The best washable rugs make maintenance a breeze. And textile manufacturers are taking this need for practicality to heart. There are more machine washable rug options than ever to choose from on the market these days: flat-weave, shag, faux fur, high-pile and low; Moroccan, modern, medallion, patterned picks aplenty; square, circle, rectangle and runners galore—whatever you’re looking for, chances are that you can find it in a washable style. We put nine of those rugs to the test and shared our honest reviews. Let’s get into it!
Most of these rugs are available in a variety of sizes and/or shapes, but for the sake of comparison, we pulled the prices for 5-by-7-foot or 4-by-8-foot rugs. If you’re looking for something smaller or larger, click through to the product, and you’ll most likely find the size you need.
In this Article
An AD-Approved Collaboration
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Stef Lindbaum
Ananda Natural Pop Flatwoven Rug
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes Available: 2’X3’, 3’X5’, 4’X6’, 5’X7’, 6’X9’, 8’X10’, 9’X12’, 10’X14’
- Colors Available: One colorway available
- Shake, sweep, or vacuum to remove dirt, dust, and debris
- Detach rug cover from pad for easy cleaning, rinse rug cover with a garden hose and spot clean, lay flat to air-dry
- Machine wash rug cover separately in cold water using a mild, non-bleach detergent. Tumble-dry on air fluff mode or lay flat to air-dry
Designed by New American Voices honoree Hema Persad as part of Architectural Digest’s collection with Ruggable, this rug was the perfect addition to production and activation director Stefanie Lindenbaum’s living room. “My apartment has a lot of neutral colors (mainly beige, white, black, and light wood) with small pops of colors in throw blankets, coffee table books, etc., so I love that the rug mirrors that with small swatches of blue in each corner.” Lindenbaum found the design’s velcro underlay to be a game changer, especially with an energetic puppy at home. “It really holds the rug in place, even when she’s being rough with it. It was also super easy to clean when she had an accident on it too.” Her only callout is that imprints from paw prints, chairs, and table legs set pretty deeply on this rug. “You can smooth it out by rubbing it softly with no issue, but the imprint doesn’t fade on its own.”
For A Vintage Feel
Urban Outfitters Orion Medallion Washable Rug
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes Available: 2’X3’, 2’X8’, 3’X5’, 5’X7’
- Colors Available: One colorway available
Editor’s Note: While the Jewel Printed Washable Rug Fletcher tested is out of stock at the moment, the Orion Medallion Washable rug is a similar substitute.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, washable rug that you can easily transport to the laundry room or laundromat, we highly recommend this Persian-style rug from Urban Outfitters. “I was in search of something super low pile that I could station under my desk and rolling office chair, that wouldn’t get caught or bunch up under the wheels, and this one more than fit the bill while also looking sophisticated,” says commerce director Rachel Fletcher. The coloring and low profile on this design still feels neutral while adding a little visual interest with the ornate patterning. It’s thin and has a rubber coating, so there’s no need to add a rug pad to the mix, and it’d be easy to schlep to the washing machine if needed. “So far, I haven’t needed anything more than regular vacuuming and one spot clean (yes, I did dribble a little chili crisp on it during a laptop-facing lunch) to keep it looking pristine,” says Fletcher.
For Monochrome Enthusiasts
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Tumble Petra Washable Rug
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes Available: 2”5’X7’, 2”5’X10’, 3’X5’, 5’X7’, 6’X9, 8’X10, 9’X12
- Colors Available: Sand & sea, silver, navy
- Wash rugs on a cold cycle using standard laundry detergent
- Dry on low heat
“I am a big fan of this beautiful rug. I was so pleased with the look and quality when I unboxed it. It’s even prettier than the picture in real life,” contributor Kristi Kellogg told us in her review. Kellogg uses it in her living room, where it’s a nice addition thanks to the low-pile height that’s friendly to foot traffic and not overly bulky. “And even though it’s low-pile, it’s still very cushiony, thanks to the nonslip rug pad that sits below it,” says Kellogg. “Best of all, it’s fuss-free, since it can be tossed into my washing machine anytime! I’ve had a few coffee spills on this, and I just tossed it the washing machine, ran it on cold, and air-dried it—the result was a rug that looked entirely brand new!” Seen here in the sand/sea colorway, it’s also available in silver, wheat, and navy. The rug also comes in several sizes: 5-by-7-foot, 8-by-10-foot, 3-by-5-foot, or 2.5-by-7-foot runner.
Best Budget Pick
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Boutique Rugs Ranao Washable Area Rug
- Materials: Chenille-polyester, jute
- Sizes Available: 6’X9′, 8’X10′, 9’X12′
- Colors Available: One colorway available
- For minor spills, use a cotton cloth or paper towel to blot the spill from the edges towards the center. Use a mixture of dish soap and cold water for spot cleaning
- For larger spills and stubborn stains, you can machine-wash the rug. Clean or wash immediately after major accidents for optimal results
“Wow, this diamond pattern rug exceeded my expectations. I laid it out under the dining table just before the whole family came over for Thanksgiving dinner and it not only got tons of compliments, it made it through the whole meal without a visible spot or stain,” says Fletcher. If you’re confused on how to clean, Boutique Rugs has an incredibly helpful chart on their site that outlines the size of washing machine you’ll need to handle each of their rug variations. As for the quality of the rug, Fletcher described it as “top notch,” with the floor covering having a handmade look (each one is machine woven in Turkey). “The low-pile and combination of chenille polyester and jute makes it super easy to wipe clean without feeling like you’re destroying the texture (and it didn’t bother my allergies the way some natural fiber rugs can),” says Fletcher.
For A Textured Look
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Lorena Canals Air Washable Rug
- Materials: Cotton
- Sizes Available: 4’5”X6’7”, 5’7”X8’, 4’5”X6’7” 6’7”X9’10”, 8’2”X11’6”
- Colors Available: One colorway available
- Wash rugs on a cold, gentle cycle using sustainable laundry detergent
- Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls
Lorena Canals has some of the most attractive machine washable rugs for every area of your house—whether you’re looking for something to liven up your entryway or ground your dining room, you’ll find it here. “This particular pick is one of my absolute favorites, thanks to its bohemian, earthy vibe,” says Kellogg. “The neutral rug still has plenty of visual interest, thanks to the way the texture moves from low-pile to high-pile to shag.” Not only is this cotton rug easy on the eyes, it’s also eco-friendly: It’s made with natural cotton and non-toxic dyes. Plus, it’s durable enough to be used indoors or outdoors (it’s actually also featured it on our roundup of the best outdoor rugs).
A Neutral Flatweave
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Fab Habitat Biltmore Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
- Materials: PET polyester
- Sizes Available: 2’X3’, 2’6”X8, 5’X8’, 6’X9, 8’X10
- Colors Available: 36 different colors, including natural
- Machine wash and tumble dry on low (smaller sizes)
- To remove hard stains use color safe bleach
Hallway runners aren’t something to be bought without thought. They need to be highly durable (after all, that rug is going to see a lot of foot traffic) but plush, subtle but cozy. The neutral, woven design of Fab Habitat’s runner perfectly fit the bill. “The knit fibers—which are made from recycled soda bottles—make for a sturdy and thick rug that feels long-lasting while still warming up an otherwise barren hallway,” says contributor Megan Wahn. The rug is available in several sizes, ranging from a runner to an 8-by-10-foot area rug. “One thing to note for fellow robot vacuum owners: you’ll probably want to roll your rug up whenever you run your vacuum, as the soft fibers can get caught up in the bristles of the machine,” Wahn points out. “But because the rug is machine washable anyway, you don’t need to worry too much about regularly vacuuming it.”
A Classic Turkish Design
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Rugs.com Washable Mangata Rug
- Materials: Chenille
- Sizes Available: 4’X6’, 7’10”X10’, 10’6”X13’
- Colors Available: One colorway available
- Place the rug in the washer with the colored side facing out. Machine-wash on a delicate or light cycle in cold water with a bleach-free detergent
- Hang the rug to air-dry. Ensure the rug fits comfortably and the load is balanced to prevent excessive shaking
If you’re worried about stains—whether from foot traffic or a new pet—this low-pile rug is the way to go. Yes, it’s machine washable, but you can also easily wipe stains away on this rug. Plus, the actual pattern of the rug helps to hide any stains, too. “The rug was super easy to set up: I just unrolled it and it was ready to go right out of the box,” says contributor Kelsey Borovinsky. “There was no weird chemical smell and it only took about an hour to lay flat without any creases. I’m sold!”
More Washable Rugs to Check Out
Though we haven’t had a chance to test drive one of the washable rugs below, we wanted to give you some more stylish options to peruse, from quick-ship brands like Amazon that give you an Open Door look to gems we found while shopping the kid’s section.
FAQs
Why Choose a Washable Rug?
Convenient and durable, washable rugs are particularly nice options for modern households with children and pets, or any high-traffic living spaces. Common materials for these types of rugs include polyester, cotton, and wool, which can be easily spot cleaned (in the case of smaller stains) or loaded into a washing machine for full, deeper cleans. Designed to withstand frequent washes, these floor coverings are desirable options for those looking to keep their home allergen-free and skip the cost of multiple professional cleanings.
How Do I Wash My Washable Area Rug?
We recommend checking out the care instructions for your rug before tackling a wash, which is why we’ve provided you with the cleaning protocol for all the rugs we’ve tested. You’ll typically find that cold water, mild detergent, and a delicate spin cycle works best. And don’t try to cram larger rugs into your home washer—you’ll want to visit your laundromat’s commercial machine or maybe handwash it in the tub. After it’s been cleaned, air-drying or trying out the lowest heat setting on your dryer are the way to go.
