You’re Wasting Your Money If You’re Buying Anything Other Than a Machine-Washable Rug

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Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of having to get rugs professionally cleaned knows how tedious and expensive that task is. With the advent of washable rugs, you can clean the rug yourself, right in your own washing machine. There's a ton of variety in size, patterns, and textures. Gone are the days when the only washable rugs were tied rags and flat weave — now everything from Turkish-style to shag to plush are available and easy to maintain.

I spoke with Rosemary Olan, the senior buying manager and head of product design & development at RugsUSA to learn more about washable rugs and how far they've come since they first hit the market. She tells Best Products that she’s been on the ground level with her company, and when they decided to start offering washable rugs, she “knew they had to be exceptional,” as the general consensus at the time was that all washable rugs were the same flat-weave, coarse material. She says that her company spent a long time researching and finding the best manufacturers. She told me that “Our rugs aren’t just washable, they’re comfortable, durable, and designed to last.”

What to Consider

Buying a washable rug isn't all that different from buying a regular rug with the exception that instead of wondering how durable it is, or how hard it is to clean, you'll want to know how it feels and looks after it's been cleaned. Most of the rugs on this list are machine washable, but a few are designed to be hosed off. The other things you want to consider are materials, weave/texture, pad/backing, and size.

Materials

The general rule of thumb for washable rugs is that it needs to be made of washable materials. Similar to the washable car seat covers and even clothing, rugs designed to be washed are usually made of polyester, with some having a combination of polyester, nylon, and occasionally even natural fibers such as cotton.

Weave or Texture

This is where the new washable rugs really shine. They’re much softer underfoot than they were before, and they look like regular rugs. They’re stealthy like that. The main thing to think of is how big your washing machine is, or if you’re willing to take it to a laundromat where they have the giant industrial washers, as I do for mine. If you have an 8x10-foot shag rug, that's going to take up some space in the washer, but it's an option. They have plush rugs, flat weave, shag, and even faux animal hide in washable rug styles.

The thicker the rug, the bigger the machine you'll need, but don't let it deter you that much. Unless you're putting a beige or white rug in a high-traffic area, you're not going to be washing it in the machine or hosing it off all of the time. You can spot clean these rugs like you can any other with a carpet cleaning machine or brush and sponge. Washing it is a once-every-6-months-or-year thing.

Pad or Backing

Some rugs featured on this list, such as the Hendesi Heriz rug from Ruggable, require a special pad to lay them down. This can be a pain, as the rug pads are not negotiable and not interchangeable with other rug companies, but given the fact that you can get a rather thick rug pad that makes the rug even more comfortable to walk on, or softer for rooms like nurseries, this is a small price to pay. Other rugs, such as the shag rug from Boutique Rugs, have a rubbery back that lays right on the floor.

Size Range

I have a large bedroom and a larger living room and the rugs reflect that. The size of the rug can set the whole tone of the room. Designer Frank DiBiasi told Elle Decor that “a wall-to-wall rug makes the bedroom softer and much quieter,” and that, “It really helps to quiet the outside and indoor noise.” It anchors the room, and should be large enough to anchor the furniture. In the bedroom, it’s nice to have the rug extend at least 3 feet in every direction from the bed.

How We Tested

I personally tested three separate rugs in three different styles from three different brands for this test, and spoke with other owners of washable rugs and visited them to test and see them myself from even more brands. I put these rugs through the wringer. I’m talking teenagers, cats, dogs, toddlers, one very clumsy mom who takes Ambien to sleep and has on more than one occasion spilled whatever she was sleep-eating all over the rug. I put a light rug in a high-traffic area, tested vibrant rugs for colorfastness, and shag rugs in a teen’s room. I assure you that I don’t hate myself — I am just very committed to my job. I have had one of these rugs for over a year, and the others for months. Other owners of these rugs have had them for similar periods of time.

All of the rugs below represent the best of the bunch. They're durable, soft, easy-to-clean, the colors stay vibrant, and even the shag looks darn good. Check out our picks.

One note: There is no “best overall” rug in this list because the top two are so close, choosing was impossible. I will say that I like the pad on the Ruggable better, but the rug from RugsUSA is softer. Also, I tested an additional more-affordable washable rug from Art and Tuft that does not appear on this list because it pilled and shed so much after one laundering.

Hendesi Heriz Sage Rug

I have had this rug for over a year. It is in my living room, and that is the room that sees the most traffic by far. It's hard to see on stock photos, but the beige on the edges and throughout is actually very light.

I have the medium pile on the thicker rug pad in the largest size that they made at the time, which was 9x12 feet, but now the largest in this particular rug is 6x9 feet. I have washed this at least 5 times thanks to spills, puppy issues, and general "I want this clean because I sit on it a lot." I will tell you that the worst part of washing this rug is moving the dang Lovesac Sactional. I wash it across the street at the laundromat, and it dries fairly quickly.

The pad is thick and comes in four parts. The rug itself has pocket corners that attach over the corners of the pad, securing it with Velcro. We haven't had an issue with them moving, but friends have told me that theirs have shifted occasionally, needing their placements adjusted periodically.

I vacuum this rug every day, and so far, there's been no pilling or deterioration that I can perceive. I will note that stick vacuums like the Tineco have a hard time with it, causing the roller to stop.

I adore this rug — I really do. However, when I got mine, the Morris & Co. collaboration wasn't yet a thing. If I were to buy now, I'd probably go with one of the Morris & Co. patterns because I'm just whimsical like that. (And it's darker.)

More: Ruggable's Machine-Washable Rugs Make Me Feel Better About My Germy Floor

Ramage Indigo Washable Rug

It’s hard to stress just how much of a bargain this rug is. It’s a 5x7-foot washable rug for under $200. It’s a flat-weave, soft, microfiber polyester rug that doesn’t require a pad. The back is non-slip, and it’s one of the easiest to launder on this list according to owners.

When I saw this rug, I was floored. (I apologize for that.) It is really eye-catching. You'll never guess where I first saw it, though. At synagogue. It's being used as the rug in the toddler preschool play area/study space, and it looks wonderful.

The caretaker told me that he washes it every single month, vacuums it after people have been in the room, and mops the floor below it frequently. Judging by how new it looks, it's darn good quality for the price.

Blue Celia Medallion Washable 9' x 12' Area Rug

This rug is in my bedroom and I think I love it a little bit more every day. It's so vibrant and beautiful, and even after laundering it in the washing machine, and regular vacuuming, it's still gorgeous. While this rug doesn't require the pad that Ruggable rugs have, there is the option to purchase one. (And I intend to do just that.) However, the rug itself is very soft, softer even than Ruggable. It has an almost velvety feel underfoot.

This rug dries slightly slower than my Ruggable rug, but it's only a matter of an hour or two, so it's pretty negligible. Again, the biggest pain of washing it is moving the furniture around.

I was worried that with the softness of this rug, it would pill or scuff with cleaning, but that's not been the case at all. Also, I have a rolling work chair on this rug most of the time, and you could never tell that it gets abused like that. (Side note: Why are most office chairs so hideous?)

I had the very unfortunate experience of spilling red wine on this rug when testing wine for wine gift baskets — I fell on that sword for you, reader! I blotted and rinsed the spot immediately, and took it into wash it the next day. When I tell you that I can't see even a hint of that cabernet? I'm not kidding. That alone makes it worth the price of admission, in my opinion.

Faina Solid Green Shag Rug Washable

This rug is in my son’s room currently, and I must tell you that I am surprised that he wanted to keep it. You see, my son is autistic, and generally hates rugs under his bare feet, and he stands to play his Xbox game console, meaning he's standing an almost unlimited amount of hours in his room during the summer. But this rug is so soft, and so welcoming, that it remains in his room.

It’s a high-pile shag, and it’s definitely the hardest to launder on this list, but it’s not overwhelming. It vacuums with minimal shedding, and while it dents like any other shag rug, it hasn’t shown any signs of those dents becoming permanent.

The back is rubberized, but they do have the option for a rug pad if you want one. My son has double-thick padding beneath his because he bounces as he plays Xbox, but the rug would still be soft without it, and it would stay put.

It's a genuinely nice rug, and it comes in colors that are perfect for nurseries, kids rooms, or modern spaces. The softness makes it a natural fit for kids, and the durability makes it a shoo-in.

Dorian Washable Rug

I did not want to step onto this rug, but the tester assured me that I could, and she’d just be washing it soon, anyway. I do not have the patience or mental fortitude to have a cream-colored rug, but another mom did. And even months and months later, still has it in her house. In her living room, where children routinely visit. She has children ranging in ages from 5 to 17, so you know that rug has been through it.

There’s no other way to describe this washable rug other than luxurious. It’s soft, it’s supple, it looks like it costs more than the average mid-size automobile. She says that it’s easy to wash, and brightens up when it is washed. There’s no pad for it, and it can bunch up a bit, but that’s oddly part of its charm. It’s meant to feel a bit wild and bohemian, and it does that in spades.

It hasn't pilled or shed, and unlike some textured rugs, it doesn't store grime between the lines because it can be washed so often.

Faux Cowhide Rug

Who would've thought a few years ago that there would be a convincing faux-cowhide washable rug? RugsUSA has done it with this one.

Having seen it in person, I can tell you that it's great. I've actually washed this one as I was babysitting when the toddler I was sitting had quite the...output. It dried much faster than any of my rugs, and I'll have you know that there was no lingering stain, and you'll have to trust me when I tell you that it's impressive. Very impressive. Almost unbelievable, really.

There’s no pad for the cowhide rug, as is tradition for hides, so it is not as cushioned as it could be, but it’s still soft and supple. Like all hides, it does get tossed around a bit, but that’s expected for the style. It’s under $200, which is way less than you’d pay for a real hide, and you can’t throw that one in the washing machine.

It's pill-resistant, stain-resistant, and doesn't smell like cowhide or that plasticky scent many washable rugs have.

Outdoor Camellia Multicolor Rug

I love Ruggable, that much is obvious. But being someone who doesn't have the outdoor space for an outdoor rug, I had no frame of reference for what it should be like. I asked around and found a few friends in the vast suburbia that is Long Island that has this outdoor rug from Ruggable (and a few of the same rug in different patterns).

I was quite surprised with how spongy and soft the rug is. I thought it would feel like astroturf or that weird carpeting that sometimes ends up near pools, but it doesn't. It's very similar to an indoor rug, but just a tiny bit slicker to the touch. That slickness helps it resist mold and mildew, and also it coats it to resist fading from the sunlight.

This rug is machine washable, but not one of my friends have washed it in the machine. All of them have simply hosed it down. After storage at the end of the year, they all used dish soap, a broom, and the hose to get the “storage dust” off of it. One owner told me that “this rug has had barbecue sauce, beer, wine, and birthday cake all dumped on it by my family, and it came out swinging.”

Anuja Washable Jutely Rug

Boutique Rugs has a newer line of faux jute washable rugs that look like the real thing. They feel a lot better under your feet, though, in my humble, autistic, fabric-sensitive opinion.

They have the rugged look, but they are stain-resistant, softer, easy to clean, and oddly, cats don't seem as murderous with these rugs as they do traditional jute, which is wonderful. The tester for this rug said that her previous jute rug was systematically destroyed by her feline minions' claws as though they had a personal beef with the rug.

Her home somehow still looks like an exhibit at the MOMA even with her cats and twin toddler terrors (her words, not mine. I think they're awesome and that twins are the best and should be treated as magical humans who can do no wrong).

This rug, which has been washed multiple times, fits in with her earthy modern decor seamlessly, and no one has ever said to her, “What’s with the fake jute rug?” She has, apparently, been complemented multiple times on its style and softness, though.

She does not use a pad with this rug, as Jutely rugs aren't recommended to have one, and she hasn't noticed a ton of slippage. She does make use of rug tape at the corners, though, which helps any rug stay down.

Bootcut washable rug

Rag-style rugs used to be your only choice when it came to a washable rug, and they weren't always the best looking. Revival rugs has taken the folksy rugs and made them more upscale and sophisticated without charging upscale, sophisticated prices.

This denim rug with fringe washes as well as your jeans, and has that same lovely effect of getting softer with each laundering. It's machine-washable with line-dry capability like other washable rugs, but our tester said that she frequently just takes it out back and whacks at it old-school style, and it looks as good as new.

It’s designed to patina, to age gracefully, and it’s clear that it will. Rag rugs somehow look better after they’ve been walked on a lot, and this one fits that mold. It’s soft, easy to care for, and under $300 for a 6x9-foot rug. The bold color gentles after a few washings, but never loses its luster.

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