Care for Your Washable Rugs

Find out if your rugs are washable and how to clean them.

The floors in your home see a lot of actions – and not just your floors – your rugs too! Think of any high-traffic, everyday space like entryways, kitchens, dining rooms, kids’ play areas, bathrooms. Luckily, washable rugs make it easy to maintain a regular cleaning routine that doesn’t require much heavy lifting or high maintenance. Keep reading to learn how to care for washable rugs so that yours last for a long time.

In this guide:
1. Check the Label Before Washing
2. Load the Washing Machine
3. Start the Cycle
4. Let the Rug Air Dry

1. Check the Label Before Washing

To find out if your rug is washable, check the care label on the back of the rug. Synthetic materials such as polyester can more easily stand up to the abrasiveness of washing machines, but natural materials like cotton or wool are also able to withstand a cycle in the wash.

Most of the time, if your rug is made of cotton or synthetic fibers, it will stand up to washing in the washing machine. However, if the rug has a rubber underside, the backing has a limited lifespan before it crumbles. You can use an oxygen-based bleach to brighten your rubber-backed rug without damaging it.

Not only can crumbled rug backing come off in the laundry and damage your washing machine, a rug with no backing will slip and slide. Get a separate nonslip rug pad to prevent any accidents and protect the wellbeing of your washer.

Tip!

Before putting your rug in the washer, shake off your rug outside to get rid of any loose dirt or debris that could potentially clog your washing machine.

2. Load the Washing Machine

When it’s time to clean your rug, pre-treating tough stains will definitely help to restore it to its former glory. If you have a front load washer, wash two rugs together or add a towel or two to balance the load. For a top load, position the rug evenly around the agitator and add bath towels as needed for balancing. Always set the load size as large.

All rug pile heights on washer-safe rugs are compatible with the washing machine – even specialty fabrics like shag, or a mixed pile combination. However, for especially thick fabrics, it is recommended to spot treat them first before putting them in the washing machine.

3. Start the Cycle

Set the water temperature of your washing machine to cold. This helps to ensure that the colored dye in the fibers of your rug won’t bleed into each other or fade the pattern. Be mindful of the laundry detergent and wash cycle setting you’re using, both should be gentle.

If the care instructions on the rug include “machine wash,” you can wash it regardless of shape or size. For standard washers at home, you don’t want to exceed an area larger than an 8′ x 10′. In the instance your washable rug is larger, you can also go to a laundromat and use a larger commercial-grade washing machine than can accommodate the rug’s size.

4. Let the Rug Air Dry

Even though they are machine-washable, very rarely should you put a rug in the dryer. Air-drying helps to prolong the life of the rug and the rubber backing. Hang your mats outside to dry, but try to keep them out of direct sunlight so all those newly washed colors don’t fade.

You should never use heat when drying plastic- or rubber-backed bath mats because it can cause the backing to crack or even melt. If you’d like to get any last wrinkles out, use an iron or put it in the dryer on an air cycle. Rugs made of just fabric, such as bathroom rugs, can be put in the dryer on a tumble dry low.

While regular maintenance is helpful, deep-cleaning your rug too often can actually depreciate its quality. So do your best to only clean your washable rugs when necessary, for example, when it’s visibly dingy or noticeably odorous.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if my rug is washable?

Check the care label on the back of the rug for washing instructions.

What water temperature should I use to wash my rug?

Set the washing machine to cold water to prevent dye bleeding and fading.

Can I put my washable rug in the dryer?

It’s best to air-dry your rug to prolong its life and protect the backing.