Textiles Experts Love These 8 Washable Rugs for When Accidents Happen

While most washable rugs are made of synthetic materials, Revival's collection of washable rugs includes styles made of natural wool fibers, and they're hand-tufted. The rugs have a plusher look and feel than other washable rugs with an impressive 3/4-inch-thick pile, and the yarn only becomes fuller and fluffier with each wash.

WHAT TO KNOW: Revival offers standard rug sizes starting at 3' x 5', but the brand provides the opportunity to create a custom rug for your space up to 12' x 16'. Whichever size you choose, we and the brand highly recommend purchasing one of Revival's separate rug pads for extra cushion and a non-slip backing.

They're available in earthy tones like taupe, moss, and poppy, and the simple geometric patterns woven into each rug create a stylish mid-century look.

WHAT USERS SAY: While the rugs are dryer safe, it's important to note that when I laundered the rug in the Textiles Lab, it took a couple of standard cycles for the 5' x 7' rug to fully dry, and there was significant fiber shed (like two solid inches of fiber shed). Revival says that this is common of its wool rugs, but you'll want to be sure to check your dryer's lint trap after laundering to remove the fiber buildup.

One tester shared, "I like the thicker pile—I was surprised that a washable rug could be this thick." And while the wool pile is a bit itchier than synthetic options, our tester noted that the pros outweigh the cons. She said the neutral color, geometric design, and full appearance "bring some warmth" to her space.

I'm also personally a fan of the brand's recycled polyester rugs, which feel like a fuzzy blanket underfoot. Textiles Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour also loves the feel of Revival's rugs and she says guests are always complimenting hers.

RELATED: The Best Doormats

HGTV star Joanna Gaines's brand Magnolia Home partnered with Loloi to create a collection of the coziest, comfiest washable rugs we've found.

WHAT TO KNOW: There are a variety of designs to choose from—all of them have a weathered, lived-in style that's sure to look at home in many living rooms or bedrooms. We particularly like this style for a living room area, thanks to its plush design that feels great underfoot and not the slightest bit itchy or scratchy, according to testers.

WHAT USERS SAY: Upon removing the rug from its packaging, I first noticed that the sides were curling under, and there was some rippling along the edges, so it didn't lie completely flat on the floor. With time, it started to settle in.

I was pleasantly surprised by how velvety soft and cozy it felt, and it earned the highest ratings for softness out of any of the rugs I evaluated. One tester shared, "It's similar to a soft and squishy foam bath mat. I love how plush the material feels under my feet."

I was impressed by the rug's performance during washability tests. It looked brand new after pulling it from the dryer, and there was no notable shrinkage. Because there's no gripped or non-slip backing, you'll need to purchase a separate rug pad. During tests, we found it to stay securely in place with an added gripped pad underneath.

RELATED: How to Choose the Perfect Rug Size for Your Living Room

The short pile on this rug from My Magic Carpet is ideal for dogs and other pets because it makes it simpler to clean up messes and wipe away muddy paw prints.

WHAT TO KNOW: Beneath the surface is a built-in waterproof liner to prevent spills from seeping through the rug to the floor below. Because the rug is lightweight and thinner than other styles, it's easy to launder and fits into a standard washing machine when an accident inevitably happens.

These rugs feature a webbed backing that the brand says is non-slip, so you won't need to purchase an additional rug pad. I love the variety of styles available on the brand's site and appreciate that they come in rectangular and round options to perfectly fit your space.

WHAT USERS SAY: When I washed the rug in the Textiles Lab, I didn't notice any signs of wear or shrinkage, and it only needed one cycle in the dryer to feel completely dry. According to another GH analyst, the microfiber rug has a "velvety, almost suede-like feel" that was just as soft after being laundered.

One of our washable rug testers with cats put the My Magic Carpet rug in his living room and said the rug offers a nice balance of practicality and comfort, sharing that while it's not plush, it's still cozy under his feet. Online reviewers with pets appreciated how easy it is to care for, including one who said, "The dogs love laying on them. When they come in with muddy feet, I just pick [the rugs] up and throw them in the washer. Come out looking brand new."

This pick from Boutique Rugs has a flatter pile that's better for high-traffic areas like a hallway or kitchen, and it's made of a soft polyester chenille—a synthetic fiber that should be able to withstand regular use and a lot of footsteps.

WHAT TO KNOW: It comes in five different runner sizes (more options than any other rug we evaluated!), ranging from 2'7" x 8' to 2'7" x 20", so it's sure to span even the longest hallways.

WHAT USERS SAY: When we assessed the rug in the Textiles Lab, we noted that the material felt soft yet sturdy and were impressed by the quality of the binding at the edges. However, the rug didn't lie completely flat upon opening and had some curling at the edges. The rug is machine washable but can't be machine dried. When we tested it, we found that it hang-dried nicely overnight.

According to a representative of the brand, the washable rug doesn't require a separate rug pad, but we found that it was more secure with the addition of one and would recommend using a rug pad for a hall runner rug such as this. Boutique Rugs carries a variety of sizes and options if you'd like to add a pad for some stability.

Tumble is a newer washable rug brand that recently expanded its collection of styles and sizes. The rug comes folded in a flat, compact box, so it's easy to carry inside and to your desired location for setup.

WHAT TO KNOW: The unique rug pad is split into large puzzle pieces (reminiscent of a kids play mat), and they easily lock into place to create one large, comfortable surface. The rug upper has pocketed corners that slide right over the pad, so you don't have to worry about perfectly aligning the two layers like with other popular washable rugs.

On the thinner side, the rug has a pile height of just 0.13 inches, but that makes the rug easier to clean. According to the brand, the rug is covered in a stain-resistant treatment that causes water and other liquid messes to bead up on the surface.

The machine washable rug can also be tumble dried on low heat, making the entire cleaning process much more time-efficient. The biggest complaint, according to online reviewers, is that the colors of the rug aren't exactly the same as they appear online, with several buyers sharing that the rug is beautiful, but the color-match is off.

WHAT USERS SAY: I was impressed by how convenient the puzzle-piece rug pad truly was and found it to be easy to "snap" together, even on my own. The pocketed upper corners slid nicely right onto the pad and created a pretty seamless look, and they were just as easy to undo, so it's not a huge effort when an accident happens.

A tester who tried a rug from Tumble in his living room shared that it held up well to years of use with two cats—both of whom have their claws and like to scratch. An online reviewer whose pet had an accident on the rug shared, "It just puddled up!! All I had to do was wipe it up with a paper towel... It did not soak through to the back of the rug or rubber pad underneath at all."

West Elm Kids offers a variety of washable rugs to elevate your nursery or playroom with whimsical designs like this darling floral pattern or a classic road mat to encourage play.

WHAT TO KNOW: It has a short profile with a total height of just 0.3 inches, which makes it easier to clean and easier to fold and fit into your washing machine.

This particular style is only available in two sizes (3' x 5' and 5' x 8') which can be limiting, but some of the brand's other washable options come in additional sizes. The rug has a gel-foam backing for comfort, but it's still recommended to purchase a separate pad to prevent slippage and secure the rug in place.

WHAT USERS SAY: The polyester yarns feel soft and plush and have more of a traditional look than many of the other washable rugs I've evaluated. I genuinely couldn't believe how cozy the material felt. A tester who placed this rug in her children's room said it's "seriously soft" and that it elevated the look of her kids' room. She added of the floral design, "It's a very pretty rug! The pops of pink in it are fun."

Along with being soft and adorable, the quality backing allowed for a slight sinking-in feeling when my fellow Lab analysts and I stood on it during evaluations, and it didn't budge at all when we placed it on tile and carpet.