Over the past five years, I’ve likely bought a dozen cheap doormats. Sure, some are seasonal. But others rip, stain and fade so easily, they’re not worth keeping around for longer than a few months. In an effort to stop this wasteful cycle, I started looking for a more long-term solution. Enter: Ruggable.
Yes, our favorite washable rug brand also makes easy-to-clean mats for the porch and entryway. I tested a Ruggable doormat to see if this pricey option is worth the splurge.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Keep clean and carry on with a Ruggable doormat system. This high-quality option may be the last doormat you buy.
What is a Ruggable doormat?
A Ruggable doormat is different than standard washable rugs. The doormat still utilizes a two-part system that attaches with hook-and-loop tape, but it trades a thin pad for a thick, sturdy rubber base.
The base has a bevy of smart features. A series of holes help water drain through to the ground or floor, reducing buildup and mildew. (A must-have if you’ve ever brushed off snowy boots!) Plus, the base has a textured tread that keeps the mat in place—AKA no slipping or rogue wind gusts carrying the mat away.
The base also has a series of larger holes filled with small plugs, the backs of which feature hook-and-loop tape. These sticky backings are what secures the rug cover to the base.
The rug cover is made of a heavy-duty bristle. It’s designed to trap dirt, mud and unwelcome debris, while also standing up to the elements and UV rays. There are over 200 styles to choose from and two sizes—a standard 3×2-foot doormat and a larger 4.5×2.5-foot estate doormat.
Most importantly, however, is that Ruggable doormats are designed with the brand’s iconic washability in mind. To clean, simply detach the cover from the base and toss it in your machine with cold water and a mild detergent. You can rinse the base with a garden hose, the same way you clean a Letterfolk tile mat.
How We Tested a Ruggable Doormat
I’ve been testing the Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Minor Indigo doormat since November 2024. I’ve tried it both indoors, as a welcome mat in my entryway, and outdoors on my porch.
Wear Testing
The mat arrived in a thin, rectangular, Ruggable box. Unlike some of the other rugs I’ve tested, the doormat required no assembly. Simply pull it out of the box and put it in place. Right away, I was impressed with the heft and quality of the materials. This is one sturdy doormat!
I first tried the Ruggable doormat outside on my covered porch for a few weeks. While this area isn’t exposed to precipitation, it does encounter wind and direct sunlight. Many of my cheap coir mats would dance around the porch during wind events, so I was pleased to see the Ruggable held its ground during significant gusts. Fading was also a nonissue. Now, of course, it’s only been a short period of time, but considering the dark hue of the mat I chose, it was encouraging to see zero sign of sun damage.
Next, I moved the mat indoors. Here in Wisconsin, your indoor doormat is arguably even more important than the cheery welcome mat on your porch. It needs to stand up to the snow, ice, mud and muck brought in from the outdoors on boots and shoes—all while still providing clearance for the door to swing open.
Considering its heft, the Ruggable doormat is surprisingly thin. It’s advertised as only half an inch thick, which I found to be accurate. It’s just thin enough for my front door to swing over without interference. The only slight annoyance I had was that a few of the rubber backings fell out during the move indoors. Luckily, they’re very easy to pop back into place.
Cleaning
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
After weeks of collecting dirt and shoe debris, the Ruggable doormat honestly still looked as good as new. I was shocked to see how little wear and tear this mat takes.
Regardless, I needed to put these cleaning claims to the test. Since my mat wasn’t all that dirty, I purposefully smeared a mix of mud, dirt and coffee grounds in, as well as yogurt (to simulate bird poop) and crushed tomato. After letting the stains set, I detached the cover and tossed it in the wash on a gentle setting with cold water.
Next, I gave the rubber mat a wipe-down with a wet paper towel. Good as new!
When the washing cycle was over, I took the cover out and was pretty impressed. All the stains were gone, plus the cover looked as vibrant as ever. It also was just slightly damp. I tossed it in the dryer for a very short air-dry cycle. (Be careful not to dry too long or too hot. The fabric could shrink.) You can also air-dry the cover on a flat surface.
Finally, it was time to put the mat back together. This is a slightly tedious task since you need to align the cover just so on the base, but the hook-and-loop tape attachments tend to get in the way. I spent about three minutes finagling the cover into alignment.
Pros
Multiple cleaning options, including washing the cover in a machine
Stains lift away with ease
Dozens of stylish options to choose from
Covers are easy to swap out with the season
Cons
Pricey
Rubber backings in the mat tend to fall out
Final Verdict
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Overall, the Ruggable doormat is an impressive addition to my porch. It’s sturdy, stylish and designed to last. I love that I can clean every inch, from the cover to the base, with ease. Plus, there are so many fun cover designs to choose from. I’m already eyeing a few seasonal options.
Where To Buy a Ruggable Doormat
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Style, meet sanitation. Keep your porch and entryway clean with a Ruggable doormat system.
You can buy a Ruggable doormat directly from the brand’s website or on Amazon.
Prices start at $129 for a standard doormat system and go up to $259 for an estate doormat system. The exact Morris & Co. mat I tested costs $159. You can also buy just the doormat cover, starting at $79. Or, to save a little cash, spring for a doormat bundle that includes one base and an assortment of covers.
FAQ
How do you wash a Ruggable doormat?
To wash the Ruggable doormat cover, detach it from the base and toss it in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Air-dry flat, or use your dryer’s air setting. Wipe down the rubber base with a wet paper towel or rinse off with a garden hose.
Are Ruggable rugs worth it?
In our experience, yes! Every Ruggable rug we’ve tested has lived up to the hype. While pricey, they are easy to clean and add stylish comfort to any space.
Where do you buy Ruggable rugs?
You can buy Ruggable rugs on Ruggable’s website and Amazon. Select styles are also available at Costco.
Why You Should Trust Us
Here at Taste of Home, it is quite literally our job to evaluate home and kitchen products. And we take that responsibility seriously! We thoroughly vet products through fair, accurate testing methodologies. Our team has combined decades of experience in the home, kitchen and lifestyle spaces.
The tester for this Ruggable doormat evaluation, Katie Bandurski, has nearly a decade of experience in the media industry covering food, kitchen, home and garden trends. She extensively covers home care, including other Ruggable products. To date, our team has tested most of what the brand has to offer, including an area rug, bath mat, kitchen mat, outdoor rug and runner.