Ruggable Rug Review: An Honest Look at Washable Rugs for Modern Homes

Keeping a home clean can feel like a never-ending battle, especially when children, pets, and daily life throw their worst at your beautiful rugs. If you’ve ever dreamt of a rug that could withstand spills, dirt, and pet accidents, and emerge fresh from the washing machine, then Ruggable has likely caught your attention. But do these innovative washable rugs live up to the hype? We’ve put Ruggable rugs through the ultimate real-life test to bring you an unbiased, brutally honest review.

Our Unbiased Ruggable Rug Review: Two Years of Real-World Testing

Here at Blesser House, we believe in giving home products a thorough, real-world vetting before making any recommendations. Our Ruggable rugs have been through the absolute wringer! We acquired our first Ruggable over two years ago, designating it our personal “crash dummy” for everything a busy household could throw at it.

From crushed Goldfish crackers and accidental milk spills to persistent dog hair, muddy footprints, and inevitable toddler mishaps – this rug has seen it all. We wanted to understand its true resilience and performance under the most challenging conditions. More recently, with Ruggable’s evolving designs, we invested in a new premium Ruggable rug with a cushioned pad for our foyer a couple of months ago to compare it against the classic version and assess the improvements.

Let us be clear: this Ruggable review post is entirely unsponsored and 100% unbiased. We haven’t sugar-coated a single detail, because our goal is to provide you with truly confident and reliable information. We held off on sharing our immediate thoughts because we wanted to be absolutely certain about our long-term satisfaction before declaring our love for these rugs from the rooftops.

(Related: Need help finding the perfect rug for your space? See the Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Perfect Rug here.)

Consider us Julie Andrews singing from the mountaintop now, because after extensive testing, we genuinely LOVE these rugs! However, like any product, they come with a distinct set of pros and cons that are crucial to consider before making a purchase. So, hang tight as we delve into the details.

(UPDATE: See the final verdict 2 years later at the end of this post to learn about long-term durability and any changes.)

What Exactly Are Ruggable Rugs?

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Ruggable rugs are revolutionary machine-washable rugs designed to simplify home maintenance. The core concept behind Ruggable is its innovative two-piece system:

• They feature a lightweight, thin rug cover, typically made of polyester, designed to fit easily into a standard washing machine.
• Each rug cover boasts a water-resistant backing, providing an extra layer of protection against spills.
• This cover lies securely on top of a specialized, super-gripping rug pad made from a rubber-like material, which keeps the rug firmly in place.

This ingenious design means you can easily detach the stained or dirty rug cover from its pad, toss it in the wash, and then reattach it, giving you a fresh, clean rug in a matter of hours. This solves one of the biggest dilemmas for homeowners: how to keep high-traffic rugs pristine.

(By the way, if you want to know more about our old breakfast nook makeover where we originally used our first Ruggable rug over 2 years ago, you can see it here.)

Ruggable Review: The Pros and Cons of Washable Rugs

Understanding the full picture of Ruggable rugs means weighing their significant advantages against a few important drawbacks. Here’s our detailed breakdown:

Pros: The Game-Changing Benefits of Ruggable Rugs

Removable & Machine Washable Cover

• This is Ruggable’s standout feature and arguably its biggest selling point. The water-resistant, removable rug cover effortlessly detaches from its grippy, Velcro-like rug pad when it’s time for a wash. This innovation is especially invaluable for areas prone to spills, like under a dining room table or in a busy playroom.
• Our experience confirms the ease of washing: we were able to fit our rug cover into a standard machine, wash it on a cold cycle, and then tumble dry it on low heat. The entire process, from removal to being completely dry and ready for reattachment, took less than three hours. This quick turnaround means you can address spills and refresh your rug without significant downtime.

Interchangeable Covers for a Fresh Look

• One often-overlooked advantage of the two-piece system is the ability to swap out rug covers. If you ever crave a new aesthetic for your space, perhaps with the changing seasons or a home decor refresh, you don’t need to purchase an entirely new rug and pad. You can simply buy a new rug cover that fits your existing Ruggable pad.
• This flexibility allows for easy style updates, making it a cost-effective way to refresh your home’s look without a major investment in new flooring. It’s like having multiple rugs in one!

Super Grip Non-Slip Pad for Safety and Stability

• Forget constantly adjusting a slipping rug! The Ruggable pad features an incredibly effective, non-slip texture that grips tile, hardwood, and other hard floors remarkably well. Unlike traditional area rugs, which often slide even with a separate rug pad underneath, the Ruggable system stays firmly in place.
• We’ve thoroughly tested this by intentionally kicking and nudging the rug, and it consistently holds its ground. This exceptional grip makes Ruggable rugs ideal for high-traffic areas like entryways, hallways, and living rooms, significantly enhancing safety by preventing slips and trips, especially in homes with active children or pets.

Easy to Vacuum and Maintain Daily

• While machine washability is a major draw, Ruggable rugs also excel in day-to-day maintenance. They are designed to resist stains and typically don’t require frequent washing, making regular care very simple.
• Cleaning a Ruggable rug is straightforward with either a standard upright vacuum cleaner or a robot vacuum. The low pile allows for easy suction of dirt and debris. For minor spills or marks, spot cleaning is highly effective. This ease of daily vacuuming and spot cleaning means you often won’t need to toss the entire rug cover into the wash unless there’s a significant mess.

Versatility for Both Indoor and Outdoor Use

• Ruggable has expanded its product line to include options for nearly every area of your home. Beyond traditional indoor spaces, they now offer durable doormats and dedicated outdoor rug options.
• This versatility allows you to extend the benefits of washable rugs to your porches, patios, and other outdoor living spaces, ensuring consistent style and easy cleaning across your entire home environment.

Wide Variety of Designs and Collaborations

Ruggable truly excels in offering an enormous array of styles, patterns, and colors to suit virtually any interior design aesthetic. They consistently launch exciting rug design collaborations with numerous well-known interior designers and iconic brands, ensuring a fresh and diverse selection. Some notable collaborations include:

• Morris & Co
• Gray Malin
• Iris Apfel
• Jean-Michel Basquiat
• The National Gallery
• Anna Sui
• Jonathan Adler
• Monica Ahanonu
• Nina Takesh
• Keith Haring
• Cynthia Rowley
• Barbie
• Disney
• Toy Story
• Star Wars
• Marvel

Whether you’re looking for traditional elegance, modern minimalism, bohemian flair, or whimsical designs for a child’s room, Ruggable likely has a cover that fits your vision. For homes with open floor plans, they even offer helpful rug bundles that are pre-paired, eliminating the guesswork and making it easy to mix and match coordinating rugs throughout your space.

Cons: Important Considerations Before Buying Ruggable

While Ruggable rugs offer fantastic advantages, it’s equally important to be aware of their potential drawbacks to ensure they are the right fit for your home and expectations.

Many Ruggable Rugs Have a Thin Profile

• The classic Ruggable rug cover is indeed very thin, measuring only 2 millimeters thick. This thinness is a necessary design choice to allow the rug cover to fit into a standard washing machine.
• If your primary desire is a plush, deeply soft, and thick rug underfoot, the classic Ruggable may not meet your expectations. However, this thin profile can be an advantage in certain areas, particularly under a dining table where chairs need to slide easily without catching on a thick pile.
• (UPDATE: Ruggable has actively listened to customer feedback and now offers solutions for those seeking more cushioning. They produce washable shag rugs that provide a more plush feel. Additionally, for a slightly thicker and more cushioned experience, you can opt for their premium rug cover, which is 7 millimeters thick, or purchase an extra cushioned rug pad. While these options do add more comfort, it’s important to remember that even the premium and shag options won’t replicate the deep pile and luxurious softness of a traditional wool rug, as they must still maintain machine-washability.)

Pricier Than a Normal Rug, But Offers Long-Term Value

• At first glance, Ruggable rugs can appear somewhat pricey, often costing more than what you might typically spend on a conventional area rug of similar size. The cost encompasses both the innovative rug cover and the specialized non-slip pad.
• However, it’s crucial to consider the long-term value. If you already own a Ruggable pad, purchasing additional covers is significantly more affordable. While the initial investment might be higher, the ability to machine wash and restore your rug to its original condition extends its lifespan considerably, potentially making it cheaper in the long run than repeatedly replacing stained or worn traditional rugs, or paying for professional cleaning services. Look out for discounts, which are often available. For a messy or rowdy household with kids and pets, we genuinely believe the added longevity and ease of cleaning make it a worthwhile investment.

Potentially Complicated Return Policy

• It’s important to be mindful of Ruggable’s return policy before purchasing. While rugs can be returned for a full refund within a specific window, processing fees may not be refunded.
• Furthermore, rugs must be returned in pristine condition – free of any dirt, fur, pet dander, or noticeable signs of wear. While this rule is understandable and appreciated by buyers receiving new products, it means you need to be very careful when unrolling and testing your rug if you anticipate a potential return. Always check the policy details thoroughly on their website.

Edge and Corner Curling Issues

• One of the most common complaints, especially with the classic thin rug covers, is the tendency for edges and corners to curl up initially. While they often settle down over time with regular use, some rugs may continue to experience this issue. A simple solution, if needed, is to use a small piece of carpet tape underneath each corner of the rug cover to keep it flat.
• We’ve also observed that the edge banding on some covers can become slightly raised, and other users have reported similar curling problems with these edges over time. We will continue to monitor this and report back, but so far, our newer rugs are performing well.
• (Update: After several months, curling did become a more noticeable issue on our classic 2mm thick Ruggable rug, especially in high-traffic spots. Carpet tape definitely proved helpful for managing this. Interestingly, the newer premium 7mm thick rug in our foyer has not exhibited any curling issues to date, suggesting the thicker construction may help mitigate this problem. If you encounter curling, this carpet tape is a quick and effective fix.)

Can Be Challenging to Reattach Large Rug Covers Alone

• While washing the rug cover is a breeze, reattaching a large-sized rug cover to its pad can be a bit of a wrestle if you’re attempting it by yourself. Aligning the cover precisely and smoothing out all wrinkles across a wide expanse can be quite tricky.
• Personally, we find it nearly impossible to perfectly attach a larger rug cover to its pad without enlisting the help of a second person. It becomes a much easier, two-person job. This isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s something to note for larger rugs, especially if you live alone or anticipate frequent washing.

Final Ruggable Review Verdict: Are They Worth It?

All things considered, despite a few minor inconveniences, we genuinely love our Ruggable rugs. The convenience of being able to thoroughly clean a rug in a standard washing machine is a revolutionary benefit for modern households. If you live in a home with messy kids, shedding pets, or just a generally active and accident-prone environment, we highly recommend exploring the Ruggable route.

They offer an unparalleled solution for maintaining a clean and fresh home, providing peace of mind that a spill or pet accident doesn’t mean the end of your rug.

Our Ruggable Rug’s Long-Term Durability After Two Years

UPDATE: It’s been over two years since we first purchased our Ruggable rug, and our long-term assessment offers valuable insights. While keeping the rug clean remains incredibly easy – a definite highlight – the initial issues with edges curling did become more pronounced over time on our classic 2mm thick rug. This required more frequent use of carpet tape to keep it flat.

However, Ruggable has clearly been working on product improvements. The newer designs, which often include extra Velcro at the corners and the option for a thicker, premium rug cover (7mm), do seem to significantly help mitigate the curling problem. Our newer premium rug in the foyer has held up beautifully without any curling issues so far.

The core concept of Ruggable is fantastic, and while the company continually refines its products, there are still some minor kinks to address, particularly with the thinnest covers. Personally, for sheer plushness and design variety, we still have a soft spot for thick wool rugs. However, these often come with a very high price tag and require professional cleaning.

Ruggable provides a superb, live-able alternative that marries style with practicality. Overall, our sentiment remains positive; we continue to appreciate and recommend them for their innovative approach to rug care.

Our Favorite Ruggable Rug Designs

If, after reading our detailed review, you’re leaning towards a Ruggable rug for your home, you’re in luck! There’s a vast selection of designs available. We’ve rounded up a few of our personal favorite styles that we adore, which might be a good starting point for your own selection. (Total disclosure, we may earn an affiliate commission from these links if you make a purchase. However, our honest assessment of the pros and cons stands firm – it’s not a 100% perfect rug, but it comes pretty darn close for what it offers.)

Please note: The original content included an interactive widget for favorite designs, which has been removed as per the instruction to clean Javascript. You can explore Ruggable’s full collection on their website to find designs that best suit your style.

Alternative Washable Rug Brands to Consider

While Ruggable is a leader in the washable rug market, several other reputable brands also offer excellent alternatives. If you’re exploring options or simply want to compare, here are some popular washable rug brands worth checking out:

• Tumble washable rugs
• Revival washable rugs
• Boutique Rugs washable rugs
• Well Woven washable rugs
• Lorena Canals washable rugs
• RugsUSA washable rugs
• Rugs Direct washable rugs

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruggable Rugs

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Do you own a Ruggable rug? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to weigh in with your own Ruggable review and contribute to our pros and cons lists in the comments below. We hope this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone considering these innovative washable rugs.