13 best machine washable rugs UK 2024, according to our research

For an added touch of convenience

best-machine-washable-rugs-UK

by Samantha Price |
Updated on

Selecting a new rug to add to your home usually comes with careful consideration, and some of the things we tend to think about are A) is it stylish, B) is it budget-friendly and C) is it one of the best machine washable rugs in the UK? Well, sometimes, they're all three.

At Closer, we've been scrolling through thousands of rugs to find the best machine washable options. Taking into account all budgets, styles, sizes and needs. From the bathroom to the kitchen and the indoor to the outdoor garden rugs, our guide will help you choose the best rug to suit your home, whether you're matching it with your boho furniture or minimalist interior.

Closer's best machine washable rugs UK, at a glance:

Editor's choice: CHOSHOME Washable Rugs, £29.04 on Amazon

Best highly rated machine washable rug: Kamran Coral Rug, £359 on Ruggable

Best cheap machine washable rug: SFLXO Non Slip Machine Washable Bath Mat, £10.76 on Amazon

Machine washable rugs are among some of the best options for families with young children or pets. Especially effective in areas of high traffic, they're ridiculously convenient without compromising on style, just like the best cheap but chic homeware decor. How do you actually wash a machine washable rug, we hear you ask? Be sure to read on for answers to all of those essential questions.

In the meantime, are washable rugs worth it? Most definitely. That's why we've selected some of the best machine washable rugs based on real tried and tested reviews. From our research, these are the best rugs from a range of trusted retailers that are sure to elevate any living space. Shop our favourites below.

SHOP: 13 best machine washable rugs UK 2024

Editor's choice

Expert rating:
4.5

For our editor's choice, we're selecting the CHOSHOME Washable Rug from Amazon. This highly regarded machine washable rug comes in a variety of vintage-style designs and sizes. One delighted customer commented that 'if you buy one you won't regret it'. We love how authentic each print looks, and that the fabric is soft, comfortable and easy to maintain. Simply machine wash with cold water and mild detergent, and your rug will be as good as new.

Pros

  • Nine different prints to select from
  • Four different sizes to select from
  • Has a non-slip rug back

Cons

  • Design is printed and not woven

Best highly rated machine washable rug

Expert rating:
5.0
Ruggable Kamran Coral RugRuggable

Ruggable is one of our go-to brands for machine washable rugs. In fact, all of Ruggable's designs are machine washable. The Kamral Coral Rug is complete with a traditional vintage print, perfect for adding some character to your space. Given that this rug has thousands of positive reviews, with one customer claiming that this is the 'best rug ever', is it any wonder this one is a frontrunner on our list?

Pros

  • Eight different prints to select from
  • Endless choices of sizes and variations
  • Interchangeable rug cover design

Cons

  • Faded print which some may have preferred to be more saturated

Best cheap machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.0

Ideal for your bathroom, the SFLXO Bath Mat is machine washable, non slip and extremely affordable. It comes highly rated on Amazon, with five different colours to choose from. Reviewers loved its plush feel and reasonable price tag. Made from ultra-absorbant, thick and soft microfiber, it's a fab budget option for using after a bath or a shower.

Pros

  • Five different colours and three different sizes to select from
  • Made from ultra-absorbant microfibre
  • Has TPR backing to prevent slipping

Cons

  • Some reviews say colour might not be what they expected

Best large machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.5
Price: £35 - £179

www.dunelm.com

Looking for a rug to cover a larger area? Dunelm's Snuggle Washable Rug measures up to a generous 6.5ft by 9.5ft, so you'll have no problem matching it to your space. This rug is bound to make any space cosy, made up of thick, plush pile which reviewers say is 'lovely and soft'. The colours on offer are fairly neutral and easy to harmonise with almost any decor, so we'd say it's a must-have for any home.

Pros

  • Five different colours to select from
  • Four different sizes to select from
  • Has anti slip backing to prevent slipping

Cons

  • Larger sizes may not fit in standard washing machine

Best machine washable rug for the kitchen

Expert rating:
4.5

Wanting a runner to dress up your kitchen or hallway? This reasonably priced set from Argos is it. Fantastic value for money, you get a spot mat and a runner in one. Possibly more suited to modern, natural or boho decor styles, reviewers say its 'non slip backing so good for hard flooring', and 'feels plush underfoot'. Best of all, it can be thrown in the machine for easy cleaning.

Pros

  • Fantastic value for money
  • Comes as a matching runner and spot mat set
  • Machine washable fabric absorbs moisture and traps dust

Cons

  • Only one design and size available

Best outdoor machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.5
Ruggable Outdoor Cleo Trellis Black RugRuggable

Bring the inside out with Rugabble's Cleo Trellis Rug. Designed to bring a cosy vibe to your outdoor spaces, this boho trellis rug will seriously impress your guests, especially if you're one for hosting in the garden. Either way, its pronounced polyester weave and water-resistant barrier makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, as reflected by reviewers who have said they use it in both cases. Super stylish AND versatile? Count us in.

Pros

  • Endless choices of prints, sizes and variations
  • Designed specifically for outdoor use
  • Fade, mold, and mildew resistant

Cons

  • May slide a bit on tiles according to one reviewer

Best children's machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.5
Dunelm ABC Kids Washable RugDunelm

Choosing a rug for the kids room can be a hard one. Ideally, it should have a fun print but also be easy to maintain, especially given that kids can be messy at the best of times. This ABC Kids Washable Rug from Dunelm not only has a beautiful illustrated print, but can be machine washed at 30C for effortless cleaning. Its soft-touch cotton blend fabric and saturated colours make it a tactile learning resource for young kids, which parents and grandparents have been loving at Dunelm.

Pros

  • Doubles up as a learning resource for teaching children spelling
  • Highly saturated and illustrated print to encourage curiosity
  • Made from soft-touch cotton blend fabric

Cons

  • Needs reshaping as soon as its washed to prevent shrinkage

Best machine washable rug for the nursery

Expert rating:
5.0
Price: £29.99

www2.hm.com

This Cotton Baby Mat from H&M is a welcome addition to your nursery. Featuring the most adorable teddy bear print, this highly-rated rug offers a soft play area for your baby to sit, roll around and lie down. Its padded, machine washable fabric couldn't be more suited to a family home. A few reviewers stated that it's generously sized and will grow with the little ones, too.

Pros

  • Two different colours to select from
  • Size of the mat is a lot bigger than expected
  • Reviews say this rug washes well in the machine

Cons

  • A few reviewers said its very lightweight

Best boho machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.5
Wayfair Corum Black And Off-White RugWayfair

Wayfair's Corum Rug comprises of this black and white boho design. It comes highly rated on site, with customers claiming it looks even better in person. Given its reasonable price point, reviewers were pleased with its quality and value for money. This rug is made from machine washable and stain resistant fabric which makes it a fantastic choice for high traffic areas, particularly a dining room setting.

Pros

  • Highly rated at Wayfair
  • Two designs and three sizes to select from
  • Made from stain resistant fabric

Best round machine washable rug

Expert rating:
5.0
DUSK Machine Washable Anti-Slip RugDUSK
Price: £34 (was £50)

dusk.com

This round, fluffy rug from DUSK adds a warm quality to any room. Soft to the touch and made from a premium, durable and machine washable material, it comes with robust non-slip backing to prevent slips, trips and falls. Add as an accent to your bedroom, bathroom or living room and feel how luxurious the plush fabric is underfoot. One customer was delighted, stating that they 'get compliments on it all the time' and that it works well to bring some cosiness to your bedroom.

Pros

  • Soft to the touch yet durable
  • Made to last with comfort in mind
  • Has a non-slip rug back

Cons

  • Only one design and size available

Best colourful machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.0
Dunelm Elements Wigley Washable RugDunelm
Price: £29 - £139

www.dunelm.com

To match a bright and cheerful décor, Dunelm's Elements Wigely Washable Rug is sure to complement the trending room in your home. Designed with a fun, bold and geometric pattern, its yellow colourway is sure to put a smile on your face. As it is a new design, it doesn't have any reviews yet - but we just loved it so much that we just couldn't resist including it on our list of the best machine washable rugs in the UK.

Pros

  • Four different sizes to select from
  • Made from 100 per cent cotton material
  • Highly saturated colour and bold geometric print

Cons

  • Needs reshaping as soon as its washed to prevent shrinkage

Best modern machine washable rug

Expert rating:
4.0

For a touch of modern sophistication, the Deerly Modern Abstract Area Rug from Amazon showcases an abstract print that'll work extremely well in contemporary homes. There are currently two colourways to select from, blue and grey, but a fair few sizes to choose from (to fit spaces of up to 5.2ft by 7.5ft). This rug will surely be the focal point of any room, and customers say it is a 'high quality' rug despite its relatively affordable price point.

Pros

  • Two different colours to select from
  • Seven different sizes to select from
  • Has snowflake-shaped TPE non-slip rubber backing

Cons

  • Thinner than some reviewers expected

Best animal print machine washable rug

Expert rating:
5.0
Ruggable Natural Cheetah Faux Hide RugRuggable

Really wanting to make a statement? Ruggable's Natural Cheetah Faux Hide Rug will add a maximalist vibe to your interiors. If animal print is your thing, it comes in zebra print and tiger print too, with many variations to choose from. As is the way with Ruggable, we love that you can detach the cover and put it conveniently into the washing machine, and reviewers love its 'perfect quality'. It's a win-win.

Pros

  • Five different prints to select from
  • Endless choices of sizes and variations
  • Durable, shed-resistant, and machine-washable

Cons

  • Slightly lighter in colour than indicated according to a reviewer

FAQs

Where is the best place to shop machine washable rugs?

Amazon

B&Q

Dunelm

H&M

Ruggable

The Range

Wayfair

How to wash machine washable rugs?

Are machine washable rugs really washable? The short answer is, yes. According to Ruggable, the best way to wash a machine washable rug is by determining your washing machine's load capacity first. Check the weight and size of your rug, and always read the care label. More importantly, make sure the weight doesn't exceed the capacity beforehand.

Following this, Wayfair suggests shaking off or hoovering any debris. They say that if you have a front-load washer, 'wash two rugs together or add a towel to balance the load'. For a top load, position the rug evenly and add bath towels as needed for balancing. Always set the load size as large.

They continue, 'Set the water temperature of your washing machine to cold. This helps to ensure that the coloured dye in the fibres 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'.

Finally, be wary of rugs with a rubber backing. According to Wayfair, you can use oxygen-based bleach to brighten your rubber-backed rug without damaging it. Additionally, if your washing machine isn't able to take the weight of your rug, your best bet is to take it to a laundromat and use a larger, commercial-grade washing machine instead.

How to wash a rug without a machine?

There are a few ways you can deep clean your rug without a machine, according to various sites. Of course, you’ll need to check the carpet manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines first. If in doubt, you can hire a professional to clean your rug for you.

You can either sprinkle baking soda or a carpet cleaner powder onto the area and let it sit overnight, hoovering it up the following day - or add gentle dish soap and warm water to scrub stubborn stains and gently rinse it off instead. Carpet shampoos can similarly be used to deep clean your rug.

Alternatively, you may be able to create a solution of one part distilled vinegar and three parts cold water, spraying it across your rug. A few minutes later, take a microfibre cloth and gently blot the stains away.

Steam mops with a carpet cleaning attachment can also be used to clean rugs. Clean your carpet just like you’d vacuum it, and make sure you ventilate the room to allow it to dry naturally afterwards.

Can washable rugs go in the dryer?

It isn't recommended to put rugs in the dryer, particularly if they're made of plastic or have a rubber backing. Instead, air drying helps to prolong the life of the rug. Rugs made of just fabric can be put in the dryer on a tumble dry low, but always check the care label first.

Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.

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