Chilly hallway floors? A Ruggable runner is a triple threat that warms your space, adds style and is easy to clean.
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Ruggable Runner Review: An Easy-to-Clean Option That Dresses Up Hallways
Published on Feb. 11, 2025
My house has zero carpeting. As an allergy sufferer, that’s an intentional choice. But on occasion—especially during cold Wisconsin winters—I miss the feeling of a warm, cozy pile beneath my feet.
Luckily, washable rugs and runners make it easy to warm up a space without giving the dust bunnies free rein. Plus, a stylish rug is one of the easiest ways to instantly make over a drab room or hallway.
Enter: Ruggable. Arguably the biggest name in the washable rugs game, this internet-famous brand has exploded in popularity. But are Ruggable runners really as plush and stylish as they look online? And are they actually easy to clean? I tested one to find out.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Ruggable Runner
Warm up your space with a runner that's stylish and easy to clean.
What is a Ruggable runner?
A runner is a long, rectangular rug oftentimes used in hallways or kitchens. Like any rug, it helps protect floors, muffle sound and add style. If used on hard floors, it can also provide cushion and comfort—especially in high-traffic areas.
Ruggable, an online floor care destination, has gone viral in recent years for its machine-washable rugs. The brand makes products for nearly every space in your home, including bath mats, kitchen mats and outdoor rugs. Ruggable uses a specialized 2-piece system where the rug cover detaches from the rug pad for easy cleaning.
Ruggable runners come in three primary sizes: 2.5×7, 2.5×10 and 2.5×12. Depending on the size, there are also ample cover and pad systems to choose from:
- Flatwoven rug with a standard pad
- Flatwoven rug with a cushioned pad
- Tufted rug with a standard pad
- Tufted rug with a cushioned pad
Thinner Ruggable runners are best for high-traffic areas that require a lot of durability, while the tufted or cushioned rugs are ideal for bedrooms and living spaces where you want cushy comfort.
How We Tested a Ruggable Runner
I’ve been testing the 2.5×12-foot tufted Iris Apfel Birds of a Feather runner with a standard pad since October 2024. It lives in our upstairs hallway that connects the primary bedroom, bathroom and my husband’s office. It sees moderate daily traffic.
Setup
The runner arrived rolled up in a standard Ruggable box. I thoroughly vacuumed my hallway floor and laid out the rug pad, grippy side down. I secured the rug cover to the pad, starting at the corners and slowly unrolling until the two were completely attached. Finally, I worked out a few air pockets and smoothed the top, ensuring all edges of the rug pad were covered.
Given the size, this was a pretty seamless process—even by myself. (If you have larger Ruggable rugs, I highly recommend having a helper on hand.)
Right away, I was impressed by how the runner immediately improved the comfort and aesthetic of the hallway. What was previously a ho-hum wood floor in desperate need of refinishing was now a cushy, tropical oasis. The color and pattern are beautifully vibrant. Plus, the tufted cushioning really feels nice on the feet as we traipse from one end of the upstairs to the other. I especially love having the rug there after I get out of the shower and make my way to our bedroom in the evenings.
Wear Testing
We’ve been trodding on this rug for multiple months, and it still looks brand new. There’s no fraying, pilling or other signs of wear.
That said, I’m not impressed by the rug pad’s grip. Every other day, we are shifting the runner back into alignment down the center of the hallway. With no furniture to help hold it in place, simply walking on the runner causes it to creep. Considering it’s a hallway, the runner can’t go all that far on either side. But it’s still annoying to constantly move it back from under the baseboard radiator or closet door thresholds.
Admittedly, I’ve had this problem with every runner I’ve owned. But given Ruggable’s high price point, I was hoping the pad would provide a sturdier balance that would at least slow down the movement.
Washing and Drying
Remember how I said the runner connects my husband’s office? That means it sees its fair share of coffee drips and even snack spills as he makes his way to and from the kitchen. So far, we haven’t had any major disasters. But, in the name of science, I purposefully smeared in a variety of stains: coffee, ketchup and smushed blueberry before washing.
Now, for tufted rugs, the brand recommends removing the cover and loading it in your washing machine with the design side facing out. Pre-treat stains, then machine-wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent. (If you have pets, you can also add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the load to help neutralize odors.)
I gently blotted each stain with a damp paper towel, then shoved the runner into my front-loading washer. Per the brand’s Washing Machine Guide, most runners will fit in most washing machines. But it’s always a good idea to double-check to ensure compatibility, especially if you’re looking to order a plush runner or have a small washer. I found that the 2.5×12-foot tufted runner fit comfortably in my roughly 4-cubic-foot machine and was able to move around with ease throughout the cycle.
After washing, it was time to dry. I pulled the runner out and placed it in the dryer. I was a bit surprised by how much water clung to the fabric. After testing a Ruggable doormat, which came out of the wash practically dry, I was expecting a similar experience. I turned the dryer on low heat for 30 minutes. When the first cycle ended, the rug was still pretty wet. I turned it back on for another 50 minutes, and it was still very damp. I ultimately decided to hang it over the shower bar in our guest bathroom to finish air-drying. It took a full 24 hours of hanging before I felt it was dry enough to re-attach to the rug pad.
Despite the high drying time, I was impressed to see that all three stains had lifted during the machine wash. The rug also smelled fresh and was lacking the hair and lint that had stuck to it before washing. The tufted cover reattached to the rug pad with ease—there’s no reduction in stickiness or size—and it was even softer than before.
Vacuuming
In addition to washing the runner (which, outside of catastrophic spills, I will likely do on an annual or biannual basis), you can also vacuum it to clean up accumulating hair, dirt and dust. Ruggable does offer vacuum tips to prolong the life of your rugs. It suggests using a low setting, skipping stiff bristle brush attachments and avoiding the corners.
I use a Dyson V15 cordless vacuum for daily use, and I find that it does a good job picking up debris on the Ruggable rug in between washes. The powerful suction of the vac does want to “eat” the rug, so I’m careful to push in long, broad strokes rather than short, choppy movements.
Pros
- Vibrant, beautiful rug designs that instantly warm your space
- Flatwoven style fits in all washing machines; Tufted and Plush styles fit in most medium-large machines
- Easy to clean—a must for parents, pet owners and allergy sufferers!
- Ample options to customize size, cushion and tuft level
- Functional; quality materials and durable stitching
Cons
- Runner has a tendency to shift with daily movement
- Long drying time
Final Verdict
Now that I have a Ruggable runner in my upstairs hallway, there’s no going back. The tufted rug cover provides a level of underfoot comfort I’ve really grown to love. Plus, the cheery bird pattern adds charisma and charm to an otherwise boring space. Yes, the runner has a few flaws—namely its desire to shift out of place and its long dry time—but it’s a small price to pay for easy cleaning.
Where To Buy a Ruggable Runner
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Ruggable Runner
Add comfort and style without sacrificing cleanliness! The Ruggable runner is machine-washable for easy cleaning.
You can shop a wide array of Ruggable runners directly from the brand. I tested the 2.5×12-foot tufted Iris Apfel Birds of a Feather runner with a standard pad. Prices vary depending on the size, style, tuft, pad and collaboration but typically cost between $169 and $409. The exact rug I tried costs $409.
FAQ
Are Ruggable rugs worth it?
In our experience, yes! We love Ruggable for their vibrant, beautiful designs and easy cleaning. In testing, we found a few minor flaws—such as the runner “creeping” out of place with normal traffic and some plush or extra-long styles being incompatible with smaller home washing machines. But if you have pets or kids, suffer from allergies or just appreciate the ability to deep-clean your rugs on a regular basis, you can’t beat the brand’s quality and style.
Where do you buy Ruggable rugs?
You can buy Ruggable rugs directly on the brand’s website. Select styles are also available at Costco and Amazon.
Why You Should Trust Us
Here at Taste of Home, it is quite literally our job to evaluate home and kitchen products. And we take that responsibility seriously! We thoroughly vet products through fair, accurate testing methodologies. Our team has combined decades of experience in the home, kitchen and lifestyle spaces.
The tester for this Ruggable runner evaluation, Katie Bandurski, has nearly a decade of experience in the media industry covering food, kitchen, home and garden trends. She extensively covers home care, including other Ruggable products. To date, our team has tested most of what the brand has to offer, including an area rug, bath mat, kitchen mat, outdoor rug and doormat.
