Best Rugs For Babies To Crawl On (Washable and Non-Toxic)

Researching the best rugs for babies to crawl on, that are easy to clean and safe for your little one can be overwhelming.

There are just too many brands out there! 

How do you know which ones are the best washable, non-toxic rugs or which rug material is best for the nursery room!

Luckily for you, I’ve done the research.

I’ve combed through dozens of nursery and carpet websites, as well as forums and online parenting groups, looking for the best crawling rugs for babies, and here’s the list.

In this article, you will find the most mentioned, highly recommended crawling rugs by a lot of parents. 

Some might not be as popular but as high quality as well.

Let’s start with a quick comparison table of their features.

_{I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.}

Best Rugs for Crawling Babies: Feature Comparison Table

This is best viewed on a desktop. Here’s a quick comparison guide on the features of these nursery rugs.

Features	Cleaning	Material	Non-toxic	Price
Lorena Canals	Machine-washable	Offers wool and cotton	Yes	Expensive
Ruggable	Machine-washable	Polyester	Not really	Expensive
Ruggish Co.	Vacuum and spot cleaning	Memory foam	Yes	Expensive
Ikea	Vacuum and spot cleaning	Offers wool, cotton, viscose	Yes	Affordable
Rugs USA	Machine-washable	Polyester	Not really	Affordable
Paco Home	Vacuum and spot cleaning	Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified Polypropylene	Yes	Affordable

Below is a more detailed info on the best nursery rugs for crawling babies.

Best Rugs For Babies To Crawl On

Lorena Canals Washable Rug

Lorena Canals are quite popular among parents wanting a non-toxic, safer choice of rugs. Plus they offer the very first washable rugs in the world! 

They have been in the industry since 1998 and have their artisan factory in India, with offices expanding to Barcelona and New York.

They offer cotton and wool rugs and various, whimsical play rugs that are perfect for your kid’s nursery room.

All of their rugs are handmade and colored using zero-waste, non-toxic dyes. 

They are all about sustainability and innovation as they will pair up with brands and designers to create unique-looking, soft, and high-quality rugs.

Some parents noticed though that their rugs take a long time to dry and a few said they tend to shed a lot in the dryer.

But because of its high-quality craftsmanship and material, it comes out of the dryer softer and still looks amazing, according to some parents.

Pros

• Machine-washable
• Made from 100% natural cotton and non-toxic dyes
• Durable
• Beautifully handcrafted
• Offers various designs and sizes

Cons

• Expensive
• Takes longer to dry

Ruggable Washable Rugs

This is actually the most mentioned, highly recommended brand of washable, kid-friendly rugs by a lot of parents in popular online groups.

It’s easy to clean, it’s durable, and also stain and water-resistant!

One mom even shared that her baby had the most massive, epic diaper blowout in it but she just tossed the rug in the washing machine and it still came out looking perfect!

It also comes with a latex-free backing, which helps in preventing slippage and curling.

But it does take a bit longer to dry and sheds some, according to some parents.

Also, their rugs are made from polyester, so they might not be your ideal rug if you’re looking for an all-natural, organic one.

But one parent justified their Ruggable purchase by saying this and I quote “I’ve found that it’s a careful balancing act of choosing natural options where it most matters (like a crib mattress they’ll lay on for hours every day), and making conscious compromises in other places.”

So if you don’t mind that it’s not an all-natural rug material, then the Ruggable brand might be the one you’re looking for.

Pros

• Machine-washable
• Durable
• Offers various designs and sizes
• Comes with a water-resistant barrier to protect from spills
• Has latex-free backing to prevent slippage and curling

Cons

• Made from polyester
• Expensive
• Takes longer to dry

Ruggish Co.

Ruggish has been recommended by some parents who prefer a soft, memory foam-like, reversible play rug for their kids.

The back side of the rug has some streets or train track designs on it that your children can play with and interact with.

It’s also waterproof, durable, and easy to clean.

One mom said she had no trouble cleaning their 2 dog’s hair out of it!

And most importantly, their rugs are tested to US and European standards and are free from BPA, Phthalate, Lead, Latex, Formaldehyde, and EVA, making them non-toxic!

Although a few parents mentioned that it had a faint chemical smell, which is quite odd.

And it’s not exactly stain-proof so you still need to be mindful of food, and juice spills on it as well as arts and crafts materials.

It’s also not machine-washable but you can hose it down outside for bigger messes or do some spot cleaning.

But most parents loved it and some even used it for working out!

Pros

• Waterproof
• Non-toxic
• Durable

Cons

• Expensive
• Has limited designs and sizes
• Can be tricky to clean

Ikea Rugs

Ikea wool rugs are not exactly machine-washable like the Lorena Canals and Ruggable rugs. 

This means you need to deal immediately with any stains and spills on its rugs if you don’t want it to stay there!

Their wool rugs also shed a lot, so you have to vacuum them more in the beginning. But that’s actually normal amongst wool rugs.

But I digress.

Even with all the shedding and the non-machine washable feature, it’s still highly recommended by a lot of parents online, for its affordability and various sizes and designs.

They also offer various material types that will suit any parent’s preference, from wool to cotton, to natural fiber and viscose, and from low pile to high pile.

Pros

• Affordable
• Durable
• Offers various sizes, designs, and materials
• Made from non-toxic materials

Cons

• Their wool rug is not machine-washable
• Might be a bit trickier to clean

Rugs USA

The Rugs USA brand is another popular recommendation from parents online.

They offer various types of rugs on their website where you can filter by room, color, style, or even machine-washable rugs!

Their machine-washable rugs are made from sustainably-sourced, premium fibers, with an integrated non-slip Canvas backing.

It’s also spill resistant and stain-resistant!

This is perfect for when you have pets or kids and you have the occasional spills and whatnot from them.

You can easily dump them into the washing machine, just line dry or dry them without heat on an air-only drying cycle.

They can be very light though, so you still need to buy a rug pad to add more cushion. Especially if you want it to be more comfortable for your baby to crawl on.

It can also be quite tricky to vacuum it as it gets sucked up, according to most parents. And they might not lay flat for a few weeks or so as they come tightly wounded and sealed. 

But they are easy to clean, which makes them a plus for parents.

Pros

• Affordable
• Machine-washable
• Durable
• Offers various sizes, designs, and materials
• Spill/ stain-resistant

Cons

• Needs a rug pad
• Tricky to vacuum
• Tricky to lay flat

Paco Home Nursery Rug

If you want an adorable rug with a playful design that will surely entertain your kid, check out this Paco Home Nursery Rug.

Made in Turkey, it has an interesting 3D look that will invite your baby to explore and crawl around.

It’s also pet-friendly and is an Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified rug!

So even if it’s 100% Polypropylene (they do have other materials like Jute), you can be assured that their nursery rugs are non-toxic and safe for your baby.

It’s not the most cushiony of nursery rugs out there so you might still need something like a rug pad underneath to make it softer for your baby to fall on.

And it’s not also machine-washable. They only recommend vacuuming it with no beater bar/ rotating brush and for spills, spot-cleaning it immediately with mild detergent.

Still, parents love the cute design and how affordable it is, compared to other rugs.

Pros

• Affordable
• Non-toxic (Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified)
• Durable

Cons

• Not machine-washable
• Needs a rug pad

Buying Guide on Best Rugs for Nursery Room

Here’s what you should look for in an ideal nursery rug:

Size 

Larger-sized carpets can give a more cohesive look to the room, while small-sized rugs are ideal to highlight a certain space or furniture.

If you’re going for bigger-sized rugs, choose one that’s large enough to go underneath the furniture. 

The front legs of the crib, dresser, nursing chair, etc., should be on the rug to give a more put-together look.

Material

The rug material matters A LOT. 

They can either make it comfortable for your baby to crawl on or easier for you to clean.

Or they can make everyone’s life hell by making your baby itchy, giving everyone allergies, and making it hard to clean.

So choose wisely. Consider your budget and priorities.

100% organic wool rugs are the best to have in a nursery room, provided that your family, especially your baby isn’t allergic to them.

It’s very durable, easy to clean (there are machine-washable wool rugs now!), and can last for decades with regular and proper maintenance. 

It’s also non-flammable and stain-resistant. 

Wool rugs that are untreated and undyed are also non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

They serve as a natural filter, cleaning the air of allergens plus they prevent the growth of bacteria and dust mites.

It’s not a perfect rug though as they’re not invincible to mud and spilled juice if not cleaned immediately.

But there are machine-washable wool rugs now, like the Lorena Canals and Ruggable rugs so there’s less cleaning to worry about!

They can also be quite expensive and can shed a lot initially.

But vacuuming it every few days can be a wonderful soft space for your baby to crawl on.

Make sure though that your baby or other family members are not sensitive or allergic to it first, before fully committing to an organic wool rug.

Another great option is cotton rugs. 

They are more affordable than wool and are machine-washable.

But not as durable as wool and can stain quite easily.

And with babies and toddlers, there are a lot of spills and stains to clean!

Other materials to consider are jute or sisal, which is non-toxic and easy to clean but can be thin and itchy, and polyester which is so much cheaper but some can be treated with chemicals. 

There are also nylon-made rugs, which are resistant to mildew and insects but not so much against food stains.

And then there’s bamboo, which is soft and easy to maintain but pricey.

So your best bet is a machine-washable rug or a cotton rug.

Easy to Clean

Machine-washable rugs that are spill and stain-resistant are best to have.

It’ll make cleaning a breeze and it can withstand vomit, spit-ups, diaper blowouts, and other messes that your kid (and even pets!) can make.

Medium and shorter pile rugs are also easier to care for than high pile rugs.

Durable

Wool is one of the most durable rug materials out there. Some can even last for decades, especially if you regularly care for them.

Other types are also durable but if you want the best, there are wool rugs.

Design 

A rug has to complement the nursery decor and/or improve its color scheme.

If you can’t decide which color to get, you can either look at your kid’s room and think of a color that will tie things up together or, find the missing color element in the nursery room – that’s the rug color you’re looking for.

Just don’t get white. 

It might look cute, soft, and angelic looking but you will instantly see any dirt that gets on it and it’s not a pretty thing to look after. And it’s not easy to clean too!

Alternatives on Best Non Toxic Rugs for Babies

Here are the best alternatives to rugs for your crawling baby:

Playmats

Playpens

Carpets

Nothing – let them crawl on the hardwood floor, it’s perfectly okay!

Helpful Tips on Getting Nursery Rugs

• Get a play mat first

If you don’t want to commit to an expensive rug yet but you want your baby to do some newborn developmental activities on the floor, get a play mat first.

There are safe and non-toxic play mats that your babies can play around with. Some can even be used outdoors!

• Wool rug sheds initially

It’s natural, especially for brand-new wool rugs, because of the structure of its fiber.

You just need to keep vacuuming it initially for at least a few days or so, to remove those extra fibers.

One parent recommended a Dyson vacuum which made all the difference in her wool rug.

• Cushiony – not optional

Babies are fine to crawl on hard surfaces, so you don’t necessarily need to get something thick and super fluffy.

Your little one doesn’t need a helmet, in case you’re wondering.

So if they crawl out of the rug, that’s fine. They might get hurt initially, but they will learn and improve.

• Stain-resistant – must have

Machine-washable is ideal but if you can’t find one that’s within your price range, spill and stain-resistant rugs will do.

It will make things easier for you, as carpets are the only thing you need in your home! 

You need to keep the floors clean too, especially if you’re letting your baby have a free crawling reign all over the house.

• Use rug tape

If you find that your rug isn’t staying flat, use rug tape and put it around its edges.

• Use a rug pad

If you want your rug to be a little bit more cushiony and to stop it from sliding and moving around, add a rug pad.

• Your carpet is fine

If you’re undecided about getting a play mat, a rug, or a playpen, and you have a carpet, it’s perfectly fine for your baby to crawl on it.

As long as it’s not that old, well kept, and maintained.

Ideally, a rug that’s made of natural, organic materials such as wool or cotton is the type of rug that is safe for babies.

But be wary of the wool shedding, particularly in the first few days or weeks.

FAQ on Nursery Room Rugs

Takeaway: Best Rugs For Babies To Crawl On

You might not always get everything in a rug you want.

You might find a rug that has everything but is quite expensive.

Or one that’s affordable but harder to clean.

You may have to compromise on the shedding, the pile height, cost, and so on.

One way to lessen that “rug overwhelm” is to prioritize the top trait you want in the best rug for your babies to crawl on and start from there.

If you like this article, then check out our other nursery room related guides on:

• Best Non Toxic Play Mats
• Should I Let My Baby Crawl on the Hardwood Floor?
• Transitioning to a Montessori Floor Bed (Ultimate Guide for Tired Moms)
• Best Playpens for Crawling Babies (For Indoor & Outdoor Use)
• Celebrity Nursery Rooms (For Inspiration!)