Short answer: Most rugs cannot go in a washing machine. Wool, jute, sisal and most shag rugs can shrink, felt or fall apart in water, while rugs made from synthetic fibres with a low pile and a backing built for washing can be machine washed on a gentle, cold cycle. Our washable rugs are designed for it: the soft polyester chenille layer lifts off its cushioned pad and goes in the washer, and the pad stays out.
The label "washable" is not standardised, so the construction matters more than the word. Below we cover which rugs are safe, how a washable rug is built, and the steps and machine sizes for our own rugs. For the full routine, see our guide to cleaning and maintaining your washable rug.
On This Page
- Which rugs can go in the washing machine?
- What makes a rug truly washable?
- How our washable rugs are built
- How to machine wash our washable rug
- How long do washable rugs take to dry, and which dry fastest?
- How do washable rugs hold up over time?
- How to layer washable rugs for added style
- Our recommendation
- Explore our washable rugs
Which rugs can go in the washing machine?
It depends on the material and the construction. Check the care label first, and wash a rug in a machine only when the label explicitly says it is safe.
Which rugs can go in the washing machine?
| Rug type | Machine washable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Washable synthetic (polyester, polypropylene) | Yes, when labelled | Synthetic fibres resist moisture and are less prone to felting or shrinking in cold water |
| Wool | No, unless the label says so | Hot water and agitation cause shrinking and felting, and both are irreversible |
| Jute and sisal | No | Plant fibres shrink, stiffen and discolour when wet, sometimes permanently |
| Shag and other high-pile rugs | Usually not | Long, loose fibres mat and tangle in a wash cycle |
Our guide to cleaning a rug by material covers spot cleaning for each of these. For a wool, jute or sisal rug, spot cleaning or professional cleaning is the safer route.
What makes a rug truly washable?
A rug is truly washable when its fibres, pile and backing can all handle water and agitation. Look for four things:
- A clear machine-wash instruction: the care label should say the rug can be machine washed, not only spot cleaned.
- Synthetic fibres: polyester and polypropylene absorb little moisture and dry faster than natural fibres.
- A low or flat pile: a dense, flat surface keeps its shape in a wash cycle, while long fibres tangle.
- A backing made for washing: latex or rubber backings can crack or separate with repeated heat, which is why cold water and low-heat or air drying matter.
Our guide to washable rugs explains how to weigh these. It also helps to ask which part of the rug is washable: some are a single piece, and others have a removable fabric layer on a separate pad.
How our washable rugs are built
We built a two-piece system so you can wash the fabric layer without a bulky backing. The surface is polyester chenille with a polyester backing, and underneath sits a separate modular pad that comes with each rug.
- Rug layer: approximately 8.5 mm (0.33 inches) thick, digitally printed, with a tight chenille construction.
- Modular pad: approximately 4.5 mm (0.18 inches) thick, made of interlocking pieces with an EVA cushioning core and TPR grip material on both sides.
- Together: approximately 13 mm (0.51 inches) thick, which keeps the rug low-profile.
- Staying put: the pad grips the floor and the rug layer by friction, and the rug layer has reinforced TPR corners. There are no Velcro strips, clips or adhesives.
We also changed the edge stitching to stand up to repeated washing, and the chenille layer is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified. The certification applies to the rug layer, not the pad. Our guide to the materials in our washable rugs goes into more detail.
How to machine wash our washable rug
Only the removable chenille layer goes in the machine. The cushioned pad is not machine washable.
- 1. Lift the rug layer off the pad. The two pieces are held together by friction, so there is nothing to unfasten. The pad can stay on the floor.
- 2. Check your washer is large enough. The rug needs room to move. Use the size table below.
- 3. Choose a gentle cycle with cold water.
- 4. Use a mild, bleach-free detergent. We recommend avoiding bleach, fabric softeners and harsh chemical treatments.
- 5. Dry on low heat or air-dry. Tumble dry on low, or hang or lay the rug flat. Avoid high heat.
- 6. Put the rug back over its pad. Once the rug is dry or only slightly damp, lay it over the pad and smooth it into place. If the pad was cleaned separately, make sure it is completely dry first.
What washing machine size do I need?
What washing machine size do I need?
| Our rug size | Washing machine we recommend |
|---|---|
| 2.5' x 8' runner (approximately 76 x 244 cm) | Standard home washing machine |
| 3' x 5' (approximately 91 x 152 cm) | Standard home washing machine |
| 5' x 8' (approximately 152 x 244 cm) | Standard home washing machine |
| 8' x 10' (approximately 244 x 305 cm) | Large home washer, at least 4.5 cu. ft., without a central agitator |
| 9' x 12' (approximately 274 x 366 cm) | Commercial washer with a 60 to 80 lb capacity, such as one at a laundromat |
We have tested our 8' x 10' rug in large home machines that meet that capacity. If you are unsure, check your washer's specifications before loading the rug. For choosing a size for the room first, see our room-by-room guide to rug sizes.
How long do washable rugs take to dry, and which dry fastest?
Drying depends on the rug's construction, its size and how you dry it. Our rugs share the same construction across all designs and sizes, so no one design dries faster than another. A smaller rug has less fabric to dry, so a 3' x 5' will generally dry sooner than a 9' x 12'. We have not published drying times, so we do not give an hours figure.
In general, synthetic fibres hold less moisture than natural ones, and low-pile or flat rugs dry fastest. Our low-profile chenille layer is a synthetic. Two drying options work well:
- Tumble dry on low: suits sizes that fit your dryer.
- Air-dry: hang the rug or lay it flat, which keeps heat exposure low.
You do not need to wait for the rug to be bone-dry before putting it back, provided the pad is clean and dry and no excess moisture is trapped underneath. A rug that is still quite wet should finish drying first.
How do washable rugs hold up over time?
A washable rug should keep its colour, shape and edges through repeated washing. We tested our latest rug construction through 15 wash cycles, designed to simulate washing once a year for 15 years. We saw only minor colour fading, good edge and corner flatness, and some possible shrinkage. That is a test result, not a promise that a rug will last 15 years.
- Shrinkage: some is possible, as with many washable textiles. Cold water, a gentle cycle and low-heat or air drying help the rug keep fitting over its pad.
- Stain resistance: the rug layer has a PFAS-free, C0 stain-resistant treatment that helps fresh spills bead on the surface. It can become less effective after repeated washing, although the rug stays machine washable.
- Colour: prolonged direct sunlight and high heat can gradually change a rug's appearance. If a rug sits by a sunny window, rotate it now and then.
- Wear: in our experience the tightly constructed chenille holds up well to foot traffic without noticeable pilling or shedding, but a sharp object or a pet's claw can still catch a thread. Trim a loose thread rather than pulling it.
We would not wash a rug after every small mess. Blot spills with water, vacuum regularly, and save machine washing for a deeper clean.
How to layer washable rugs for added style
Layering puts a smaller rug on a larger one to add colour, texture and definition. This is general advice, not a product specification.
- Start with a calm base: a larger rug in a quiet, solid or lightly patterned design lets the top rug stand out.
- Change the scale: choose a top rug about one size smaller, such as a 5' x 8' over a 9' x 12', so the base shows evenly around the edges.
- Vary pattern and texture: pair a bold pattern with a subtle one rather than two busy designs. Rugs that share one colour with your furniture or curtains tend to look connected.
- Offset the angle: setting the top rug at a slight angle, or off-centre under a chair or sofa leg, makes the layers look intentional.
- Watch the edges: our rug and pad system is approximately 13 mm (0.51 inches) thick, so a second layer raises the edge. Check the top rug lies flat and does not slide.
- Wash the layers separately: this keeps each rug within its machine size. Our guide to choosing an area rug can help you pick the two designs.
Our recommendation
Match the rug to how you will clean it.
- If you want home washing for most of the rug: choose a 2.5' x 8' runner, a 3' x 5' or a 5' x 8', which fit a standard home washer.
- If you want a large rug: an 8' x 10' needs a large home washer of at least 4.5 cu. ft., and a 9' x 12' needs a commercial machine, so plan a laundromat trip.
- If your rug is wool, jute, sisal or shag: do not machine wash it unless its label explicitly says it is safe. Spot clean, or use a professional cleaner.
- If you share a home with pets or children: keep a vacuum routine and wash the removable layer when it needs a deeper clean.
Explore our washable rugs
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.