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Anyone with kids, pets, or a habit of spilling coffee knows the real problem with traditional rugs: they’re beautiful right up until the first accident, after which they require expensive professional cleaning or an awkward trip to the laundromat. Ruggable was built specifically to solve that problem, and it’s since become the name most people think of when they hear “washable rug.” Here’s a full breakdown of what makes Ruggable different, how the system actually performs, and whether it’s worth buying.
What Is Ruggable?
Ruggable is an American home decor company founded by inventor Jeneva Bell, based in Gardena, California. The idea began around 2008, when Bell and a business partner were searching for their next product idea and drew inspiration from the velvet Huggable Hangers they’d seen advertised on TV, wondering whether a similar practical, problem-solving approach could work for something people use every single day: rugs. After roughly two years of prototyping, and after Bell eventually bought out her original business partner, the concept became a genuine two-piece washable rug system, separating a grippy, non-slip base pad from a decorative top layer that could be removed and thrown directly into a home washing machine.
The company’s real growth took off in 2017, when a venture capital investment allowed Ruggable to properly launch its website and digital advertising, including early Instagram ad campaigns that would go on to reach millions of users through influencer collaborations and user-generated content. That marketing push, combined with a genuinely novel product, helped Ruggable scale quickly from a niche home invention into a mainstream home decor brand with roughly 1,000 employees by 2024.
What Makes Ruggable Different?
- Two-piece washable system — Ruggable’s signature design separates a non-slip base pad from a decorative rug cover, letting the top layer be removed and machine washed while the grippy base stays in place on the floor
- All-in-one washable rugs — Ruggable has continued innovating beyond its original two-piece system with newer all-in-one rugs featuring an integrated non-slip backing, simplifying the washing process even further
- Pet- and family-friendly design — the entire product concept was built specifically around real households dealing with spills, muddy paws, and everyday messes that would ruin a traditional wool or cotton rug
- Designer and pop culture collaborations — Ruggable has partnered with names like Jonathan Adler, Iris Apfel, and the Keith Haring Foundation, along with retail collaborations including Anthropologie and a 2024 Pantone color-focused outdoor rug collection
- Hybrid retail strategy — while Ruggable began as an online-only, direct-to-consumer brand, it has since expanded into physical retail partnerships with major stores including Target and Costco
What Does Ruggable Sell?
Area Rugs
Ruggable’s core and founding product category, offering both the original two-piece washable system and newer all-in-one washable rugs across more than a thousand designs and multiple size options.
Doormats
Washable doormat options extending Ruggable’s practical, easy-clean philosophy to entryways, one of the highest-traffic and dirt-prone areas of a home.
Bath Mats
A dedicated bath mat category, applying the same washable, quick-drying technology to bathroom flooring.
Play Mats
Machine-washable play mats designed for households with young children, where spills and messes are a near-daily reality.
Pet Beds
Washable pet bed products extending Ruggable’s core innovation to pet accessories, addressing similar mess and odor concerns as its rug line.
Throw Pillows
Decorative, washable throw pillows rounding out Ruggable’s home accessory offering beyond flooring products.
Furniture
A newer furniture line, launched in 2022, extending Ruggable’s promise of durability and easy maintenance beyond rugs and into upholstered pieces.
Is Ruggable Good Quality?
Ruggable has built a large, established customer base and significant media coverage, including in-depth reviews from outlets like The New York Times’ Wirecutter, reflecting genuine mainstream credibility for a product category that didn’t meaningfully exist before Ruggable created it. According to reporting on the company’s product development, customer feedback directly shaped several major product improvements over the years, including thicker, plusher top layers after early customers found the original thin design didn’t compete well with traditional fluffy rugs on comfort.
That said, it’s worth setting realistic expectations: even glowing reviews of Ruggable rugs, including Wirecutter’s own coverage, have noted both genuine advantages and some recurring frustrations, reflecting an honest, mixed picture rather than a flawless product. As with most rugs handling heavy daily traffic, pet claws, or furniture weight, individual experiences can vary by specific rug style, pile height, and how a household uses it, so reading reviews for the exact style and size you’re considering is a reasonable step before buying.
How Does Ruggable’s Washing System Actually Work?
Understanding the core mechanics of Ruggable’s product helps explain why it’s built the way it has:
- Two-piece system — the decorative top cover attaches to a separate non-slip base pad using a grippy attachment method, allowing the top to be removed independently
- Machine washing — once removed, the top cover can be washed in a standard home washing machine, typically on a cold, gentle cycle
- All-in-one option — newer Ruggable rugs integrate the non-slip backing directly into a single washable piece, simplifying the process by removing the need to separate two components
- Quick drying design — Ruggable’s rug covers are designed to dry relatively quickly compared to traditional wool or cotton rugs, reducing the downtime between washing and returning the rug to the floor
How Does Ruggable Compare to Traditional Rug Brands?
| Feature | Ruggable | Typical Traditional Rug Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Concept began 2008, major launch 2017 | Varies |
| Core innovation | Machine-washable two-piece and all-in-one systems | Not typically washable at home |
| Design collaborations | Jonathan Adler, Iris Apfel, Keith Haring Foundation | Varies |
| Retail availability | Direct-to-consumer, Target, Costco | Varies |
| Product range | Rugs, doormats, bath mats, play mats, pet beds, furniture | Often rugs-only |
| Best suited for | Households with pets, kids, or high spill risk | Varies |
Tips for Buying Ruggable
- Choose the all-in-one system if you want the simplest possible washing process, or the original two-piece system if you prefer a grippier, more traditional rug pad feel
- Read reviews on the specific pile height and style, since comfort and durability feedback can vary meaningfully between thinner and plusher designs
- Measure your space carefully, since Ruggable offers a wide range of sizes across its more than 1,000 designs
- Follow the specific washing instructions for your rug style to maintain color and shape over repeated washes
- Check for designer collaboration collections if you want a more curated, elevated design option within the washable rug category
Final Verdict: Is Ruggable Worth It?
Ruggable has built a genuinely useful, category-defining product by solving a problem traditional rugs never addressed: what happens when life inevitably makes a mess. With a two-piece and all-in-one washable system, continuous product refinement based on real customer feedback, and an expanding range spanning doormats, bath mats, and even furniture, Ruggable offers real practical value for pet owners, parents, and anyone tired of professional rug cleaning bills. As with any rug brand, checking reviews for your specific style and use case will help you set the right expectations, but for households dealing with regular messes, Ruggable is well worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Ruggable? Ruggable was founded by inventor Jeneva Bell, who began developing the concept of a machine-washable rug around 2008 before the company’s major growth launch in 2017.
How does Ruggable’s washable rug system work? Ruggable’s core system separates a non-slip base pad from a decorative top rug cover, allowing the top layer to be removed and washed in a standard home washing machine, with newer all-in-one designs integrating both layers into a single washable piece.
Is Ruggable good quality? Ruggable has built strong mainstream credibility and continuously improved its product based on customer feedback, though reviews reflect a mixed but generally positive picture, and quality experience can vary by specific rug style and household use.
Where can I buy Ruggable rugs? Ruggable sells directly through its own website and has expanded into physical retail partnerships with major stores including Target and Costco.
Does Ruggable make anything besides rugs? Yes, Ruggable’s product range includes doormats, bath mats, play mats, pet beds, throw pillows, and, more recently, a furniture line launched in 2022.
Has Ruggable collaborated with any designers? Yes, Ruggable has partnered with designers and brands including Jonathan Adler, Iris Apfel, the Keith Haring Foundation, Anthropologie, and Pantone.
