Anyone who has ever watched the television “House Doctor” Anne Maurice improving properties to sell will know that she loves sea grass floor covering. It’s neutral, appealing and inexpensive. But what does sea grass have to do with Sisal?

Sisal is a generic term which is often used for all floor coverings made from natural plant fibers. So, ‘sisal’ can include sea grass, hemp, jute, coir, paper and sisal itself.

What’s so great about it?

Because sisal has a natural resistance to stains, you don’t need to use harsh chemicals, which is especially beneficial if you have children or animals. Sisal doesn’t build up static electricity which is a natural attractor of dust and dirt so it stays cleaner longer than carpet. It’s also very hardwearing and won’t show ‘flattened’ areas. This makes it especially useful in high traffic areas such as hallways.

The natural colors are very restful and the textures are beautiful. With more than fifty types of weave to choose from, you’re bound to find one that you love. Combine that with the fact that sisal is a natural product – it’s no wonder sisal is so hugely popular.

What is Sisal?

Sisal is made from the fibers of a cactus plant. This particular plant was discovered in the Yucatan (South Eastern Mexico) and Sisal was the name of the port from where the fiber was first exported – hence the name. Sisal is also exported from Brazil, China, Tanzania and Kenya.

The type of cactus that Sisal is made from is called an Agave. In Mexico, these have been cultivated since Mayan times for their fibers which are also used for making cloth, fish nets, hammocks and rope. This is also the type of cactus that is used to make tequila!

How is it made?

The Agave cactus produces large fleshy leaves. These are crushed and scraped until only the sisal fibers are left. The fibers are then washed and laid out to dry in the sun or dried by hot air blowers. The drying process is critical to the final product as the quality of the sisal depends on its’ moisture content. Once washed and dried, the sisal fibers can be made into a material that is strong, durable, flexible and stretchable. It’s also highly suitable for dyeing and some sisal rugs are often highly colored.

Isn’t it scratchy to walk on?

Not at all. To make it feel softer, sisal is usually mixed with wool at a ratio of 60% wool (or a wool and acrylic mix) and 40% sisal. So although you are walking on a cactus, it certainly doesn’t feel like it!

Is it easy to care for?

Yes – as long as you remember that it came from a desert and continue to treat it that way. So, no steam cleaning or water-based carpet shampooing of any kind. This makes it unsuitable for use in bathrooms. If you love the look of it, and want to use it in an area where water is around, such as a bathroom, around a Jacuzzi or swimming pool, you could choose a synthetic ‘copy’ of sisal which would be waterproof.

If any liquid is spilled onto the sisal (even if it’s only pure water) it will draw any dirt particles in the rug to the surface – as the liquid acts like a magnet. This can cause a dark stain which is hard to get rid of. To avoid this, vacuum the sisal frequently, preferably with a model that has beater brushes to bring any dirt right up to the surface.

However careful you are, accidents do happen…and they always happen just where you don’t want them to! If liquid is spilled on your sisal, don’t panic, but do deal with it immediately! Use a clean, absorbent white towel to blot (not rub) the area. Rubbing would only serve to push the liquid deeper into the sisal fibers and make a stain and make that stain larger! For any solid spills, first scrape up the substance using the dull side of a knife, working from the outside of the spill towards the middle. If you still need further help, you could call in a carpet cleaner but make sure they use a ‘dry extraction’ cleaning system.

For extra protection, you can use a spray-on sealant called Sisal Guard. This can be used on any natural fiber rugs and reduces the rate at which the fiber will absorb liquid. It doesn’t guarantee that your sisal will never stain but it will reduce the chances if you do have a spill. A one-quart bottle will cover approximately 10-15 square yards.

Shop Around…

If you’re considering sisal, do take your time in choosing as it can save you a lot of money. The less inexpensive sisal rugs have fiber that has been imported from Asia, bindings cotton fabric and are top-stitched and not mitered. At the higher end, sisal is often imported from Europe, there is usually a greater choice of weaves and bindings are mitered and blind-stitched in leather or suede.

Whatever your budget and whatever you choose, you’ll love your sisal rug and get many years of pleasure from it!
CLICK HERE to buy Sisal Area Rugs. Available in a wide range of styles and prices.

I love the colder weather in the winter except for the time spent in the bathroom.

Just thinking about those late night trips to the bathroom makes me shiver? The cold of those bathroom tiles can be unforgiving. So I brought a rug especially made for the bathroom which has proved to be an absolute godsend

I checked out what was available and thought it would be best to buy one that is machine or at least hand washable. I found that many of the bath mats available have a backing and can’t be cleaned in a washing machine because it peels off.

So I finally settled one without the backing that I can just throw in the washing machine without any worry about it shrinking.

Pinzon is known for quality so this soft cotton loop bath rug will give good service. And this Pinzon Luxury Bath Rug

is available in 10 lovely colors and two sizes: 21″ x 34″ and 30″ x 50″.

The plush, deep loop bath rug is made from absorbent cotton and it is easy to care for as you simply pop it in the washing machine and dryer.

It pays to shop around and make sure you get a good deal and I find that shopping online is ideal for this.
CLICK HERE to buy bath rugs and mats

While sisal can’t really be described as a fad any longer (most fads don’t last decades), it is still one of the most fashionable and desirable types of rugs on the market today. Their distinctive look and feel makes them the perfect complement for thousands of different decors from the ultra modern to the rustic. There are a few important things you need to keep in mind, however, if you are thinking about adding a sisal rug to your home. Before we get to wool sisal rug shopping, there are a few things you should know about this unique fiber.

What is Sisal?

Sisal comes from a plant that was originally thought to be native to Mexico, but botanists aren’t completely sure as to its origin. Today, sisal is grown from Florida south to Brazil and is made into dozens of different products. The sisal plant resembles a small palm tree, with thin green leaves jutting almost straight up in the air. Sisal was originally used primarily in rope and in other similar products, but the recent development of sturdy manmade fibers has forced sisal farmers to use their product for different purposes. Rugs were one of the very first alternate product uses for sisal, but manufacturers soon ran into a bit of a problem.

Why blend with wool?

Sisal is not a soft fabric. The original demand for sisal rugs came from the fact that they looked so unique and so organic, but you wouldn’t want to walk barefoot on one or fall asleep on one. It took until 1992 for a company to figure out the perfect way to blend wool with sisal for a rug that maintained its trademark look while sporting the soft, silky feeling you would expect from a braided oval rug. Today, most sisal rugs that are manufactured and sold in the United States contain a wool blend, although you can still find 100 percent sisal rugs if you like. It is very important when shopping for a sisal rug that you make sure you are buying the type you like; otherwise, you are going to get a product that is very different from the one you want.

What to look for in a wool sisal rug

As stated above, your first priority when shopping for a wool sisal rug is to make sure it contains wool, or if you prefer, is 100 percent pure sisal. If you have chosen to shop online for your wool sisal rug, you want to make sure that the shipping is reasonable and that the company you are dealing with has a solid reputation for selling top quality wool sisal products. You also want to make sure that they have a good return policy, just in case your product doesn’t live up to expectations. Shopping online isn’t really any different than shopping in person. Stick with the names you know and you’ll end up with a product you love. A good wool sisal rug can last decades with proper care.

The Pompeii Slice Doormat is an attractive outdoor rug which will brighten up your outdoor area.

You can also purchase the matching stair treads for a truly coordinated look.  It really  adds a nice touch the outdoor stairs giving them  an attractive, welcoming finish.

The pattern is reminiscent of  the decorative mosaic tile patterns found in many Italian structures.

This doormat is suitable for all year round outdoor use.

The Pompeii slice rug is made in the USA from recycled rubber.

It is really easy to keep clean, all you need to do is simply hose  the rug down with water to clean.

While no one will mistake a zebra print area rug for art, the right rug in the right environment can add a lot of character to a room. The key here is knowing when to add such a rug and when to go a more traditional route. Zebra print rugs come in every shape, every size, and every price range, from extremely affordable to extremely expensive. Let’s take a look at some situations in which having a zebra print area rug would be perfect and we’ll also take a look at some shopping tips for folks looking to get their zebra print rug online.

A zebra print area rug can look perfect in the right setting. Kids everywhere, at one time or another, want an animal print rug or wall hanging of their very own, so don’t be surprised if your teenager asks for one. They can be placed directly over the carpet or over hardwood to give your child a soft place to play or to hang out on. If you have a basement bar or den that is for watching sports, throwing parties, and having fun, a zebra print rug would be the perfect addition. They also look great in a game room or in a romper room used by both the kids and adults. Of course, if you have decided to do your entire home in animal prints, a zebra print rug would fit right in, even in the living room, but since this pattern choice is somewhat rare, most people use zebra print rugs for more casual settings.

Perhaps the best advice for anyone shopping for a zebra print rug is to keep a close eye on the price and on the size. Most people think that unless you are buying an actual zebra skin rug, a zebra print area rug is going to be on the inexpensive side, but that is not always the case. Some manufacturers out there understand that while the market for high end animal pattern rugs may be small, it does exist, so if you head online to buy yours, make sure you double check the price before you buy. You also need to be sure that you understand your space limitations. This is especially true if you are going from metric to non metric or back. Sometimes people manage to mix up feet and inches since the designation for the two are so similar.

Each kind of zebra print rug will have its own specific care instructions, so don’t assume that one is going to be machine washable until you read the fine print. If you purchase your zebra print rug online, the care instructions should be clearly listed, otherwise you may want to call the online retailer and ask. Even a cheap zebra print rug should last a year or two in areas in which heavy traffic occurs, so if yours breaks down sooner, you might want to talk to the company you bought it from. A hit with kids and a perfect match for the casual environment, zebra print area rugs are one of America’s favorite guilty pleasures.

If you have recently begun redecorating your home, the last place you are thinking about sprucing up is the outside, but with warmer weather right around the corner, it may be time to invest in new outdoor rugs for your home or apartment. Outdoor rugs can consist of something as simple as a doormat or something as wide-ranging as a patio carpet. Outdoor rugs are used for two main purposes: for safety and to help beautify a balcony, patio, or some other outdoor area.

What is an outdoor rug?

Outdoor rugs are simply thin fabric rugs made of extra durable and weather-resistant material. They can be used as a barrier between the inside and outside world or as a complete covering to hide an aging or cracked concrete patio or balcony. A quality outdoor rug can actually be quite expensive, which is why so many people have turned to online shopping for all of their outdoor rug needs. It is important that you keep in mind the dimensions and the color before shopping, although most reputable online sellers of outdoor rugs have comprehensive return policies in place just in case you make a mistake in judgment.

What are they made of?

Generally, outdoor rugs are made from a durable type of plastic known as polypropylene. This space age material cleans easily with a hose and is fade resistant, even through many summers and winters. Often times, however, these rugs will need to be sprayed down and cared for, otherwise water and mold can build up underneath them. As the old saying goes, the better you take care of your outdoor rug, the longer it will be there to provide the slip resistant footing you need in all of your outdoor spaces.

What to look for when buying one

If you are in the market for an outdoor rug, there are some important things to keep in mind. Make sure you have your dimensions down pat before you head online. You don’t want to have to cut off part of your rug to make it fit an area; it can speed up the rate in which your rug breaks down. You also want to make sure the colors offered match what you want. Most online retailers of outdoor rugs do offer returns, but they can be a bit of a hassle.

Color Choice

There is a reason why the majority of outdoor rugs come in greens and tans. They are inoffensive colors that tend to blend in with the world around them instead of drawing attention to themselves. That isn’t to say that if you want a bright orange outdoor rug, you won’t be able to find it; you may just have to shop around a bit more. Your rug should act as a complementary piece with your patio furniture or with your indoor furniture, unless of course you are “theming” your outdoor area and then all bets are off. No matter which color you choose, you can expect several years of performance from your outdoor rug before you have to toss it.