So, how can these rugs be safely and easily cleaned in a washing machine?
Meet the Expert
Deepak Mauryais the founder of The Rug Decor and a rug care expert.
Can Rugs Be Washed in a Washing Machine?
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Here are some guidelines recommended by Maurya for washing rugs.
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What Types of Rugs Can Be Cleaned in a Washing Machine?
Rugs made from cotton, polyester, nylon, olefin, and microfiber can be washed safely.
“Both can cause the backing to deteriorate.”
Maurya shares that wool, silk, jute, sisal, and antique hand-knotted rugs should not be machine-washed.
These rugs are more delicate and require more specialized care.
Machine washing can cause irreparable damage.
What Size Rugs Can Be Machine Washed?
Tosafely wash a rug, you must consider the size of the rug and thecapacity of your washing machine.
Small rugs likedoormats and bathmatscan be safely washed in a standard washer.
If you do not have a large-capacity washer,visit a laundromatthat offers larger machines.
The tumbling action is more gentle on the fibers and the drum capacity is larger.
Leaving excess sand, grit, or hair in the rug can clog the washer’s drain lines.
Pretreat Stains
Use a stain remover or a dab of laundry detergent to pretreat visible stains.
This will give the stain remover time to break apart stain molecules from the rug fibers.
Do not add chlorine bleach or fabric softeners when washing rugs.
Rugs should be washed using cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle.
These cycles have a slower final spin to help prevent rug distortion.
The rug should not be placed in an automatic dryer.
Hang the rug from a clothesline or drying rack away from direct heat to air-dry.
To help speed drying, add a rotating fan to the area.
