Choosing the Perfect Washable Kitchen Rug
A good rug can add as much warmth and coziness to your kitchen as the food you make in it—and keeping it clean is less of a hassle than you might think. A washable kitchen rug should be your first choice when it comes to kitchen floor coverings, regardless of your kitchen’s size or decor style. You can find a quality washable rug from specialty vendors like Ruggable and Rugs USA, as well as major retailers like Amazon and Wayfair.
What to Look For in a Washable Kitchen Rug
First, measure your kitchen floors. Where do you want your kitchen rug to go, and how much of the floor do you want it to cover? For something that’ll sit in front of the sink or stove, look for a small washable kitchen rug, roughly 2 by 3 feet. Washable kitchen runner rugs are a popular choice for galley kitchens and single-wall kitchens—the right size should leave 3 to 6 inches of floor space on either side. And to define the floor space of an open-plan kitchen, consider an area rug. It should “cover up 80 percent, but not the whole thing,” interior designer Megan Hopp previously told us.
Getting a washable kitchen rug with a non-slip backing is basically a non-negotiable—the last thing you need to worry about when carrying a pot of boiling water from the stove to the sink is getting tripped up on your kitchen rug. Same goes for rug height: Flat weaves are ideal, and they’re easier to vacuum between washes than a high-pile style.
Machine-washable kitchen rugs come in a variety of materials, but they’re not all created equal. Polyester and polypropylene rugs are recommended because they’re durable and can stand up to the rigors of the washing machine. Along those lines, indoor/outdoor rugs are a popular choice for kitchen floors. Avoid wool rugs, which don’t play well with laundry detergent and take a long time to dry, as well as viscose and rayon, which can stain from a simple water spill.
Some washable rugs offer multiple rug pad options; if you’re prioritizing comfort, look for a thicker rug pad akin to an anti-fatigue mat. And if you have heated kitchen floors, avoid rubber and latex backings! Before purchasing, confirm with the manufacturer that the kitchen rug you’re eyeing is compatible with your setup.
Lastly, but certainly not least, think about how you want your rug to look. Darker colors are practical for masking stains and spills, and patterned kitchen rugs can pop against neutral cabinets and counters.
The 11 Best Washable Kitchen Rugs to Shop Now
Now for the fun part—here are 11 washable kitchen rugs worth adding to your cart. We found options for just about every kitchen’s size, style, and budget; keep in mind that each option shown below is available in several sizes.
Julietta Soft Pink Rug
Ruggable
$239
Ruggable, the first name in washing machine-friendly rugs, makes some of the most stylish washable kitchen runners out there, including this dreamy Anthropologie collab in a soft pink floral print. The brand’s current collaboration roster also includes Architectural Digest, Iris Apfel, Keith Haring, and Liberty, so there’s no shortage of patterns to match your kitchen’s personality.
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Pattern Patch Mini Rug
Verloop
$55
“I’ve been really pleased with my Verloop rug as a replacement for my old kitchen rug,” wrote AT’s Senior Shopping Editor Britt Franklin, who keeps her rug in front of the sink. Responsibly made from deadstock fabric, the small washable kitchen rug comes with a non-slip rug pad, but Franklin suggests picking up corner rug grippers for extra stability.
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Washable 2×3 Entryway Area Rug
Amazon
$14
Another option to place in front of the kitchen sink, this Amazon best-selling small washable rug measures 2 feet by 3 feet and is resistant to stains and spills. Customers report that the low-profile rug is super soft and looks “absolutely brand new” after a wash cycle.
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Topstitch Washable Rug
Revival Rugs
$179
A washable kitchen rug in front of the stove should be slightly bigger than what you put in front of the sink and darker in color to disguise oil splatters. This flat-weave from Revival Rugs, made from recycled denim, fits the bill perfectly. If you need a runner to match, check out this denim-derived runner rug.
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Nama Standing Mat | Emile
House of Noa
$79
If comfort is your top priority, consider an anti-fatigue kitchen mat, a close cousin of the kitchen rug that you can wash with soap and water or an all-purpose cleaner rather than in the washing machine. Kitchn editors are huge fans of House of Noa kitchen mats, whose prettiness belies their practicality. For more budget-friendly anti-fatigue mats, check out Rugs USA and this checkered beauty from Amazon.
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Blume Natural Sage Re-Jute Rug
Ruggable
$175 (was $219)
This washable indoor-outdoor kitchen rug is made from polyurethane and polyester (some recycled, some virgin) that mimics the look and durability of jute. Ruggable customers praise its soft feel, neutral colors, and “vintage cottage vibe.”
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Zyrah Modern Checkered Indoor/Outdoor Rug
Rugs USA
$149
This washable polypropylene kitchen rug has a low pile that measures just a quarter of an inch high. To clean, shake it out, hose it down, or run a hand vacuum over it on the lowest setting—no washing machine needed. Note that the brand recommends a premium rug pad for smaller sizes and a standard rug pad for the largest available size.
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Down Home Blues Flatweave Eco Cotton Rug
Hook and Loom
$165
Hook and Loom is the go-to if you want a washable cotton kitchen rug. There are nearly 100 colors and patterns available for its flatweave eco cotton rugs, which is the brand’s best option for kitchens. Add on a non-skid rug pad for stability, and note that a bit of shrinkage is normal upon first wash.
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Forma Ivory
Tumble
$149
A good neutral washable kitchen rug can blend in with pretty much any kitchen decor style, and Tumble—whose spill-proof rugs don’t absorb liquid, but instead bead it up for you to wipe away—has a range of understatedly elegant neutrals to choose from, including this gradient style that’s available in three colors.
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Buffalo Plaid Black & White Rug
Ruggable
$159 (was $199)
This farmhouse-style washable kitchen rug is part of Ruggable’s Tufted All-in-One Collection. In other words, it’s a single piece with a non-slip backing—no rug pad required. And yes, it’s still machine-washable!
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Sarrah Coral Rug
Ruggable
$169 (was $199)
I’ve owned this boho-style washable kitchen rug for two and a half years and have washed and dried it a dozen or so times in my apartment building’s shared machines. Though it’s labeled as “tufted,” I can confirm that it’s got a low profile and doesn’t present a tripping hazard in busy kitchens.
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