How to Wash Ruggable Rugs

 Ruggable is an e-commerce company that’s known for their machine-washable rugs. Based in Los Angeles, the brand has a patented 2-piece rug system that’s both waterproof and washable. Not only that but they can also be used with interchangeable rug covers.

About Ruggable Rugs

Ruggable was launched in the United States in 2010. Since then, the brand has grown tremendously. Not only have they expanded to other countries but they’ve also landed a number of partnerships with various well-known designers such as Jonathan Adler.

The way their two-piece rug system is designed, the removable rug cover can be placed inside the washer while the non-slip rug pad stays securely in place on the floor. They have four textures to choose from and more than 850 styles available.

What Type of Rugs Does Ruggable Sell?

The company sells a variety of products including door mats, outdoor rugs, shag rugs, faux hide rugs, plush rugs, and bath mats. On top of that, they also sell area rugs in various sizes, as well as round rugs, all of which are machine washable.

Collaborations with Nina Takesh, Iris Apfel, Keith Haring, and other designers are also available. In addition to that, they have various collections including vintage rugs, Persian rugs, farmhouse rugs, geometric rugs, kids rugs, Moroccan rugs, Bohemian rugs, and more.

Ruggable Rug Care Tips

Their rug covers are relatively low maintenance. Having said that, you will need to care for them regularly, especially if you have pets. For one thing, it’s highly recommended that you vacuum the rugs on a weekly basis; that will help prevent dirt and dust from building up on the cover.

It’s also important that you follow the washing instructions for the covers. If anything, that will help maximize their longevity. The last thing that you want to do is to throw them into the washer blindly. That’s not all, the type of detergent that you use matters as well.

What’s the best way to wash Ruggable rugs? What type of detergent should you use? Don’t worry, we’ll be going over all of the answers in detail below!

What Materials Are Ruggable Covers Made Of?

Most, if not all of their rugs covers are made of polyester and polyurethane. As for their rug pads, both the cushioned and standard varieties are made of partially recycled polyester and consist of a thermoplastic rubber bottom, the latter of which prevents sliding. The former also has an additional layer of polyester for added cushion.

Here’s what you need to know about these materials.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fiber that has many advantages. In addition to being strong and durable, it’s also fast-drying, which makes it an ideal choice for washable rug covers. Compared to other materials, it also resists water well (ie. it won’t be ruined even if you accidentally spill some liquid onto it). It’s also less expensive to manufacture, which makes it more cost-effective than other options.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a composite material that’s made of polymer resins and a textile backing such as nylon or polyester. Not only is it waterproof but it’s also very resistant to extreme temperatures, as well as mold and fungus. At the same time, it’s breathable, meaning that moisture can pass through. It’s also strong in that it does not fray.

How to Wash Ruggable Rugs The Right Way

Different Ruggable Rugs have different washing instructions. Here’s what you need to know about how to wash their various products. 

Washing Classic Ruggable Rugs In the Washing Machine

Separate the classic rug cover from the pad. Next, give it a quick glance; if you notice any stains, you’ll want to pre-wash the spot before putting it in the washer.

Assuming that there are no stains, you can put them in the washing machine. Just make sure that the design side is facing outward as that’ll help prevent it from fading.

Once the cover is inside the washer, add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent powder directly to the drum. Make sure not to overdo the detergent even if the rug is excessively dirty; that can leave behind a film, which can trap dirt and odors. Do not use bleach.

Tip: You can add half a cup of white vinegar and the detergent if odors are an issue. It’ll help neutralize the smell and leave your rug cover clean and fresh.

Choose the cold water setting and run a delicate cycle. Don’t use the normal setting as the high agitation and tumbling speeds can damage the rug cover.

Wait for the washing machine to finish running before retrieving the rug cover. While it can be put in the dryer on low heat, we highly recommend letting it air dry (exposure to high temperatures can cause the polyester and polyurethane materials to degrade over time). For example, you can put it on a clothesline or hang it up outside. With proper airflow, it shouldn’t take the cover more than a few hours to dry.

Washing Plush Ruggable Rugs

Their plush rug covers are high pile and contain 1″ tufts of plush material. To wash them, you want to first remove it from the rug pad. From there, place it in the washing machine with the soft side facing outward.

Measure and add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent to the tub. Do not use bleach; it can damage the waterproof polyurethane backing. If necessary, you can add half a cup of white vinegar to help neutralize pet odors.

Choose a gentle cycle and machine-wash the plush rug cover in cold water. Once the cycle is finished, hang it up and allow it to air dry. If you want, you can also tumble dry the cover using the air fluff or delicate setting on your dryer. Just remember to use low heat; you don’t want to expose the plush rug cover to high temperatures as that dan damage the fibers.

Tip: You can re-fluff your plush rug cover using a vacuum if it has a rotating bristle attachment. Just make sure that it’s gentle enough.

Machine-Washing Outdoor Ruggable Rugs

Use a broom to sweep away any debris (e.g. leaves) that may have accumulated on the rug. Avoid using a metal rake as that can damage the rug’s woven fibers.

Once it’s free of debris, separate the rug cover from the rug pad. Carefully place it in the washing machine with the design side facing outward. Next, add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent directly to the drum. Make sure not to use bleach as it can compromise the water-resistant barrier.

Choose a cold, delicate cycle and press the start button. Allow the cycle to run completely before removing the outdoor rug cover from the machine. From there, you can tumble-dry on low or hang it up to air-dry (the latter is highly recommended if you want the outdoor rug to last longer)

Washing Ruggable Door Mats with the Washer

For everyday maintenance, shake or sweep the doormat cover to get rid of dust, dirt, and other loose debris. For pet hair and other difficult-remove lint, you may need to use a handheld carpet scraper. Avoid using it on the outer edges as that can damage the thread on the sides.

If the doormat cover is mildly soiled, you can rinse it with a garden house. For more thorough cleaning, separate it from the rug cover and place it in the washing machine with the bristle side facing outward. Add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent powder to the drum and machine-wash with cold water in a delicate setting.

Wait for the cycle to finish before retrieving the doormat cover from the machine. You can either lay it flat to dry or put it in the dryer on air fluff mode.

Putting Ruggable Shag Rugs In the Washing Machine

Gently peel the shag rug cover from the rug pad and place it in the washing machine. Make sure the pile side is facing outward.

Measure a scoop of ACTIVE detergent powder and add it directly to the drum. Don’t use any other product such as bleach as that can compromise the waterproof backing.

Choose a delicate cycle and machine-wash with cold water. Transfer the shag rug cover to the dryer after washing and tumble dry on the air fluff or low setting. Do not use the high setting as that will damage the rug’s fibers.

Once the shag rug cover is dry, gently comb your fingers through the surface to fluff it up. You can also restore the fluffy appearance by using rotating bristles.

Machine-Washing Faux Hide Rugs

Their faux hide rugs are made with recycled and virgin polyester and polyurethane that mimics the natural look of animal hide. In other words, you also toss them in the washing machine like their regular rugs.

First things first, you want to remove the soiled faux hide rug cover from the rug pad. Make sure that the design side is facing outward and add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent powder. Do not add bleach.

Run a cold-water cycle on a delicate setting and wait for it to finish before placing the faux hide rug cover in the dryer. Tumble dry on low heat. Never use high heat as that can damage the faux hide. Remove the rug cover from the dryer immediately afterward to prevent creasing.

Tip: You can also hang dry the rug cover but using the dryer is recommended as it’ll help the rug cover maintain its faux hide texture.

Throwing Ruggable Bath Mats Into the Washer

Their bath mats can be washed the same way as their rugs. Simply remove the bath mat cover from the pad and place it in the washing machine with the backing facing inward. Add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent and machine-wash the bath mat cover on a delicate cycle with cold water.

Do not use bleach or fabric softener as that can affect the bath mat’s color and texture.

Transfer the bath mat to the dryer after washing and dry it on low heat. You can also hang dry the bath mat. Just keep it away from direct sunlight as that can affect the quality of the product.

How to Spot Clean Ruggable Rugs

Spilled something on your Ruggable rug? If so, you’ll want to spot-clean the area first before putting it in the washing machine. 

Start by removing any excess debris with a dull knife or spoon. If dealing with a spill, blot up the excess liquid with paper towels or a clean cloth.

Add a small amount of ACTIVE detergent powder to one to two cups of cool water. Once the powder is thoroughly dissolved, add the mixture to a sponge or color-safe cloth (we recommend using a spray bottle).

Starting from the outer edge, gently dab the problem area with the detergent mixture. If using a spray bottle, you can apply the mixture directly onto the stain. From there, dab it with a sponge.

Next, rinse the stained area with clean water. For example, you can spray or pour a small amount of water directly onto the rug. From there, you can remove the excess water with a sponge or dry cloth.

Repeat the above steps until the stain is gone. Make sure there are no more soap suds on the rug (keep dabbing the area with a damp cloth) and allow it to dry. To speed up the process, you can lay a clean towel over the wet area and apply strong pressure; that will help get rid of the excess moisture.

Best Laundry Detergent for Ruggable Rugs

ACTIVE detergent is the best choice for Ruggable Rugs. The reason is simple; it’s specially designed to clean synthetic fibers such as polyester- the same material that most of their products are made of.

How does ACTIVE detergent work? It contains three types of active enzymes that will penetrate deep into the fibers to dissolve dirt, oils, and grime. If anything, that’s what sets it apart from regular detergents.

On top of all that, it’s also hypoallergic and fragrance-free. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals either, which makes it that much better for the environment.