Family life can be messy, with dirty shoes trampling through the house, pets trailing in a mess, and toddlers smearing just about everything everywhere, so our floor coverings can have a rough ride. Ruggable has given us a solution with its range of machine-washable rugs, which it claims can be washed in a home machine, regardless of size. 

We wanted to put it to the test to see just how easy it is to machine wash a rug and how well it would come out. 

The first step was to select the right rug for our space and pair it with the right rug pad. Unlike a traditional rug you would buy, unroll and forget about, Ruggable rugs come in two parts — a rug cover and a rug pad. 

Ruggable rug pad and rug cover

If you select a tufted rug, as we did, the company recommends a standard pad, which is low profile and non-slip. As the tufted rug, at 7mm depth, is already slightly padded, this rug pad offers stability without extra bulk, so it doesn’t become a trip hazard in the middle of our living room or hallway. 

If you choose a standard woven Ruggable, it’s just 2mm in depth. Pair it with a cushioned pad, which is three times thicker than the standard pad, and you’ll get a little cushioning under your feet. 

There’s a vast selection of sizes, colours, and styles, but once you narrow it down and make your final selection, place your order, and it’ll be made for you. Delivery can take anywhere from 2–3 weeks unless you pay for express delivery, the cost of which will vary depending on your order. This means that you leapfrog the order queue, though, and as soon as your rug has been finished, it will ship via FedEx within two days of completion. 

When the rug arrived, I was delighted with my choice. The Prisma Monochrome rug, with its muted tones and subtle patterning, added a touch of softness to the room while creating a point of interest on the wood effect flooring. 

Installing the rug was easy. Unroll and lay the rug pad, ensuring the right side faces upwards (you’ll know which way that is), and then do the same with the rug cover. The rug pad is smaller than the cover, so it might take a few goes to get everything laid in precisely the right position. With a larger rug, you might need to draft in a couple of extra hands to get it sorted. 

Ruggable and washing machine

After living with it for a few weeks, the next big test was to see if it was as easy to machine wash as it had been billed. Having chosen a tufted rug, which is a little bulkier than the flatwoven option, I was a little concerned that it wouldn’t fit into my rather ancient washing machine, but as it turns out, I need not have worried. 

It did take some manhandling to get through the relatively small door, but having folded and rolled the rug, it went in with room to spare, spreading out a little inside the drum.

Rug in the washing machine

If you are buying a rug to cover a larger area, check the washing machine guide on the website, as not all rugs will fit into a standard machine. Technically, our machine is a little small for the rug (Ruggable recommends a 10kg machine for our rug, but our machine has a 7kg capacity), but it worked well using a 30°C cycle with a maximum spin of 600 rpm. 

Once the wash was complete, I put the rug out to dry and waited to see the final result. It was impressive. It wasn’t the filthiest of rugs when it went in the machine, but being light in colour, marks were showing. When it came out and had thoroughly dried, it looked as fresh and clean as when it had arrived. The quality of the manufacture showed through, too, as the rug held its shape well, and the woven edges looked as good as new. 

Ruggable on washing line

The first wash was certainly a success, which bodes well for Ruggable. It will take a little more wear and a few more washes to be able to crow too loudly, but it’s looking good so far!

Another factor worthy of consideration is the price tag. Our rug measured 120x185cm and included both the rug pad and cover, costing a total of £279, including shipping. While that isn’t an inconsiderable amount of money, for the quality of the materials and the convenience of being able to wash it, it’s not a bad deal at all. Being able to pop it into the wash when you need to spruce it up will keep it fresh and clean rather than it becoming drab and lifeless. This will help to keep it current and increase the longevity of it as a fixture in your home. But remember to check your washing machine’s capacity before placing an order.

rug after washing

Of course, there are cheaper options, but a rug will take quite a battering in most homes, and as with anything, you get what you pay for. We think the investment is worthwhile and will help create a cosy, comfortable living space for your family to enjoy, no matter how messy they are. 

Sam Huff
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