Keeping a rug clean isn’t always an easy task.
You may get the urge just to throw it in the washer and call it a day, but can a 5×7 rug even fit into a washing machine?
Fitting 5×7 Rug In A Washing Machine
Yes, a 5×7 rug can fit in a washing machine. You just need to prep the rug to avoid damaging it or the machine. You do so by vacuuming and spot-cleaning your rug. Then, to keep the load balanced, add another rug or a few towels.
So, let’s go over all the tips and tricks to clean your rug in a washing machine efficiently.
Can A 5×7 Rug Fit In A Washing Machine?
A 5×7 rug is perfect for a small living room.
It fits perfectly under a nice coffee table and leaves an accent in front of two couches.
The rug covers a good amount of surface area, so it’s surprising that it can fit into a washing machine.
Since you can fold the rug, it’ll be a perfect fit! You can even fit two rugs into one load for balance.
Precautions To Take Before Cleaning Your Rug In A Washing Machine
To make sure you don’t damage your rug, there are precautions you need to take before you put it in the washing machine.
5×7 rugs can fit into a washing machine, but some rugs are made from materials that may get damaged if washed in a washing machine.
Here are some precautions to take before putting your rug in a washing machine.
1. Check The Labels
Most rugs are made from synthetic fibers or polyester, which are safe to clean in a washing machine.
However, if your rug’s label specifies that it can only be spot-cleaned or dry-cleaned, then putting your rug in the washing machine can damage it.
The company that produced your rug definitely knows best in this case!
2. Do A Color Test
Your rug could have dyes that are washable.
This means that the dye in the rug will spread out in the washing machine.
So, to find out if that’s the case with your rug, you should conduct a color fastness test.
Rub a wet cotton swab into the fibers of your rug.
If any color shows up on the swab, then cleaning your rug in a washing machine can result in color fading.
In that case, it would be best to send the rug to a laundromat to avoid ruining it.
How To Clean A 5×7 Rug In A Washing Machine?
Now that you’ve taken all the necessary precautions, it’s time to clean it!
The process is much simpler than deep cleaning and costs you almost nothing.
1. Vacuum Your Rug
Washing your rug targets the dirt and dust you can’t get with a vacuum.
However, if you put your rug in the washing machine without first vacuuming it, the machine won’t be able to remove the larger particles completely.
The particles that are removed may also end up clogging up your machine.
So, it’s best to vacuum all the visible particles before you throw your rug in the washing machine.
2. Treat The Stains On Your Rug
Your washing machine won’t be able to target any stubborn stains on your rug.
So it’s best to treat those stains before they go into the washer.
There are several ways to do so: you can try different home remedies to pre-treat the stains, invest in a pre-treat stain remover, or just soak the stain in detergent for 15 minutes.
Soaking the stain in detergent will pre-treat most stains and usually requires the least amount of effort or money, making it the preferred method.
Once your stains are pre-treated, your rug will come out of the washer looking brand new.
3. Throw The Rug Into the Washer
Now that you’ve prepped your rug, you can go ahead and throw it into the washer.
Fold the rug so that it properly fits into the washer and set the mode to delicate.
All you need to use is liquid detergent and cold water. If you wash the rug alone, it’ll be too heavy.
So, while it rolls around in your washing machine, it may damage it because the rug will move around a lot.
A good way to counteract this is by throwing in some towels to balance it out.
If you have a front-load washer, balance it out by placing two towels around the rug.
If you have a top-load washer, place the rug and towels around the agitator.
4. Wait For It To Dry
You may get the urge to put the rug into the dryer after you’re done washing it. Resist that urge!
Drying your rug with a dryer can end up shrinking its size.
So it’s best to wait it out while it air dries on a drying rack. A good tip is to squeeze out the water using a squeegee.
If you’re keen on avoiding wrinkles, wait for the carpet to dry enough until it’s damp or moist.
At that point, it’s safe to throw it into the dryer for a few minutes with no heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A 5×7 Rubber-Backed Rug Fit Into A Washing Machine?
You can clean a rubber-backed rug with a washing machine.
Unless a label on your rug specifies that it can’t go into the washer, then it’ll fit into a washing machine.
However, be careful to avoid chlorine or bleach.
The chemicals can break down rubber, so they may end up dissolving the rubber in your rug.
What Type Of Rugs Are Machine-Washable?
Just in case you’re worried about ruining the material of your rug, here are a few common materials that are machine-washable, as well as a few factors you need to look out for when washing them.
Cotton
Cotton is completely safe to wash in a washing machine.
The material is also inexpensive, so it’s much easier to maintain.
All you need to watch out for is shrinkage. So, if your rug is made out of cotton, avoid the dryer at all costs.
Polyester
Most synthetic fibers are machine-washable, and polyester is on that list.
It’s also the most budget-friendly and easiest to wash of all the options.
Just make sure to wash it individually since color usually leaks out from polyester easily.
So be careful not to mix it with any other rugs.
Viscose
Viscose is made of wood, so the material can be pretty sensitive to dust or germs.
The material is machine-washable but isn’t as durable as other materials.
This means you should use the gentlest setting in your washing machine to prevent the material from wearing out.
Nylon
Nylon needs to be routinely washed to maintain its pristine condition.
It’s also a synthetic fiber, so it’s machine washable.
There’s not much to look out for when washing nylon other than using cold water because warm water can leave stains on your nylon rug.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is also a synthetic fiber.
It’s so durable that it’s normally used for high-traffic rugs, like outdoor rugs.
So it’ll survive your washing machine.
Like with cotton, don’t use a dryer to dry the rug.
If you do, you could risk melting the fibers of your carpet, which will definitely ruin it.
