6 Tips for Washing Your Rug, According to Ruggable Rug Owners

We all want our rugs to look fresh and clean, but messes happen. That’s why all Ruggable rugs can be tossed in the washing machine to keep them looking their best. Pet have an accident? No problem. Spilled a glass of red wine? Don’t worry about it. Having a rug that’s machine washable makes life a lot easier. 

While washing your rug is pretty straight forward, we asked Ruggable rug owners on Instagram to share their favorite washing tips that work best for getting their rugs fresh and clean. Here’s what they had to say: 

1. Vacuum before washing

Ruggable rug owners recommend vacuuming your rug (or shaking it off outside) before washing to keep any excess dirt or hair out of the machine. For best results, it’s important to select the right settings, attachments, techniques, and vacuum type since many household vacuums are designed to clean wall-to-wall carpet and hardwood. Check out our vacuum guide and quick tips for details. 

2. Spot-treat with stain remover between washes

Thanks to our rugs’ stain-resistant material, spot-cleaning is easier than ever. To stretch the time between washes, Ruggable rug owners suggest using a stain remover to spot-treat any small dirty areas on your rug. However, we recommend you wash your rug immediately if there’s a major spill or pet accident. 

3. Wash on delicate

To keep your rug looking its best, Ruggable rug owners advise washing it on the delicate cycle to avoid unnecessary wear. This will keep your rug looking its best for a longer period of time. We suggest you wash your Rug Cover on its own to avoid potential damage (unless you have another Ruggable Rug Cover you want to wash at the same time, and as long as your washing machine is large enough to fit both). 

4. Use a mild (and effective) detergent

We strongly recommend washing Ruggable rugs with a mild, non-bleach detergent. If you need specific recommendations, Ruggable rug owners have their favorite detergents that work best for them. 

Among our customers’ favorites are OxiClean White Revive, powdered Tide, and Tide Pods. One person also recommended using baking soda to help remove odors, boost detergent’s performance, and keep light colors looking bright. To remove pet stain and odors, white vinegar also works great! 

Pro Tip: Since laundry pods are pre-portioned, it’s important to take the size of the Rug Cover into consideration when deciding how many pods to use. We recommend using at least one pod for runners and 3’x5’ Covers and at least two pods for 5’x7’ and larger Covers.

5. Do an extra rinse cycle 

Ruggable rug owners say it helps to run the Rug Cover through an extra rinse cycle. This is to make sure the detergent, as well as any lingering dirt and hair, are thoroughly washed out.

6. Air-dry your rug

For best results, let your rug air-dry instead of using the dryer. One Ruggable rug owner suggests washing your rug in the evening and letting it dry overnight so you aren’t without a rug for very long. 

If you have a plush rug, you may tumble-dry it using the delicate or air fluff setting of your dryer, if available. Do not apply anything more than very low heat during the washing and drying process to prevent damage to the fibers of your rug.