Already a fan of Ruggable’s original two-piece system – a separate rug cover and pad – I’m more than used to whipping off the top layer of the carpet and chucking it into the washing machine. But I was keen to try one of the brand’s tufted all-in-one rugs, which comes complete with an integrated non-slip backing. In theory, that means less faffing around lining up corners and smoothing out bumps, and more time actually enjoying the thing.
The rug in question is the Morris & Co Montreal natural jade tufted rug, a traditional floral design based on an 1890s carpet pattern by John Henry Dearle. With its trailing vines, leafy motifs and muted mix of beige, moss green, soft blue and gold, it boasts a grandmillennial feel – decorative, vintage and easy to imagine in anything from a Victorian terrace to a modern flat with a few antique touches.
Ruggable has built its reputation on hard-working rugs that can go straight in the washing machine, which sounds ideal if your home is anything like mine. There’s always someone walking dirt through the hallway, knocking over a coffee or trailing biscuit crumbs across the floor. Add a muddy-puddle-loving spaniel, and washable rugs can be a godsend.
But can a washable rug really look good, feel soft underfoot and survive regular washing? I put this one through its paces to find out.
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Ruggable Morris & Co Montreal natural jade tufted rug
Sizes available: 0cm x 90cm, 90cm x 150cm, 120cm x 185cm, 150cm x 215cm, 185cm x 275cm, 200cm x 290cm, 245cm x 305cm, 275cm x 365cm
Material: 100 per cent polyester with waterproof barrier
Pile height: 7mm
Backing: Integrated non-slip backing
Machine washable: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Dryable: Yes
Why we love it
- No separate rug pad to wrestle with
- Washes brilliantly
- Good choice for homes with pets
- Soft underfoot with a more premium feel than flatter styles
- Huge range of sizes and designs
Take note
- Larger sizes may not fit in a standard washing machine
- Still quite thin compared with a traditional wool rug
- Needs careful drying before placing back down
Setup and practicality
One of the biggest improvements with this newer style is that there’s no separate rug cover and pad. If you’ve ever tried to line up one of the older Ruggable systems, you’ll know that getting everything perfectly straight can be a bit of a mission, especially if you’re wrestling with a larger carpet. And that’s always been my one gripe, it’s not quite as easy as you think.
Here, the rubbery non-slip backing is already attached, so you unroll the rug and flatten it out. Despite one little kink where it had been folded, it quickly sat neatly on the floor without slipping around, and I found it so much easier to position than the older system.
The non-slip backing worked well on my hardwood flooring, and there was no curling at the edges. It also felt a little more streamlined visually, since there was no risk of the rug layer shifting slightly away from the pad underneath.
Design and feel
The Morris & Co print strikes a good balance between decorative and versatile. There’s plenty going on in terms of pattern, but the soft colour palette stops it from feeling overly busy or loud. The vintage faded effect also helps it blend into a room rather than dominate it.
Compared with the flatwoven Ruggable styles I’ve tested before, this one felt noticeably softer and more luxurious underfoot. The tufted finish adds more depth, while the 7mm pile has enough cushioning to make it comfortable in spaces where you spend a lot of time standing, such as the kitchen or hallway.
It’s not thick in the way that a chunky wool rug might be, but there’s enough softness there to make it feel more inviting than some of the brand’s thinner options. My spaniel Claude seemed to approve too, having adopted it as his new favourite napping spot within about 10 minutes.
Cleaning and stain test
This is where Ruggable earns its keep. I spilt coffee across one corner of the rug, blotted it with a kitchen roll and then left the rest to the washing machine. Claude also contributed his fair share of paw prints after a particularly muddy walk.
The rug washed surprisingly well. I put it in the machine on a cold cycle with a mild detergent, then left it to air dry fully before placing it back down. Once dry, there was absolutely no trace of the coffee stain and no muddy marks left behind either. The colours stayed the same, the backing still gripped the floor properly, and the tufted texture did not go rough or matted. That alone makes it feel far more practical than a traditional rug, especially if you have pets, children or a tendency to spill your morning Americano.
The only thing to bear in mind is size. Smaller rugs will easily fit in most washing machines, but once you get into larger dimensions, you may need to head to the laundrette. While this is not a huge inconvenience, it is worth factoring in as it does somewhat detract from Ruggable’s whole USP.
Buy now £119, Ruggable.co.uk
Your questions on Ruggable answered
Is Ruggable worth it?
Ruggable’s newer tufted all-in-one rug feels like a genuine step forward from the original two-piece system, which, as much as we love it for its ingenuity, can prove cumbersome. This one’s easier to set up, softer underfoot and every bit as practical when it comes to spills, muddy paws and day-to-day mess.
The Morris & Co design also has a more elevated feel than most washable rugs, which can sometimes look a bit flat or purely functional. This one still gives you pattern, texture and softness, but with the added reassurance that it can survive inevitable spills.
If you have pets or small children, this rug is a very smart buy. And while Claude may have claimed it as his personal patch, I’m in no hurry to move it.
How do you wash a Ruggable rug?
For this tufted all-in-one style, the whole rug can be placed directly in the washing machine on a cold cycle using a mild, bleach-free detergent. Unlike the brand’s older two-piece rugs, there’s no need to separate the cover from the rug pad first, which makes the process much more straightforward.
Before washing, it’s worth shaking the rug outside to remove any loose dirt, pet hair and crumbs. The rug should then be folded loosely and placed in the drum with the design facing outwards. Ruggable recommends a cold wash, which helps protect both the colours and the integrated backing.
The brand says the rug can be tumble-dried on a low heat, though air-drying flat is also an option. Once dry, the rug should look much the same as before, with no fading, curling or roughness to the tufted finish. The main thing is making sure it’s completely dry before placing it back on the floor, as any leftover dampness can affect the non-slip backing.
Are Ruggable rugs good for dogs?
Absolutely. They’re particularly useful for homes with dogs that shed, love the mud, or have a habit of charging through the house straight after a walk. Washable rugs are far easier to live with than traditional styles, especially in hallways, kitchens or living rooms where pets spend most of their time.
The waterproof barrier helps stop moisture from sinking straight through, while the patterned finish disguises everyday marks better than a plain cream rug ever could. Pet hair is fairly easy to vacuum away, too, especially using a lower suction setting.
The integrated non-slip backing is another plus point, since it keeps the rug securely in place rather than shifting about every time a dog runs across it. That makes it feel much more practical for busy homes with pets.
Are Ruggable rugs waterproof?
The tufted all-in-one rugs have a waterproof barrier built into the fabric, which helps stop spills from soaking through immediately. Of course, that doesn’t mean liquids can be left sitting there indefinitely, but it does give a bit more breathing room if someone knocks over a drink or comes in with wet shoes.
During testing, stains stayed closer to the surface rather than disappearing straight through into the floor underneath. After blotting up the excess and washing the rug, there was no trace left behind. That extra layer of protection is especially useful in busy parts of the home, such as kitchens, dining areas and hallways, where accidents are more likely to happen.
Do Ruggable rugs slip on wooden floors?
No. This style has an integrated non-slip backing, which keeps it firmly in place on hard flooring. During testing on wooden floors in a high-traffic part of the house, the rug did not slide around, bunch up or curl at the corners.
That’s one of the biggest improvements compared with some washable rugs, which can sometimes shift about as you walk over them. The backing feels grippy without being overly rubbery, so it stays secure but still lies flat. Even with pets running over it, chairs scraping nearby and plenty of daily footfall, there’s no need to reposition it.
Can you vacuum a Ruggable rug?
Yes, but it’s best to use a lower suction setting, particularly on tufted styles like this one. Ruggable advises avoiding harsh vacuum attachments or very powerful settings, as these can pull at the fibres and make the surface look worn more quickly.
A regular vacuum cleaner should work perfectly well for day-to-day upkeep, especially for picking up pet hair, dust and the usual crumbs that gather around dining areas. A handheld vacuum can also be useful for smaller clean-ups.
The rug should hold its texture well, even after repeated vacuuming, and the tufted finish shouldn’t flatten too much over time. That makes it a practical choice for busier parts of the home where regular cleaning is part of the routine.
How I tested Ruggable
I used the rug in a high-traffic part of my home, where it had to contend with daily footfall, pet hair, muddy shoes and general chaos. I enlisted my mucky spaniel Claude to help with the experiment, which meant a steady stream of wet paw prints, garden dirt and the occasional pre-walk zoomie.
During testing, I considered the following criteria.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Ali Howard is a writer and interiors editor, whose passion for great design has landed her bylines in Fabric magazine, Little London, Baby magazine and British GQ. She has regularly contributed interior design content to The Independent since 2019, including review features such as best sofa beds, dining tables, bean bag chairs and so much more.
