DESIGN
What’s Your Washable Rug Hiding?
By Natalie Gitt
Washable rugs are a modern-day home essential. They're easy to clean, built for busy homes, and ready for wine spills, pet tracks, and the occasional toddler tornado. But here’s the thing: not every washable rug is built the same. While they may look soft and sustainable on the surface, many hide plastic backings, synthetic fillers, and chemical treatments—materials that can compromise both your air quality and environmental footprint.
At Fable, we believe what goes underfoot should feel just as good as it looks. That’s why our machine washable Wool Rugs are a standout in a sea of synthetics. They’re handwoven from 100% natural materials—no synthetics, no shortcuts. They’re toxin-free, plastic-free, and designed to live beautifully with you.
The Problem With Plastics
Washable rugs are everywhere, but what are they really made of? For most options on the market, it’s plastic, polyester, or thermoplastic rubber. These synthetics are used to help rugs hold their shape and grip the floor—but they don’t break down, and often shed microplastics into your home with everyday wear (and research shows that many of the microplastics in our bodies come from the air we breathe, not just from drinking bottled water or eating fish from polluted oceans.)
To make them spill-proof and stain-resistant, many are also treated with chemical coatings or flame retardants. The result? Rugs that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde over time—making their way into your home’s air, dust, and even your lungs.
Recycled versions aren’t exempt, either. While repurposing plastic into rug fibers might seem like an eco-friendly initiative, it still creates synthetic textiles that don’t biodegrade and may carry questionable additives or coatings. As the World Economic Forum reports, more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year, half of which becomes trash in less than a year. Only 9% of that plastic gets recycled; the rest becomes landfill, incineration, or pollution in our oceans, soil and air.
The Fable Difference: Natural from the Inside Out
At Fable, we took a different approach. Our non-toxic rugs are woven by hand from 100% natural and sustainably sourced materials:
Certified New Zealand wool for softness and resilience
Cotton warp threads for structure
No plastic or rubber backings—ever
They’re breathable, biodegradable, and built to handle real-life messes—without the toxins, synthetic coatings, or VOCs. Every Fable rug is made from natural materials that support a cleaner home and a lighter footprint.
They’re also machine washable and naturally stain-resistant, thanks to the lanolin in wool. Lanolin is a naturally occurring waxy substance secreted by wool-bearing animals like sheep. It coats each fiber with a soft, protective layer that repels moisture on contact—so spills bead on the surface instead of soaking in. That means more time to blot, less worry about stains.
We also go a step further with our dyeing process. Our colors are achieved using azo-free dyes, which are free from toxins and carcinogenic compounds—making each rug safer for your space and the people in it. In short: no shortcuts, and no greenwashing.
Why Wool Wins for Washable, Durable Rugs
Wool is nature’s performance fiber. It’s:
Naturally odor- and stain-resistant
Resilient for high-traffic areas
Temperature-regulating and hypoallergenic
Washable without losing its shape or softness
Add expert handweaving and you’ve got a long-lasting rug that’s equal parts practical and beautiful—ideal for homes with pets, parties, and plenty of foot traffic. Each rug is woven in Northern India by artisans who share our commitment to quality and sustainability.
How to Tell if a Rug Is Truly Natural
A truly natural rug shouldn’t require guesswork. If it’s hard to tell what’s in your rug, that’s a red flag. Here’s what to look out for:
Unclear or incomplete material listings—especially for the backing
Mentions of polyester, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or “performance blends”
Heavy emphasis on “recycled plastic” as a sustainability solution
Lack of transparency around sourcing or construction
If a brand isn’t upfront about what’s in the rug, it’s worth asking why.
A Better Rug for You—and the Planet
Fable rugs are made for real homes—where wine spills, dogs race through, and kids color outside the lines. You won’t find plastic in our rugs. What you will find is low-maintenance comfort, timeless design, and a more natural way of living.
We design for people who care about what’s in their homes—and what happens to their things once they leave them. Our materials are 100% natural, safe for your indoor air, gentle on bare feet, and kind to the planet. Because you shouldn’t have to choose between design, durability, and peace of mind.
ARE ALL WASHABLE RUGS NON-TOXIC?
No. Many washable rugs contain synthetic materials like polyester or plastic, and may be treated with chemical coatings that can release harmful chemicals into your home. At Fable, we make washable wool rugs without chemicals using only natural, non-toxic materials—like wool and cotton—making them safe rugs for indoor air quality.
DO WASHABLE WOOL RUGS SHED MICROPLASTICS?
Not at all. Unlike synthetic rugs, wool rugs do not shed microplastics. Fable’s handwoven wool rugs are made from 100% natural yarns, so they’re biodegradable, breathable, and won’t contribute toxins to your home.
CAN WOOL RUGS REALLY GO IN THE WASHING MACHINE?
Yes! We chose wool for its resilience and long-lasting nature, and our handwoven rugs are specially designed to be machine washable. They’re durable enough for real-life messes—just wash cold on a gentle cycle, and hang dry. Find detailed care instructions here.
ARE YOUR WOOL RUGS SAFE FOR KIDS AND PETS?
Fable’s wool rugs are naturally non-toxic, free from synthetic backings or chemical coatings, and machine washable—making them a safer, cleaner choice for households with children, pets, and everyday life.
Shop Machine Washable Wool Rugs
