5 Best Washable Rugs (2023 Guide)

A bedroom or living room without carpet may feel incomplete without a rug. Whether your feet get cold on the hard floor or the room echoes your voice, rugs are an easy and convenient way to make your living space more comfortable.

A rug can also serve as a bathroom mat to dry off wet feet, a runner to fill space in a hallway, or a soft surface to stand on in the kitchen while cooking meals.

Whatever your needs, we found the five best washable rugs on Amazon to help you find a rug that’s easy to clean and maintain. Check out our top picks below.

Top 5 Washable Rugs

Based on a variety of uses, here are our top choices for the best washable rugs on Amazon:

• Best Medium Pile: ReaLife Machine Washable Rug
• Most Comfortable: Ophanie Machine Washable Rug
• Best Washable Rug Set: AMOAMI Kitchen Rug Set
• Best Washable Runner: EARTHALL Boho Runner Rug
• Best Washable Bathroom Rug: Amazon Basics Microfiber Shag Rug Mat

Best Medium Pile Washable Rug: ReaLife Machine Washable Rug

Pros and Cons

✔ Made of premium, recycled materials for sustainability
✔ Can be machine-dried using a no-heat setting
✔ Durable synthetic fibers hold up to high foot traffic

✘ Some of the lighter colors and designs are prone to showing dirt
✘ Not as soft or comfortable as other rugs

What Customers Are Saying

According to our research, most satisfied users stated that their washable rug looked beautiful in their living space and was easy to clean using a front-load washer. However, we also found some customer reviews stating that the non-slip backing didn’t work very well, and others stated that it was difficult to get the rug to lay completely flat. 

Most Comfortable Washable Rug: Ophanie Machine Washable Rug

Pros and Cons

✔ Designed to resist shedding carpet fibers
✔ Gray color matches most interior design schemes
✔ Has a 430 GSM high-density shag carpet surface for softness and comfort

✘ High pile height can obstruct furniture or feel uneven
✘ Lightweight and easy to accidentally knock rug out of place

What Customers Are Saying

Of the dozens of customer reviews we read, we found happy customers thought this rug was comfortable, supportive, and an excellent value given its price. The majority of reviewers also thought that the rug was easy to clean. Conversely, some reviewers said the rug was too thin, and one user complained about a robust and chemical-like odor. 

Best Washable Rug Set: AMOAMI Kitchen Rug Set

Pros and Cons

✔ Plastic rubber backing resists slipping
✔ Dense fibers are highly absorbent, minimizing any spills
✔ The grey colors are resistant to fading over time

✘ Not offered in bright, eye-catching colors
✘ Isn’t soft or overly cushioned, lacking overall comfort

What Customers Are Saying

Most users of these rugs said they were skid-resistant, absorbed water and cooking oil spills easily, and were easy to care for. Many users also thought that the rug sizes perfectly fit their kitchen areas. However, of the few negative reviews our team encountered, we found that unhappy reviewers said their water-resistant rug didn’t wash as well as they had hoped, and others had issues with the rugs sliding around their kitchen.

Best Washable Runner: EARTHALL Boho Runner Rug

Pros and Cons

✔ Rug fibers naturally repel dirt 
✔ Simple design matches most home decor
✔ Doesn’t have tasseled edges or other tripping hazards

✘ Doesn’t have an anti-slip backing
✘ Some customers said that the runner didn’t feel sturdy

What Customers Are Saying

We learned that many happy customers thought this runner was a beautiful rug in their home and helped keep their hardwood and tile floors clean. Satisfied reviewers also stated that the runner’s durability and ease of cleaning met their expectations. But conversely, several users reported that the runner felt too thin and flimsy, even when secured with anti-slip rug pads on the bottom. 

Best Washable Bathroom Rug: Amazon Basics Microfiber Shag Rug Mat

Pros and Cons

✔ Highly absorbent
✔ Plush and comfortable
✔ Comes in multiple attractive colors

✘ Only designed for personal use
✘ Some users said that the rug mat came in an uneven shape

What Customers Are Saying

The positive feedback we encountered for this rug noted its anti-slip coating on the bottom, the soft, plush feeling of the shag design, and high absorbency. Negative feedback included the rug’s uneven shape and inconsistent colors, which differed from the advertised colors.

Buying Guide for Washable Rugs

Professionally cleaning a rug can be notoriously expensive. Fortunately, many smaller rugs on the market can fit into a front-load or top-load washing machine for effortless maintenance. However, depending on your needs and where you intend to place your washable rug, it’s important to know what it is made of, its pile, size, whether it’s dryer-friendly, and more. 

Types of Rugs

Like non-washable or outdoor rugs, most washable rugs are either area rugs, kitchen rugs, bathroom mats, or runners. 

• Area rugs: As the name implies, area rugs are designed to take up a large amount of space in a room. Area rugs are typically placed in living rooms, bedrooms, or large areas with wood or tile flooring. Unfortunately, many area rugs are too large to fit inside the average washing machine. 
• Kitchen rugs: Kitchen rugs increase the lifespan of the kitchen floor by absorbing spills from water and cooking oils. Homeowners frequently place a kitchen rug or mat in front of the sink or stovetop. The small size of kitchen rugs makes them easy to machine-wash. 
• Bathroom mats: Also referred to as shower mats or bathmats, these small rugs are intended for personal use. They’re highly absorbent and sit next to the outside of a shower or bathtub, allowing the user to safely get out and place their wet feet on the mat without slipping on the bathroom tile. 
• Runners: Runners are long, narrow rugs. Runners usually span the length of a hallway or entryway from the front door to the staircase, encouraging guests to walk on the runner as a pathway. A pet-friendly runner, one that’s made with fibers that naturally shed pet hair, is a good choice for dog or cat owners. 

Rug Pile

Pile refers to the density of the rug’s fibers. Pile also refers to how tall the rug sits above the ground. Rugs with low pile mean feature less space between the fibers, which generally makes them more durable and easier to clean compared to high-pile rugs with more space between each fiber. However, some high-pile rugs, such as those resembling shag carpeting, tend to be softer and more comfortable than low-pile rugs.

Rug Size

If you buy a 5-by-7-foot rug, you might have trouble fitting it inside your washer unless it’s a full, family-sized washing machine. Smaller washable rugs for kitchens and bathrooms should have no issues fitting inside a washing machine. Pay close attention to the listed dimensions of a washable rug, which represent height and width, and consider measuring the area before buying a rug to choose the right size. 

Rug Material

Polyester, microfiber, and cotton are common materials for washable rugs, with polyester or a polyester blend being the most popular. Polypropylene is another popular option, which consists of a blend of synthetic fibers. 
Natural fiber rugs are growing exponentially in popularity. Look for jute, natural cotton, wool, and hemp if you’re in the market for a more natural option.

How To Care for Your Rug

Whether you want an easy-to-clean runner for the kitchen, a new bathroom mat, or an ornate, sprawling rug to tie your new living room together, it’s important to take great care of your washable rug. From protecting your rug from high-traffic areas to caring for a low-pile rug, here are several general care tips to help you get the most out of these practical home decor pieces. 

Regular Vacuuming

Like carpet, regularly vacuuming your rug is a no-brainer, even if you can wash it in your washing machine. A thorough vacuuming weekly or once every two weeks will remove dirt, dust, debris, and other allergens deeply embedded in the rug’s fibers and put less strain on your washing machine when you eventually clean it. 

Clean Spills Immediately 

Beverage, food spills, or pet accidents should be cleaned as carefully but quickly as possible. You can remove most stains with a little TLC.

Rotating

You may consider rotating your rug, bathmat, or runner every so often, especially if it’s frequently stepped on in the same spot. This prevents uneven wear. 

Rug Pads

Non-slip rug pads prevent you and your guests from tripping on the rug and also prevent creasing. Rug pads also protect the flooring underneath the rug from discoloration due to the bleeding of the dyes embedded in the carpet fibers. This is just as important for vintage rugs or Persian rugs as it is for brand-new rugs. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Washable Rugs

How do I spot-clean my washable rug?

Even if your rug is stain-resistant, spills are practically inevitable. To spot-clean your washable rug, immediately treat the affected area with a mixture of one cup of warm water, a quarter teaspoon of dish soap, and one teaspoon of white vinegar. Then, using a clean cloth, gently dab the area with the mixture, being careful not to oversaturate the spill at once. Note that this is a standard spot-cleaning method for rugs, which is generally safe for all fabrics. You may also use a commercial-grade cleaning solution for carpet and rug stains.

Who needs a washable rug?

Any household with multiple occupants, or homeowners with families, will appreciate the convenience and ease of maintenance that a washable rug offers. Even if you live on your own or don’t frequently have guests, washable rugs will make quick work of deep cleaning.

What is the best way to clean a rug?

First and foremost, check the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your washable rug. They’ll note what to do and what not to do based on the materials used in the design of your washable rug. Most commonly, you can machine wash your rug on a gentle, hand wash, or bulk wash cycle, but only if the rug is small enough to fit in your washing machine safely.

How often should I wash my washable rug?

Generally, we recommend washing your rug once a month or once every two months, depending on how much foot traffic the area receives. However, since most washable rugs can be cleaned using a washing machine, you can conveniently clean your rug more often, such as every two weeks.

Who This Washable Rug Guide Is For

If you’re a college student, a renter, a seasoned homeowner, or somewhere in between, a quality washable rug can transform any room in your home. Our team considered a variety of rugs during our research process, including budget-friendly rugs, handmade jute and natural fiber rugs, chenille rugs, wool rugs, revival rugs, doormats, dining room area rugs, and more.

How We Selected the Best Washable Rugs

To provide our readers with the best rugs possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of washable rugs with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is critical to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating out-of-stock items. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each rug’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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