Rugs can help unify the look of a space, but cleaning them can take a lot of effort, particularly in high-traffic areas where it’s difficult to prevent spills, stains, and messes. The expense and strain of cleaning a conventional carpet can be lessened with washable rugs: Since the majority are by definition machine-washable, you won’t need to hire a professional cleaner or use a carpet cleaner to give the rug a thorough cleaning. According to Zeynep Mehmetoglu, head of marketing and brand management at Maid Bright, some manufacturers even employ textiles that can repel liquids and stain-resistant technology to prevent regular spills.
GO Ahead and SkipWhat advantages can washable carpets offer? What factors should I look for when purchasing a washable rug?
Experts were consulted regarding the advantages of washable rugs and factors to take into account when making a purchase. On the basis of their advice and suggestions, we also put together a list of possibilities.
Selected.
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Editor s pickRuggable Moroccan Diamond Plush Rug
$undefined$309.00Ruggable
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Best budget pickGorilla Grip Faux-Fur Washable Rug
$19.95$34.99Amazon
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Best reversibleDII Contemporary Reversible Indoor Area Rag Rug
$undefined$49.99Amazon
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How we picked the best washable rugs
Whether you’re prone to spills or want to reduce the amount of time and effort spent cleaning, experts advised us that a washable rug would be a good investment. All of the alternatives we’ve listed below are safe to use in your washing machine and are suggested by experts. We also considered the following:
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Materials:
All of the rugs listed are made from water-resistant synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which can stand up to the abrasiveness of washing machines, according to our experts. -
Size and design:
A washable rug out there can fit your personal style and the size of your home. Each rug has a unique design and offers multiple sizing options to fit most areas of your home (and the size of your washing machine, too).
Best washable rugs to shop
We have listed expert-recommended washable carpets below, spanning a range of price points and applications. We also included well-regarded choices.
Best washable rug overall: Ruggable
Ruggable Moroccan Diamond Plush Rug
Ruggable Moroccan Diamond Plush Rug
Rugables washable rugs are a favorite among our experts. To make cleaning messes—especially ones her kids make—easier, Mehmetoglu places Ruggable rugs in high-traffic areas of her house. They come in a wide variety of sizes and designs. She adds that the guidelines for maintaining and caring for your rug are quite straightforward.
A lightweight rug cover and a non-slip rug pad, which can vary in thickness, are included with every Ruggable rug. To keep the pad in place, the rug cover covers it. According to the brand, you may vacuum their rug, wash it with a light detergent, and then dry it on low heat.
According to the brand, Ruggable’s Moroccan Diamond Plush Rug is resistant to stains and water and is available in four basic area rug sizes. Morgan Greenwald, a former Select editor, claims that even after multiple washing cycles, the herplush rug feels as soft as when it was initially delivered.
Best affordable washable rug: Gorilla Grip
Gorilla Grip Faux-Fur Washable Rug
Gorilla Grip Faux-Fur Washable Rug
Fur and machine-washable aren’t typically synonymous, but this faux fur rug makes it possible and is also the least expensive choice on this list. A two-inch-high layer of warm, silky shag is placed on top. The rug comes in seven sizes and 20 solid colors; the largest is 6 feet by 9 feet. It has an average rating of 4.4 stars based on more than 16,000 reviews on Amazon.
Best washable shag rug: Room Essentials
Room Essentials Plush Shag Rug
Room Essentials Plush Shag Rug
Kathy Turley, Home Clean Heroes’ head of marketing, informed usTarget has a number of excellent throw rugs that are smaller and perfect for the kitchen or bathroom. If you re looking to add some texture to your floors, this shag rug option which is exclusive to the retailer comes in three sizes, ranging from 2.5 feet by 3.8 feet to 7 feet by 10 feet. The brand says the rug is made with skid-resistant materials to prevent it from slipping around on hard floors and it s available in three colors:Cream,GrayandPink.
Best patterned washable rug: Ruggable
Soraya Trellis Sage Rug
Soraya Trellis Sage Rug
The Soraya Trellis Sage Rug from Ruggable is both stylish and functional, according to Susan Peters, owner and interior designer for9108 Designs, who purchased this rug for one of her clients. Like other Ruggable pieces, this rug is machine-washable and stain-resistant, and it comes with a rug cover and non-slip rug pad. This rug is offered as an area rug, runner or circle rug in a variety of sizes to fit almost any space.
Best reversible washable rug: DII
DII Contemporary Reversible Indoor Area Rag Rug
DII Contemporary Reversible Indoor Area Rag Rug
Washable rugs should be cleaned no more than once a month to ensure longevity, experts told us. So, if you re getting a rug for a highly trafficked area, this reversible rug may be a worthwhile option to cover up any minor spills or messes. You can choose from over 22 different colors and patterns, and the rug comes in multiple sizes that range from 2 feet by 3 feet to 4 feet by 6 feet. It has grips to keep it in place, but a rug liner between flooring is recommended to prevent colors from transferring, according to the brand.
Best multicolor washable rug: Ruggable
Ruggable Morris & Co. Blackthorn Forest Green Rug
Ruggable Morris & Co. Blackthorn Forest Green Rug
If you want to add a pop of color to your living space, Ruggable s Morris & Co. Blackthorn Forest Green Rug has a combination of copper, deep teal blue, dark turquoise and silver shades. Pamela O Brien, principal interior designer atPamela Hope Designs, bought a similarly designed rug for a client s ranch that blend[ed] well with the woven rugs in other areas of the home, and it added color, texture and style as a result, she says. This option comes in a range of sizes up to 9 feet by 12 feet.
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What are the benefits of a washable rug?
Washable rugs can be just as visually appealing as traditional rugs, but they provide some additional peace of mind if you re decorating a busy area of your home or if you have kids and pets.
While having Persian, silk or brand name carpets is appealing, they are not always easy to take care of in high-traffic areas in your home, especially with pets or children, says Mehmetoglu.
Most rugs are inherently washable. However, rugs that brand themselves as washable can typically be machine-washed, which can save you both time and money. Traditional rugs often need to be sent out to a professional for washing, and that process is ultimately much more expensive than just using your own washer, says Mehmetoglu.
Washing your rugs regularly can also reduce dust and allergens in the air, and control asthma and allergy symptoms year-round, according to Melanie Carver, chief mission officer of theAsthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The carpet fibers and the pad under the carpet can trap and hold particles like dust as well as allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pest debris, and mold spores when you vacuum or otherwise disturb the carpet, it can cause these irritants and allergens to become airborne as well, says Carver. Regularly washing area rugs in water that is 130 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter can also mitigate these allergens and dust particles, she says.
However, there are some drawbacks: Washable rugs are often thinner, which may make them less durable and cause their corners to curl up over time (a common tripping hazard).
What to consider when buying a washable rug
Before you shop for any rug, you ll need to make sure it fits in your space, both physically and visually: You ll want a piece that seamlessly blends with your existing furniture and decor. Below are features to keep in mind while considering washable rug options, including any required maintenance, as well as the material the rug is made of.
Material
Most washable rugs are made with synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, which can more easily stand up to the abrasiveness of washing machines. There are some washable rugs made from natural materials like cotton and wool, but they tend to be more expensive and may not last as long since those materials can t stand up to multiple washes, according to our experts.
You ll want to steer clear of washing any rugs with a jute backing because it tends to absorb water, says Turley. Just follow the same guidelines as you would for your clothing you wouldn t put a wool sweater in the washing machine, so a wool rug shouldn t go in, either.
Size
Not only does your washable rug have to fit in your room, but it also has to fit in your washing machine.
You will want it to be able to fit in your washer rather than having to send it out to be cleaned or having to go to the laundromat to wash the rug, says Peters. If you have a small washing machine, you might want to consider two smaller rugs that can be washed independently instead of a single larger rug so as to not overstuff your machine, says Turley.
Maintenance
While washable rugs are meant to be washed, you shouldn t do so every day (or even every week). Washing your rug once a month should suffice, according to Turley. Ideally, in order to make them last as long as possible and avoid wear and tear, you should consider only washing your rugs when they re actually dirty or stained like any other rug, washable rugs can be vacuumed or spot-cleaned.
You can typically put machine-washable rugs in the dryer depending on the brand and material, but that may damage the rug fibers and shrinkage, according to our experts. Although it may take a long time for your washable rug to air dry (especially if it s on the larger side), it s best if you want to preserve its quality, says Mehmetoglu.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Zeynep Mehmetoglu
is the director of marketing and brand management at specialized cleaning serviceMaid Bright
.
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Kathy Turley
is the director of marketing at home cleaning serviceHome Clean Heroes
.
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Susan Peters
is an interior designer and the owner of9108 Designs
in Clifton, Virginia.
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Pamela O Brien
is the principal interior designer at luxury interior design firmPamela Hope Designs
in Houston, Texas.
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Melanie Carver
is the chief mission officer of theAsthma and Allergy Foundation of America
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Why trust NBC Select?
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of home and kitchen topics, includingspace heaters,stand mixersandmeal delivery services. For this story, Godio spoke to five cleaning experts about how to shop for a washable rug and rounded up their recommendations for the best ones to consider.
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