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Back in 2021, when washable rugs were just beginning to gain in popularity, I tested a few out to get a handle on the category. I was a new parent to a sweet (read: unwieldy) toddler, plus a dog mom to an elderly (read: incontinent) pup, and I was at my wits end, ready to give up on having rugs in our house all together. But this new breed that could be cleaned so easily turned out to be a godsend, given my burgeoning mess-prone lifestyle.
Four years and a move later, I’m once again in the market for easy-to-maintain area rugs. With an on-the-go five-year-old and a food-flinging six-month-old occupying our house, low-maintenance floor coverings are a non-negotiable. These days, the options have expanded exponentially, including shag, tufted, and natural-fiber versions you would never guess could go in the machine.
My Favorite Washable Rug Brands
More Washable Rug Brands I Love
Lorena Canals
Designer Lorena Canals has been making washable rugs for nearly three decades, but outside the design industry, the brand is less well-known. It’s hard to believe that these plush, wool-and-cotton numbers—they feel like vintage finds scooped up in the souks of Marrakesh—could go in the washer and dryer! If you’ve dreamed of having an ivory or very light-colored carpet, but were too nervous about keeping it clean, this is your solution. The brand boasts a nice range of chic styles, including charming, kid-friendly designs. Also of note: their “woolly sheep” style, which is a cruelty-free take on the classic sheepskin rug, is one of our favorite cozy accessories for a hard chair or a nice, cushy bedside layer. It isn’t an exact one-for-one, but the looped-yarn construction creates the same essence and vibe, and it’s much easier to care for. Bonus—non-slip pads are included with all wool rugs.
What we like:
- Natural fibers
- Interesting textures and designs
- Rug pad included
Worth noting:
- More expensive than synthetic-fiber rugs
Revival Rugs
I was a big fan of Revival’s first line of machine-washable cotton rugs, and they’ve since expanded their offerings. As someone who has a penchant for natural fibers, not all of the styles are for me (several of the coolest designs are made with a fluffy recycled polyester) but their wool and cotton versions are a total home run in my book. In a sea of super thin washable rugs, the Taylor design has a high-pile shag that is unexpectedly textural and will add a major cozy factor to your spaces. On the other hand, the woven cotton rugs, like this Dungaree runner—part of a collection made from recycled denim—work well for high-traffic areas like the kitchen or entryway.
Recently, the brand released its most lightweight washable rug collection yet, entitled Hana. Comprising of five different styles—Haesol, Baram, Eunha, Jeogi, Haneul—the designs are inspired by the Korean Dansaekhwa movement, as well as geometric prints from Indian artist Zarina and Mark Rothko’s color field paintings.
What we like:
- Natural fiber options
- On-trend designs
Worth noting:
- Synthetic-fiber rugs feel like it
Ruggable
The brand that put washable rugs on the mass consumer map has grown leaps and bounds in the last few years. They now boast several collaborations with interior design superstars like Goop (the collection won a Good Design Award), Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Justina Blakney, and Jonathan Adler. They’ve also introduced a tufted style—which has a higher-pile (ie: more plush) than the original Ruggable, but is still generally thin enough to fit in a standard home washer. No matter what style you choose, you’ll need to pair it with one of Ruggable’s non-slip Velcro-like pads, which comes in standard or cushioned. Pair a tufted rug with a cushioned pad for the most luxe Ruggable experience.
What we like:
- Extremely low-maintenance care
- Great designer collaborations
- Higher-pile options
Worth noting:
- Synthetic options only
- Designs are printed on machine-made, serged-edge rugs
Tumble
This is another two-piece washable rug system, except that Tumble’s rug pads are made of ¼-inch-thick foam, which you put together like big puzzle pieces. I found Tumble’s rugs especially well suited for kids rooms as the non-slip padding really stays put amidst the rough-and-tumble lives of children, and it’s nice and cushioned for them, as well. The breadth of the brand’s designs isn’t vast—they currently have fewer than 100 styles—but with less to sift through and a good range of on-trend options, the tight, thoughtful edit is more than enough to choose from.
What we like:
- Low maintenance
- Rug-pad system prevents movement
Worth noting:
- Synthetic options only
- Small selection
Rugs USA
This emporium of reader-favorite rugs, where you can peruse floor coverings in a wide range of shapes, styles and materials, stocks a more limited selection of washable rugs. My favorites are the versions that utilize variation in pile height and fiber color to create the rug’s design rather than just a printed pattern on a flat rug. That texture gives each one an elevated feel that’s not usually seen with synthetic-fiber, machine-washable styles (like the Fredrika rug, for example). Every person who has walked into my home is shocked that it can be thrown in the wash. It’s thin, but the high-low loop texture gives it dimension and a softness—and it doesn’t require a speciality rug pad.
What we like:
- Interesting texture
- Wallet-friendly
Worth noting:
- Not all designs are created equal, sifting required to find the gems
Amber Interiors x Loloi and Annie Selke
If you’re a fan of either of these brand’s styles, both now offer a handful of their designs in washable varieties. The rugs are thin (the design is printed on a flat, polyester pile rather than woven) and have a light rubber backing, so they stay in place just fine without a specialty rug pad; you could add one for more cushion. While they don’t have the depth and texture of the standard-issue rugs from these brands, they are both great options for high-traffic areas, spaces where you’re just concerned about spills and messes (i.e. every room in my house), or even as a bath mat.
What we like:
- Designs you know and love, but machine washable
- Runner sizes
Worth noting:
- No natural fiber options
My Shopping Checklist
Design
Generally speaking, the new wave of washable rugs tend to be machine-made—synthetic fiber rugs that have a design printed on them with serged edges. This recipe does not produce the most luxurious rug, though higher pile options and thicker rug pads can help. It does make one that’s durable, easy to clean, and affordable. If low maintenance and a low price top your list of importance, these might be right for you.
Washable rugs made from natural fibers like wool and cotton are a little more expensive and often bulkier, which can make cleaning more complicated the larger the rug gets. But their designs tend to be more interesting, with varying pile heights, weaves styles, and organic textures. There’s no compromise on aesthetics or functionality with these rugs—they’re the best of both worlds.
Care and Maintenance
No matter which style you choose, the bigger a rug gets the less likely it will fit in a standard at-home washer. Be sure to check the brand’s site for details (Ruggable’s handy guide even has a section to help you identify your washer’s load capacity). Larger rugs are still machine-washable, but you might have to take them to a commercial laundromat that has larger units. For example, Revival’s 5-by-8 to 8-by-10 feet sizes require a 60-pound washing machine; at-home washers usually weigh in at 20 to 25 pounds. It’s spot- or dry-clean for sizes 9-by-12 and above. According to the brand, line drying is recommended, but tumble drying on a no- or low-heat setting is acceptable.
Some brands’ rugs are only compatible with their special rug pads, which can’t go in the washing machine and should only be spot cleaned. That might not be an issue for your kids’ muddy shoes or a spilled glass of wine, but it becomes a little more complicated with pet accidents.