Using indoor/outdoor rugs in a birdcage
 

We are starting our journey to TV. We have brand new indoor/outdoor area rugs that we would like to bring and use in our birdcage. My husband thinks it is a bad idea to use these rugs in a birdcage. Please let me know the pros and cons. Thanks.

indoor-outdoor mistake
 

Unless you are into mildew ranching, or toxic mold husbandry, carpet outside in Florida is a major mistake.

Based on the amount of dirt that collects on my screened, tiled lanai, I never considered any type of carpeting.
My cleaning chore consists of moving the furniture and employing the garden hose. While doing so I hose down the screens. It sure beats trying to vacuum that filth out a carpet

Outdoor rugs are great!
 

Dirt does collect on the lanai BUT the outdoor rug that we have wicks and drys very quickly and when it is dry I just run the sweeper on it. The new technology for these rugs is wonderful. No mold.

I agree with Gracie - this is the 2nd summer for our outdoor rug on the lanai - makes it feel more like a room. No mold problems, just vacuum. Once in a great while just take everything off the lanai and give it all a good cleaning. (I'd be embarrassed to tell you how far apart between heavy cleanings).

I'm one of those people that really likes the screened lanai, doubt if I would ever enclose it. When it's cool or raining I absolutely love sitting in my comfy chair next to my reading lamp with a comfy afghan. I'm a porch person back in Ohio in the spring/summer/fall as well.

Not sure if I would want it in an open (no roof at all) birdcage area though, although it would probably be fine. I think I would try it if I already had it.

We bought an outdoor rug at Southern Lifestyles for our Lanai and it looks as new as when we bought it last September. My husband vacuums it when he vacuums the lanai. That said, we have it on the covered area so it does not get wet when it rains. I wouldn't put a rug where it can get wet. The rains here are torrential. I even cover my wicker furniture and it also sits on the covered section of lanai.

I would use an outdoor rug in a covered lanai, but never in a birdcage. We added a new birdcage last fall. After only three months, it was so dirty, we had someone come in and power wash it.

As Mulligan said, unless you are into mildew ranching, I think outside carpets are a big NO.

Nothing much LOOKS wet and dirty in TV.
 

Our made for outdoor carpet from Frontgate touches the edge of the lanai and gets soaked everytime it rains. It does not seem to absorb moisture so it doesn't maintain the "petri dish" for mold. Apparently the water isn't trapped under it either. A chemist can probably explain its' wicking qualities. I just think it's magic.

Bare's birdcage is always so pristine, I never would have dreamed it needed to be powerwashed. Very good information. I wonder if when the building moves away from us, further south, that it won't be as dirty on our lanai and on the exterior of our homes. Just think, we are breathing that air too.