When my husband and I bought our condo, the first thing I did was look for rugs. New furniture would be easy enough to procure once we settled in, I reasoned, but once our existing furniture and belongings were in the new space, putting a rug down was going to be like playing Tetris with 300-pound pieces. Plus, the right rug can tie the design of a room together, and since I didn’t want to paint the white walls right away, I figured finding something with a playful pattern would allow me to get away with barren walls for a while.
Furnishing my forever home is not something I take lightly, so I spent a lot of time researching rugs (including the ones Instagram served me via targeted ads). Eventually, after speaking to friends and colleagues about the rugs they owned, I focused my attention on Ruggable. The brand is a favorite among interior designers, and for good reason, I learned: Not only are all of its rugs machine-washable, but the company also regularly collaborates with prominent designers like Jonathan Adler and entities like Disney.
Since one of the two rugs I was purchasing was for my living room, one of the most highly trafficked areas in the house, I liked the idea of easily cleaning my rug in the washing machine. What really sold me, though, was how user-friendly Ruggable rugs are: All of the rugs are comprised of two pieces — a Rug Cover and a nonslip Rug Pad — and the company provides step-by-step video instructions on how to line them up and roll out the cover. Since the rugs are made with two components, you can purchase a different Rug Cover from Ruggable at any time and use your existing Rug Pad to switch up your look, too.
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Ruggable Moroccan Diamond Plush Rug
After measuring my living room, I decided that what I needed was a 6-feet-by-9-feet area rug. Most of Ruggable’s options at this size are around $300 — a relatively standard price for a rug that size — but I have expensive taste, so naturally I fell in love with the most expensive option they had, which is the Plush rug. It’s now been almost a year since my purchase, and the rug has held up well. I’ve put it through the washing cycle once so far — I was worried washing it would destroy its soft texture, but it actually feels just as lush as it did when it first arrived. The rug is made of polyester, and according to the experts we previously consulted, this synthetic material is better equipped to withstand the harsh washing machine cycle. The only drawback I noticed is that it was still wet after going through several drying cycles — the rug was ultimately too big for the dryer, so while parts of it were fully dry, others remained damp.
Though I don’t have a dog (yet), I often watch my best friend’s dog, and he sheds a lot. I haven’t had any issues vacuuming his hair out of the rug — even though it’s white, you actually can’t see his black fur when it’s on the carpet. It’s washable, yes, but it also hides stains and blemishes surprisingly well if you’re lazy like me and only want to wash it every once in a blue moon.
Ruggable Shag Rug
Recently, Ruggable sent me its new Shag rug to try out. Though I still love my Plush rug, the new Shag rug is easily the softest of the three Ruggables I own. I keep my Egret White Shag rug under my dining room table, so naturally we've already dealt with a few messy situations — however, a little carpet stain remover and cornstarch got each of them out without compromising the texture of the rug. I still haven't needed to throw the rug in the washing machine, but several bloggers who have washed the rug say it holds up well. My dining room area isn't highly trafficked, but if you anticipate having a lot of people stepping on your Shag rug, it might also be good to invest in a rug brush for any detangling.
Other washable rugs to consider
Here are some other washable rugs that may work for you instead.
Gorilla Grip Shag Area Rug
If you like the plush look of the Ruggable but don’t like the price tag, this machine-washable option from Amazon comes in a similar material and is available in several colors and patterns. Though it doesn’t have two layers like the Ruggable, it does come with grip dots underneath to keep it in place in busy areas like the living room.
George Oliver Onion Creek White Area Rug
Available in three sizes, this shag rug comes in a fun checkered pattern. According to the brand, it’s machine-washable and includes a non-slip bottom.
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