nylon: A tough and highly stain-resistant fiber, lightweight nylon is durable, standing up admirably to heavy foot traffic, food spills, and mud splatter.
Artificial silk: Artificial silk, also known as “art silk”, is a lush and lovely synthetic fiber that is prized for its ability to mimic the texture and look of real silk. Art silk is one of the more expensive fibers used to craft exquisite indoor/outdoor RV rugs. However, if the price fits your budget, the luxurious feel of “silk” beneath your bare feet may justify the expenditure.
Acrylic: Acrylic fiber rugs, crafted from a synthetic polymer, are highly resistant to sun fading with colors that remain bold, bright, and beautiful. Loomed RV patio rugs are skillfully woven from acrylic fiber to expertly replicate the look of a wool or cotton rug. Acrylic fiber rugs are easy to clean, quick drying, and resistant to stains, mold, and mildew.
- Microfiber: Rugs made from microfiber are typically made from an exclusive brand’s blend of acrylic, nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Microfiber patio rugs generally are lighter, thinner, and softer than those made of single synthetic fibers.
Did you know?
Wool and other natural fibers cannot withstand exposure to harsh weather conditions. As such, rugs made of these materials are best reserved for indoors. Synthetic fibers are water-resistant and do not break down when exposed to the elements.
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RV patio rug prices
When buying an RV patio rug, you typically get what you pay for. A poor-quality rug is usually inexpensive, while a well-made rug, although a bit pricier, will provide years of comfort and service with proper care.
Under $50
RV outdoor doormats trap dirt and liquid from muddy feet before the grime can be tracked inside your living space. Available in colors and designs to match RV patio rugs and runners, you can find a 26 " x 15" mat with non-slip rubber backing for around $20. A larger rug (say 9’ x 12’) of the same quality might be had for $50.
Over $50
If you want something that’s a little more fashionable and contemporary, you can find a round or oval RV rug for anywhere from $50 to $400. However, most of the RV patio rugs you’ll find don’t cost more than $100. The price depends, in large part, on size and material. The quality of workmanship and country of origin may also play a role. A larger rug might cost more, as might one that’s reversible or made of recycled materials.
Tips
Some RV patio rugs are reversible. If you like the ability to change the mood of your RV décor, choose something with two different designs, and flip the rug as you see fit.
Keep color, durability, and stain-resistance at the forefront of your mind as you shop. These are the rug qualities that can help you make the most of your purchase.
With proper care, a quality RV patio rug can provide years of service. However, they do not last forever. Keep that monetary caution in mind when setting a purchasing budget.
FAQ
Q. How should I clean my synthetic fiber RV patio rug?
A. Use a mild, biodegradable, diluted dish detergent, a scrub brush, and a garden hose with a pressure nozzle. Saturate the rug with the cleaning solution, aggravate soil with the scrub brush, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and allow the rug to drain and dry in a sunny spot. Make sure the rug is completely dry before folding it or rolling it for storage.
Q. How do I assess the workmanship quality of an RV patio rug?
A. Look for tight double stitching on the binding, well-attached loops or unbreakable grommets for staking in windy weather, and yarn fiber that stands up to the rigors of weather. Be sure to choose a rug that is lightweight, compact, resistant to mold and mildew, and easy to clean. Synthetic yarn patio rugs can look as authentic, luxurious, and expensive as any natural fiber rug.
