Ruggable Review: We Tried the Internet’s Most Popular Rug System
When it comes to furnishing your home, one of the most surprising expenses is rugs. From area rugs to runners, outdoor rugs to kitchen and bath mats, covering your floors can take up a big chunk of your decorating budget. So, its important to go with a rug that is functional, durable and fits your home decor.
One of the most popular places to buy rugs online is Ruggable. Their washable rugs are seen all over social media, but how do these stylish rugs hold up in real life? Our editors put three of Ruggables rugs to the test to find out just that. Read on to hear our collective Ruggable reviews.
Furnishing your first home? Check out our guide on how to budget furniture and decor costs before you start buying.
What is Ruggable?
Ruggable is an online rug retailer launched in 2017 by Jeneva Bell. The company specializes in washable rugs using a patented two-part rug system: A non-slip rug pad and a removable, machine-washable rug cover. These covers, which are the actual rug part, are typically made of polyester with a polyurethane barrier, which makes them water-resistant.
VIA MERCHANTWe Tried It
Ruggable Rugs
This two-piece system combines a lightweight, removable and machine washable cover with a nonslip pad.
Ruggable Features
Washability
To use the two-part system, place your rug pad where you want the rug and unroll or line up the rug cover on top. The layers will stick together with the companys Cling Effect technology, which is a fancy term for a velcro-like grip.
When your pet has an accident or you spill stain-prone food or drink on the rug, you can peel the thin rug cover off the pad and toss it in the washing machine. Then, dry the cover on low heat or hang until fully dry and re-attach to the pad.
Many, Many Style and Size Options
Beyond the rugs washability, a huge draw for Ruggable is the sheer number of sizes, shapes, styles and types of rugs they offer. For example, a standard 5 x 7-foot rug pad has over two thousand rug cover options, each of which is available in two pile heights. There are 13 size and shape combinations, plus separate options for bath and door mats.
If youre not able to choose just one cover for your rug pad, don’t worry. All of the rug covers of the same size can be swapped in and out, so you can simply change the cover according to your mood. That means you dont have to buy a new rug pad every time you redecorate your room.
All rug sizes except 10 x 14-foot have the option of a standard or cushioned rug pad. The former is listed as -inch thick and the latter at -inch thick (more on that later). Both options have a non-slip backing.
Comfort
Ruggable offers two pile heights and two pad thicknesses, so you can customize your comfort level. The flatwoven standard combination is the thinnest option available and has almost no clearance. That makes it a lovely option for doorways or going under furniture.
The tufted cover and cushioned rug pad is the thicker combination. Our testing team used this combination in the kitchen and found it kept aches and pains at bay.
Price, Shipping and Rewards
Ruggables rug system starts at $85 for a 2 x 3-foot flatwoven standard rug and goes up to $1379 for a 10 x 14-foot tufted standard rug. While the price can get a bit steep (after all, $150 for a bath mat and $130 for a doormat are definitely on the high side) you only have to purchase one rug pad. This becomes a $20-650 savings, depending on what rug pad size and thickness you have.
All orders in the contiguous United States ship for free, or can be upgraded to express shipping for a fee (exact cost varies depending on the size of your order). If you end up not loving your rug, Ruggable offers a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee per item, within 30 days of purchasing. Ruggable will also deduct from your refund-or refuse it altogether-if the rug is returned with pet hair, stains or damage. You can exchange your rug (again within 30 days) at no cost, but note that they only allow one exchange per purchase.
Ruggable also has a rewards program called Spill Club. This is a free rewards club where you earn points for each purchase that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. The program also provides freebies for your birthday and registration anniversary, Spill Club-only promotions and early access to new releases.
How We Tested Ruggable
To get a scope of the Ruggable system, our editors tested three rugs: A 3 x 5-foot flatwoven standard used in the bedroom; a 2 x 3-foot tufted cushion used in the kitchen; and a 22 x 32-inch bath mat.
Flatwoven Standard Bedroom Rug
The bedroom rug was tested by former deputy eCommerce editor, Megan Wood, in her home for three months. Over those months, Megan walked on the rug daily, vacuumed multiple times a week, washed and dried the cover and was frequently laid on by her dog. Megan also consulted with Lisa Wagner, The Rug Chick, a San Diego-based rug expert for insight on what to keep in mind when buying a rug online.
Megan found that the two-part system was easy to assemble: just pull the pieces of the box, lay out the rug pad and attach the cover. You might have to smooth out some wrinkles or creases before attaching the cover, so make sure you know how to flatten a rug. Megan also noted that the pile height was very low, just 1/8-inch. This provides enough of a buffer to not feel the floor through the rug, but doesnt make the rug plush.
When it comes to cleaning, Megan says that the rug system stood up to frequent vacuuming and didnt start to curl or separate at the corners. She also found that the rug cover withstood washing- one of the rugs main features. When washing on cold delicates and drying on low heat, she didnt experience any shrinkage or fading.
Megan enjoyed her Ruggable rug so much, shes considering purchasing a large area for her living room. If you have hardwood floors throughout your home, check out our picks for the best area rugs for hardwood floors (hint: Ruggable makes the list!).
Tufted Cushion Kitchen Rug
This 2 x 3-foot kitchen rug was tested by our in-house testing team, with some help from Taste of Homes Test Kitchen. Our rigorous testing involved evaluating the rugs packaging and shipping experience, absorbency, durability, washability and stain resistance. We also put the rug to work in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen where Sarah Farmer, executive culinary director, used it during the workday to test its anti-fatigue benefits. The teams tested this rug for over 24 total hours, and are continuing to use it in the kitchen to evaluate how it holds up over time.
The teams found that the Ruggable tufted cushion performed well on many testing metrics. It even made our list of the best kitchen rugs. In particular, the testing team was impressed with the rugs stain resistance. They splattered the rug with mud, yogurt and olive oil, none of which left a stain. This is especially important in the kitchen, where spills are frequent, and also indicates that the rug can perform in high-traffic areas. The testing team also noted that the rugs texture was maintained, even after machine washing.
Another high point for this rug was its comfort. Sarah Farmer used this Ruggable rug in her kitchen and said, the rug offered a decent amount of cushioning, providing a soft and supportive base. She continues, I found it enhanced my overall comfort, particularly because my kitchen floor is ceramic tile, which tends to be cold and hard. Farmer tested the tufted rug cover with the cushion rug pad, which is the thickest possible combination offered by Ruggable.
A downside the testing team found was inconsistencies between measurements on the Ruggable site and what the team measured in real life. Namely, the rug is considerably larger than what is listed online: 37 x 26 -inch instead of the 36 x 24-inch described on Ruggable. While this might not be too big of a deal to some customers (after all, a larger rug than anticipated is usually better than one thats smaller than expected) it can be an issue if youre working with a limited amount of space. Also, the tufted rug cover and cushioned rug pad are listed with a combined height of 18 mm online, but they only measured 12 mm, which is about a quarter of an inch difference.
Additionally, this kitchen rug had a tendency to slip around when Farmer would pivot on it, which isnt the safest in the kitchen.
Bath Mat
The final Ruggable product is their 2 x 3-foot bath mat. Like the kitchen rug, this bath mat was tested by our in-house testing team, who found it to be one of the best bath mats on the market. They evaluated the rugs drying speed, non-slip backing, available designs, comfort and cleaning ease.
The mat received high marks for most of these categories, especially comfort, style and non-slip performance. The bath mat didnt budge on vinyl or tile floor, so you can exit your shower or tub knowing the mat wont slide out from under you. Annamarie Higley, product testing manager, found the mat very supportive, even when standing on hard vinyl flooring.
When it comes to style and colors, Ruggable offers 40+ options that range from trendy to classic to neutral solid. While this is significantly fewer options than their traditional rugs, youre still sure to find something that will fit your bathroom decor. Our testing lab was impressed with how nice the bath mat looked, noting it looked better in person, than online.
Cleaning the bath mat was also incredibly easy. Toothpaste, oil-based lotion and dirt didnt stand a chance with this machine-washable mat. While the bath cover can be machine-dried, you should also know it took about 90 minutes for a wet footprint to air dry.
This bath mat also had a drawback. Like the kitchen rug we tested, this bath mats measurements were inconsistent with what was listed online. We measured the mat and cover pile height to be -inch, yet the site lists the rug pad as -inch. While the pile height of the rug cover isnt listed on the site, it definitely isnt -inch, which means the listing is a bit misleading. Also, the testing team found that the rug cover is about 2 inches larger than the rug pad on each side. This creates a sloping effect on the rug edge, which is nice, but can feel a little awkward and can make it difficult to line up the cover and pad when attaching.
Pros
- Many colors and designs
- Many shapes and sizes of covers and pads
- Indoor, outdoor and bath options
- Machine washable
- Stain-resistant
- Durable: doesnt fade, shrink or curl when washed and dried
- Comfortable to stand and walk on
- Free shipping
Cons
- Expensive
- Inconsistent measurements
- Non-slip performance is inconsistent between rug pads
- Bath mat isnt water resistant and takes a long time to dry a small amount of wetness
- Cost $25 to return for any reason
- Large rug covers might not fit all washers
FAQ
What is so special about Ruggable?
The highlight of Ruggables rugs is the patented two-part rug system. It allows the rug cover to be removed and tossed in the washing machine and dryer for cleaning. There isnt anything else on the market that compares.
Ruggables vast selection of sizes, shapes, designs and colors is also impressive, with over two thousand rug covers to choose from.
Is Ruggable easy to set up?
Yes! All our testers had to do to set up the rugs was position the rug pad and roll the cover over it. It should be noted that this might be easier said than done for the extra-large rugs. Its likely that setting up a 8 x 10-foot or 10 x 14-foot rug is a two person job.
Does Ruggable curl at the edges?
No, we didnt experience any curling at the edges while testing Ruggable rugs. Despite washing, drying and frequent vacuuming, the edges remained flat. However, this is something we plan on keeping an eye on during long-term testing.
Are Ruggables easy to clean?
Yes, Ruggables are easy to clean. The testing team simply removed the rug covers from the pad and tossed it in the washing machine on delicate. None of the items spilled on the rugs stained, and most were able to be removed with just a damp towel.
Ruggable rugs can also be vacuumed with ease. The team didnt experience any crumbs or dirt getting stuck deep in the rug fibers. This could be a problem with Ruggables plush or shag offerings, which have significantly longer fibers.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend Ruggable. Their washability, durability and style selection make them a great option for multiple areas in and around your home.
Where to Buy Ruggable Rugs
VIA MERCHANTWe Tried It
Ruggable Rugs
This machine washable rug stands up to kids and pets, and keeps your home clean.
Ruggable products are available through their website, as well as on Amazon and Targetand all three offer free shipping. Any purchases from Amazon and Target must be returned to that retailer and are subject to their terms and conditions.
The Ruggable site will have the largest size and design options, but Amazon and Target also have a decent selection. Occasionally, Amazon will have Lightning Deals for Ruggable products.
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