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Ever had one of those moments where your kid dumps an entire cup of apple juice on your brand-new rug? Or maybe your dog decided that gorgeous Persian-style rug was the perfect spot for an emergency bathroom break.
If you're cringing right now, you've probably stumbled across Ruggable's ads promising washable rugs that can survive whatever chaos your household throws at them. But here's what we all want to know: do they actually work, or is it just another too-good-to-be-true advertising promise?
Ruggable basically took the rug world and flipped it upside down by making area rugs you can literally toss in your washing machine. Sounds impossible, right? We thought so too, which is why we spent time digging into real customer reviews, crunching numbers, and figuring out if this whole washable rug thing is legit.
Here's what we learned after going down this particular rabbit hole.
Alright, so if you've never encountered Ruggable before, prepare to have your mind blown. These aren't your grandma's area rugs that need extra care and professional cleaning.
The whole system works like this: there's a grippy pad that stays on your floor (think heavy-duty Velcro), and then there's the actual rug part that sticks to it. When something inevitably spills onto it, just peel off the top layer and throw it in your washing machine. That’s really all there is to it.
This brilliant idea came to Jeneva Bell back in 2009 after her dog had an accident on her expensive rug. Instead of just accepting defeat like the rest of us would, she spent eight years figuring out how to make rugs washable. That's some serious dedication to solving such a relatable problem.
You can find Ruggable at pretty much every major retailer now – Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, you name it. They've got everything from tiny doormats to massive 12x15 rugs, plus hundreds of patterns that range from super modern geometric designs to traditional ones that look like they belong in a formal dining room.
The promise here is pretty simple: spill away. Coffee, wine, mystery toddler substances – and then just peel and wash.
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room – these rugs are not cheap. Ruggable prices start around $89 for small sizes and can reach $700+ for larger ones with all the bells and whistles.
Here's the reality check on popular sizes:
We know. The sticker shock is real. But before you click away, consider this: a decent traditional rug in similar sizes usually runs $200-400, and then you're looking at professional cleaning costs of $150-300 every time a little one decides to finger-paint with spaghetti sauce.
"My 4×6 Ruggable cost me $249. I definitely procrastinated on buying it because it felt like a splurge, but after a year? I've already saved money compared to the cheaper rugs I used to replace constantly."
Watch out for these extra costs:
Ways to make it hurt less:
The math gets interesting when you factor in longevity. Traditional rugs often need replacing every couple years. Ruggable covers can handle way more abuse before they need to be replaced.
This is where the rubber meets the road – or rather, where the rug meets the washing machine.
Setting these things up isn't exactly a one-person job. You've got to roll out this chunky pad, then wrestle the rug cover on top and smooth out all the wrinkles. Most people say it takes about 10 minutes with two people, but you should be able to muscle through it solo if needed.
But does the washing part actually work? One user shared their experience: "I did a photo shoot on this rug promoting a Tex Mex restaurant – lots of salsa and queso everywhere. There were definitely stains from our enchiladas and fajitas. I spot treated it, threw it in the washer, and it came out looking brand new."
Another person put their rug through what they called "the ultimate test" during a family stomach bug situation (we'll spare you the details). After a trip through the washer dryer, it came out looking and smelling completely fresh.
The size thing is worth mentioning though. An 8x10 cover fits in most standard washers, but anything bigger and you may need to become a regular at your local laundromat. To us, this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker – it’s still so much cheaper than a professional clean – but it's something to factor in.
Between major cleans, these rugs vacuum normally and spot clean pretty easily. You're not going to need to wash them every week, just when life happens.
Here's where Ruggable has really stepped up their game. They're not just making boring washable mats anymore. They’ve started collaborating with big names like Jonathan Adler and Goop, plus hundreds of their own designs that could look great in your home.
But let's be honest about the trade-offs. As one reviewer put it: "My only complaint is that it's rather thin, which makes sense because it has to fit in a washing machine."
You've got options though:
Someone who upgraded from classic to premium said the difference was like night and day: "The premium 7-millimeter cover was plush, well-designed, and actually looked like a high-quality rug."
When the rugs show up, they come in simple cardboard packaging (no excessive plastic waste, which is nice). Most people are pleasantly surprised by the quality once they get them rolled out. The colors tend to be vibrant and the material feels softer than you'd expect from something designed to survive a washer dryer.
The design selection leans toward contemporary and minimalist. If you're hunting for something super traditional or ornate, your options might be more limited, but they do offer some rugs in this style.
Not every home is a good candidate for Ruggable, so let's get real about who these work best for.
You're probably going to love these if you have:
We found one particularly compelling story from someone who blended two families: "Our small kitchen became home base for ten people. I knew the floors were about to take a beating." After a year: "It's been a game-changer. I love how clean it feels and how good it looks."
Maybe skip Ruggable if:
Best spots: Kitchens, playrooms, entryways, family rooms, anywhere kids and pets spend time.
The longevity question is tricky because it depends on how hard you're using these rugs. Generally, they hold up well to frequent washing and normal levels of household chaos.
Most customers report good results for the first year or so. After that, some issues start to come up:
You get a one-year warranty, which isn't extensive but covers manufacturing defects.
The replacement timeline seems to be once every 3-5 years for heavy use, with pads needing to be replaced every 2-4 years. Compare this with traditional rugs in messy households that may need replacing every couple years, and it's actually pretty good.
One tip from experienced users: don't put heavy furniture directly on the rug if you want to be able to remove it easily for washing.
Turns out Ruggable has some competition, which is good news for consumers.
Why Ruggable still leads:
The alternatives may be better if you prioritize natural materials or want maximum cushioning, but for variety and convenience Ruggable is tough to beat.
After wading through tons of reviews, crunching numbers and comparing options, here's what we think:
Buy Ruggable if:
Skip it if:
Best bets for different situations:
Smart shopping moves:
We keep coming back to this review: "For my lifestyle, it's not worth paying hundreds to have a professional carpet cleaner come shampoo my rugs, so Ruggable is perfect for me and my accident-prone boyfriend."
This pretty much sums it up. These aren't the most luxurious rugs you can buy, but if you're worried about spills and stains, the peace of mind is genuinely worth the premium. Being able to actually wash your rug is kind of life-changing when you have to deal with real-world messes.
The convenience factor can't be overstated – no more panicking when someone spills red wine, no more living with ugly stains, no more replacing a whole rug because it’s beyond saving.
Ready to try one? Keep an eye on their website for sales (they run promotions pretty regularly around holidays) and if you're not sure, start with something small to test out the system before committing to a big investment.
Yes, but there's a trick to it. You want to use the hard floor setting on your vacuum cleaner to prevent the rug cover from separating from the pad underneath. Robot vacuums work fine too. Most people find regular vacuuming keeps their Ruggable looking good between washes, so you're not throwing it in the washing machine every week.
Not really – that's actually one of their strong points. The rug pad is seriously grippy and stays put way better than traditional rug pads. One reviewer mentioned: "The pad doesn't budge on my tile floors. All of my previous rugs slipped everywhere on tile, even with regular rug pads underneath, but the Ruggable pad is very grippy." Just make sure you get the rug cover aligned properly when you set it up.
Most people can get the whole washing and drying cycle done in about three hours. Wash on cold (a gentle cycle is usually recommended) and either air dry or use low heat in the dryer. Air drying takes longer but some people prefer it to avoid any potential shrinkage, though most users report no issues with machine drying on low.
They're generally considered safe – they're made to be washed frequently, which keeps them cleaner than traditional rugs. The company mentions they don't chemically treat their rugs. There is a Prop 65 warning for California residents relating to trace amounts of Methylene Chloride, but that's pretty standard for a lot of household products.
You can, but keep in mind that heavy furniture makes it harder to remove the rug cover when you want to wash it. Light furniture like coffee tables and chairs are fine. If you're planning to put a heavy couch or dining table on it, just factor in that you'll need to move everything when it's time to wash it. Some people buy multiple covers so they can swap them out more easily.
They can work on low-pile carpet, but the grip isn't as good as on hard floors. The rug pad is really designed to work best on hardwood, tile, or laminate. If you're putting it on carpet, you might find it shifts around more than you'd like. For carpeted areas, you're probably better off with a traditional rug pad designed specifically for carpet-to-carpet use.