Washing Machine Rug Guide

"Is the washable rug going to fit in my washing machine?"  We get this question a lot.  I've had to look this up several times myself because moving from one apartment to another, we've had to deal with different sized washing machines. 

Today's post will hopefully help answer this question for you!  It would suck to buy a washable rug and then find out later that its too big for your washer.  Trips to the laundromat isn't something everyone is comfortable with especially during COVID times.

There are two parts to this question.  First, you need to figure out what the size of your washer and dryer is in cubic feet.  Then, you need to figure out what the size requirement is for the rug you want.  Let's start with the first. 

Step 1:  Figuring Out Your Washer and Dryer Capacity

If your washer and dryer is one of the big brands like Whirlpool, LG, Samsung or Bosch, then you can simply look it up online.  Find the model number on your washer/dryer unit and do a quick search.  Or if you are like my husband and keeps a library of all your owner's manuals (yes, I mean the physical copies), then you should be able to find it there too. 

For those who cannot find the capacity of their washer/dryer online, you can follow the simple steps in this article by hunker.com to calculate it. 

Step 2:  Choosing Your Rug Size

This question would be a lot simpler if there was a unified form of measurement around the world.  Of course, it's never that simple.  Europeans (most of our rug brands) list their washer capacity in kilograms, which is a weight measurement.  Americans (most of our washer machine brands) like to use cubic feet, which is a volume measurement.  There is no direct conversion between kilograms and cubic feet.  

Given these arithmetic challenges, we can only estimate what the kilogram to cubic feet comparison would be.  Bare in mind that the numbers presented below can vary from brand to brand.  It can also vary depending on the style of washer you have.  For example, high efficiency washers will have a lower capacity than traditional washers even though they measure the same cubic feet because they use less water.  Front loading washers also typically have a smaller capacity than top loading washers.

Rug Size	Material	Minimum Washer Capacity Requirement (kg)	Minimum Washer Capacity Requirement (cu ft)
4' x 2'	Cotton	6 kg	4 cu ft
5' x 4'	Cotton	6 kg	4 cu ft
6' x 3'	Cotton	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
6' x 4'	Cotton	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
6' x 5'	Cotton	12 kg	5 cu ft
7' x 2'	Cotton	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
7' x 5'	Cotton	12 kg	5 cu ft
8' x 5'	Cotton	13 kg	5 cu ft
9' x 6'	Cotton	15 kg or professional laundromat	7 cu ft or professional laundromat
3' Round	Cotton	6 kg	4 cu ft
4' Round	Cotton	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
5' Round	Cotton	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
Pillow & Pouf covers	Cotton	6 kg	4 cu ft
4' x 2'	Wool	6 kg	4 cu ft
5' x 4'	Wool	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
6' x 3'	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft
6' x 4'	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft
6' x 5'	Wool	13 kg	5 cu ft
7' x 2'	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft
7' x 5'	Wool	13 kg	5 cu ft
8' x 5'	Wool	13 kg	5 cu ft
9' x 6'	Wool	17 kg or professional laundromat	7 cu ft or professional laundromat
3' Round	Wool	8 kg	4.5 cu ft
4' Round	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft
5' Round	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft
Pillow & Pouf covers	Wool	9 kg	4.5 cu ft

 

As mentioned, the above is just a rough sizing guide.  It is important to read the Care Instructions on the back of your rug for details because not all rugs are made the same.  Some rugs have denser and longer piles than others.  Some rugs have tassels or decorative elements that add to the weight of the rug.  

Regardless of the rug, however, all washable rugs should be washed separately in cold water (30 degrees celsius maximum).  Use a gentle cycle and mild detergent without bleach.  If your rug has been soiled by your pet, you can add vinegar into the tray where you normally put bleach to rid of any odours.  

When drying, tumble on low temperature setting or simply air dry, if you have the space and patience.

If any of your washing questions have gone unanswered in this post, feel free to send us an email at info@rugsbyroo.com.  We'd also love to hear your feedback and any suggestions for future topics you'd like covered.