Regular rug cleaning is the worst.
It doesn’t matter how careful you are. Something always spills. Children happen. Pets shed.
Before you know it your nice rug looks like it should be thrown out.
Machine washable rugs exist for this very reason. They are designed to remove dirt, stains and spills with minimal effort so you can keep your home looking tidy every day of the year.
Below are washing instructions for machine washable rugs. We cover everything from material types, to rooms your rug can go in. Even simple daily habits that keep them looking newer longer.
Ready to learn how easy clean rugs can revolutionise your cleaning routine?
Let’s jump in!
This guide will cover:
- Why Machine Washable Rugs Make Life Easier
- Important Things to Consider Before You Buy
- Washing Instructions for Machine Washable Rugs
- Ideal Rooms to Place Machine Washable Rugs In
- How to Maintain Them Between Machine Washes
Why Machine Washable Rugs Make Life Easier
Let’s be honest…
Rugs are hard to clean.
Traditional rugs need a professional every few months which is expensive. And while between those sessions stains can build up.
Machine washable rugs fix this problem.
They’re made to be tossed into your home washing machine and come out looking good as new. No pricey professionals. No drying times of several days. Just yourself fifteen minutes and a quick wash cycle.
Consumers have taken notice. Searches for machine washable rugs are up 27% making them one of the hottest trends in home decor.
If you ask us, that’s because rugs you can easily throw in the wash are objectively better.
Important Things to Consider Before You Buy
Wait, there’s more than one type of machine washable rug?
While yes technically any rug that says it can go in the washing machine can, that doesn’t mean they all work well.
Here are the things you should consider before making a purchase:
Material is #1 The best machine washable rugs are made of durable, colourfast materials like Polypropylene, Cotton, Recycled PET, or a Flat-weave blend. Avoid wool or fur throw rugs.
Size matters Thinner rugs with a low pile height wash and dry quicker than thicker higher pile rugs. If you plan on tossing it in your washer often, smaller flat weave machine washable rugs are the way to go.
Read the care label Believe it or not, even machine washable rugs come with directions. Some can’t be washed with anything above cold water. Others have ‘no bleach’ warnings. Just because it can go in the washing machine doesn’t mean anything goes.
Tip: Make sure your washing machine has the capacity to fit the rug you’re looking at. Stick your rug into a machine with a smaller drum than the rug and you’ll make yourself a hefty repair bill.
Washing Instructions for Machine Washable Rugs
This is a common mistake we see.
Throwing the rug in the wash and hoping for the best leads to lots of frustration. Instead, do this every time:
- Shake it outside – Before it goes anywhere near your washing machine beat the rug outside to remove any loose dirt.
- Spot Treat – Apply a mild stain remover to any spots or stains. Wait 10–15mins for the solution to settle in.
- Gentle Cycle – Wash on cold with a gentle/handwash cycle.
- Mild detergent only – Crazy colours fade quickly and fibres break down when exposed to harsh chemicals.
- Let it air dry – Heat will shrink and distort your rug faster than anything. Don’t use the dryer.
Boom.
You’re done.
You spent maybe ten minutes pre-treating the rug before washing and leaving it as was. Now let your washing machine and dry do all the work.
Ideal Rooms to Place Machine Washable Rugs In
Just about any room can use a washable rug.
Between kids, pets, guests your flooring takes a beating. Machine washable rugs are great because they let you put rugs in rooms that typically suffer most.
Here are the rooms that benefit most from machine washable rugs.
Entryways Everybody tracks dirt through the front door. A washable rug here catches most of it.
Kitchen Spills happen. Especially in the kitchen. Machine washable rugs can be toss cleaned so eating messes can be spot cleaned or rug can be tossed in the wash.
Kids Room Toys, spills, you name it kids can destroy rugs. If they can survive that then machine washable rugs are built to handle them.
Really, any room rugs have been thought too risky to use in the past is perfect.
Eat off spills in the kitchen? Put one down.
Kids making mud pies in the bathroom? Throw one under the table.
Drop coffee while working from home? Yup, machine washable rugs everywhere.
How to Maintain Them Between Machine Washes
Ok, so washing your rug every other week isn’t enough?
Don’t worry, neither is simply tossing your rug in the wash. How you treat it between washing helps it look nicer longer.
Here are our top tips for maintenance:
Vacuum often Even machine washable rugs need vacuuming. It removes debris before it has a chance to sink into the fibres. Vacuuming once or twice a week is ideal.
Flip your rug every few months. High traffic will wear your rug down over time. Flipping it helps distribute that traffic evenly.
Blot out stains. When spills happen immediately grab a paper towel and blot the liquid out. If you can’t throw it in the washer do this first to minimise staining.
Use a Rug Pad A rug pad not only protects your floors from abrasions but your rug too. It adds a small buffer of protection between your rug and wood floors.
Simple things like this ensure your rug looks good between washes.
Final Thoughts
Machine washable rugs are genius.
No more expensive professional cleaning. No more living with stains you can’t remove.
They make your life easier without sacrificing style. What’s not to love?
Here’s what you should remember:
- Machine washable rugs come in a variety of materials. Choose wisely based on where you’ll use it.
- Pre-treat stains before every wash.
- Follow washing instructions on the care label.
- Air dry your rug.
Invest in a quality machine washable rug today and thank us later.
With proper care, your rug will look newer longer saving you money and a ton of hassle.
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