Keep your machine-washable rug looking its best with these pro cleaning tips

Ruggables are machine-washable, which makes them easy to keep clean—perfect for pet- and kid-friendly households that are regularly dealing with spills, accidents, and other messes. But how exactly do you keep your Ruggables looking their best with all that wear and tear? Get the scoop on how to wash your Ruggable, with pro tips from Therese Germain, VP of Product at Ruggable.

Related: The Home Edit’s New Rug Collection Is Oh-So-Pretty (and Easy to Clean!)

Vacuum first

Before you toss the Ruggable in the wash, give it a good vacuum to help clear out dust, pet hair, and other debris. That'll help protect your washing machine from an influx of the icky stuff that could clog up your drains.

Use the right detergent and wash cycle

To machine wash your Ruggable, use a gentle, non-bleach detergent, and wash on the delicate setting with cold water. Put it in the washer with the top side facing out, to help ensure the dirtiest part of your rug gets clean.

Related: The 9 Best Indoor-Outdoor Rugs of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Skip the fabric softeners, which can impact your rug's texture, but adding a half cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle could help remove any odors that may be embedded in your Ruggable.

Run a Ruggable-only load

It may be tempting to throw in other laundry like towels with your rug—especially if you're washing a smaller Ruggable rug like a bath mat or doormat. But Germain says that it's best to run your Ruggable through the washing machine on its own (or with other Ruggables, if you have more than one). That'll help you avoid damage to either your rug—or your other clothing or towels.

Make sure that any stains have come out

Before you dry your Ruggable, check that any stains have been removed during the wash cycle. "We recommend machine-washing your Rug Cover a second time prior to drying," Germain says. "In between washes, you can also spot-clean our rugs. Many customers use a mixture of dish soap, vinegar, and water to spot-treat any stains or accidents."

Related: The Best Homemade Carpet Cleaners for Removing Stains From Every Type of Rug

How to clean stains in Ruggables

It's inevitable—something icky is going to end up on your Ruggable. Ruggables are stain resistant, so you may be able to just do a quick spot-clean of the area to remove it from your rug. But for the trickiest stains, quick action, dabbing the stain instead of scrubbing it, and a few easy-to-use stain removers can help minimize the damage. Here's how to manage a few of the most difficult stains from your Ruggable.

Red Wine

After you blot the area with a paper towel or color-safe cloth to soak up as much red wine as possible, Germain recommends treating the area with a combination of classic dish soap and water to help remove the stain. Rinse the area and repeat as necessary before running the Ruggable through your washing machine.

Blood

Time is of the essence when treating a blood stain on your Ruggable. Try spritzing on a mixture of dish detergent and cold water to soak the stain, then blot it with a paper towel. and rinse with cold water. Continue to rinse and repeat with cold water until the stain has lifted, then run the Ruggable through the machine washer.

Urine or Vomit

Pet (or people) stains happen. For those types of stains, blot the area with clean paper towels, putting pressure on the paper towel to get as much of the liquid out of your Ruggable as possible. You can treat the area with a pet stain remover, or a mix of green dish detergent and water, then rinse with cold water and repeat as necessary.

Dry Your Ruggable

Hang-drying is the best for the longevity of your Ruggable, but if you need to dry it faster, you can run it in the dryer on a delicate setting. Just make sure that you use a no- or low-heat setting to dry your rug, as high heat could damage the fibers in your Ruggable.

Remove your rug as soon as the cycle finishes to ensure that wrinkles and creases don't form.

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