Cocoa on the playroom rug, tomato sauce in front of the hob, wet paws in the hall. At some point dabbing is no longer enough. That is what washable rugs are for. They simply go in the machine.
In our range this means a plain kilim, woven by hand from 100 % cotton. It is very flat, has fringes at both ends and is washed at a maximum of 30 °C. You can have it as a rectangle, a circle or a runner, in white, beige, taupe and grey, and also in stronger shades such as red, yellow, green or blue.
One thing matters. Not every cotton rug is automatically washable. Besides the material, the weave, the backing and the dyes have to be made for it, so this collection only includes rugs explicitly labelled as machine washable. Thick pile, the kind most of our wool rug designs have, does not belong in the drum.
Chindi, by the way, is a weave that recalls the old rag rug. In the plain version it stays calm and single-coloured. Because it is so low, little gets caught in the weave. Crumbs and pet hair sit on top and vacuum off easily between washes, and small sizes can simply be shaken out in the garden.
Washing it at home
Gently. No more than 30 °C, a mild detergent and no fabric softener. A delicate programme with a low spin speed is kinder than an intensive one. And wash it on its own.
Before the first wash, press a damp white cloth onto an inconspicuous spot. No colour on the cloth? Go ahead. Roll the kilim with the top side facing in, so the fringes rub less against the drum.
Take it out straight after spinning so no creases set. Dry it flat or loosely over a rail, out of strong sun. While it is still damp, ease it gently into shape and smooth the fringes. If the fringes have tangled, comb them apart with your fingers while they are still wet, because a brush tends to pull them out. Only once it is dry right through does it go back on the floor.
Your own machine can handle it if the drum leaves room for the rolled or folded rug to move. Small sizes and runners usually fit a normal domestic machine, whereas for large washable rugs of 160 x 230 cm or 190 x 290 cm you need a big drum, for example the heavy-duty machines at a launderette.
Sounds like effort. It is not, really. After a children's party or a rainy autumn weekend with the dog, putting the rug in the machine beats kneeling on the floor with stain spray and a brush, and that is exactly why many people choose this kind on purpose.
Where washable rugs help
Rectangles range from 60 x 90 cm to 190 x 290 cm, runners from 60 x 180 cm to 80 x 400 cm, and round ones start at Ø 60 cm. A round one sits nicely under the dog bowl or beside the bed.
On colour, an honest look at daily life helps. White and beige look fresh but go in the machine more often. Taupe, grey and brown are more forgiving and calmer in the hall. Red or yellow bring colour into a children's room and show little accidents less than a pale shade.
Where washing pays off most:
- Kitchen: a washable runner in front of the worktop catches splashes and crumbs. With a non-slip underlay it stays put too, and more designs for the room are under kitchen rug.
- Children's room: with a washable rug, juice and crayon no longer need scrubbing out. Our kids rugs have more ideas.
- Hallway: a flat washable runner picks up dirt from shoes.
- Living room: with children or pets, a machine washable rug under the coffee table is more relaxed. Suitable sizes are among our rugs for the living room.
- Pets: hair and paw prints simply wash out.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need to wash it?
When it looks dirty. In front of the hob that is more often than in the bedroom, and vacuuming is enough in between.
Does cotton shrink in the wash?
At no more than 30 °C with a gentle spin, it usually keeps its shape. Washed too hot or tumble dried, it can shrink. Slight waves along the edges usually settle once the rug has been down for a few days.
