I Tested Ruggable Out in a Home with Pets and Swear Washable Rugs Are Worth the Hype

Ruggable is everywhere these days—but should you buy one for yourself? I tried it to find out.

By Alexa Erickson | Published Aug 8, 2022 1:28 PM

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Photo: Ruggable

I love home decor. From discovering new brands online to stumbling on a unique antique at the flea market, the journey of decorating is equally as fulfilling as it is to see the items I found live in my home. To me, decorating is an art. It’s an opportunity to express my personal style while simultaneously creating an overall energy that both myself and guests feel comforted and inspired by.

One piece of home decor I’m always drawn to is an area rug. Vintage and new alike, rugs bring warmth, comfort, and style to the home. And because I love them so much, I have rugs everywhere—even areas that are prone to spills and stains, like the kitchen and dining room. So when I heard about popular machine washable rug brand Ruggable, I was all ears.

What is Ruggable?

Photo: Ruggable

Ruggable is the brainchild of Jeneva Bell, a woman who was faced with a fate many of us know all too well: Her pup had an accident on her rug. The frustration of the mishap led her to question why rugs couldn’t be washed in the first place. We wash our bedding. We wash our towels. We wash our curtains. So why weren’t there washable rugs? Thus, Ruggable was born.

A  Ruggable washable rug consists of two pieces: a lightweight rug cover and a nonslip rug pad. The cover features a woven polyester chenille top surface, a polyurethane internal waterproof barrier in the middle, and a polyester knit bottom surface. It’s 100 percent machine washable and water-and stain-resistant.

The pad is made of the same latex-free material used in yoga mats. The rug attaches to the pad by tucking the corners of the pad into little pockets on the rug. The edges are then reinforced with velcro. When a spill happens, you can simply slide off the rug from the pad, toss it in the wash, and replace once dry.

Ruggable rugs come in a variety of sizes and patterns, including doormats, round rugs, runners, and 2-foot by 3-foot all the way up to 9-foot by 12-foot.

What I Like About Ruggable

There are two big reasons I love Ruggable. The first is that it’s washable. I truly think it’s a game changer for the kitchen, where I am constantly cooking and spilling. Zipping from the stove to the sink with a spoonful of tomato sauce has gotten the best of me (and my rug) on multiple occasions, and I simply don’t think a high-end rug belongs here.

The dining room is another place I use Ruggable. I entertain a lot, and dinners can get messy. Being able to toss the rug in the washing machine makes life so much easier, and means I don’t have to worry about guests (or me) getting stains on the rug.

The second big reason I love Ruggable is the nonslip pad. For years, the runner rug in my hallway has frustrated me. I tried a generic nonslip pad gripper, but it balls up as I go over the rug with my vacuum. It also falls apart quickly. The Ruggable pad, on the other hand, adds supreme comfort as I walk over it. It keeps the rug securely in place and I never have to straighten the pad. I like that Ruggable also offers two types of pads: a classic rug pad (great for use beneath doors, rolling furniture, and outdoor spaces) and a cushioned rug pad (great for that ultra-comfy feeling beneath your feet).

Also good to note: As a pet owner, Ruggable has been very helpful. The opportunity to quickly remove evidence of the hairballs my cat tosses up, or the dirty, wet paw prints from my pup makes the messes my furry companions make a little less stressful.

What I Don’t Like About Ruggable

I think Ruggable still has a little ways to go in terms of aesthetics and construction. The feeling of a rug beneath my feet is part of the allure of having one in the first place. The traditional Ruggable design is soft, but doesn’t have much depth. It’s not hand-woven with Persian wool. It’s not made of organic vegetable dyes or derived from high grade pigment. As far as looks go, most of the designs are big-picture as opposed to intricate.

To be fair, these are likely minuscule details for the everyday consumer and not deal-breakers. I just happen to be a rug snob (no shame!).

Are Ruggable Rugs Worth It?

Photo: Ruggable

In short: it depends. I don’t think you need a Ruggable rug in every room of your house—unless of course, that’s your preference. They’re best for high-traffic areas and places prone to spilling, like hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, and maybe family rooms.

As someone who owns both a cat and a dog, I can also attest that for any puppy or pet parents, swapping out that hand-knotted vintage Persian rug for a Ruggable rug until your animal has the potty training thing nailed is worth the cost. You’ll avoid spending hours on your hands and knees trying to soak up accidents because all you have to do is toss it in the washing machine.

Plus, as the brand progresses, it’s coming out with better designs that resemble more of what I’m looking for in a unique rug. Ruggable now has shag rugs, and has even collaborated with top designers like Jonathan Adler, so my hopes are high this brand will continue to flourish.

Shop Ruggable rugs on Amazon