A good rug is one of the first things I notice about a room. Whether it’s got a funky design with home decor to match or just feels incredible to spread out on, a rug is one of the most staple pieces of furniture.
It can also be one of the most deceivingly expensive, and one of the easiest to screw up forever. Think kids, dogs, muddy boots, and red wine. Having machine washable rugs is an absolute must.
There are a couple different variables to think about when you’re picking a rug. Do you want a rug that takes up the entire floor space? Or just a segment of it? Are you feeling a soft material like cotton or shag or even faux fur? Or something rougher like jute or canvas?
While these rugs should absolutely be used in any room, getting one for your living room is particularly important because it’s one of those pesky high traffic areas. So if you’ve got to pick and choose, be sure to hit the shared spaces first.
How to Wash Rugs
If a rug is machine washable, you can safely assume that it’s okay to throw in your washing machine! Especially for smaller rugs like runners and kitchen mats that can easily fit in a normal washer/dryer.
However, many of us do not have washing machines big enough to work on a full size rug. That’s where the laundromat comes in handy. Most laundromats have industrial sized washers that will be able to handle the load of your entire rug. I suggest going here!
Personally, most of the times I’ve needed to wash my rug, it’s been just a couple key spots that need cleaning. Using a washcloth and hand cleaning with detergent has been a fantastic option for my machine washable rugs when I don’t feel like lugging it to a machine.
If not, you can always call a carpet cleaning company. These tend to be more expensive, so I suggest using this as a last resort.
In terms of drying, the same thing goes. Unless you have a mega-dryer, the laundromat will be your best bet. Or if you have access to a porch/patio, you can always leave it out to dry. If it’s a colored rug, just beware of sun-bleaching and try to dry outdoors on a cloudier day.
Don't Sacrifice Style With These Washable Rugs
Overall, every rug is unique. Be sure to triple check care instructions before doing anything drastic to these insanely cute and affordable washable rug options.
I am obsessed with this neutral shag cotton rug from Lorena Canals. It’s so simple and clean. I can already see the cane chairs and cloud couch it would pair with perfectly.
The cotton material is soft and colored with non-toxic dyes. Reviews say the cleaning process is extremely straightforward and easy.
One of the coolest things about this rug is the different sizes available. The rug comes in pretty much every dimension you could think of, as it’s completely customizable.
Scratch what I said about the living room being the space most in need of a washable rug. I’ve changed my mind– it’s the kid’s room that needs it most.
This Ellington rug from Pottery Barn Kids is one of the absolute best washable rugs for kids. It has a couple different color options and is very chic despite being aimed towards children.
I love the neutral warm color palette this rug comes in. Much like modular furniture, it’s the kind of coloring that’ll let the room grow as you go.
In terms of size, it comes in 5 by 8 feet, which is the perfect size for an area rug. Be sure to get a rug pad too to ensure no slipping during playtime!
Jute is an underrated rug material. It’s super easy to clean, and is great for kitchen spaces because of its lack of plushness. It’s also very durable, so you’ll get years and years of use.
As far as tumble washable rugs go, this is up there. It comes in a navy blue that is great for a splash of color, or a neutral sand for a more muted feel.
Sizes are just as variable, and there’s even an option to get it as a runner.
Amazon is one of my favorite places to shop for the home. It’s tough to beat free shipping.
Made of soft cotton fibers (none of that polyester junk here), this throw rug is easy and carefree. It comes in multiple colors, sizes, and shapes.
I love the flecks of color in this otherwise neutral piece. It would look adorable in a study or maybe as a runner in a hallway. The good news is, it’s extremely versatile.
The care instructions are incredibly simple. As long as you got a washing machine and a dryer, you’re in business.
A good multicolor design can really change the energy of a room. The Freya Blue Multicolor could turn around even the blandest of rooms
It’s got a super bohemian, playful vibe. And while it is colorful, it’s plenty neutral enough to match with most other furniture and walls.
At Home is one of the best in person shopping experiences (I can literally spend hours there without noticing), so you can always pop in to make sure it’s perfect before buying. Of course, it’s available online as well.
The material this rug is made of is the mountain cabin rug of my dreams. It’s begging for a pillow fort in front of a fireplace and a good book. I know we’re deep in the depths of summer, but I am thinking ahead here. Nothing worse than rugless wood floors in winter.
It’s very neutral, with a mid-century modern design. The rug features raised strips of wool that give it a very toned down striped quality.
The fabric is so soft and padded, it’s a true miracle it’s machine washable as well.
The Strauss rug is possibly one of the coolest machine washable area rugs. It looks like a modern art tapestry you can put on the floor. What a time to be alive.
The different size options are limited, but the price is fantastic for such a cool piece that will no doubt spice up whatever room you add it to.
I love a low pile material on a rug. It’s so good for entrance ways and hallways. Basically anywhere in which people might be wearing shoes indoors (cringe).
Target is a safe bet for both quality and price. I’m a big fan of this rug because it’s multi-functional and super easy to clean. If you buy a smaller rug, you can probably even tumble dry.
Plus, it comes in multiple colors and about one million different sizes.
I am obsessed with the color palette for this funky rug. It’s giving Santa Fe flea market in the best possible way.
This loom rug looks one of a kind because it is. Each rug is slightly unique, which is a nice little bonus.
The size variation means you can put this in a bedroom, living room, or just about anywhere you want.
As a dog owner, there’s nothing more frustrating than dog hair being stuck in the fibers of a rug. There’s close to nothing you can do, save for literally lint brushing the ground.
This rug is lovely for a couple key reasons. Of course, it’s washable and easy to clean. But the material is also shed and fade resistant for those of us with tons of furry friends.
The bottom of the rug is specifically designed not to shift, so you do not need to worry about purchasing a rug pad.
There are a lot of size and color options here, so it’s very easy to make this rug match your needs and space.
Pottery Barn Kids just doesn’t miss. Technically this gorgeous and fun washable rug is for a kid’s room, but there’s no rule against placing this rug elsewhere.
Besides the fun design and the fact it’s washable, I love how soft this rug looks. I’m a big fan of having my feet hit something soft when I get out of bed in the morning, and this rug looks like it would be a fantastic way to wake up.
The artistic design is super unique, and is a great way to liven up a room that has some basic staple furniture items. Pair it with a fun overhead light and you’ve got a totally new vibe going on!
I feel more relaxed just looking at this rug. Something about the neutral colors and the blocky lines is so calming.
This is the kind of piece that looks expensive, but luckily for us all, is not. It’s a completely handmade rug that uses natural fibers and dyes to give you a totally eco-friendly rug for you home.
The fact it’s washable is almost secondary!
All of the color options are gorgeous, but I’m very partial to the moss color. It’s giving Dakota Johnson’s kitchen vibes.
If I’m being completely honest, shag rugs are not really my thing. I find it to be perfect for attracting shedding cat or dog’s hair. But! I do know how many people love the coziness of a good shag rug.
The reviews speak for themselves with this fluffy, luxurious plush shag carpet from Amazon. It comes in as many size and color options as you could want, and has a warranty option in case you’re a nervous shopper.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind piece, this is the one for you. A family of Amish weavers designs and makes each rug by hand.
Absolutely no electricity is used in the process, meaning this rug is as eco-friendly as a rug possibly could be. Not a single scrap of fabric goes to waste.
All the material is organic, and it’s completely machine-washable. This rug is a little more expensive than other options on the list due to the laborious nature of production, but the quality is well worth it.
Again, something about the kids section really hits home in the washable rugs department!
I adore this rug from West Elm. By no means should the little guys get this rug all to themselves. This is such a great accent piece in any room, and is so easy to care for.
It’s a little on the smaller side, so think of this more as an area rug than a full room setup.
All Tumble Rugs are spill proof and washable. That's their claim to fame. I love this one! It's neutral, but also a fun geometric print. The best of both worlds!
It's machine washable and you can wipe spills right off! Perfect if you have kiddos or doggos running around.
I've been a Rugs USA fan for a long time, and just bought this multi-colored shag rug for the cabin.
For my more neutral girlies, this rug adds just enough pizazz with the fun tiled patterned in a muted color.
Having a washable rug just seems like no brainer. You’ll never have to stress out again while watching guests eat curry in the living room or bring their red wine glasses out of the kitchen. Every stain is incredibly solvable.
All of the rugs on this list are far cooler than just the fact that they are washable. Any of them would be still worth it even without that amazing feature.
Buying furniture is one of the most fun and most stressful parts of decorating a home. You want to buy pieces that are cute but will also last a long time. There’s no reason to buy a rug that will be stained and threadbare by next year.
The washable component of these rugs means you are absolutely getting your money’s worth. Just remember to always read the care instructions before washing. You wouldn’t want to turn a massive full room rug into a welcome mat!
2 comments
Where is the rainbow floral rug that you’re standing on in the second photo from? Thanks!
that’s from Rugs USA! But I bought it like, 7 years ago and haven’t been able to find it on the site again