The Informant: The Machine-Washable Rug That’s Actually Worth It

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Like many out there, I am a lover of home décor and a hater of that builder-grade, slate gray apartment flooring. And so, when I moved into a new studio apartment in New York City this fall, I found myself on the internet, looking for a rug. 

And then I had a brief heart attack. Even factory-made rugs run quickly into the thousands of dollars. 

But then I found Ruggable, which touts high-quality, affordable rugs that are — pause for dramatic effect — machine-washable. But I’m leery of anything that sounds like a gimmick, and machine-washable rug was at the top of that list.

Still, I couldn’t resist the price point, and I definitely couldn’t resist the patterns — in particular, the brand’s collection with Iris Apfel. Iris, whose nominal documentary is one of my all-time favorites, was in the textiles business for years before transitioning into a fashion maven and part-time icon. Accordingly, the prints from her collaboration are stunning: a collection of bright, jungle-themed patterns. Some are warm and loud, while others are muted and dark. (I was particularly taken with the animal prints, because if there’s one thing I love, it’s decorating my space like an adult toddler.)

And so I went for it. Specifically, a 5×7 rug in the light Flutterby pattern. FYI, Ruggable offers two pile heights: tufted and flat woven. I opted for the latter, specifically because I have cats and thought it may be easier to vacuum. The rug also ships with a rug pad, which means you can purchase multiple rug covers and swap them out when the mood strikes. The brand offers two kinds of rug pads, standard and cushioned. I opted for the former.

My rug arrived in one box with two separate pieces (rug and pad). The pad, of course, goes down first, and was a little tricky to line up, but I would attribute that to user error. The rug itself felt like a stiff, thick blanket with a screen-printed pattern and a flexible backing that attaches onto the pad with velcro. (The ability to attach and detach the rug from the pad is also what makes it machine-washable.)

Since I set up my rug, I’ve been thrilled with it. The colors are eye-poppingly bright. It’s also soft to walk on, and I am extremely glad I opened for the standard pad — it feels high-quality. Also, my cats have attempted to scratch this rug many times, as cats do, and their tiny, feline machinations don’t show up at all.

Lastly, you might be wondering: Have I actually run it through the washing machine? I have not, only because the rugs are made to be water- and stain-resistant, so any time I’ve spilled on it, it’s been incredibly easy to spot-clean and vacuum.

But I’m waiting, armed with laundry detergent, for the next time I inevitably knock over a glass of red wine.