12 best washable rugs that can handle just about anything
Forget any outdated notions you might have about machine-washable home decor — the best washable rugs are pretty incredible these days. While you might picture limited design options and coarse fibres, washable area rugs have levelled up, with a huge number of retailers offering nearly any size, shape, pattern, and finish imaginable. The biggest issue these days is narrowing down your search.
While all rugs are technically able to be washed, the term “washable rugs” refers to options that can be machine-washed, usually at home. “Washable rugs are a clever solution to rug stains, but they get a bad rap,” says Alyssa Kapito, a New York-based interior designer and founder of her eponymous design studio. “Luckily they’ve gotten a bit cuter, since there is a growing market for them.” You’ve probably already heard of Ruggable rugs, but plenty of other brands, from Ruggable to Dunelm, now offer washable options.
“Whether it’s from muddy shoes or spilled coffee, your rugs are bound to get dirty,” explains Lindsey Goddard, a Chicago-based interior designer and founder of her own design studio — and although she doesn’t often use washable rugs in her spaces, they can help you keep pet hair, stains, and dirt at bay, especially in areas with lots of foot traffic. Ready to refresh your home? These are the best washable rugs for every kind of space, budget, and aesthetic.
What to look for
- Material: Whether you go with natural fibres or synthetic materials, most washable rugs have some degree of resistance to stains. “Always avoid silk, viscose or lyocell blends if stains are a concern,” Kapito warns. “They are far less forgiving and much harder to clean.”
- Design: The days of compromising on your rug’s colours and pattern are over. Pick one that’ll fit in with your home’s aesthetic, which can be anything from a medallion-style area rug to a runner splashed with geometric patterns.
- Care: Each one of these rugs can be washed in a machine, but not all of them should go in a dryer. Make sure to pay attention to the care instructions to ensure it lasts as long as it should.
This story originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
As part of Ruggable's collaboration with Architectural Digest, the Yates Check Brown Rug, designed by Light and Dwell, features a bang-on-trend checkerboard pattern in a chocolate brown and warm sand colourway that will go in just about any room. It's made from up to 180 recycled plastic bottles and is water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable. Win-win.
Sizes: 5
Colours: Brown
Material: Polyester, polyurethane
Pros: Long-lasting material that won't fray or shed
Cons: Somewhat on the pricier side
Ruggable’s machine-washable, stain-resistant, flatweave rugs are some of the most popular options on the market, and this bestseller is especially great. The low-pile design brings to mind traditional patterns, but it’s been updated with a contemporary colour palette and eye-catching florals. You can choose between a standard base and a padded one, both of which act as non-slip backings. When it’s time to wash your rug, simply detach it from the base and throw it in your washing machine and tumble dryer —it’ll come out good as new.
Sizes: 7 options
Colours: 3 options
Material: Polyester, polyurethane
Pros: Slip-resistant rug pad, vibrant colours, able to be machine-dried
Cons: Flat texture
Toeing the line between completely child-friendly and beautiful enough to add a little something magical to your surroundings, this washable option was inspired by the designer’s travels, boasting a squad of monkeys, sloths, giraffes, zebras, and more — surrounded by tropical flora.
Sizes: 7
Colours: n/a
Material: Made from polyester with a polyurethane water-resistant barrier
Pros: The cover can be detached easily from its pad and chucked in the wash
Cons: One review says it’s a bit scratchy underfoot.
The Architectural Digest Ananda Natural Pop Rug, designed by LA-based Hema Persad, is inspired by Moroccan textiles and architecture. Thanks to its earthy tones, this rug will fit perfectly with most interior design styles and colour schemes, and the pops of blue and red add interest and vibrancy.
Sizes: 8
Colours: Browns, taupes
Pros: Water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable.
Cons: As the collection is new, there aren't any reviews yet.
A wonderful combo of traditional and trendy design, we’re obsessed with the comfy-yet-jazzy vibes of this “Celeste” design, available in either “grey” or a “natural” shade.
Sizes: 4
Colours: 2
Materials: 69% Recycled Cotton 12% Recycled Polyester 19% Polyester
Pros: Easy to hoover, despite beautiful texture of the rug’s material.
Cons: Likely to shrink after washing, due to nature of recycled cotton.
From sage to blue to red (but we think it looks more like a deep purple), this trendy classic has a colour scheme to go with every mood, or interior dream, you may have. Made from recycled cotton and polyester, it’s also an eco-conscious choice – a huge win for the environmentally-minded.
Sizes: 4
Colours: 3
Material: 69% Recycled Cotton 12% Recycled Polyester 19% Polyester
Pros: Stylish and soft to the touch.
Cons: Is likely to shrink slightly after washing, due to the nature of recycled cotton. Also must be air dried flat.
A crowd pleaser if ever we saw one. Versatile, available in a range of shades, this shag delight will add a pop of colour to any room in your home. Reviews even say that it looks way more expensive than expected, making it even more of a steal!
Sizes: 3
Colours: 10
Material: Synthetic
Pros: Can be customised to be any size or shape with a box cutter.
Cons: Watch out for new carpet smell.
Another Ruggable gem, this indoor-outdoor rug comes in a variety of sizes that are ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas. When pets (or kids) leave mud behind, just wait for it to dry and vacuum it up —it should disappear almost instantly. Same goes for hair and fur, which tend to get stuck in traditional rugs. Although it’s not actually made of jute, it’s the closest washable material you’ll get to the real thing.
Sizes: 3 options
Colors: 2 options
Material: Polyester
Pros: Recycled materials, great for indoor or outdoor use
Cons: Edges might curl
This weathered medallion rug only looks antique (in the best way). It’s stain-resistant and doesn’t require a backing pad; instead, it has a built-in non-slip layer at the bottom. NuLoom also offers some of the best sizing on the market, with over a dozen options to fit any space.
Sizes: 14 options
Colors: 2 options
Material: Polypropylene
Pros: Budget-friendly, non-slip, wide array of sizes
Cons: Should be air-dried
Add some whimsy to your home with this checkered rug, which is inspired by vintage kitchen flooring. The accent size is ideal for playrooms and bedrooms alike, adding texture and visual intrigue to wooden floors or larger area rugs.
Sizes: 1 option
Colours: 4 options
Material: Cotton
Pros: Sustainable materials, kid-safe dyes
Cons: Limited sizing, no anti-slip backing
A collaboration between Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia Home and textile brand Loloi, this vintage-inspired rug looks almost exactly like a secondhand find—but it feels (and washes) like a brand new one. While there are some more budget-friendly styles in the collection, this is one of our favourites. Plus, the durable synthetic fibres and plenty kid- and pet-friendly.
Sizes: 9 options
Colours: 7 options
Material: Polyester
Pros: Recycled material, vibrant colours, lightweight
Cons: Some sizes require commercial size washing machines
For a patterned rug that doesn’t skimp on sophistication, turn to Revival’s Ellipsis. Beyond the subtle, modern design, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester that’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified, meaning it’s free from toxic substances that could irritate skin. And although it’s low-pile, it also happens to be soft and foldable — not mat-like.
Sizes: 6 options
Colors: 2 options
Material: Recycled polyester
Pros: Eco-friendly material, OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified
Cons: Should be air-dried
