It always happens this way: you spend several days, weeks, and possibly months looking for the perfect rug for your kitchen, bedroom, or living room. Finally, you, as well as your partner, agree on the appropriate pattern, color, and size. You arrange the rug tidy on your floor and begin shopping for furniture and decor that complement it. Everything is eventually perfect, and afterward, an adorable little two-year-old decides that the spaghetti sauce looks way better when put on the rug. Oh, what fun times – not!
Worry no more, though – there is another way that will surely not end up of having a dirty rug, bare floor, or for you to spend hours on your hands and knees spot-cleaning. Big thanks to the one who thought of washable rugs. Now, you will be able to enhance the look and style of your space without the hassles of harsh scrubbing, costly professional cleaning, or adding to the number of rugs present in landfills.
Typically made out of lightweight and durable material properties, washable rugs and area runners are rugs that can be basically washed in your washing machine without the need for any
professional skills or specialized tools. While some may consider washable rugs to be just nice-to-haves (just to spruce up your floor space), but for the majority of us – they are quite the lifesaver.
If you are still deliberating whether or not you need washable rugs in your life, here are a few factors that can help you decide if it is truly a wise investment for your home.
Washable Rugs: How does it become washable?
The ultimate determinant of whether a rug is washable or not is the material it is made of. In general, if the rug is made out of materials that can be washed, therefore, the rug is washable. However, it does not imply that all rugs manufactured of washable materials are already machine-washable; there are certain stitches, glues, and dyes that do not withstand well in your machine.
Washable Rugs: How are they made?
Washable rugs are available in different materials, including polypropylene, olefin, polyester, and cotton. Chindi cotton rugs are the most common material that a washable rug is made of, and they have been around for a long time. Nowadays, there are synthetic washable materials that provide you with more options for more styles and prints.
How can you be sure if your rug is washable or not?
If it has been a while since you bought your rug, but you are still unsure whether it is washable, then you should check the backing. Usually, a machine-made rug has a jute backing. Jute is known for its characteristic of absorbing water – therefore, this is an indicator that the rug that you have is not safe to be washed in the washing machine.
When a rug has a cotton backing, then it indicates that the rug is likely washable. However, before washing any rug, thoroughly inspect all of the materials that are used to make it. Whatever the fabric it is made of, it is always better to play it safe. It is important to always inspect the care label of the rug before washing it.
How to keep the washable rug look clean all the time?
Even though you owned a washable rug, putting it in the washing machine should not always be your go-to method of cleaning it. You can do spot cleaning techniques in between washes if there is only minor mess or spills. You can toss it in your washing machine every after a month or two or whenever you feel the need for a complete refresh.
While care instructions will vary, washing your rug in cold water with a detergent should be safe. It is also recommended to air-dry it rather than have your washable rugs machine-dried.
High temperatures can cause damage to synthetic materials.
Benefits of Washable Rugs
1. Washable rugs are ideal if you have children.
We have heard people say they have long since abandoned the idea of purchasing rugs for their households after having children. Others even create zones in their homes that are off-limits to children.
However, it is not all the time that you should sacrifice style for being practical. You can have both style and practicality. Washable rugs are best put in areas where your kids are prone to have something spilled or stained. You can just wipe the stains and spill with your rug and, voila, no more mess! You can just then wash your rug and place it back once dry.
2. Washable rugs are A-okay for pets.
If you have furbabies in your home, you are probably aware of the different pet odors that linger
in your rug. Pets also leave their marks everywhere that will inevitably leave stains on the rug.
While this is all normal, it should not prevent you from placing rugs in your house. If you have washable rugs, then you should not worry about the smell and stain caused by your pet because you just easily wash the rug once it is soiled.
3. Washable rugs are best for those who have allergies.
Let us face the fact that carpets, as well as high-pile rugs, are allergen breeding grounds. They accumulate dust, pollens, minute insect parts, pet dander, and other things. While some people are more tolerant of these environmental irritants than others, if you have allergies or have sensitive skin, you are probably best to get washable rugs that you can wash as needed.
4. Washable rugs are suitable for areas with high traffic that are prone to getting dirty.
Whether it is the kid’s rooms, living room, kitchen, mudroom, or entryway that leads toward the patio or outdoor area, we all have high-traffic areas that accumulate dirt more quickly than others. For these areas, washable rugs are recommended, as they are more resistant to paws and muddy shoes.
5. Washable rugs are perfect for decorating styles that call for white or light-colored accents.
Some of today’s most popular decorative items trends incorporate an all-white motif. However, as stunning as lighter-colored rugs such as beige, ivory, cream, or white rugs may appear, they are more challenging to maintain and remain clean. Having light-colored washable rugs will let you enjoy these colors without too much worry because you can easily wash them if it gets dirty.