9 Best Washable Rugs, Tested and Reviewed (2022)

“Since I live in the country and have pets, I have to clean my floors all the time (so much dirt, mud, and cat hair). I was searching for an affordable, large rug that would pop in my living room, so was excited to find Revival’s machine washable rugs, which are under $500 and have a variety of great, graphic options. I chose a 6-by-9-foot, blue, rectangular rug, and was thrilled with the rich hue when I rolled it out in my living room. It really holds up to my industrial shop vacuum and when I’ve had to spot clean bigger spills. I have yet to throw it in the washing machine (for this size and larger, Revival recommends using a 60-pound washing machine at a laundromat), but glad to know the option is available. The organic cotton weave feels really sturdy and still comfortable underfoot.” —Zoë Sessums, digital design writer

“Wow, this diamond pattern rug exceeded my expectations. I laid it out under the dining table just before the whole family came over for Thanksgiving dinner and it not only got tons of compliments, it made it through the whole meal without a visible spot or stain. Because I tested the 8-by-10-foot size, I haven’t tried to pop it into the washing machine–professional or spot cleaning is recommended and Boutique Rugs has an incredibly helpful chart on their site that outlines the size of washing machine you’ll need to handle each of their rug variations. As for the quality of the rug, it’s top notch. The low-pile and combination of chenille polyester and jute makes it super easy to wipe clean without feeling like you’re destroying the texture (and it didn’t bother my allergies the way some natural fiber rugs can). They’re machine woven in Turkey but definitely have a high-quality, handmade look—while still being hardy enough to easily withstand a wash cycle.” —R.F.

“Lorena Canals has the most beautiful lineup of machine washable area rugs for every area of your house. Whether you’re looking for something to liven up your entryway or ground your dining room, you’ll find it here. This particular pick is one of my absolute favorites, thanks to its bohemian, earthy vibe. The neutral rug still has plenty of visual interest, thanks to the way the texture moves from low-pile to high-pile to shag. Not only is this cotton rug gorgeous, it’s also eco-friendly: It’s made with natural cotton and non-toxic dyes. Plus, it’s durable enough to be used indoors or outdoors (we actually featured it on our roundup of the best outdoor rugs).” —K.K.

“Ruggable’s vast selection of in-house designs and collaborations makes it easy to find something that suits your home decor to a tee. Available in a wide range of sizes and shapes (area rugs start at 2-by-3-foot and go all the way up to 9-by-12-foot, while runners and round options are also popular), each model’s washable (read: kid- and pet-friendly) construction makes it easy to touch up light stains or even throw the whole carpet in the laundry when it’s time for cleaning (though for the larger rug sizes, using a large-loading, industrial-sized washer is recommended). This stylish, blue mod design from the Jonathan Adler collection (I selected it in an 8-by-10-foot rectangular size) currently sits in my living room, though I’d definitely consider the runner version for my kitchen since it’s so spill-friendly.” —Audrey Lee, commerce writer

“Hallway runners aren’t something to be bought without thought. They need to be highly durable (after all, that rug is going to see a lot of foot traffic) but plush, subtle but cozy. The neutral, woven design of Fab Habitat’s runner perfectly fit the bill. The knit fibers—which are made from recycled soda bottles—make for a sturdy and thick rug that feels long-lasting while still warming up an otherwise barren hallway. The rug is available in several sizes, ranging from a runner to an 8-by-10-foot area rug. One thing to note for fellow robot vacuum owners: you’ll probably want to roll your rug up whenever you run your vacuum, as the soft fibers can get caught up in the bristles of the machine. Because the rug is machine washable anyway, you don’t need to worry too much about regularly vacuuming it.” —Megan Wahn, associate commerce editor

“If you’re worried about stains—whether from foot traffic or a new pet—this low-pile rug is the way to go. Yes, it’s machine washable, but you can also easily wipe stains away on this rug. Plus, the actual pattern of the rug helps to hide any stains, too. The rug was super easy to set up: I just unrolled it and it was ready to go right out of the box. There was no weird chemical smell and it only took about an hour to lay flat without any creases. I’m sold!” —Kelsey Borovinsky, audience development manager 

“One of the more plush washable options I tried (though still low pile), I laid this Target pick in one of the more high-traffic areas of my apartment–the hall leading to the bathroom–to see how it fared. Thanks to the generous nonslip backing on the underside, the 100% polyester rug doesn’t get caught underfoot or sucked into the vacuum while cleaning. While I wouldn’t say it resembles a Persian rug in my eyes, I do appreciate that the muted, darker colors and vibrant geometric pattern also mask any wear and tear it’s experienced thus far–and I’ll also say the colors are much richer IRL.” —R.F.