apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Try Flor carpet tiles. You can rinse them off.

I have no rug advice, I just have to say, "Aww your puppy is adorable!"

Flokati rugs are the bomb! There's nothing like them and they're completely machine washable. Our Scotties roll and dig to their heart's content and we don't mind a bit--we haul that sucker up to a commercial laundromat with a big 6x front loader and the rug comes out as good as new. Just don't dry it all the way or, being wool, it will shrink and eventually you'll have a throw instread of a carpet. In Greece, where these rugs come from, they're also used as bed coverings . . . the original duvet! You can see our orange flokati and our boy Punch here http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/search/label/dog

Seconding flokati rugs, though I've heard some pet owners complain that their shedding only compounds the shedding of their actual pet(s). I say let the dog enjoy himself on it. They are wonderful underfoot for humans, too.

ChrisToronto - is your big orange flokati actually a bunch of small ones sewn together? I've always wondered about that.

mmadden, you are right on the money! Our rug is actually one big one and two smaller runner-sized pieces, placed at each end. We got all three on Craigslist for the insane price of $200. I say insane because a flokati of this quality and this size would easily fetch $1,200 - $1,500 new. In fact, the patch job is a Godsend because if it was one piece we'd never get it in the washing machine; as it is the big one just barely fits. And yes, we do find orange fluff just abuot everywhere but it's easy to spot and the dogs just LOVE the rug. The best part is that the house doesn't smell "doggy" anymore, thanks to the regular washings.

I got a tabacco/mustard colored 8X10 cotton rug the crate and barrel outlet for $120.00.

I use a rubber pad underneath for traction and my Jackwawa loves it.

After its been smugged up for a few weeks its in to the commercial washer for 5 bucks in quarters and some downey softner. The medium tone is very forgiving on the white dog hair.

i had the same problem with my two English bulldogs and dark stained floor which needed lighter colored rug....after schlepping existing ivory rug to Dry cleaner and almost having coronary at the cost of cleaning, I resorted to cotton dhurrie rugs in smaller sizes so they could fit in wash machine. sometimes i just put few of them together is sort of rug collage. Urban outfitters have cotton printed rugs that used all summer. Even thought they are recommended to spot clean them, i washed them in cold water, and worn out print looked even more charming.

ChrisToronto - amazing find! I bought five small white flokatis on Craigslist for $60. I'm thinking of stitching them together into one big rug, which is why I was curious about yours.

Oddly enough, they're not shedding one bit. Mutant sheep, perhaps?

A builder suggested a wool rug, because it would wear well.

A wool rug will require professional cleaning, which puts you right back where you are now.

This is a situation that calls for olefin or another artificial fiber that is stain resistant. With artificial fibers, you want to see and touch the rug before you buy -- there is a huge range of quality out there.

If you go cotton, make sure you have access to a big enough washer and dryer!

I'm curious about the fireplace. You filled it with logs. Is it not a functional fireplace or do you just not use it and wanted a way to decorate?

Thank for all the input everyone. The current rug is olefin, so I think we may just have to go with an indoor/outdoor that we can hose down.

:)

I've spent the last 2 years searching and testin the same problem. Tried Flor but it seemed to hold some smells and the testure changes over time with the tiles that got washed vs ones that didn't. I did not have a big enough washer/dryer for a Flokati and got tried of wasting money on cheap rugs that I didn't love the look of.

My solution has 2 parts:

1. I know this is more of a mat than a rug but Chiliwich floor mats solved my doggie problems. I now have 4. One in entry, a hallway runner, bedroom-mainly under bed and kitchen runner. They have some great new wood patterns.

2. In the living room, I got a cow hide rug on sale at DWR. You won't believe how easy it is to clean. My bulldog puts it to the test everyday with his slobber and occasional vomit.
You just wipe it off with water and dry with a towel. It actually keeps the dog hair from moving around as it already has hair. It also fits my modern decor.

I second the chilewich floor mats, although they don't provide the same tactile experience as a rug.
I also have trained my dog to go immediately to her bed when she comes in the house or is eating a treat. That way most of the dirt comes off on the bed before she gets on the couch or whatever (or at least that's what I like to tell myself). This has also been great for when she gets into the garbage, which she used to drag onto MY bed or the couch, but now brings over to her own bed.

Regarding the cowhides; save yourself a bundle by finding a wholesaler on the internet. We got ours for $200 each for very large, quality Argentine skins from a Tandy Leather wholesaler in our area. There are loads of such businesses in the U.S.

i can attest to the cleanliness of ChrisToronto's flokati rug. its pretty insane - they have 2 black haired dogs and there's no trace of their hair or smell, despite their frolicking there.

i really want a rug for our living room... we have a cat who sheds like crazy, plus we're messy people, so the rug has to be durable. flokati rugs totally seem like they'd be ruined fast, but washable? hmm. sounds good.