Ruggable Washable Rugs: Do They Justify Their Price?

Detailed Overview of My Ruggable Experience

Let me commence this review by being candid: I’m exceptionally choosy when it comes to rugs. With two large dogs, including a particularly mischievous husky, and a home filled with concrete floors, rugs have become an essential item in our household. However, they also pose a significant challenge. The ongoing battle against dog hair, the need to scrub out stubborn stains, and the occasional mishap involving dog vomit have taught me that not all rugs are created equal. I’ve found that many labels claiming to be “stain resistant” or “washable” often fall short of expectations.

When I was presented with the opportunity to try Ruggable’s premium medium pile rugs, it felt like a stroke of luck; I had just faced the unfortunate reality of my husky soiling my beloved shag rug, which was beyond saving. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, and I was eager to see if Ruggable could provide a solution to my ongoing rug dilemmas.

My Journey with Ruggable: First Impressions

Let me share another honest insight: my initial experience with Ruggable was far from positive. After moving into our downtown condo, my partner and I set out to find rugs to cover our cold concrete floors. We managed to find suitable options for our bedroom, living room, and office, but the expansive open kitchen and dining area proved to be a significant challenge due to its high traffic and stain-prone nature. Familiar with the brand, we decided to give Ruggable a chance, thinking a washable rug would be the ideal solution for our active lifestyle.

Unfortunately, our decision was misguided. Upon unboxing our first Ruggable, we were instantly disappointed. Instead of a beautiful rug, it appeared as a cheap piece of fabric with a poorly rendered design that barely resembled the online photos. Aligning the 9 x 12-foot rug with its pad was a frustrating task. After a brief struggle with alignment, we exchanged glances of dismay, repacked the rug, and returned it, convinced that Ruggable was not for us.

As it turns out, we were mistaken.

Transformative Experience: My Second Encounter with Ruggable

Fast forward a year, and we visited a friend’s new home for the first time. While enjoying dinner at her dining room table, my partner brought up our long-standing difficulty in finding rugs that could withstand the wear and tear from our dogs. To our surprise, our friend proudly shared that the stunning rugs she had throughout her home were from Ruggable.

This revelation left us astounded. The rugs were remarkably better than our initial experience, leading us to reconsider our previous impressions. When the opportunity arose to test Ruggable again a few weeks later, we decided to approach it with an open mind, attributing our initial disappointment to a potential fluke. The rugs in our friend’s home appeared exquisite, soft, and they truly resembled authentic rugs, prompting us to eagerly select a design to try for ourselves.

Almost immediately, I noticed how Ruggable’s selection had significantly expanded over the past year. There were numerous designs available, including plush, shag, and outdoor options, allowing us to finally explore premium medium pile rugs. Although we faced some difficulty in finding a style that appealed to both of us—largely due to Ruggable’s tendency toward minimal and muted colors—we ultimately settled on a 6 x 9-foot Absida Teal Premium Rug, which we believed would be perfect for our shared home office. Priced at $479, it was about $100 more than our last rug, but the washability feature alone justified the investment, so we placed our order and eagerly awaited its arrival eight days later.

What I Adore About My New Ruggable Rug

Right off the bat, our second purchase from Ruggable was a vastly different experience compared to the first. The premium 7-millimeter rug cover felt plush, was well-crafted, and genuinely resembled a high-quality, durable rug. The pattern aligned with our expectations, and the ease of aligning it with the cushioned rug pad was a refreshing change from my earlier experience. In about ten minutes, we managed to clear the furniture, lay out the rug pad, and align everything perfectly. Aside from a minor overlap where the rug extended a few inches longer than the pad, we were thrilled with how it turned out.

Months later, I can wholeheartedly say that the Ruggable continues to impress me. Not only does it maintain the softness of other medium pile rugs in my home, but it has also proven incredibly easy to keep clean and maintain. When dog hair begins to accumulate, a quick sweep restores its crisp and fresh appearance in no time. While we have fortunately not needed to wash our Ruggable in the machine yet, spot-cleaning with a damp cloth has been significantly easier than cleaning our other medium pile rugs, and a world apart from the struggles of maintaining an overly plush shag rug.

Drawbacks of the Ruggable Experience

Besides the limited availability of vibrant colors, my primary concern with the Ruggable experience is the challenge of alignment. While it’s not overly difficult to align the rug, the velcro backing complicates the process compared to simply dragging a conventional rug over a standard pad. Additionally, since the rug cover is slightly larger than the underlying cushioned pad, achieving a perfect match can be tricky, which is an issue we ultimately chose to overlook. Our rug now sits a few inches over the pad on one end and extends at least an inch beyond on all other sides, making the overlap quite noticeable. Although some of our other rugs feature slightly smaller pads, there’s something about the Ruggable’s design that makes the overlap more apparent than with traditional rugs.

Analyzing the Value of Ruggable Rugs

Whether Ruggable is worth the investment really depends on your individual circumstances. For those with pets or children, or anyone in need of a rug that is easy to clean in a busy space, I would say absolutely yes. Ruggable has surpassed my expectations when it comes to providing a versatile, resilient rug, and it has proven to be much easier to maintain compared to any of my traditional rugs.

However, if you’re searching for a rug that offers an exceptionally plush and luxurious feel, I find myself torn. The premium medium pile rugs certainly exceed my initial expectations in comfort, but much of that thickness is derived from the cushioned rug pad, which is something you must purchase separately. While our Ruggable doesn’t look bad, it doesn’t quite match the aesthetic or tactile appeal of a truly stunning, high-quality rug.

Considering that the 6 x 9-foot premium rug we selected from Ruggable costs $479, it’s nearly double the price of most other medium pile rugs we’ve purchased in the same size. Although it is somewhat easier to clean, the visible overlap remains a minor annoyance.

It’s also essential to mention that while Ruggable promotes its rugs as interchangeable—allowing you to switch the rug cover for a new style at any time—the cover we received would run $390 on its own. You could save a considerable amount by opting for Ruggable’s classic 2-millimeter rug cover instead of the premium 7-millimeter option, but the reduction in thickness may not be worth it to many customers.

Ultimately, while Ruggable’s premium medium pile rugs remain more affordable than many other options available, deciding whether it’s the right choice for you hinges on your specific needs. If you prioritize thickness and aesthetic appeal, it might not be the best fit. However, if you’re in the market for an attractive, durable, and washable rug that can endure daily use, investing in a Ruggable could be a smart decision.