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A washable rug is a busy household’s most powerful styling weapon

Thank us later.
contemporary living room mezzanine trit sofaJohn Downs

We all have busy households where life happens and there’s always something to clean up, what could be better than a décor item that hides the mess of daily life, and then allows you to clean it away, leaving you with enduring style? When it comes to décor items that make the most difference, the best washable rugs can help you get more mileage from your decorating dollar! Simply hosing it down or throwing it in the washing machine for an occasional freshen-up, this hard-working essential can anchor the colour palette in a room and offer a durable style.

“Washable rugs mean one less thing to worry about. They’re versatile and practical for various spaces, especially where things can get a little more messy, like a kids’ room, playroom, or even outdoor spaces,” explains Cassandra Lesiz – Creative Director at Ruggable.

According to Miss Amara Head Stylist, Tiffany Ng-Spann, the trick to finding the perfect rug is looking for a “tightly woven construction for longevity and durable fibres,” while “stain resistance and non shedding gets bonus points too.”

We’re all for including an area rug for a splash of colour or texture, added comfort underfoot, or to demarcate living zones within an open-plan space—especially one that you can wash. For this reason, we have spoken to the experts at Miss Amara and Ruggable, to find out exactly how to wash and use washable rugs in your home. Plus, if you’re for an easy care rug that can stand up to the traffic, we’ve also rounded up five of the best on the market that tick all the boxes.

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2025’s TOP WASHABLE RUGS

  1. Hanako indoor outdoor washable rug in Beige/Cream, $199, Miss Amara  (here’s why)
  2. goop Salerno re-jute washable rug in Soft Black, $389, Ruggable (here’s why)
  3. Awa New Zealand washable wood rug in Taupe, $930, Double (here’s why)

The best washable rugs 2025

01

Hanako indoor outdoor washable rug in Beige/Cream

from $199, Miss Amara

Best for: Indoor-outdoor coastal flow

With a smooth weave and gentle, wavy pattern, this washable rug will take your coastal aesthetic outside to your alfresco space in style. The built-in non-slip underlay makes for an easy transition between living and dining zones, even in a heavy traffic area.

Sizes: 230 x 160cm, 290 x 200cm, 330 x 240cm, 400 x 300cm

Materials: 100% polyester

Key features:

  • Washable in 8kg, 12kg and 14kg washing machines
  • Pet friendly
  • Washable rug
  • Stain resistant
  • Easy care
goop x Ruggable collaboration Salerno washable rug in soft black

02

goop Salerno re-jute washable rug in Soft Black

from $389, Ruggable

Best for: Neutral accent with a pop of pattern

With an oversized take on the classic check, the Salerno brings is a timeless look in any home. The polyester “re-jute” won’t fray and gives a smooth finish even natural jute can’t achieve, while charcoal tones soften the hard lines of the checked pattern. The robust construction of recycled and virgin polyester ensures this rug will withstand anything a busy household can throw at it.

Sizes: 90 x 15pcm, 150 x 215cm, 185 x 275cm.

Materials: Recycled and virgin polyester.

Key features:

  • Machine washable
  • Smooth, woven texture
  • Stain and fade-resistant
  • Mould resistant
  • Indoor/outdoor

03

Awa New Zealand washable wood rug in Taupe

from $930, Double

Best for: Clean green living

Named for the Māori word for “river”, the Awa rug is EVERYTHING. Durable, washable, natural fibres and kid-friendly, it’s also plush high pile in New Zealand wool, so is super comfy to sit on. The gentle swirling design is as visually comforting as the texture and – best of all – you can pop it in your washing machine for a full refresh.

Sizes: 160 x 230cm, 200 x 300cm, 250 x 250cm, 300 x 400cm.

Colours: Almond, Taupe.

Materials: 90% New Zeland wool, 10% organic cotton.

Key features:

  • Machine washable on cold, delicate cycle
  • For larger sizes a commercial washing machine is best
  • Cotton canvas backing
  • Low-shed
  • Spill-resistant

04

Ada machine washable check rug

from $169.99, Temple & Webster

Best for: A pop of colour

When form follows function it’s a beautiful thing. The Ada rug is contemporary in design, practical to clean and affordable. That’s all our boxes, ticked (and those of many online reviewers!) With the fun colour and pattern, this is the perfect rug for a kids’ bedroom or playroom.

Sizes: 160 x 230cm, 200 x 290cm.

Materials: 100% polyester.

Key features:

  • Pet friendly
  • Machine washable
  • Power loomed for robust wear and tear
  • Soft pile
Washable rugs.

05

Ankara washable rug

$199, Early Settler

Best for: classic interiors

With its deep blue shade and classic Persian inspired design, the Ankara rug will suit a variety of interior styles, including coastal, classic and bohemian.

Sizes: 240cm x 150cm

Materials: Polyester

Key features:

  • 7mm pile height
  • machine washable
  • floral border

How to wash machine washable rugs

Mornington Peninsula farmhouse family rumpus room
(Credit: Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Aimee Tarulli)

While it might sound too good to be true, washable rugs actually can be washed. “Our washable rugs are made to be easily spot cleaned and in the washing machine,” explains Tiffany from Miss Amara. “Roll it up and pop it into the washing machine with a mild detergent on a cold cycle. Air dry, a little shake and ready to go.”

However, not every washable rug will follow the same process. For example, Ruggable’s washable rugs involve detaching the rug’s lightweight cover from the rug before washing. “The removable, lightweight rug cover easily detaches from the non-slip rug pad when it’s time for a wash,” explains Cassandra from Ruggable. “Simply remove the rug cover from the pad and throw it in your home or a commercial washing machine, and then reattach your refreshed cover back to its pad and enjoy your freshly cleaned rug.”

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The best tips for washing your rug

While your rug can go in the washing machine, Tiffany notes that the rug doesn’t need to be machine washed every time. “If you’ve got a spill or small drip, it’s best to spot clean it with a warm, mild detergent and water solution,” she says.

When you do have to throw it in the machine, Cassandra recommends washing your rug in cold water with a mild, bleach-free detergent on a delicate cycle. For rugs used in kids’ rooms or places your pet frequents, Cassandra suggests adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your detergent during washing. “This will help neutralize odours, particularly those from pets, while keeping the rug fresh and clean.”

When it comes to the size of rug that can be washed, it really depends on your washing machine’s load capacity. “For larger area rugs (245×305 cm and above), we recommend using a washing machine with a capacity of 14 kg or more,” explains Cassandra. If your home machine doesn’t hold this capacity then your local dry cleaner will usually have larger-capacity machines available for use.

Can you put a washable rugs over carpet?

Particularly for households with children and pets, layering rugs is a clever way to hit the desired decor note in your living space while protecting your floor coverings in the longer term. For the period of time that spills are frequent in your household (which can seem like years!) placing a washable rug over your prized carpet in heavy traffic areas is a great idea.

According to Cassandra, there are no hard and fast rules. “You can put a washable rug anywhere in the home, even over carpets,” she says. “To guarantee both aesthetic appeal and safety, Ruggable’s rug pads provide a non-slip underlay to secure the rugs in place and provide a stable foundation. We also suggest pinning the rugs down with furniture legs, to ensure shifting doesn’t occur with use.”

Using a washable rug outside

Hanako outdoor rug with outdoor armchairs and side table on a balcony
(Credit: Miss Amara)

“Outdoor rugs are also super easy to clean, making them perfect for decorating your patio, deck, or porch without worrying about the weather or spills from summer hosting,” says Cassandra. “Before washing, you can gently sweep or use a blower to remove any collected debris to ensure a more thorough cleaning in the washing machine. You can also simply hose them off and dry in the sun—just remember to separate it from the non-slip rug pad first.”

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