While there's no doubt that a great rug can complete a space and make it feel cozier, it can be a bit of a liability sometimes. Messes from pets, kids, and the occasional muddy shoes and red-wine spill feel like a crisis in the moment because of the high staining potential. While stocking up on stain removers is always a good idea, an even better one is to look into getting washable rugs for your space.
While washable rugs sound like a novel concept, there are plenty out there to choose from. The best washable rugs are made of cotton, polyester, or polypropylene (or a blend of these), and have a distinctly flexible feel to them, just slightly stiffer than a blanket. If a rug is difficult to fold in half and can only be rolled, it would not be suitable for machine washing.
Before you buy a rug, also consider the size of your washing machine. Even large washing machines may have trouble fitting an area rug. One way to measure your washer space is by stapling together pieces of newspaper to approximate the size of the rug — if you can easily fit it in your washing machine without completely crumpling the paper, it will likely work.
Finally, except for Ruggable's rugs, other styles of washable rugs cannot be put in the dryer, so it's a good idea to make sure you have the space to hang out a rug to dry.
We researched this piece by comparing the specs and reviews of many different brands of washable rugs and by consulting guides from Apartment Therapy, The Strategist, and House Beautiful. These are the eight best washable rugs for a cleaner home.
When it comes to the best washable rugs, the clear winner is Ruggable. This brand of rugs has styles available in tons of designs, colors, and patterns to match any home, and they come in sizes ranging from slim runners to large 9-by-12-foot area rugs. They are also completely machine-washable and -dryable.
The way it works is that the Ruggable rug comprises a polyester outer layer and a pad underneath that holds the rug in place and gives it a cushioned, substantial feel underfoot. Any time a mess happens (or the rug looks ready to be cleaned), just the outer layer is removed and washed, while the pad stays put.
Reviewers like this rug's stylish look and comfy feel, and they also tout that it not only washes easily but that many spills can simply wipe up cleanly from its surface.
This Amazon-favorite washable cotton rug may not have multiple size options, but it's a pretty amazing value for a 4-by-6-foot rug. Reviewers tout its low pile and tight weave as being very easy to vacuum and machine wash, though many do note that it's on the thin side.
With the money that you save on this washable area rug (and many others in this list), you can invest in a nice thick rug pad to give it cushioning and to prevent it from sliding around your floor.
Lorena Canals makes washable blankets for kids' bedrooms, but many of them look so nice, we kind of want them for ourselves.
This cotton rug has a tapestry-like look with varied hand-knotted textured throughout. It feels interesting and playful underfoot and even has a short fringe.
Made of recycled synthetic fibers, this weathered rug might look like an antique, but it was made for modern convenience.
Reviewers like the multitude of sizes and colors this rug comes in, especially for such affordable prices. While it is equipped with a nonslip backing, some reviewers advise that it doesn't work as well as it should. A rug pad can help with that while making it cushier, too.
This rug from Kelly Clarkson's home line has prettily muted orange, pink, and blue tones to add a little pop of color to a space without looking too loud.
It’s machine-washable, but some reviewers say it’s “thin,” so it’s a good candidate for a rug pad. It’s also touted for its high-quality look and feel.
For those who love a two-for-one deal, this set of matching cotton rugs is an amazing value. The accent rug of the pair is 2 feet by 3 feet while the runner is 2 feet by 4 feet.
Reviewers love that these washable rugs look way more expensive than they actually are, and they enjoy the tufted accents and fringe for a unique design flair.
Made of polypropylene, this rug looks a lot more luxe than it is. It's quite the design chameleon, too, available in an impressive range of 12 different sizes.
The pile is a little bit thicker than some of the rag rugs on this list, so make sure you measure accordingly before trying to fold it up and put in your washer.
Another refined-looking nursery rug, this 4-by-6-foot rug is made of polyester and is just faintly fuzzy. It's safe to both machine-wash and dry to restore it to its original, artfully distressed look.
Melanie YatesSenior Home Decor EditorMelanie is the senior home decor editor of Best Products, where she's been researching and testing out home and bedding products since 2015 — her work can also be found on House Beautiful and Women's Health.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
