Jess G. Lynch, Ruggable
When I first came across Ruggable rugs, I was struggling with the problem of how to buy a nice rug but not worry about it getting dirty. Rugs are great for adding your own style and potential cosiness to a room, but they’re not so nice covered in muddy paw prints, dinner party spills or coffee mishaps.
That’s a problem washable rugs are designed to solve, and they’re slowly but surely becoming a homeware must-have thanks to their practicality and potentially straightforward cleaning process. But can you really put a quality rug in the washing machine without damaging either the rug or the machine?
As a curious – and at times, sceptical – person, I jumped at the chance to put a washable rug to the test when offered to do so by popular brand Ruggable.
So, if you’ve been on the fence on whether to invest in a washable rug, read on for our in-depth Ruggable review that covers everything from exactly how washing it works to whether the rug’s edges curl – and if it’s actually worth the money. Although FYI, Ruggable has just released a new collection of rugs, and they are *chef’s kiss*.
BHG‘s Ruggable review verdict
- Our rating: 8.5/10
- Why we rated it a (8.5/10): A durable, beautiful and bright design in collaboration with the late Iris Apfel. It’s easy to spot clean and passed our washing machine test.
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Easy to spot clean
- Pet-friendly and kid-friendly
Cons
- Very heavy when wet
- Hard to align the rug and pad by yourself
What’s makes a Ruggable rug special?
With a washing machine-friendly design and two-piece system, Ruggable rugs marry style with practicality. This is especially ideal in busy homes with kids and pets where spills and messes are always imminent.
Something that also sets them apart on the market is high profile collaboration collections – including with the likes of Pantone, Bridgerton, Jonathan Adler, Morris & Co. and the late Iris Apfel. I got a design from the latter for my Ruggable review, which went nicely with the dining table in my home.
Our overview or the Ruggable Iris Apfel Protea Forest Green tufted rug
- Comes in 13 different sizes ranging from 60x90cm to 305x425cm, with rectangle and round options
- Choice of flatwoven (2mm and better for under doorways, rolling furniture and dining room table) or tufted (7mm and cosy living spaces, playrooms and bedrooms) rug covers
- Choice of standard pad (low-profile and nonslip for indoor/outdoor use and best for under doorways/high traffic areas) or cushioned pad (thicker and nonslip for indoor use only; good for playrooms, living rooms and kitchens)
- Water-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Machine-washable (read on for washing machine specifications)
- Interchangeable rug covers
Our Ruggable review tests
I opted to review the Iris Apfel Protea Forest green tufted rug in the 200x290cm size with standard cushioning, a tufted rug cover and a standard pad. The rug and its accompanying underlay pad came folded in a modestly sized box. (A much more practical form of packaging than if it came rolled up.) For the sake of this review, I tested the rug under the following conditions:
- Position: Under the dining room table where people eat their meals and the wind blows a great amount of dust, dirt and leaves in through the back door
- No vacuuming: I did not vacuum the rug during this two-week period
- Spills: Test how easy it is to spot clean with often tough-to-remove spills (e.g. tomato sauce and Greek yoghurt)
- Washing: Test out its machine-washability
Results: How the Ruggable rug stood up to our testing
Laying the rug
Regarding setting up the rug itself, it’s helpful to follow the instructions that come in the delivery box.
Start by laying down the pad – velcro side up – and fold the rug up so it’s easier to align with the corner of the pad and then open it up and roll it out. I would recommend enlisting someone to help you for this part to make sure you can align the rug with the pad as best as you can.
Spot cleaning
Although I encouraged everyone in the home to eat at the dining table (where the rug sat), I apparently don’t live with messy-enough eaters because there was no organic opportunity for me to spot clean it. So I got creative and decided to create my own testing environment by ‘spilling’ tomato sauce and Greek yoghurt on the carpet.
Following Ruggable’s spot clean instructions to a tee, I can say that it passed the spot-cleaning test with flyers colours.
Machine washing
As I opted for a larger rug (200x290cm), there was no way it was going to fit into my 6kg washing machine (though, several other rug sizes would). So, I made the trip with a friend to the laundromat where we put it into a 20kg washer on a delicates cycle with cold water. For reference, it also would have fit into a 15kg washer.
It was very heavy to pull out of the washer when it was wet, so I nominated my friend Fraser to do the literal heavy lifting to put it in the dryer for a quick dry cycle (on low heat). The dryer didn’t do much for drying as it was on such a low heat but we took it home and hung it over the railing in the backyard and let it dry throughout the day. Happy to report, it did pass the washing machine test – maintaining its original colour and quality. It also got out any remaining dairy smell from the Greek yoghurt. (This is also a great sign of its pet-friendliness.)
Video: Washing the Ruggable rug for our review
Do Ruggable rugs fit in the washing machine?
Ruggable’s runners, doormats, bathmats, as well as flatwoven rugs up to 185x275cm and tufted rugs up to 90x150cm, and outdoor rugs up to 150x215cm will fit in most standard 8kg washing machines. You can also check out the full Ruggable washing machine rug size guide that speaks to every size and type of rug in relation to the minimum washer size needed.
If your rug is too big to fit in your washing machine at home, the local laundromat – where they have washers and dryers around the 20kg+ mark – could be a fun, occasional trip.
Hot tip:
Do Ruggable rugs curl?
I didn’t notice any curling edges during my review of the Ruggable rug. The velcro of the underlay pad probably also helps prevent this – but even without the pad, it hasn’t curled at all.
What types of rugs does Ruggable have?
Part of Ruggable’s popularity is due to the huge variety of washable rugs you can buy. We were impressed with the selection (there are literally hundreds of washable rugs on the Australian website), with styles including:
- Traditional rugs with designs inspired by classic Persian rugs and other timeless styles from around the world.
- Transitional rugs that blend traditional and contemporary for a style that can suit just about any interior design.
- Contemporary rugs with clean lines, minimalist designs and re-imagined patterns for modern homes.
- Mid-century modern – think geometric patterns, curves, bold statement pieces and plenty of neutral shades.
- Moroccan, traditional designs so popular they have their own category separate to traditional rugs.
- Coastal, to complement relaxed and breezy home interiors and outdoor areas (yes, Ruggable has outdoor washable rugs, too).
- Kids, playful patterns and styles that can be forgiving if you’re short on time to spot-clean or shove your Ruggable rug in the washing machine.
What collaborations does Ruggable have?
Ruggable launches new collaborations over time, so you might find some pleasant surprises on the website. Their newest collection is a collaboration with The Local Project, which focuses on earthy tones, layered textures and above all, crafting for spaces where life unfolds naturally. Here are a couple of our favourite designs from their new collection:
Ceylon Soft Sapphire Tufted Rug, from $679
Aldo Indigo & Ochre Tufted Rug, from 679
Corso Ochre Tufted Rug, from $679
Fluttering Carnations Charcoal & Ivory Tufted Rug, from $679
Here’s a list of all of the Ruggable collaborations that you can choose a cool design from:
- Iris Apfel (tested by us)
- The Local Project
- Morris & Co.
- Jonathan Adler
- Justina Blakeney
- Architectural Digest
- Sanderson
- Pantone
- Nina Takesh
- Michael Mikalsky
- Gracie
- Goop
- Martyn Lawrence Bullard
- Malene Barnett
- The Hiltons
- Bridgerton
- Arsenal
- Keith Haring
- The Home Edit
- Gray Malin
Overall, is Ruggable worth the money?
While this is an extremely subjective question, overall, I would say that Ruggable is worth the money. For a durable rug you’ll be able to spot clean and machine wash with ease over the years (even if you’re doing it once in a blue moon), it’s a gamechanger in households that regularly entertain or have kids and pets.
Can you get Ruggable in Australia?
All Ruggable orders in Australia are made in the Melbourne manufacturing plant – so yes, you can get Ruggable delivery in Australia (and with free shipping!). You just can’t ship it to a PO Box, so it’s best to order it directly to wherever you want the rug to go.
Related articles:
- The best washable rugs in Australia
- How to clean rugs
- Best wet and dry vacuum cleaners
- Best robot vacuums and mops
