Have you been trying to find the best washable rugs for your home? Although this seems like an easy purchase, the choice is fairly broad and confusing. If you haven’t done your research and want to learn how to pick the perfect rug, feel free to go over our five favorite products.
Rugs that are machine-washable are a godsend! Yes, natural fiber rugs are stunning, but they’re so hard to maintain, and you have to hand wash them. Most people live a busy, fast-paced life, so choosing area rugs that require minimal effort to clean is the way to go.
Besides reviewing our best purchases, we’ve also included a short buying guide to help you make the best selection.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Maples Rugs Pelham Vintage
- Best Eco-Friendly: ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
- Best High Pile Rug: Ophanie Area Rugs
- Best Handmade Rug: DII Chindi Collection Handmade Rag Rug
- Best Printed Rug: Mylife Rugs Printed Area Rug
Washable Rug Buying Advice
Best Overall: Maples Rugs Pelham Vintage
Key Features:
- Comes in seven sizes: 1’8”x2’10”, 1’8”x5’, 2’x6’, 2’6”x3’10”, 3’4”x5’, 5’x7’, 7’x10’
- Available in 11 gorgeous prints
- It’s a rectangular-shaped, hand-tufted, low-pile rug
- Synthetic nylon and latex materials
- Pile height is 0.44”
Pros:
- Very durable design that you can wash often without fearing that the color will fade or show signs of wear
- The material is high-quality, 100% nylon that is stain-resistant
- Maples Rugs is an American company, and all its products are made in the US
- The slip-resistant latex base really keeps the rug in place
- Dries surprisingly fast
Cons:
- We wish it came in other shapes
Since many of our friends have already purchased this Maples Rugs washable carpet and kept raving about it, we decided to give in and buy it as well. I’m happy to say that this has been one of the best purchases in our home.
Each of the designs is stunning, vintage-inspired, and made with two colors. We first purchased a darker color scheme because we were afraid that our kids or pets would stain the rug and the stains wouldn’t come out. However, Maples Rugs states that this product is stain-resistant, and we can now confirm that it really is.
We have since bought multiple rugs from Maples Rugs and chose lighter colors for our kitchen and entryway. What made us want to purchase again is the fact that these rugs stay put on any type of flooring without slipping, no matter how intensely our kids run around the house.
What more can we say about this rug without making you think we’re the brand’s sales team? Honestly, this has been one of our favorite purchases because it’s affordable, doesn’t slip, comes in gorgeous prints, has numerous size options, and dries fast after being washed.
- Slip-resistant: Yes
- Dries fast: Yes
- Stain-resistant: Yes
Best Eco-Friendly: ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
Key Features:
- Comes in six sizes: 2’6”x6’, 2’6”x8’, 3’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’x7’, 7’6”x9’6”
- Available in 15 gorgeous prints
- A rectangular-shaped, flat woven, medium-pile rug
- Made of recycled polyester materials
Pros:
- This is an environmentally friendly purchase because the brand uses recycled polyester materials
- It’s an expensive-looking rug
- Perfect for high-traffic areas because it’s made of high-quality materials that don’t show signs of wear
- Great for families with kids and pets because of the easy maintenance
Cons:
- It’s significantly more expensive compared to the best overall washable carpet
The RealLife rug is another highly rated purchase by thousands of customers. Thanks to the eye-catching prints and recycled materials, we were instantly ready to splurge on this beautiful rug.
We’re obsessed with unique aesthetics, so this rug instantly got us hooked because of the fantastic prints. After seeing it online, we bought one for the living room and have been getting compliments ever since. The price is a little higher than what we would usually pay, but it’s been worth every cent.
We have three cats and two kids at home, so you can imagine how crazy things get. Thankfully, this product has been a lifesaver. It’s so easy to clean, doesn’t move around, and it can be tossed in the washer whenever we want.
The non-slip base makes it safe for any room in the house. Something that has surprised us is how durable the rug has been. It’s been months of constant use, and it looks like we purchased it only yesterday.
If you want to live a more sustainable life, this rug made of recycled materials should be your next purchase. It’s so durable, you’ll be using it for years before it needs a replacement.
- Slip-resistant: Yes
- Dries fast: Yes
- Stain-resistant: Yes
Best High Pile Rug: Ophanie Area Rugs
Key Features:
- Comes in three sizes: 2’x3’, 3’x5’, 4’x5’3”
- Available in 15 colors
- Rectangular-shaped, high-pile rug
- Made of polyester and velvet materials
- Pile height is 1.57”
Pros:
- It’s the second-most affordable alternative on the list
- Made of high-quality 430 GSM high-density polyester material
- Gorgeous appearance
- Perfect for people with allergies because the brand uses hypoallergenic, non-toxic materials
Cons:
- It takes more effort to clean shag rugs; therefore, they are more high maintenance than low- or medium-pile rugs
We’ve been on the hunt for a great shaggy rug that is also machine washable. When we first saw Ophanie Area Rugs, we instantly knew they would be perfect for our bedroom.
This is more than just a rug that you can throw in the washer. It’s more of a decoration that will enhance the appearance of any room in your home. And when we saw that Ophanie uses hypoallergenic polyester, we knew the rug would be suitable for people with allergies, hypersensitivities, and eczema-prone skin.
If you’re wondering if it’s easy to maintain, we have to say that it takes a little longer to vacuum than medium- and low-pile rugs. Washing and drying are effortless, just set the washer to cold and then let it air dry.
If you’re looking for an affordable, gorgeous shaggy rug that won’t make your allergies worse, this one is our favorite. The color selection is decent, and it’s the ideal solution for a bedroom, kids’ room, or entry.
- Slip-resistant: Yes
- Dries fast: Yes
- Stain-resistant: No
Best Handmade Rug: DII Chindi Collection Handmade Rag Rug
Key Features:
- Comes in eight sizes: 20”x31.5”, 19.5”x31.5”, 4’x6’, 2’x3’, 4’x6’, 2’x6’, 8’x10’, 36” round
- Available in 13 vibrant prints
- Rectangular and round shapes, and hand-made design
- Recycled polyester material
Pros:
- Is available in rectangular and round shapes
- Great size and color selection
- Great for any room in the house
- It’s a double-sided rug that you can turn whenever you want
Cons:
- It’s not stain-resistant
- It’s not slip-resistant
This is the best time to support brands that produce handmade goods, so we decided to purchase one of the DII Chindi Collection rugs. These are some of the most beautiful rugs we’ve seen, with the coolest colors, and because they’re handmade, they’re all unique.
The beauty of this product is that no two people will receive the same rug even when they order the same color and size. Because they’re all made by hand, the print is unique for every order.
We love that this is a double-sided design that you can turn whenever you need to. Unfortunately, that means it doesn’t come with a non-slip base. We didn’t want to risk it, so we purchased a rug pad and it works great.
Everyone who’s looking for an eye-catching rug that doesn’t break the bank should look into this product. We’re obsessed with its appearance and the round shape, which not many easy-to-wash rugs come in.
- Slip-resistant: No
- Dries fast: Yes
- Stain-resistant: No
Best Printed Rug: Mylife Rugs Printed Area Rug
Key Features:
- Comes in five sizes: 2’7”, 3’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’3”x7’3”, 6’x9’2”
- Available in six different prints
- Rectangular-shaped, low-pile rug
- Made of nylon material
Pros:
- The prints offered by the brand are gorgeous
- It’s a non-shedding rug that is also stain-resistant
- It comes with a non-slip PVC backing that prevents the rug from moving on tile floors
- Very durable material
Cons:
- It’s pretty expensive
- The color and size selection could be improved
The Mylife Rugs Printed Area Rug is one of our latest purchases, influenced by one of our friends. We can already tell that this will be one of the most durable rugs that we’ve gotten so far.
Although we weren’t in the market for a new rug, we had one in the house that was stained so badly that it needed a change. This Mylife printed rug came along at a great time because it’s stain-resistant.
It has quite a luxurious look and feel to it, so that’s one of the reasons why this is an expensive purchase. Since it’s non-shedding and doesn’t fade, we can already tell that this rug will be in our house for many years.
If you’re ready to invest more in a durable rug with the most gorgeous appearance, check this product out. It’s great for high-traffic areas, doesn’t stain, and you can throw it in the washer.
- Slip-resistant: Yes
- Dries fast: Yes
- Stain-resistant: Yes
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Maples Rugs Pelham Vintage View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.8 | Comes in seven sizes: 1’8”x2’10”, 1’8”x5’, 2’x6’, 2’6”x3’10”, 3’4”x5’, 5’x7’, 7’x10’ Available in 11 gorgeous prints It’s a rectangular-shaped, hand-tufted, low-pile rug Synthetic nylon and latex materials Pile height is 0.44” |
ReaLife Machine Washable Rug View on Amazon –> View on Overstock –> | Best Eco-Friendly Overall: 4.7 | Comes in six sizes: 2’6”x6’, 2’6”x8’, 3’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’x7’, 7’6”x9’6” Available in 15 gorgeous prints A rectangular-shaped, flat woven, medium-pile rug Made of recycled polyester materials |
Ophanie Area Rugs View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best High Pile Rug Overall: 4.7 | Comes in three sizes: 2’x3’, 3’x5’, 4’x5’3” Available in 15 colors Rectangular-shaped, high-pile rug Made of polyester and velvet materials Pile height is 1.57” |
 DII Chindi Collection Handmade Rag Rug View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Handmade Rug Overall: 4.6 | Comes in eight sizes: 20”x31.5”, 19.5”x31.5”, 4’x6’, 2’x3’, 4’x6’, 2’x6’, 8’x10’, 36” round Available in 13 vibrant prints Rectangular and round shapes, and hand-made design Recycled polyester material |
 Mylife Rugs Printed Area Rug View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Printed Rug Overall: 4.2 | Comes in five sizes: 2’7”, 3’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’3”x7’3”, 6’x9’2” Available in six different prints Rectangular-shaped, low-pile rug Made of nylon material |
The Complete Washable Rug Buyer’s Guide
Material
Most of these rugs are made of synthetic materials. Synthetic is the way to go when you need a washable product because this family of human-made fabrics is more durable, and not sensitive to moisture and temperature like natural fibers are.
Some rugs made of natural fibers are also washable, but you need to be more careful when handling them. Cotton, for example, is a good alternative and is machine washable. The rugs made of cotton are soft, pleasant, and look great.
However, they are not as durable as synthetic products. Another reason that might turn you away from cotton is the fact that its more expensive.
Maintenance
Whichever synthetic rug you purchase, it will be pretty easy to maintain. Opting for a product labeled as machine washable is your best bet because you can be sure that you can throw it in the washer and call it a day.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these rugs are not meant to be washed every week. Although synthetic fabrics are very durable, washing them often will promote signs of wear. It’s recommended that you use the washer only when the rug is dirty, stained, and really needs a deep clean.
Size
Of course, the rug size you choose should be big enough for the area in your house that you want to cover. But, another thing to think about is the size of your washing machine.
One of the main reasons people buy these rugs is that they’re easy to throw in the washer and dry fast. If the product you get doesn’t fit the washer, though, it won’t serve its main purpose.
Another option is to take the rug to a laundromat each time you need to wash it, but that means you’ll have to pay the extra money and take a trip to the laundromat and back.
The best way to make sure the rug will fit in the washer is to check the machine’s capacity. You can either find the instruction manual that came with it or Google its specifications. When you know the exact capacity, you’ll know which rug size to opt for.
Drying
Most people are under the impression that they can dry their rug in the dryer if they can wash it in the washer. That’s not always the case. You should always read the care instructions from the manufacturer and check before you throw it in the dryer.
It’s true that, in most cases, the rug will be fine when machine-dried, but you don’t want to risk ruining a new purchase. Even when the brand says it’s okay to use the dryer, you should opt for a low heat setting and a longer cycle.
If you use a high heat setting, the material can shrink. Also, constantly exposing it to high heat is more damaging, and you might end up buying new rugs more often.
Rug Pad
If you need a rug that is washable, you probably want it for a high-frequency area where spills can happen. That’s why most people pair these rugs with rug pads.
Pads are products that will keep your rugs in place and prevent them from moving or slipping on the floor. When buying a rug, you should consider getting a pad too. The pad should be waterproof, durable, and made of a washable material.
FAQs
Several synthetic and natural materials produce machine-washable carpets and rugs. Cotton is one of the rare natural fabrics that you can wash in the washer; however, it takes longer to dry, and it’s more expensive than synthetic rugs.
Olefin, nylon, polyester, polypropylene are all synthetic materials you can just throw in the washing machine without fearing that you’ll damage them. These are quite durable materials that dry fast. Also, you can feel free to hand-wash them whenever you want.
Viscose is another common rug material. Many people are under the false impression that viscose is a synthetic fabric, but that’s not 100% true. It’s actually a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
If you ever want to machine-wash a viscose rug, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions. Since it’s not 100% synthetic, it is a gentle material that requires extra care.
Final Thoughts
When looking for washable area rugs, make sure you choose one that is stain-resistant, doesn’t slip, and can fit in your washing machine.
Our top pick is the best overall and best budget product on the list. These Maples Rugs washable carpets are available in many sizes, colors, have a non-slippery base, are stain-resistant, and are quick to dry. We already have several, and they all look superb after months of use.
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with washable floor rugs, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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