Cleaning a Ruggable Rug Pad in 6 Simple Steps

Do you have a Ruggable rug and are wondering how to clean Ruggable rug pad? You already know this, but Ruggable rugs are unique because you can use your home washing machine to clean them. But, you may not know that this doesn’t apply to the Ruggable pad, which is separate from the Ruggable rug cover.

The top layer of your Ruggable rug is what they refer to when claiming to be machine washable. If you head directly to your website, you’ll discover this exact information under the FAQ.

So, this didn’t answer your question, how do I clean the Ruggable rug pad? As a Ruggable owner, I also wondered about this and have figured out the easiest way to clean the rug pad. And it only takes 6 simple steps and cleaning products I’m going to bet you already have in your home. That’s what I’m going to share with you right here.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

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Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.

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Can You Wash Ruggable Pad?

Yes! But not in the washing machine like your Ruggable cover. Follow these six simple steps when washing your Ruggable rug pad. And, to keep your Ruggable rug looking like the day you bought it, scroll to the bottom for the best Ruggable rug maintenance tips.

Ruggable Pad Washing Instructions

Here are the six simple steps for cleaning a Ruggable rug pad:

1. Gather supplies
2. Detach Ruggable cover
3. Remove loose dirt and debris
4. Clean the Ruggable rug pad
   • Minor spills
   • Major spills
5. Dry the Ruggable rug pad
6. Re-attach your Ruggable cover

Gather Cleaning Supplies

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 1

The first step is to get everything together that you need to do the job. Now, you may not know exactly what you’re getting into after removing the Ruggable cover, but regardless of whether you’re spot cleaning or dealing with major spills, the basic supplies are pretty much the same. 

You’re going to need:

• Vacuum cleaning
• Cleaning cloths (you may need several and preferably white)
• Stain remover (I’ll give you the best ones, so keep reading)
• Small bucket for water
• Upholstery steamer 

Detach Ruggable Cover

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 2

Next, you’ll need to remove the top layer of your Ruggable rug, which depending on where it’s located, may or may be more challenging than it sounds. 

If your rug is under furniture, such as in the living room or dining room, you’ll first have to move all the furniture off so you can remove the Ruggable cover. Now would be the perfect time also to wash your cover, so toss that thing into the washing machine to make your efforts doubly worth it.

If the spot you need to clean is accessible without moving all the furnishings, pull the top part back to expose the area of concern and leave the rest of the rug cover intact. Once my Ruggable cover is in place, the last thing I want to do is mess with it unless I absolutely have to because let’s be honest, it’s not the easiest thing to attach.

Remove Loose Dirt and Debris

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 3

Grab your vacuum because the next step is to remove all those loose dirt particles, pet hair, crumbs, or anything that may have become stuck to the rug pad.

Now, if you’re a Ruggable owner, you know that a standard vacuum on high suction is too strong on a Ruggable rug. The same applies when cleaning the Ruggable pad. If you’re using a powerful vacuum, start by turning down the suction to the lowest setting so you’re only using a little bit of suction and then slowly increase it until all the dirt and debris are gone. 

If you’re cleaning an area rug or a smaller-sized rug that you can shake, then in addition to vacuuming, you can go outside and shake out the rug pad. This extra step will loosen and remove any stubborn remaining particles.

Cleaning Minor Spills

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 4

For any minor spills, such as coffee, milk, juice, food, mud, etc., you first need to remove as much of the liquid from the pad by blotting the spot with a clean cloth. Next, using your bucket, mix a small amount of mild detergent (my go-to is Dawn) with cold water and gently rub in a circular motion over the area where the spill occurred.

Cleaning Major Spills

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 4

For a major spill, such as red wine, chocolate, or pet accidents, you’ll need a stain remover. The reason is wine and chocolate stains, and pet accidents can leave a lasting odor that will eventually ruin your Ruggable rug. 

To prevent this from happening, apply the same technique as you did for a minor spill, but use Oxi Clean carpet cleaner instead of the mild detergent. After the carpet cleaner has set per the directions on the bottle, you’ll then use your upholstery steamer to lift the stain and odor away. 

The important part about thoroughly cleaning the rug pad is to prevent any stains or odors from soaking back into the Ruggable cover once you place it back over the pad. Using the carpet cleaner and steamer is the best way to making sure this doesn’t happen.

The Drying Process

How to clean Ruggable rug pad step 5

After you’re sure that the dirty area is completely removed, you’ll want to let your rug completely dry before putting the Ruggable rug back over the pad. To prevent wrinkling, shrinking, or edges rolling up, your best option is to let the Ruggable rug pad air dry.

Re-Attach Your Ruggable Rug Cover

How to clean Ruggable Rug pad step 6

Re-attaching your Ruggable rug cover with the design side facing up is the last step of how to clean Ruggable rug pad. Depending on the size of your rug, this may be a two-person job. Again, remember, before you put the rug down, the important things are that you’ve completely removed the stain or spills and that the pad is completely dry.

My Honest Ruggable Review

I’ll start my Ruggable review by letting you know I am incredibly picky and pondered this rug for months before finally making the purchase.

My dilemma was that I wanted a dining room rug, but my other half thought it was a terrible idea to have a rug in the dining room because we have young kids. I hate how unfinished the space looked without a rug, and our table constantly slipped on our floor. Because of our messy kids, a traditional rug was out of the question, so that left machine-washable rugs.

Once I got my Sarah Hazel Ruggable, I knew I had found the perfect rug and was kicking myself for waiting so long to buy it.

These rugs are amazing for high-traffic areas because they are washable and stay in place, which I was skeptical about until I saw them myself. I hate how traditional rugs roll up at the edges and slip on hardwood floors. And I’m happy to report my Ruggable Rug does neither of these annoying things. These rugs are perfect for entryways, hallways, living room, kitchen rug runners, and some versions make great outdoor rugs.

That’s a brief overview of why I love my Ruggable Rug and if you have more questions, I’m always happy to answer them! Coming from one picky, over-analytical mama to the next- if you’re considering one, I say go for it!

What’s the Difference Between Ruggable Classic vs. Ruggable Cushioned Pad?

If you’re considering a Ruggable, you already know they have the most beautiful rugs. The hard part is picking only one design and deciding between their rug pads. I opted for the cushioned pad, and the main reason is that I read their rugs have an incredibly low pile and were very thin, and I wanted some cushion from the rug. 

The differences between the classic rug pad and cushioned rug pad are: 

• Classic Ruggable Rug Pad: best for under doorways, rolling furniture, and outdoor space.
• Cushioned Rug Pad: best for standing or anywhere else that needs extra cushion.

How to Maintain a Ruggable Washable Rug So It Lasts

Regular care and maintenance are necessary to get the best life of your rug. For the best results, follow one or all of these maintenance tips.

• Vacuum on the low setting (robot vacuums included). If your rug is in high traffic areas, you have dog hair or messy kids; this may need to happen anywhere from weekly to daily. Make it part of your routine at the end of the day so you’ll wake up to a fresh rug in the morning!
• Clean any minor spills immediately using a clean towel. Don’t let them soak in.
• If you have a spill, remove the Ruggable cover to see if there is a mess on the rug pad and clean it according to the simple steps reviewed in this post.
• Avoid exposing your rug or pad to prolonged moisture or high heat. Doing so could damage the fibers and also cause shrinking.

Best Way to Wash a Ruggable Rug

Cleaning the Ruggable cover is slightly different than cleaning the rug pad because it is machine washable! If this is your first time washing your rug, read the directions that came with your rug (or if you threw this out, head directly to the specific cleaning directions Ruggable’s website here) before doing anything. 

Here are some essential factors that stuck out to me when reviewing their instructions:

• use cold water
• use the delicate cycle
• dry on low heat or air dry
• use a half cup of white vinegar while washing to help neutralize pet odors

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Hey Girl!

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