In an ideal world, our rugs will stay as clean and fresh as the day we bought them. But life happens—and with this comes muddy shoes, red wine spills, ketchup stains, and even pet accidents.
Thankfully, Ruggable rugs can be washed in the comfort of your home—just like your bed sheets and duvets! So while everything in life can’t be spotless all the time, you can rest easy knowing that your rug can be. Here we’ll show you the best way to wash your Ruggable rug and keep it clean and fresh longer.
Should You Spot-Clean or Wash?
As easy as it is to wash your Ruggable rug in the washing machine, it’s even easier to spot-clean it, thanks to its natural resistance to stain. For minor spills, simply wipe the surface with a mild, non-bleach detergent.
For major spills (think marinara sauce or red wine), it’s always best to wash your Rug Cover immediately to avert any damage.
For everyday upkeep, just vacuum your Ruggable rug using a low-suction setting.
How to Wash Your Ruggable Rug
Step 1: Place the Rug Cover in the Washer, Design Side Out
When you’re ready to wash your rug, peel the Rug Cover off the Rug Pad and place it in the washing machine with the design or pile side facing out. Remember, only the Rug Cover is machine washable.
All our Rug Covers should fit most standard-size washing machines—yup, even your 9’x12’! If you want to know if your rug size will fit your washing machine, here’s a quick cheat sheet:
| Rug Size | Washing Machine Size |
| Chenille / Re-Jute / Outdoor: 2.5’x7’, 2.5’x10’, and 3’x5 | 1.6+ cubic feet |
| Chenille / Re-Jute / Outdoor: 5’x7’ Plush: 2.5’x7’ and 3’x5’ Shag: 2’x3′ | 2.2+ cubic feet |
| Chenille / Outdoor: 6’x9’, 8’x10’, 6′ Round, and 8′ Round Round: 6’ and 8’ Plush: 2.5’x10’ and 5’x7’ Shag: 3’x5′ and 2.5′ x 7′ | 3.8+ cubic feet |
| Chenille: 9’x12′ Plush: 6’x9’ Shag: 2.5’x10′ and 5’x7′ | 4.2+ cubic feet |
| Outdoor: 9’x12′ | 4.5+ cubic feet |
| Shag: 6’x9′ | 5+ cubic feet |
Step 2: Add your mild, non-bleach detergent.
A mild, non-bleach detergent will keep the colors of your rugs from fading.
TIP: Got pets? Add ½ cup of white vinegar to your detergent to help neutralize pet odors.
Step 3: Machine-wash cold using the delicate cycle.
To keep your rug in tiptop shape, we recommend using cold water and setting your washer to delicate.
TIP: Some stains (we’re looking at you, tomato sauce) can be stubborn. For tougher stains, running it through another wash cycle usually does the trick.
Step 4: Place Rug Cover in the Dryer, Design Side Facing Out
If you have a Chenille, Outdoor, or Plush Rug, you may use your dryer to dry your Rug Cover. Place your Rug Cover inside the dryer with the design or pile side facing out, and set the dryer to the lowest heat setting. Resist the call of the high heat as this could ruin the material of your Rug Cover. If you have a larger Cover, you may have to run it in the dryer again to ensure it dries evenly.
Alternatively, you may hang and air-dry your Rug Cover.
If you have a Shag Rug, you may tumble dry on low or use the air fluff setting. Alternatively, you can hang it to dry.
Spot-Cleaning Your Rug Pad
Our Rug Pads can’t be washed, but it can be easily spot-cleaned using any non-bleach household disinfectant or soapy water.
To clean your Rug Pad, start by picking up all solid pieces from the surface. Then, place a cloth or towel over the spill to soak up the liquid. For spills other than water, wipe the surface with your spot cleaner, or give it a little wash with soapy water, rinse, and then hang to dry.
And that’s it—your Ruggable rug is ready for another busy, messy week ahead!
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80 Comments
I love my rug! Could you tell me where I could watch the best way to lay the rug back on to the pad? I’m having some trouble with the corners lying flat.
Hi Jeanne, we’re glad you love your rug!
If the corners are lifted, simply pull the Rug Cover up, give a little tug, then smooth the Cover back down. If you need more tips, here’s an article that might be helpful: https://blog.ruggable.com/how-to-assemble-your-ruggable-rug/.
Please show how to best lay the rug back onto the pad. I’m having trouble with the corners staying down.
Hi, Jeanne! We’re sorry to hear you’re having a hard time with the assembly. This how-to video might help: https://myruggable.com/assembly 😊
For the issue of the corners or sides rolling up, not sure if its recommended, but I used my hand steamer very lightly and carefully on those areas to flatten them out and it worked for me.
I have had my ruggable since November. The ends and sides keep rolling up and are no longer staying attached to pad. What should I do?
Hi, Suzanne! We are sorry to hear this! Please forward this concern to our Customer Care team by emailing support@ruggable.com for assistance. Our team would be happy to help.
Same problem as above three comments.
Please email our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for assistance with this concern. Please make sure to provide your order number and photos of the concern to best assist you.
Thank you!
I have an 8×12 rug. My washer is not large enough for the rug. Any suggestions?
I tried to wash my rug 8×10, in my washing machine. I have the largest machine that samsung makes but it almost burned out my motor. I could smell it burning as it tried to rotate this rug around.
Also it did not get clean. I got a ruggable because I wanted a lighter colored rug that would obviously require more frequent cleaning so I was looking forward to it. Is there a special way to put the rug into the machine? Is it a problem that there is no agitator?
SO I have two problems, one the rug is not coming clean, and currently I am unable to wash the rug, like I was expecting.
Hi, Whitney! We are sorry to hear this! Our Rug Cover (top layer) can be washed in a machine with or without an agitator, so that should not be the cause of the problem. Please forward this concern over to our Customer Care team by emailing support@ruggable.com for further assistance. Please make sure to provide these details as well as your order number to best assist you. Thank you!
Anyone having trouble getting the pet urine smell out ? I have washed my ruggable twice and it still smells😩
Hi, Angela! We suggest pre-treating the non-slip pad with vinegar for pet urine concerns. Vinegar is a great all-purpose natural cleaner that helps with neutralizing pet urine odor.
For future reference, we recommend washing your Ruggable rug immediately after any major pet accidents or stains for the best results. For minor spills, you may spot-clean the area using mild, non-bleach detergent. 🙂
I have multiple Ruggables that I’ve had for over a year and have the same problems as above – I’ve followed the care instructions as described, but the corners continue to roll up, causing (1) a dangerous tripping hazard for everyone in our family (including our 8 month old) and (2) the velcro pad beneath to become full of pet hair and other stuff. The pad is VERY difficult and time consuming to get all of the stuff out of and even if I do, the corners just roll right back up leaving me back to square one.
Do you have any suggestions on how to improve these giant flaws?
As of now, I’ve told so many people not to purchase for the problems I’ve listed above…it just hasn’t been as advertised and has been more of a headache than any traditional area rug.
Hi, Leah! Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we apologize for this inconvenience.
Please forward this concern over to our Customer Care team by emailing support@ruggable.com.
In the past year, we’ve made several improvements to our rugs including adding a new layer of 100% silicone to the concerns to help the rug stay structured and in place. We are constantly working on adding improvements to our products, so please reach out to our team and they’d be happy to assist and provide more info! 😊
I purchased an 8×10 rug about a year ago and placed it in my living room on laminate flooring. It looked and felt great! I then moved this past April and placed the rug on top of my new floor which is made of stone tile. I have now noticed a discoloration on my tile floor under the rug. I took up the rug and rug pad and saw that the entire area where the rug lay is now stained along the edges and unevenly throughout. In some areas the stains consist of circular shapes. I noticed these same shapes on the rug pad. Is there anything in the rug pad that may not be compatible with the stone tile? I have tried vinegar and water w/dish soap as well as baking soda… It is not residue, it is a stain in the tile. What can I do? Any suggestions?
Hi, Alberto! Thank you for reaching out!
Our records show that you’ve been in contact with a member of our Customer Care team. Please continue to follow up with our Customer Care team for all customer service- related inquiries.
Thank you for your patience!
I have had my ruggable for a couple months now and LOVE IT! I purchased the 8X10 and it fits great inside my front load washer with no issues. It is not heavy enough to cause any problems with the washer rotating and rinsing at all. My old dog – Katiegirl, has accidents all the time and this is hands down much better than trying to clean my area rug. I is hard to get the corners down after washing but I have found that if you roll it up, inside out, it makes it much easier to get to lay down….no corner issues either. I do have some smell of urine but I saw a note about using the vinegar and I am trying it today. I will be buying another one again!
🤗💛
Odo Ban also works well for getting rid of pet urine smells. It will give off a very strong detergent smell for a few hours but will quickly dissipate. I’ve used it on our Ruggables.
Hello, so far I am enjoying our 8 by 10 ft Ruggable! We have three dogs and a baby so it’s amazing to be able to wash it right away if there is an accident or mess. I was curious if it was okay to wash it at least once a week? Will it wear it down? I do wash it in cold water with mild detergent. Thanks! Tabitha
Hi, Tabitha! That’s a great questions! The lifespan differs for each customer based on how the rug is used and cared for. In testing we tested for it to last at least 30 washes, however, we have had customers that have used the rug for over 5 years and washed it frequently without issues! 😊
Any tips on vacuuming? My Dyson Ball pulls it up and it’s driving us crazy.. Using the stair attachment is really time consuming but it seems to be the only thing that works.
Hi, Sarah! Feel free to visit the following link for info on how to properly vacuum our rugs as well as compatible models: https://myruggable.com/vacuums 🤗
I just spilled a container of coconut oil on my rug. Should I just wash it as recommended here? Or is there anything else recommended for oil spills?
My pet had a few accidents on the pad and I can smell it.. I dont think spot cleaning will do the trick. What will happen if I put it on a gentle cycle in washing machine?
Hi, Kandis! We do not recommend that at all. Contrary to our Rug Cover (top layer), our Rug Pads are not machine-washable and should never be put in a washing machine.
For wet messes, spot-clean the area with soap and water using a washcloth or towel, then allow the Pad to dry laying flat.
We’ve just washed our rug gable for the first time, is it ok to put it back down on the floor to dry?
Hi, I have had my ruggable rug for a couple years now. I have two dogs who love to lie on it. I was about to call it because I couldn’t get the dog smell out regardless of vinegar etc. But we did a last ditch effort and left it in the sun for a couple days. Did the trick and no real fading. Just a tip or thought before anyone throws theirs out. Dog smells are just part of dog ownership….
Hi, Auzzie! Thank you so much for sharing this tip! 🤗
We spilled a whole bottle of Young Living baby oil on my runner. What is the best way to get the oil stain out?
i don’t know about baby oil, but i personally use dish washing detergent to get grease/oil out of my clothes. might be an option for the rug but you would probably need to spot test
I was going to Scotchgard my rug due to having 3 dogs. Do you recommend I do so, or just stick to the spot care and machine washing? Thanks!
I would love to know the answer to this too. I have a 100 pound dog, 3 cats and two kids. I just don’t want to have to wash the huge rug every week. Scotchgard makes sense to me, but definitely don’t want to tear it up???
Hi, Brianna and Kevin! You may use ScotchGuard your Rug at your discretion. However, it is not necessary. Our polyester Rug Cover is naturally stain-resistant; we do not add finishes or treatments to the material. However, we recommend washing the Rug Cover immediately after a spill or pet accident occurs. If not attended to immediately, oil-based stains may become permanent.
Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions you may have!
Hey there! Getting ready to wash my plush ruggable for the first time! I live in NYC and I don’t have my own washer/dryer. Is it safe to use a machine at the laundromat?
Hi, Marissa! Great question! You can most definitely take your rug to the laundromat if needed. Just ensure you follow all the same care instructions per normal and you should be fine!😊
We bought the white shag rug and inevitably spilled red wine on it 🙁 We ran it through the wash immediately and are still having trouble getting the stain out. Is there anything else besides laundry detergent that we can use? OxiClean? Stain remover? Bleach? Color safe bleach? We’ve hand scrubbed laundry detergent into it and ran it through the wash several times, and it’s still not coming out 🙁
Hi, Laurence! Great question! For stubborn or hard to remove stains a second wash may be necessary but you are also able to spot clean your Rug Cover. We have had many customers use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar and water to spot treat any stains or accidents. This method has been tested and has been proven to work without leaving any left over residue or odors. For best results we recommend washing the rug immediately after an accident!
You are also able to use spot cleaners from your local pet/grocery store at your own discretion. Please just be sure to use something gentle and non-bleach!
I use a product called Folex to spot clean, and it works well to get out stains…even older ones.
I’m loving my ruggables, but the under pad leaves a greasy look on my laminate floors. How can I fix this?
Hi, Vickie! Please email our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for assistance with this concern. Our team is here to help! 🙂
Can OxiClean powder be added to the wash cycle to help eliminate pet odor? I would like to wash twice, once with OxiClean, then another immediate cycle with regular detergent to get it super clean and odor free.
Hi, Christie! That’s a great question! We do not recommend any specific brand/type of cleaner. As long as you use a product that is gentle and non-bleach you should be good! As for pet odor, we recommend you add ½ cup of white vinegar to your detergent to help neutralize pet odors.😊
Can OxiClean powder be added to the wash cycle to help eliminate pet odor? I would like to wash twice, once with OxiClean, then another immediate cycle with regular detergent to get it super clean and odor free.
Hello! Even with washing my lighter rug, the high traffic areas never have been able to get back to the original color. Would so be able to soak this in pic clean?
Hey there, Jess!
A second wash may be needed for any hard to remove stains, however, you are also able to spot clean your Rug Cover. We have had many customers use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar and water to spot treat any stains or accidents. This method has been tested and has been proven to work without leaving any left over residue or odors. For best results we recommend washing the rug immediately after an accident.
You may also use spot cleaners from your local pet/grocery store at your own discretion. We do not recommend any specific type or brand, just please be sure to use something gentle and non-bleach.
Oops i realized my post did not get published properly. Can i soak the rug in oxi clean?
We’ve had our rug for less than a year and the pad is shedding like crazy. Everytime we vacuum or remove the rug from the backing to wash it, it’s covered with black specks from the pad that end up all over the floor and in the washer and dryer. What are we doing wrong??
Hi there, LuAnn! We are so sorry to hear about this. That is not the experience we want anyone to have when owning a Ruggable Rug! Please reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com. Our team would be more than happy to help with the situation at hand!
My wife bought a 6 x 9 rug for our bedroom. Our dog Peed on it and it stinks so We put it in the wash but the mat underneath smells as well. You can’t wash the mat underneath so what is the point of the ruggable if it is still going to smell? We recently bought another one that hasn’t been delivered yet. It is a long runner for the kitchen but we will send this back also unless someone has a really nice idea to clean the Matt and get the smell out
Hi, Brian! We are so sorry to hear that you are experiencing this issue!
To thoroughly clean the Rug Pad, remove all solids from the surface and saturate the Rug Pad in warm soapy water. Then, rinse with clean water, and hang to dry. You can use any household disinfectant that does not contain bleach. Please avoid washing in a washing machine as that could tear the rug pad.
As for the smell, many customers have found that using vinegar works great to get the smell out! You may also go to your local pet store for cleaners that might help remove the odor but please make sure they do not contain bleach or chlorine.
My Ruggable pads are full of dog hair that won’t vacuum up. How do I clean them?
Hi, Gail! Aside from vacuuming, we would kindly recommend spot cleaning or hand washing the rug pad, depending on how much of the surface has dog hair on it. To do this, saturate it with warm soapy water. Then, use a sponge, rag, or cleaning brush to dislodge the dog hair, rinse the rug pad with clean water, and hang it to dry. Be careful not to crease the rug pad when hanging it, as creasing can permanently compromise its ability to lie flat!
The hair left after washing should be a bit looser and therefore easier to remove with a lint roller and/or vacuum.😊
What is the best cleaning or washing method to restore light color areas that quickly get dingy looking from foot traffic, e.g., in the area under my feet at my desk as well as where people tend to walk frequently. I’ve tried enzyme-based and other stain removers, oxy clean, or dish detergent (along with liquid detergent). Also tried putting the rug through a second wash per your recommendations to others. This reduced the dinginess but was didn’t solve the problem.
Although in most ways I’m very happy with Ruggables (I have 4 in various shapes and sizes), their light colored areas tend to look grayish, dingy very quickly even though my family usually removes shoes in the house. Wool rugs, for example, tend to retain their clean appearance and original color much longer with similar usage.
Thank you!
Hello!
For smaller messes or in between washes you are able to spot clean! We have had many customers use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar and water to spot treat any stains or accidents. This method has been tested and has been proven to work without leaving any left over residue or odors. Please be sure you are also washing as soon as possible after accidents or stains occur as they can become harder to get out over time!
It sounds like you’ve tried some additives to washing but please do feel free to also use these products as spot cleaners on the rug itself. As long as the products do not contain bleach or chlorine they should be fine.
Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions or concerns!
Hi. I just washed my Ruggable Rug for the first time.
A few things that I found confusing:1) Rug Cover- vocabulary. I guess. I was looking to see if I needed a cover for my rug; 2)In the instructions was a picture of a washing machine with the front side showing a window that opened from the front- for that reason I went to a Laundry Mat and picked a machine with a washing machine that opened from the front. The result was that I could not let the machine fill with water before I put in the liquid soap because the minute the door is closed, the machine locks- no way to put in the rug either. I went back to the house and used my regular machine that fills up with water, so that I could add the soap to it and when I opened the lid, it paused but did not lock and I could put in the rug. The rest of the instructions were clear- delicate cycle, wash with the design on the outside. I will know for next time.
Hi, Marielle!
Thank you for taking the time to post your review.
Please be assured we have made a note of your feedback and passed it on to our team. If you have any further issues or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com ✨
I have an awesome 8×10 outdoor rug. It was so beautiful when I first got it but I live in Florida and am noticing some mildew growing on it. Any advice on how to clean the rug of the mildew? I am reluctant to wash it without treating it first. Read about trying vinegar before washing. Also read to try color bleach in the washing machine but haven’t found that has helped other outdoor fabrics.
We are sorry to hear that you are having this issue, Jen! In this situation, we would recommend trying a vinegar wash, such as you mentioned. Other customers have found great success in removing odors and stains with this method! You may also go to your local store for cleaners that might help as well but please make sure they do not contain bleach or chlorine.
If you have any further questions please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com!
I have a lot of dogs in and out of my house and I LOVE my ruggables!! However, I am wondering the the black pad can be steam cleaned to disinfect?? Thank you!
Hi, Cindy! We usually do not suggest cleaning with heat, including steam. Additionally, we have not tested this method on our Rug Pads but if you’d like to do so you are able to at your own discretion.
Aside from steam cleaning, you can also use store bought products and disinfectants to help clean your Rug Pad! We do not suggest any specific brand and only suggest avoiding products that contain bleach or chlorine.
We hope this answers your question and helps with cleaning your rug!
With the color of my rug I didn’t realize my chihuahua had been peeing on it. I’ve cleaned the rug and it’s great but the pad smells like pee. I see we can’t machine wash them, any advice for now to get the awful smell out. Spot cleaning didn’t do the trick
Hi, Jackie! We are terribly sorry to hear this.
We would first suggest trying a vinegar rinse/spot clean. You can also try store bought products that may help with removing the smell, just be sure they do not contain bleach or chlorine!
Please do also note that the longer things such as pet accidents sit the harder it can be to get out over time. We do hope these suggestions help with the smell!
Love my ruggable but my ruggable base has pet hair in the mesh. Brushing it doesn’t get it out. Any suggestions on how to clean it? I have the 8×10.
I have had my rugs for 3/4 months and love them except the padding seems to be shedding hundreds of tiny black plastic type balls that i have to vacuum up constantly especially when i pull the rug off to wash it!
Is there any way to stop this??
Hey there, Lisa! We are glad you have been enjoying your rugs but are sorry to hear about the issues you have experienced! Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com. Our team would be more than happy to look into the issue at hand!
I love my ruggable, but there is so much dog hair stuck to the pad and I can’t figure out how to clean it all off! The ruggable gets clean just fine, but I feel like I’m laying it back down on top of an unclean pad. With a child with allergies, I have to either figure this out or ditch the pad.
Thanks
Hi, Heather! We are glad you are enjoying your rug! In regards to the issue with dog hair, you are able to vacuum your Rug Pad to help remove the dog hair and debris. If there is a larger build up you can also try spot cleaning with soap and water using a washcloth or towel to help dislodge any hair/build up. Afterwards, just allow the Rug Pad to dry laying flat.
We hope these tips are helpful!😊
Hello! Just got my ruggable a few weeks ago! Loving it so far. How often do you recommend washing?
Hey, Kara! Great question.
In regards to frequency, we do not have any specific timeline on when you should wash your rug. It largely depends on your space and the traffic your rug experiences! Some of our customers wash their rugs monthly, every couple/few months, or whenever spills occurs. Just be sure that you are washing as soon as possible after any accidents or stains occur! You can also vacuum/sweep and spot clean your rug to help with regular maintenance in between washes.😊
I’m afraid that I’m going to wear out my washing machine, because I wash my ruggables about twice a month. I have two large ruggables, two runners and one small mat sized ruggable. One of my dogs pees constantly on them. I thought about using my extractor to save wear and tear on my washer. It’s safe to use on floors and rugs. I would not use hot water. Would that be okay?
Thank you for that question, Cheri! We usually do not recommend the use of carpet cleaner as it may cause discoloration. With that said, you are able to instead spot clean in between washes if needed!
We have had many customers use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar, and water to spot treat any stains or accidents. This method has been tested and has been proven to work without leaving any leftover residue or odors. 😊
Have many (older) cats. Purchased over a dozen of these-they are a great fit for us. Customer service is over-the-top. Finally got up the courage to throw 1 in the washer instead of just spot cleaning; after it became ‘soiled’. Heard that they wash just fine, but I was nervous that it might not look as nice after washing. Gotta tell ya-IT CAME OUT GREAT! Looks brand new again. Love your product & your company. (Even the kitties are relieved).😆
How wonderful to hear, Cindy! We are so glad you (and your kitties!) have been pleased with your rugs.
Wondering if windex is ok for spot cleaning?
Hi, Cindy! We have not tested our rugs with Windex products and are unable to speak on how they may affect our rugs. With that said, you are able to use store bought, spot-cleaning products on our rugs but we do recommend using products specifically made with rugs/carpeting in mind and we also ask that you ensure any products used do not contian bleach or chlorine.
We hope this helps offer further insight! 😊