Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary7 picks
- Entry PickRoccar Outdoor Plastic Straw Rug about$45.99
- Round Outdoor Plastic Straw Rug about$49.95
- Jabykare Extra Large Outdoor Rug about$49.99
- MOKANI Outdoor Rug for Patios Waterproof… about$59.99
- Outdoor Rug 272x366cm Waterproof Reversible… about$60.99
- LinTimes Outdoor Rug 274 x 366 cm Patio… about$63.99
- Most PremiumDAWNTREES Large Waterproof Outdoor Rug about$139
What an outdoor rug is actually made of
Almost every outdoor rug sold on Amazon AU is plastic. Most are woven from flat plastic straws, usually polypropylene, which is the same family of plastic as a takeaway container lid. It doesn't absorb water, it's light, it folds, and it dries in the sun in under an hour. That's why the same rug gets sold as a patio rug, a camping mat, a caravan annexe mat and a beach rug, often all in the one title.
There are two main builds. Plastic straw rugs are a thin, flat weave you can see daylight through when you hold them up, which is what lets rain run straight through them. Tighter woven rugs feel more like an indoor carpet and look better on a patio, but they hold more water and take longer to dry. Of the five picks, four are plastic straw rugs and one, the DAWNTREES, is a tighter woven style its listing calls linen.
I've kept this guide to rugs built for outside. Picnic blankets with a waterproof backing, doormats, rubber-backed hallway runners and machine-washable indoor rugs all turn up in the same Amazon searches and get left out. So do listings from sellers whose names don't point to Australian stock, apart from one bare-name marketplace seller with a top three rank, which I've named on its card. The five picks here run from $49 to $139 at time of writing.
Thickness is the number most listings leave out, and it's the one that tells you how a rug will sit. The MOKANI is the only pick with a thickness figure I'd trust, about 2mm from Amazon's item data, which is typical for plastic straw. A rug that thin moves with the wind and creases where it was folded, so expect to weigh it down for the first few days.
Sun, UV and fading on an Australian patio
UV is what kills an outdoor rug in Australia, well before foot traffic does. Plastic breaks down in sunlight: the colour fades first, then the straws go chalky, then they get brittle and start snapping at the fold lines. A rug that lives in full afternoon sun on a north-facing deck ages a lot faster than one under a pergola, and no listing can promise otherwise.
Three of the five picks state a UV treatment. The Jabykare lists UV stabilisation against fading, the MOKANI a UV coating, and the round Wutusent says UV resistant in its title. The LinTimes listing doesn't mention UV at all. The DAWNTREES goes the other way and tells you to keep it out of long periods of direct sun and in the shade where you can, which is honest, but it means that rug belongs under cover.
Dark rugs get hot. A black and grey plastic rug in full summer sun can be uncomfortable to walk on barefoot by early afternoon, and it radiates heat back onto whatever sits on it. If the rug is going where the kids or the dog will be in the middle of the day, pick a lighter colour, or put it under an outdoor umbrella or shade, which also slows the fading.
Roll it up or fold it away over winter if it won't be used. A rug stored dry in a garage or shed has its UV clock paused, and the cost of a few minutes folding it is a lot less than a new rug every second summer. Fold it along the same lines it came with, because new creases in old plastic are where the straws crack.
Rain, drainage and what grows underneath
The bigger risk isn't to the rug, it's to the deck or pavers under it. Water that gets trapped between a rug and a timber deck sits there for days, and timber that stays damp stains, grows mould and eventually rots at the joins between boards. Pavers and concrete stain too, usually in a neat rectangle the exact size of the rug, along with a green film of algae in the shady corners.
Plastic straw rugs are the better choice on timber because water runs through the weave and the gaps let air in. A tight woven rug, like the DAWNTREES, sheds spills from its surface, but it also holds water underneath for longer. Whatever you buy, lift it after heavy rain, let the deck dry in the sun for an afternoon, and hang the rug over a railing while you wait.
Check the deck under the rug every month or so in a wet season. Black spots, a musty smell or boards that feel soft are signs the rug is staying down too long. A treated hardwood deck copes better than pine, and a freshly oiled deck needs a week or two to cure before a rug goes back down, or the oil transfers onto the plastic and marks it.
Don't lay an outdoor rug straight onto lawn for weeks at a time either. Grass under a rug yellows within days and dies in a week or two of hot weather. For a picnic or a camping weekend, it's fine, and the listings that say the rug won't hurt grass are talking about short use, not leaving it there all summer.
Wind, stakes and edges
A light plastic rug is basically a sail. A gusty afternoon on an exposed deck or a caravan site lifts the corners, flips the whole thing over and drops it somewhere you didn't want it, sometimes against the glass sliding door. Furniture legs on the rug hold it down on a patio, and on grass or sand you need stakes.
Two of the picks include them. The MOKANI lists reinforced edges and four fixing spikes, and the LinTimes four corner loops with four stakes, which makes those two the better choice for camping and caravan annexes. The Jabykare, Wutusent and DAWNTREES listings mention a carry bag but no stakes, so for those, a set of tent pegs through the corners or a heavy pot on each end is the workaround.
Edges are where plastic rugs wear out. Most of these listings describe heat-treated or heat-sealed edges, which melt the cut straw ends so they don't fray. Once an edge starts to unravel, it goes quickly in the wind, so trim any loose strand flush rather than pulling it, and keep stakes through the reinforced loops rather than through the weave itself.
Sizes and how to measure
Outdoor rugs are sold in a handful of standard sizes, roughly 150 x 240cm, 180 x 270cm, 240 x 300cm and 270 x 365cm, with most listings offering several sizes under the one product page. The picks here cover a 150 x 245cm Jabykare, a 180 x 270cm MOKANI, a 200 x 280cm DAWNTREES, a 274 x 366cm LinTimes and a 183cm round Wutusent. The Jabykare and MOKANI listings share their sales rank across their bigger sizes, so the rank is for the whole range.
Measure the area with the furniture in place before ordering. Under an outdoor dining table, the rug should reach far enough that chairs stay on it when pulled out, which usually means about 60cm past the table edge on every side. Under a lounge setting, either every front leg sits on the rug or none do. A rug that ends halfway under a chair leg makes the chair rock and wears a groove in the plastic.
Plastic straw rugs arrive folded, and the creases take a while to drop out. The Wutusent listing says to put furniture on it to flatten it, and that's the usual approach: lay it out in the sun, weigh the creases down and give it a few warm days. Don't iron or steam it, because a hot iron melts polypropylene straws in a second.
Cleaning without wrecking it
Every pick lists the same basic routine: shake it, wipe it or hose it, and let it dry in the sun. That's genuinely all most plastic rugs need. A garden hose with a spray nozzle clears sand, leaves and dirt, and for barbecue fat or bird droppings, a bucket of warm water with a little dishwashing liquid and a soft brush does the job without hurting the plastic.
Be careful with a pressure washer. A narrow zero-degree nozzle held close can cut a plastic straw rug and strip the colour off a printed pattern. If you use one, our pressure washer guide covers the wider nozzles that are kinder to soft surfaces, and keep the tip at least 50cm away from the rug. The Jabykare listing also warns against harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbers, which applies to all five.
Bleach and strong mould sprays fade plastic rugs fast, so try plain soapy water first. Dry the rug fully before folding it away, because a rug folded wet and left in a bag grows mould in the folds and comes out smelling like a wet dog. Hang it over a railing, flip it after an hour so both sides dry, and fold it only once it's dry to the touch.
Power leads, heaters and the rug
Patios collect power leads, and that's where an outdoor rug turns into an electrical problem. The habit to break is running an extension lead under a rug to keep it tidy. A lead under a rug gets walked on and crushed, the heat it gives off under load can't escape, and any damage to the outer sheath is hidden where nobody sees it. Run leads around the edge of the rug instead, or use an outdoor-rated lead along the wall.
Keep powerboards and double adaptors off the rug entirely. A rug catches rain, hose spray and spilled drinks, and a powerboard sitting in a puddle on a plastic mat is a shock and tripping risk. Outdoors, use leads and boards rated for outdoor use, and plug them into a power point that's protected by a safety switch. Our surge powerboard picks are for indoors, not for a wet deck.
Plastic rugs melt and burn. Keep them well clear of a barbecue, a fire pit and a patio heater, and check the heater's manual for the clearance it needs around it. A gas heater tipping onto a plastic rug is the scenario to plan around, so keep the heater on a solid, level surface off the rug, and never put a radiant electric heater facing the rug at close range.
Outdoor speakers, string lights and phone chargers end up on the rug too. A Bluetooth speaker or a phone charging on a damp plastic mat is how water gets into a charge port, and the corrosion that follows usually shows up a week later as a phone that won't charge. Put electronics on a table, not the floor, and bring chargers inside overnight.
What comes off the patio and into the workshop
Patios are hard on phones. Pavers and concrete crack screens that would survive a drop onto indoor carpet, and a rug that's only 2mm thick does nothing to cushion a fall. The other common one is water: phones left on the outdoor table during a summer storm, or knocked into the pool off the edge of a rug. If that happens, turn it off, don't charge it, and bring it into our Erina phone repair workshop as soon as you can.
Rice doesn't dry a phone. The water that does the damage sits on the logic board under the screen, and it keeps corroding the board while the phone sits in a bowl of rice for two days. Our page on water damage explains why time matters and what we do to clean a wet board. Pool water and salt water are worse than rain, so mention which it was.
The 5 picks, $49 to $139
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (2026-11-15) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks in Outdoor Rugs, checked the same day, with the overall Amazon AU rank alongside. Two of the listings share one rank across their sizes, noted on each card.
Jabykare Outdoor Rug, Grey, 150 x 245cm, Reversible Plastic Straw
ASIN B0CB5SWYM1 • $49.99 • Sold by Jabykare-AU on Amazon AU
The Jabykare is the best-ranked outdoor rug on Amazon AU and the one I'd buy for most patios. The 150 x 245cm grey size is listed at $49.99, sold by Jabykare-AU, and the listing ranks #1 in Amazon AU's Outdoor Rugs category and #95 overall on the site. That rank is shared across the range: the 280 x 370cm size of the same rug, part number JB-ODR-G-01, shows the same rank at $75.77, so it's the product line that's the best seller, not this size alone. Buying from a seller with an AU storefront name keeps a return in the first weeks simple, and the size options mean you can match it to a table or lounge setting without changing brands. For a first outdoor rug, a top-ranked line with several sizes is the lowest-risk place to start.
It's a reversible plastic straw rug with folding lines built in and a carry bag for the boot, so it doubles as a camping and beach rug. The listing says it's UV stabilised against fading and resistant to moisture and stains. Cleaning is a shake, a damp cloth or a spray with the hose, and the listing warns against harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbers. It also says the tubular straws give a little cushion and stop furniture scratching a deck. Reversible matters more than it sounds on a plastic rug, because the top side fades first, and flipping it every few months evens out the sun damage across both faces. The fold lines mean it packs down small enough for the boot of a car.
The listing doesn't state the rug's thickness, its weight or a warranty, and there are no stakes in the box. On an exposed deck, put furniture on it or peg the corners. Fold it back along its original lines when it's packed away, and dry it fully first so mould doesn't grow in the folds. Lift it after a big storm so the deck under it dries, and hang it over a railing while you wait. Hose sand and leaves out of the weave every few weeks, because grit ground into the straws by foot traffic is what wears the pattern off first. In full afternoon sun, flip it each season so both faces fade evenly.
Honest caveats: The rank is shared across every size of this rug, not this size alone. The listing doesn't state thickness, weight or a warranty, and there are no stakes included, so it needs weighing down in wind. The 150 x 245cm size is small for a full dining setting, so measure first.
Best for: Most patios and decks, and anyone who wants the best-ranked outdoor rug that also packs into a bag for camping.
Price: $49.99 (Jabykare-AU) • Size: 150 x 245cm (larger sizes listed) • Material: Plastic straw, reversible • UV: UV stabilised (listing) • Stakes: Not included • Extras: Carry bag, fold lines • Part number: JB-ODR-G-01 • Rank: #1 in Outdoor Rugs, #95 overall on Amazon AU, listing shared across sizes
View on Amazon AU
MOKANI Outdoor Rug, Grey and White, 180 x 270cm, with Fixing Spikes
ASIN B0BX6GJVQ2 • $59.99 • Sold by Mokani Direct on Amazon AU
The MOKANI is the second best-ranked outdoor rug on Amazon AU and the pick I'd take camping or to a caravan site, because it comes with stakes. The 180 x 270cm grey and white size is listed at $59.99, sold by Mokani Direct, and it ranks #2 in Outdoor Rugs and #110 overall. Like the Jabykare, that rank is shared: the 240 x 300cm size, model YP007-04, shows the same rank at $91.99. This one is model YP007-03. Mokani Direct passes the AU retail check, and the same listing sells more than one size, which is useful if you want two matching rugs for a patio and an annexe. Of the five picks, it's the one I'd pack for a caravan trip.
The listing describes it as 100% virgin polypropylene with a tightly woven structure, reinforced edges and four fixing spikes to hold it down against the wind. It lists a UV coating against fading and heat-treated edging to stop fraying. Amazon's item data puts it at about 2mm thick, the one thickness figure among the picks that matches its own listing, and the item size matches the 180 x 270cm on the title. It's reversible, with a geometric pattern on each side. Virgin polypropylene means the plastic isn't recycled, which usually gives a more even colour and a weave that holds its shape longer, though no listing quotes a lifespan. The reinforced edges are the part that takes the stake load, so the spikes go through those, not the middle of the weave. Two patterns on two sides let you flip it when one side has faded.
The listing doesn't state a weight or a warranty, and a carry bag isn't mentioned. At 2mm it's a thin rug, so on a deck, lean on furniture to hold it flat rather than the spikes, which are built for grass and soil. Hose it off after a beach trip, because sand left in the weave grinds at the straws every time it's walked on. Fold it dry and keep the spikes in the bag with it, because they're the part that goes missing first. On a deck, the spikes do nothing, so plan on chairs or pots to hold the corners. In full afternoon sun, flip it each season so both faces fade evenly.
Honest caveats: The rank is shared with the larger 240 x 300cm size. The listing doesn't state a weight, a warranty or a carry bag. At about 2mm thick, it's thin underfoot and moves in the wind unless staked or weighed down. Its thinness also means it does nothing to soften a hard paver floor.
Best for: Camping, caravan annexes and grassed areas, where the four fixing spikes and reinforced edges keep it in place.
Price: $59.99 (Mokani Direct) • Size: 180 x 270cm (larger size listed) • Material: 100% virgin polypropylene, reversible • UV: UV coating (listing) • Stakes: 4 fixing spikes • Thickness: About 2mm (item data) • Model: YP007-03 • Rank: #2 in Outdoor Rugs, #110 overall on Amazon AU, listing shared across sizes
View on Amazon AU
LinTimes Outdoor Rug, Black and Grey, 274 x 366cm, Reversible Plastic Straw
ASIN B0FLXH23K6 • $63.99 • Sold by Qiancang on Amazon AU
The LinTimes is the biggest rug of the five picks, a 274 x 366cm plastic straw rug for a large patio, a caravan annexe or under a full outdoor dining setting. It's listed at $63.99 and ranks #3 in Outdoor Rugs and #153 overall, so it sells well for a big rug at this price. The seller is Qiancang, a bare-name marketplace seller rather than an Australian storefront, which is the one compromise on this card, so check the delivery window and the returns details on the listing before ordering. For a rug this size, that price is below what the Jabykare and MOKANI listings charge for their large sizes, which is why it ranks so well. If the delivery window shown on the listing runs past a week or two, that's a sign of overseas stock, so weigh that against the price.
The listing describes a reversible plastic straw rug with heat-treated edges against fraying, a carrier bag, and four corner loops with four stakes to hold it down. It says it's quick drying and easy to clean with a hose or a wet cloth, and that it won't hurt grass or scratch a deck. It's the second of the two picks that come with stakes, and the larger of the two. At 274 x 366cm, it covers a full six-seat outdoor dining setting with room for the chairs to pull out, which none of the other picks do in the sizes picked here. The stakes and corner loops make it a good annexe floor, where a rug that size would otherwise lift in every gust.
It's the one pick that doesn't mention UV protection anywhere on its listing, and the listing doesn't state thickness or a warranty in a form I can rely on, so treat it as a rug for covered areas or seasonal use. A dark black and grey rug this size gets hot in full sun. Peg it through the corner loops, never the weave, and fold it dry. Lay it in the sun for a few warm days with furniture on the creases to flatten it, because a rug this big arrives with a lot of fold lines. Hose it after camping trips and dry it fully before it goes back in the bag. Keep an eye on the corner loops, the part that takes all the wind load.
Honest caveats: The listing never mentions UV protection, and the seller is a bare-name marketplace shop rather than an Australian storefront. Thickness, weight and warranty aren't stated reliably, and the dark colour gets hot in summer sun. Check the delivery window before ordering, since a long one points to overseas stock.
Best for: Big patios, annexes and outdoor dining settings that need a rug over 3.5 metres long, with stakes for camping.
Price: $63.99 (Qiancang) • Size: 274 x 366cm • Material: Plastic straw, reversible • UV: Not stated on the listing • Stakes: 4 stakes, 4 corner loops • Extras: Carrier bag, heat-treated edges • Seller: Marketplace, not an AU storefront • Rank: #3 in Outdoor Rugs, #153 overall on Amazon AU
View on Amazon AU
Wutusent Round Outdoor Plastic Straw Rug, 180cm, Sky Blue Mandala
ASIN B0HHJKX9B8 • $49.95 • Sold by Wutusent& AU on Amazon AU
The Wutusent is the lowest-priced pick of the five and the only round one, a 180cm plastic straw rug for a balcony, under a small round table or in front of a pair of outdoor chairs. It's listed at $49.95, sold by Wutusent& AU, and ranks #17 in Outdoor Rugs and #1,986 overall, the weakest ranks of the five. The title says 180cm and the product data says 183cm, which is the 6 foot size the listing mentions, so plan around 180cm. Wutusent& AU passes the AU retail check, which matters more on a weaker-ranked listing because a return goes through a seller with an Australian storefront. It suits a small apartment balcony, where a rectangular rug would hit the walls or the balustrade before it fits.
The listing describes polypropylene plastic straws in a cross weave, waterproof and UV resistant, with a double-sided mandala pattern so you can flip it between two looks. It comes with a carrying bag. It says the rug dries in a few minutes after hosing and doesn't hold dog hair. The listing also says it arrives with creases and suggests putting furniture on it to flatten it. A round rug works under a round bistro table or a pair of chairs facing each other, and it fills an awkward corner of a balcony that a rectangle can't. A busy mandala print like this one helps hide dirt and dog footprints between hoses.
The listing doesn't state thickness, weight, stakes or a warranty, and a round rug has no corners to peg, so it suits a sheltered balcony better than an open lawn. Use furniture to flatten it rather than heat, because polypropylene straws melt under an iron or a steamer. Rinse off sea salt after the beach before folding it away. Spin it a quarter turn every few weeks so foot traffic doesn't wear one path into the weave. On a high balcony, keep furniture on it in windy weather so it doesn't lift over the railing. Shake out leaves and grit weekly in autumn, because wet leaves stain the pattern.
Honest caveats: Its ranks are the weakest of the five. The listing doesn't state thickness, weight, stakes or a warranty. A round rug has no corners to peg, so it moves in the wind on an open site. There's no larger size of it among the picks.
Best for: Balconies and small round tables, where a 180cm round rug fits better than a rectangle.
Price: $49.95 (Wutusent& AU) • Size: 180cm round (183cm in product data) • Material: Polypropylene plastic straw, double-sided • UV: UV resistant (listing) • Stakes: Not stated on the listing • Extras: Carrying bag • Shape: Round • Rank: #17 in Outdoor Rugs, #1,986 overall on Amazon AU
View on Amazon AU
DAWNTREES Large Woven Outdoor Rug, Linen, 200 x 280cm
ASIN B0G1C35Q9H • $139 • Sold by DAWNTREESAU on Amazon AU
The DAWNTREES is the highest-priced pick of the five and the one that looks most like an indoor rug, a linen-coloured woven rug for a covered patio or alfresco area. The 200 x 280cm size is listed at $139, sold by DAWNTREESAU, and it ranks #4 in Outdoor Rugs and #163 overall. The 160 x 240cm size sells for $109 under a separate listing. Its part number, OutdoorRugsYama200280, carries the size in the code. DAWNTREESAU passes the AU retail check, and having two sizes listed helps match it to a covered area. It's the rug I'd put on a covered alfresco area beside the outdoor kitchen, where it gets splashes rather than full sun and rain.
The listing describes a tightly woven rug with heat-treated edges and reinforced seams, a water-resistant surface that sheds spills, sand and dirt, and a fold-up design with a carry bag. It says the rug is made for all weather and handles rain and wind. It calls the weave linen, and Linen is also the listed colour, so I'd read that as the look rather than a fibre claim and treat it like the other plastic rugs. A light, single-colour woven rug shows dirt more than a patterned plastic straw rug, so it suits a tidy covered patio rather than a busy back door the dog uses. Reinforced seams and heat-treated edges are the details that keep a woven rug from unravelling at the corners, which is where a woven outdoor rug usually starts to go.
The listing says to keep it out of long periods of direct sun and in the shade where possible, which makes it the one pick that belongs under a roof or pergola. It doesn't state thickness, weight, stakes or a warranty. A tight weave holds water underneath for longer, so lift it after heavy rain and dry both the rug and the deck before laying it back down. Vacuum or shake it weekly, because a tight weave traps fine grit that a hose doesn't always flush out. Use only soapy water on spills, never bleach, which fades a plain colour fast and shows every mark.
Honest caveats: The listing says to keep it out of long direct sun, so it suits a covered area only. It doesn't state thickness, weight, stakes or a warranty, or the fibre behind its linen description. A tight weave dries slower than plastic straw. It's also the highest-priced of the five picks, for the smallest coverage per dollar.
Best for: Covered patios and alfresco areas that want a woven rug that looks closer to an indoor rug.
Price: $139 (DAWNTREESAU) • Size: 200 x 280cm (160 x 240cm listed separately) • Build: Tightly woven, heat-treated edges • UV: Listing advises shade • Stakes: Not stated on the listing • Extras: Carry bag, reinforced seams • Part number: OutdoorRugsYama200280 • Rank: #4 in Outdoor Rugs, #163 overall on Amazon AU
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
| Product | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Roccar Outdoor Plastic Straw Rug | ~$45.99 | |
| Round Outdoor Plastic Straw Rug | ~$49.95 | |
| Jabykare Extra Large Outdoor Rug | ~$49.99 | |
| MOKANI Outdoor Rug for Patios Waterproof… | ~$59.99 | |
| Outdoor Rug 272x366cm Waterproof Reversible… | ~$60.99 | |
| LinTimes Outdoor Rug 274 x 366 cm Patio… | ~$63.99 | |
| DAWNTREES Large Waterproof Outdoor Rug | ~$139 |
What we see fail in the workshop: patio electronics
An outdoor rug never comes into the workshop itself, but the things people put on and around it do. Patios are where phones get dropped onto pavers, where speakers sit out in the rain, and where power leads get run in ways they were never meant to be. These are the three I'd plan around.
Phones dropped on pavers and left in the rain
Pavers and concrete are much harder on a phone screen than indoor carpet, and a thin plastic rug does nothing to soften the landing. The other patio classic is a phone left on the outdoor table during a summer storm. Water gets in through the charge port and speaker grilles and starts corroding the logic board. Turn a wet phone off, don't charge it, skip the rice and get it in to be cleaned as soon as you can.
Speakers and chargers on a damp rug
Bluetooth speakers and phones charging on a damp plastic rug pick up water in their charge ports. The corrosion builds slowly, and usually shows up a week or two later as a port that won't charge or only charges at an angle. Splash-resistant ratings are tested with clean water, not with a rug that's been sitting in the dew. Keep electronics on a table and bring chargers inside overnight.
Leads under rugs and powerboards outside
Extension leads run under a rug get crushed, heat up under load and hide damage where nobody looks. Indoor powerboards on a wet patio are a shock and tripping risk. Use outdoor-rated leads and boards, run them around the rug rather than under it, plug into a power point protected by a safety switch, and replace any lead with a cut or flattened sheath rather than taping it up.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- Most patios, want the safe choice? → The Jabykare at $49.99 for 150 x 245cm is the best-ranked outdoor rug on Amazon AU, UV stabilised, with larger sizes on the same listing.
- Camping, caravan or grass? → The MOKANI at $59.99 for 180 x 270cm comes with four fixing spikes and reinforced edges.
- A big patio or dining setting? → The LinTimes at $63.99 is 274 x 366cm with four stakes. It's sold by a marketplace seller and doesn't mention UV, so it suits covered areas.
- A balcony or a round table? → The Wutusent at $49.95 is a 180cm round, double-sided plastic straw rug with a carry bag.
- A covered alfresco area, want a woven look? → The DAWNTREES at $139 for 200 x 280cm is a tightly woven rug. Its listing advises shade, so keep it under cover.
- Phone dropped on the pavers or left out in the rain? → Turn it off and don't charge it. Bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll check it before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave an outdoor rug out all year?
You can, but it won't last as long. UV breaks plastic down, so a rug in full sun fades, goes chalky and eventually gets brittle at the fold lines. A rug under a pergola or roof lasts much longer. Lift it after heavy rain so the deck underneath can dry, and fold it away dry in a shed or garage over winter if you won't use it, which pauses the sun damage.
Will an outdoor rug damage my timber deck?
It can if water stays trapped under it. Timber that stays damp under a rug stains, grows mould and can rot at the board joins. Plastic straw rugs are the better choice on timber because water drains through the weave and air gets in. Lift the rug after rain, let the deck dry in the sun, and check underneath every month or so in a wet season for black spots or soft boards.
How do I clean a plastic straw outdoor rug?
Shake it, then hose it with a spray nozzle. For barbecue fat or bird droppings, use warm water, a little dishwashing liquid and a soft brush. Avoid bleach, strong mould sprays and abrasive scrubbers, which fade and scratch the plastic. Keep a pressure washer nozzle wide and well back from the rug, because a narrow jet held close can cut the straws. Dry it fully in the sun, flipping it once, before folding it away, or mould grows in the folds while it is in the bag.
How do I stop an outdoor rug blowing away?
On a patio, put furniture legs on it, ideally at every corner. On grass or sand, peg it through the corners. The MOKANI and LinTimes picks include stakes and reinforced corners or loops for this. For the others, tent pegs or a heavy pot on each end work. Peg through reinforced loops or edges rather than the weave, which tears once a stake works it loose. On a high balcony, never leave a light rug out unweighted in strong wind, because it can lift over the railing.
Can I run an extension lead under an outdoor rug?
It's best not to. A lead under a rug gets walked on and crushed, the heat it gives off under load can't escape, and any damage to the sheath is hidden. Run leads around the edge of the rug or along a wall, use leads rated for outdoor use, and plug into a power point protected by a safety switch. Keep powerboards and double adaptors off the rug, where they can sit in water.
What size outdoor rug do I need?
Measure with the furniture in place. Under a dining table, the rug should extend about 60cm past the table on every side so chairs stay on it when pulled out. Under a lounge setting, either all the front legs sit on the rug or none do. Common sizes run from about 150 x 240cm to 270 x 365cm, and round rugs around 180cm suit balconies and small round tables. Many listings sell several sizes under one product page, so check the size selected before you order.
Related buying guides
Phone dropped on the pavers, or left out in the storm?
Cracked screens from patio drops and phones left out in the rain are some of the most common jobs that come in over summer. Turn a wet phone off and don't charge it. Bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll check it and tell you what it needs before you spend anything.
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