Review: Are Tumble washable rugs too good to be true?

I love rugs. Anyone who’s ever seen The Big Lebowski knows that a good one can really bring a room together. The only problem is, I have a dog that sheds, drools, and makes every other kind of dog-related mess you can think of. That basically means that any time I get a new rug, it’s ruined in a short amount of time. Huge bummer.

So, when I came across Tumble’s rugs on both my TikTok and Instagram feeds, I knew I had to try one out for myself. Why? They promise that their rugs are machine washable (when it’s not possible to spot clean), spill-resistant, comfortable, and a good fit for homes with pets. Music to my ears.

But are Tumble’s claims too good to be true? I set out to find the answer, and after about a month of use, I walked away from my experience with Tumble very impressed. My Tumble rug is one of my favorite additions to my apartment in recent memory.

What I loved about my Tumble rug

My time with Tumble started strong. Right out of the box, I was really happy with how the rug looked — I already knew what design I’d be getting ahead of time, but it looked even better in person. I went for the Wren rug in Olive and Sand, which is a cool take on the trendy checkerboard design that fits perfectly into my home’s aesthetic. The colors are vibrant, and the materials feel high-quality.

The rug and included rug pad came neatly rolled up in the shipping box, along with a small envelope containing setup and care instructions, as well as some adhesive pads. I placed the quarter-inch-thick rug pad down first, right where my kitchen table lives. Now, I expected to throw the rug on top and call it a day, but Tumble goes the extra mile here. Using a corner-pocket design on the bottom part of the rug, you can slide the rug pad into each pocket, ensuring that the pad won’t slide out of position.

After that, I slapped the adhesive pads to the bottom to lock everything in place. I tried my best to move it, but the rug wouldn’t budge, and it’s stayed that way for an entire month. As an aside, I also thought the rug was quite comfortable to walk on — the fabric isn’t a plush material, but it’s still soft to the touch, and the rug pad below it gives it a nice bounce. So, if you need a runner or office rug, I can definitely recommend Tumble.

Tumble rugs pass the stain test

The whole point of a washable rug is to, you know, wash it. And I definitely got to stress-test Tumble’s stain resistance.

Fortunately for you, my dog decided to throw up her dinner on the rug just one week into my test. Usually, I wouldn’t enjoy cleaning up dog puke, but this time was different — it was an opportunity to put Tumble’s machine-washable claims to the test. I wiped up the excess and carefully lifted the rug away from the rug pad. Then, I chucked the rug into my washing machine and started a cold cycle. Once that was done, I did a quick inspection of the rug and my machine to make sure there wasn’t any damage, but it still looked great, and the stains my pet added to it were totally gone.

After a quick tumble dry, I placed the rug back in its spot. I was very happy with the results; it looked as good as new.

For smaller messes, clean-up is even easier. The rug is made using spill-resistant materials, so whenever a liquid hits the fabric, it’ll start to pill up instead of working its way into the fibers. Anytime something got on the rug, I was able to quickly wipe it up with a damp paper towel and move on with my day. I even spilled part of a matcha latte on it at one point, and it didn’t stain, which felt like a small miracle.

What I didn’t love about my Tumble rug

My Tumble rug experience was not without its flaws, though they’ve been pretty easy to overlook. For one, I didn’t love that I could see the rug pad under the rug. It wasn’t sticking out the sides thanks to the rug’s underside pockets, but there was a noticeably raised area where the pad sits, and I couldn’t mask it no matter what I tried. Not a huge deal in my opinion, but you’ve been warned. Finally, my rug did start showing very small signs of wear and tear on the sides, but this will happen to any rug you put down in high-traffic areas like a kitchen, playroom, or hallway.

Are Tumble rugs worth the price?

Tumble’s rugs aren’t cheap. The brand’s smallest size is priced at $119 (the one that I tested), and their largest sizes run well over the $400 mark. But if you’re more concerned about durability and convenience over luxuriousness, I think Tumble is well worth the investment. And that’s especially if you have pets or children running around. One day, when you’re wiping up yet another pee puddle or rogue glass of orange juice with ease, you’ll be thankful you shelled out for a Tumble rug.