Stylish and washable? I'm obsessed with these rugs

Having a stylish space when you’ve got multiple kids and pets (and even when you don’t) can be a real struggle—especially when it comes to rugs. Take it from me, a mom of two messy children and, up until recently, two slobbery English bulldogs and one long-haired cat. I’ve had multiple rugs over the years, only for them to be soiled with pet urine (gross) and used as a dumping ground for drinks, snacks, and more.

After spending money on expensive, hard-to-clean rugs only to have them be ruined by my two- and four-legged family members, I decided to give up on decorating my floor for the time being. But then I discovered Ruggable (available at Ruggable) , which sells machine-washable rugs that claim to be waterproof and stain-resistant—and look nice, too. I know, I know. It almost sounds too good to be true, however, I bought my first Ruggable rug, and let’s just say my once-bare tile floors are forever changed.

Keep reading to find out why Ruggable is a must-have item in my home.

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What is Ruggable?

Founded in 2010, the Los Angeles-based business, Ruggable, sells machine-washable rugs in various sizes like 3-by-5 feet, 5-by-7 feet, 6-by-9 feet, 8-by-10 feet, as well as runners.

In addition to rugs, Ruggable offers door mats, bath mats, throw pillows, and even furniture through its sister brand Levity. Plus, Ruggable washable rugs now come in a thicker design with a cushioned rug pad. At first, Ruggable may sound like any other rug company, but this isn’t your average roll of carpet.

Unlike most rugs, the Ruggable is a two-part system where the base (also known as the “pad”) essentially functions as one giant sheet of non-slip velcro. The top part of the rug is a removable, waterproof, stain-resistant, and machine-washable cover that’s ideal for messy and unpredictable households like mine. The product is hypoallergenic and made from non-toxic materials, so it’s safe for paws and little hands.

The cover is made from polyester and has a polyurethane waterproof barrier. The rug pad is also made of polyester. To keep the rug from sliding around on hard floors, the bottom of the pad is made from non-slip thermoplastic resin, a latex-free material commonly used to make yoga mats. Ruggable's site is full of hundreds of different designs to match any interior and prices start around $69.

Another cool feature: Once you have a Ruggable system, you can also opt to replace only the top cover portion. It’s cheaper than getting a whole new set, and a boon if you want to redecorate but still want an easy-cleaning rug of the same size in your updated space.

The two-part system is fairly straightforward: The pad goes down first and then the cover is placed on top. There should be roughly a one-inch overhang from the cover on all sides of the rug, however, you may need to smooth out a few wrinkles here and there. It’s beneficial to have two people place the cover to get it just right (especially for large-sized rugs). That’s not to say it can’t be done with one person, but it takes extra time to get it into place if you don’t have additional help.

All Ruggable rugs are made to order and expect to ship in one to two weeks. Larger area rugs take about three weeks to arrive. Ruggable products can be returned within 30 days of receipt for a full refund minus a $25 processing fee.

However, if you’re looking for a faster shipping alternative, some pre-made Ruggables are available on Amazon with Prime shipping.

How to wash Ruggable rugs?

For day-to-day maintenance, you should vacuum your Ruggable to remove dirt, pet dander, and other particles.

When you’re ready to wash the rug, you pull up the cover and place it in your washing machine. Ruggable notes it’s best to wash the cover as soon as you notice any spills or stains. To dry the rug, set your dryer to low heat or hang the cover up to air dry.

There’s no need to wash the rug pad as the cover’s waterproof barrier should keep any liquids from seeping through to the bottom. That said, the rug pad can be spot-cleaned with soap and warm water if need be.

What we like

The rugs are stylish and high quality

I was looking for a rug that blended right in with my home’s decor and would hide the dirt trekked in from outside, yet be easy to clean so said dirt wouldn’t be further tracked into the house. Ruggable checked all the boxes.

Before ordering, I was a little skeptical that the rug may look cheap, but those fears went out the window once I received my first Ruggable rug. The colors are rich and vibrant (and have maintained their beauty after several washes), bringing a trendy and polished look to our playroom.

Ruggable's site is full of hundreds of different designs to match any interior. My first Ruggable purchase was the 5-by-7 version of the “Learning ABC” pattern for our playroom, which is no longer available, but you can still shop lots of kids-themed rugs to outfit your child’s bedroom or play space. My second Ruggable was the 3-by-5 Linear Aztec Black Rug for my entryway which offers a chic, geometric look for a more grown-up look.

Since buying my Ruggable rugs, I’ve been pleased with their longevity. Despite the heavy duty clean the rugs receive in the washing machine, they’ve stayed as vibrant and colorful as they did out of the box—a true testament to its quality.

Washing Ruggable rugs is a breeze

Ruggable’s biggest draw is its ability to go in both the washer and dryer. The top layer peels off the pad and can be washed on a normal cycle and then dried on low.

My kids’ 5-by-7 rug fills up my standard-sized front-loading washing machine about halfway, while the entryway 3-by-5 rug takes up even less space.

While I don’t own the 8-by-10 Original Rug Cover, the larger size claims to fit into a 3.8-cubic-foot washer. However, the larger sizes of the 3X thicker premium rugs are more difficult to wash in standard-sized machines.

What we don’t like

Out of the box, they need some time to unfurl

As you might expect, the rug cover and pad come rolled up inside of a cardboard box, which means they aren’t quite ready to go when you unpack them.

Upon unpacking and assembling the rug, you may need to weigh down the corners for a few hours with something heavy like packages or several stacks of books.

On the upside, the rug and liner didn't emit any odors or chemical-like smells after unboxing it, which is an issue I’ve noticed with other rugs in the past.

The basic model could use some extra cushioning

The only place that Ruggable could stand to improve is the thickness of the rug pad. It measures 1/8th of an inch thick, which doesn’t bode well if you like a plush and padded surface under your feet. However, the rug surface is smooth and soft to the touch and doesn’t feel coarse or scratchy.

Since first testing Ruggable’s rugs, the company has launched both a cushioned rug pad, as well as a thicker rug cover which can be purchased at an additional charge.

Should you buy Ruggable rugs?

Yes, they’re kid- and pet-friendly.

As you probably can surmise, my answer is a resounding "Yes!" Dirty paw prints, red wine, water, milk, dog pee—the Ruggable has stood up to it all in my house, and I can’t recommend it enough to my friends and family.

If you crave a well-decorated space that’s easy to maintain without having to schlep your rug off to the cleaner (or spend time on hands and knees spot-scrubbing) when an unexpected mess strikes, then the Ruggable could be a good investment for your home.

While they take some time to unfurl, and the basic model lacks cushioning, overall I’m pleased with Ruggables quality and value.

Whether you’ve got kids and pets or are just looking for a simple way to have rugs in your home, Ruggable makes it easy to have a well-decorated space that takes minimal effort to clean.

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