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
Photo by: @theluxmylife
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
Photo by: @reemsdesign
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
Photo by: @thehylandhomestead
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
Photo by: @house.becomes.home
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.
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55 Comments
I have 7 Ruggable rugs in my house and I find my Dyson sweeper has to much suction so I bought a Bissell natural sweep and it works amazing for picking up dust & dog hair. No cord and was not expensive!
Thank you for sharing this with us, Paula! We’ll definitely make a note of this feedback 😊
I find that if I use my dyson only in a pulling direction (not pushing it forward over the rug but pulling it backward, toward me) it helps prevent lifting the cover from the pad.
Hi I have very light colored
rugs and cannot get them to come
clean following the steps. Please help we spent a lot of money , what do I need to do
Hi, Shay! We are sorry you’re having some difficulties with cleaning your rug. In addition to vacuuming your rug(s) to help remove debris, we have also heard form customers that sweeping off the Rug Covers (our Classic Rug Covers n particular) is easy and helpful for removing dirt, dust, etc.!
Also, we may suggest spot cleaning your rug. Spot cleaning is ideal when sweeping/vacuuming isn’t removing the mess, when you are unable to fully wash your rug, or if you have a smaller stain/mess that needs specific attention rather than a full wash. You can find our spot cleaning guide here!
We hope these suggestions help.😊
What should you do if the black mat gets a spill or “dog stain” on it? We put the rug in the wash and the dog thought the black mat looked a lot like her pee pad. Ugh.
Hi, Hannah! We are so sorry to hear about that incident! 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 also use any household disinfectant that does not contain bleach. Please do avoid washing/drying it in a washing machine/dryer as that could tear the Rug Pad! 😄
We JUST struggled putting our new rug and pads under our king size bed. As much as I love this concept it isn’t ideal under heavy furniture! After just 2 hours after getting the rug under the bed, the dog peed on it!!!!!! We are not ready to move the bed again and wash this rug, can it be spot cleaned?
It sure can, Stephanie! For stubborn/hard to remove stains or in between washes, you are able to spot clean your rug! 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!
Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions or concerns.
I have a small parrot that has pooped on our rugs. I put a small amount of rug cleaner on a sponge and wipe it off. No stains! We have 4 Rugs and will be ordering more!
We love to hear that, Kathy! We appreciate your feedback and support.🥰
I use a small amount of vinegar with my rugs. Also how often is it ok to wash?
Good question, Lydia! How often you wash is ultimately up to you and the traffic your rug sees. There is no specific timeline to be followed and you can wash your rug whenever a mess/spill occurs or it needs a bit of a refresh!
I’ve washed my rug and I struggle to get the urine smell out. Any tips?
Hey, Tiffany!
For best results we recommend washing the rug immediately after an accident. We received feedback that if not treated right away, the odor from pet urine can still linger even after a wash. Customers have found success removing the smell with a vinegar wash. 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!
For any further questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us at support@ruggable.com!♥
Hi, I have had to wash one rug by our bedside several times. I did air dry it the first time and the trim on the rug has curled up ever since. I washed in cold water. It’s kind of dangerous for tripping now that the trim doesn’t lay flat. I’d like another rug from you but not sure about these trims.
Hi, Karen!
We are so sorry to hear about the trouble you have experienced with your rug. That is not the experience we want anyone to have when owning one of our products! Please reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com. Our team would be more than happy to look into the situation at hand.
I am also having trouble to get the dog urine smell out of the rug. Even if it doesn’t smell too much for us, it clearly still smells for the dog. Can the top be dry cleaned? I was wondering if it can potentially help with the issue.
You should get a special laundry additive to help break out the enzymes from the urine; the one i use is excellent: Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost on Amazon.
Hi, Maria! We usually do not recommend dry cleaning our rugs. For best results we recommend washing the rug immediately after an accident. We received feedback that if not treated right away, the odor from pet urine can still linger even after a wash. Customers have found success removing the smell with a vinegar wash! 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.
We do not recommend any specific brands or types of cleaners to help with the smell but you can check our blog and/or reviews for recommendations from some of our other customers.😊
I’m thinking of purchasing one of your rugs. I have allergies and asthma and, duh duh duh…cats. Would a weekly wash be okay?? Of course, an immediate wash would be done in the case of pet accidents.(they are not accidents, they plan them)
Hey there, Karen! You can wash your rug as often as needed. We recommend washing as soon as possible after any spills/accidents (both purely accidental or planned!😉🐱), such as you mentioned, but for regular washing there is no specific timeline as it largely depends on your preferences and space!
Additionally, as we understand that frequent of a wash schedule can be hard to maintain at times, you are also able to vacuum and spot clean our rugs in between washes to help with daily upkeep! We’ve linked our vacuum FAQ for you here so you can see some of our suggestions as well: myruggable.com/vacuums
Hi there…..
I have a large Ruggable rug …. the 9 x 12 ….
Should I have a good outcome with getting that size clean in my washer? I do have a heavy duty washer –
Do you recommend washing twice?
thank you!
Great question, Jamie! All of our rugs are designed with home washing in mind – even our larger sizes! One wash should be enough but if it has some heavier use or if you are concerned about getting a thorough clean, you are able to wash it twice or do a second rinse to be safe. You can also spot clean dirtier areas or parts of your rug that have tough stains! A mixture of soap, water, and vinegar is great for spot cleaning in between or right before washes.☺️
For your reference, we wanted to include of wash and care instructions as well as our Washing Machine Size Guide below! That way you can see the best practice for how to wash your rug as well as confirm your washer is compatible with your specific rug size/style.
https://myruggable.com/wash-and-care-instructions
https://myruggable.com/washing-machine-guide
We have several older cats; 1 of which no longer sees the need to use a litter pail. Mostly we put paper towels down wherever & he goes there-but not always. We can’t be constantly pulling the rugs up to wash & are concerned about use heavy duty potentially toxic spot cleaners; since cats walk on surfaces & lick their paws. Would winder be safe to use for spot cleaning? Thanks. (Yeah, I’m another crazy cat person).
Great question, Cindy! We would be more than happy to provide some spot cleaning tips to help for in between washes and for smaller accidents/areas!
For stubborn/hard to remove stains or in between washes, you are able to spot clean your rug! 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!
In regards to using store bought products, we do not suggest any specific type or brand and only ask that you ensure they do not contain bleach or chlorine. We hope you may be able to find some suggestions from some of our other customers on what brands/products that have found to work best and prefer themselves!
Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions or concerns.😊
Oops, that’s what I get for posting w/out proof reading-I was asking about WINDEX.
Well I made the mistake of this oxiclean which although no where on the bottle says bleach, my rug now has pink spots…☹️
We are sorry to hear this, Christine! Some OxiClean products may contain bleach while others may not. Sometimes the ingredients in cleaners are not as straightforward and doing a secondary check online/with the seller may be needed if you don’t recognize some of listed components.
You can also do a quick check online to see about popular non-bleach products! We hope these suggestions help and are terribly sorry to hear about this experience.
Hello I purchased my Ruggable about a two years ago and have washed it a couple of times. We dont wear shoes in the house so it never been dirty. I like to wash it to remove doggy hair and pet odor. I washed it per the instructions like I always have and now I have dark spots all over my light color rug. Any ideas? should I re-wash and spray stain remover?
Hi, Grace! We are saddened to hear about this trouble. In this instance we would suggest trying to do a spot clean on the trouble areas – a second wash can also be helpful!
For spot cleaning, we have found that a mixutre of dish soap, vinegar, and water has been effective and does not leave lingering odors. Alternatively, you can also use store bought cleaners/spot treatments if preferred – just be sure they do not contain bleach or chlorine! Also, be sure you are cleaning/washing your rug as soon as any spills or accidents occur as the longer they sit the harder they can be to remove.
Please feel free to also reference some of our other articles here on our blog as we have had several customers share their own feedback and tips for spot cleaning and what products they prefer, in case you are looking for any suggestions (note that we do not suggest any specific type or brand and just ask you ensure they are non-bleach/non-chlorine, as mentioned above)!
Should I use fabric softener, along with the mild detergent?
Great question, Jim! We do not recommend using fabric softener when washing the Rug Cover as it may flatten the rug’s texture.
We have the biggest size of Ruggable. My man has said there is no way we are putting it into the washing machine. I thought we could just take it to the driveway & hose it off but now I can’t find the best way to do that.
What do we use for detergent?
Hi, Rue! We recommend using any mild, non-bleach detergent to wash your Ruggable Rug Cover. We do not recommend any specific type/brand!
Please also note that we are unable to guarantee that spraying/washing your rug with a hose will get it properly clean. Our rugs are made with washing machines in mind and if for any reason you are unable to use your own washer, we have heard from other customers that washing at local laundromats work just as well! We hope these suggestions are helpful.😊
My nephew colored several sections of my rug — what’s the best way to get the crayon out without damaging my rug any further?
Hi, Marian! We are terribly sorry to hear about the incident with your rug. We have some general spot cleaning tips for spills and accidents we’d be happy to share!
We have had many customers use a mixture of dish soap and water to spot treat various stains and accidents. First, be sure to blot the area with a cloth/towel to try and remove the mess as best as possible (be sure to blot, not rub!). Then, make a mixture of the dish soap and water and use a clean towel/cloth to apply it to the stained area! After, rinse it out with cool water (note: you may need to repeat these steps in order to fully remove the stain depending on the severity, type of stain, etc.) and allow to dry.
This method has been tested and has been proven to work without leaving any left over residue or odors (just be sure to fully rinse out the soap/water mixture before drying your rug). 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!
For additional tips, we do also have a Spot Cleaning FAQ article with more detailed examples for specific types of stains! Feel free to check it out here (side note: depending on the specific type of crayon and what it is made of, our ‘Oil’ section may be helpful in particular!): https://myruggable.com/Stain-Removal-Guide
We are purchasing our first Ruggable which will be in front of our door leading out to the backyard, it will see a lot of traffic. My husband wants to spray it with Scotch Guard but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Has anyone tried this? What were your results?
Hi, Laurie! We do not usually recommend scotch guarding our rugs. Please do also note that our warranty does not cover any alterations made to our rugs!
With that said, our rugs are easily washable and able to be spot cleaned in between washes – so no worries for stains and messes.😊
I got a 5×7 ruggable plush and love how nice and cozy it feels and how it fits our space. The only problem is it’s shedding like crazy. I washed it once, vacuumed it and didn’t help. With the kids on the floor a lot, the shedding gets on their clothes, the sofa… I don’t want to return it. What options do I have?
Hi, Victoria! We are glad you are enjoying your rug but do apologize for any frustrations you’ve had with shedding.
To confirm, high-pile rugs naturally shed but our Plush Rug Cover has been specifically designed to do so as little as possible. With that said, it is normal to see a few loose fibers from daily use or a small handful of fibers in your lint collection during the dry cycle. Shedding of loose fibers is normal with new high-pile rugs and should diminish over time.
If the shedding seems abundant or if it does not diminish or gets worse over time, please reach out to us at support@ruggable.com! Our Customer Care team would be happy to look further into the matter and see how they can best assist.
Hello,
I have an 8×10 ruggable with traffic pattern darkness/dullness. I vacuum 2x a week but the dirt is showing. Can I use pre-treatment stain remover on my ruggable before washing? And is it safe to hang my ruggable outside and spray it with a hose to wash it? Thanks!
Hi, Kristine! Great question. We do not recommend any specific cleaners or products; our only guideines are ot ensure any product(s) used do not contain bleach or chlorine and we suggest doing a patch test with any new product you may be uncertain about!
As for using a hose, while you are able to hang and air dry our rugs after washing, we suggest using your washing machine to properly clean any of our rugs! We have not tested any methods with an outside hose and are unable to speak as to how the process may differ to using w washer. With that said, we can offer some spot cleaning tips to help with hard to remove stains/marks.
Please see the cleaning instructions as well as a few spot cleaning tips below:
myruggable.com/wash-and-care-instructions
For stubborn or hard to remove stains, we have had many customers spot clean their rugs by using 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. Feel free to check out a more comprehensive Spot Cleaning Guid ein our FAQs here.
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!
Feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions or concerns.
I washed my ruggable that was in front of the kitchen sink and it still looks dingy. I have another ruggable in the same pattern so I know how much brighter it is supposed to be. Are there any additional steps that can get it cleaner?
Hi there, Brenda! We are sorry to hear you’ve had some trouble with washing your rug. We are happy to share a few tips that can be of help!
Below, you will find the cleaning instructions as well as a few tips. Please note the sometimes doing a second wash is all that is needed, especially if it’s been awhile in between washes – for other cases, we do have additional suggestions!
myruggable.com/wash-and-care-instructions
For stubborn or hard to remove stains you are also able to spot clean your rug! 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!
For a more comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions on how to spot clean and remove specific stains, please visit our FAQ section here.
Feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at support@ruggable.com for any additional questions or concerns.😊
My large rug has a mildew smell that will not come out. I have washed it a few times now with white vinegar in the cycle with the detergent. What should I do?
Hi, Jordan! We are sorry to hear that – we are happy to share this article. It addresses mildew formation on our Bath Mats and can also be helpful with addressing the smell from your rug!
In addition, we may also suggest hang and air drying your Rug Cover to help it dry and air out after washing. If you are noticing the issue when reassembling your rug please also consider washing your Rug Pad, in case the scent is lingered on the bottom layer of your Rug System rather than the top layer. If you happen to also notice the scent on other laundry after washing, it may be instead be due to your washer which is a fairly common occurence!
Can you provide tips on how to remove candle wick ash from the rug?
Hey there, Nancy! First, we recommend sweeping/vacuuming up as much of the debris before hand to help minimize the affected area and to make it easier to clean. A couple of passes with a vacuum or a broom should do the trick! After, try a mixutre of water, soap, and vinegar on the affected area. You can also attempt to use non-chlorine or bleach based spot cleaners/rug cleaners to address the stain.
We hope these tips help! Feel free to use some of our other spot cleaning guides as well and keep in mind our general guidelines (dab instead of scrub, avoid hot water, etc.) for best results.😊
Hi there,
Has anyone had their ruggable cleaned by a commercial or regular carpet cleaner?