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.

Beautify your kitchen with a quality kitchen rug

Kitchen floor tiles can often be stark and cold but by adding an area rug you can create warmth and color to your kitchen décor. Kitchen rugs are not usually considered a necessary requirement for a kitchen but a good quality rug is a functional way to add warmth and color.

What to Look for When Buying Kitchen Area Rugs

When purchasing a rug for your kitchen, it is important to consider that it will absorb lots of spills. It is therefore worthwhile purchasing an area rug that is machine-washable. It should also be durable enough to take on high traffic as the kitchen is one of the most highly used rooms in the house.

What Material Should You Buy?

There have been many improvements in fiber technology and construction techniques which means that even less expensive kitchen rugs are hard wearing, although some rugs are prone to becoming flat and easily soiled. Wool is usually a preferred choice as it resists daily wear better than synthetic fibers. Wool is well known for its many qualities such as high durability and easy care. Rugs made of cotton are machine washable and sisal rugs are hard wearing. It all comes down to personal preference.

Berber Kitchen Rug - Bordeaux

Kitchen rugs not only look good, they also have a practical use. A rug in your kitchen can be useful in protecting the flooring from accidental drops of heavy objects such as pans and jars which can easily crack tiles. A small area rug in front of the refrigerator, stove or sink will protect these areas.
Braided rugs are often used in the kitchen because of their durability and ease of cleaning. The variety of colors and designs of braided rugs is amazing so you will easily find a kitchen rug to suit your home.

Where Can You Buy Kitchen Rugs Online?

We found the best prices and the biggest range at Amazon.

For a contemporary look and feel to your room, try a natural Sisal or Jute Rugs

Sisal and Jute are the natural alternative to the traditional wool or synthetic fiber rugs. Manufactured from natural fibers these rugs provide a contemporary look that will suit a range of homes and provide an elegant look that can’t be beat.

Fibers from Sisal, Jute and Seagrass are obtained from  plants that grow in Mexico, Brazil, Africa and in some parts of Asia, where the material is harvested and processed into yarn before being sent to the mills for weaving into rugs and carpets.

Jute is one of the softest of all natural fibers making it ideal for bedroom and lounge areas. It is not suitable for high traffic areas of your home or moist wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens.

The jute fibers are woven together to create a beautifully textured finish in earthy tones ranging from light tan to brown. Natural jute area rugs look particularly good in a contemporary home against hard-wood floors.

Sisal fiber is stronger than jute and therefore very durable. Sisal rugs can be used in high traffic areas including hallways and on stairs.

Sisal has the ability to be dyed allowing for a range of colors and patterns. This beautiful, elegant rug makes it suitable for many areas of the home particularly living areas and kids rooms which see a lot of wear.

Sisal, Jute and Seagrass rugs are available in all sizes and shapes such as oval, round or square, so they will certainly suit most rooms including the bedroom or sitting room.

Available in beautifully painted designs and borders in all colors, these natural rugs are suitable for use in either indoor or outdoors areas of your home.

Natural sisal area rugs will add style and elegance to your room’s decor

Sisal rugs are a natural product made from the fibers of the Agave Sisalana plant. Because the material is derived from plant fibers, sisal is not only strong and durable but quite affordable. The benefits are not only in the quality of the product but also in the look and feel. Sisal rugs are an elegant addition to any household.

Sisal fibers tend to be course so often when these rugs are being manufactured other softer materials such as wool mix combinations and cotton are added to give the carpet a softer feel.

Although the sisal rug has a softer feel it is still very hard wearing. The wool mix does result in a slightly higher cost but it is an option available for those who prefer the softer style of rug.

Sisal area rugs are an elegant looking rug with natural colors ranging from pale yellow to an almost white. Sisal fibers can also be dyed which greatly increases the variety of colors and weaved designs now available. This style of rug will suit almost any home.

These rugs are perfect for a wood covered floor particularly in a dining or living area. If you have wall-to-wall carpet, sisal rugs are an affordable way of protecting those high traffic areas that will see a lot of wear and tear. As the dirt falls through the thick weave it makes for easy cleaning, as the rug can simply be picked up and the dirt effortlessly swept away.

Sisal area rugs come in a variety of shapes to suit most rooms. The options available include hall and stair runners as well as sisal installed to cover a room from wall-to-wall. These rugs generally come standard with a latex backing to prevent slipping and sliding of the rug.

Because sisal area rugs come in lovely natural tonings they are ideal for the arts and crafts addict to paint. They are very porous and absorb paint well, so apply the paint thickly and generally two coats of paint are required. Sisal is ideal for stencil work, although dab the paint into the fibers and do not use paper towel to blot the paint. Always put something under the sisal rug when painting to protect the underneath surface.