Sisal rugs are naturally derived and beautifully designed to make any room in your house pop. Although the rug fibers come from a plant in South America, they do require routine maintenance to preserve their beauty and personality. Sisal rugs are semi-stain resistant water proof but do best when kept in a dry and arid environment. After buying your sisal rug, you probably want to know how to care for it so it stays looking new and fresh. Follow a few of these tips to keep your sisal rug sizzling and spectacular.

Sisal fibers do not do well with damp, wet or humid environments. They don’t make a good choice as a runner by your front door or for use in an area where wet feet may trample on it. A sisal rug should also be placed in room that has a low chance of seeing a spill. Dinning rooms and living rooms that get a lot of use would not be a good place to lay a sisal rug.

If water was to make its way to your sisal rug, you want to get it dry as soon as possible. The wetness of a spill or water from rain can quickly shrink the rug and distort its natural shape. It can also force the dirt that’s underneath the pile to come to the surface, giving the rug a dirty appearance. If you spill something on the carpet, clean it immediately by using a dry cloth to soak up as much of the spill as possible. If it doesn’t leave a stain, use a blow dryer to dry the area quickly. If there is a stain, use a stain removing solution by blotting the stain. Never rub a stain as this can push it deeper and more permanently into the rug.

Vacuum your sisal rug on a daily basis if it is in a high traffic area or at least once a week to keep dust and unwanted particles away form the rug. Avoid wearing shoes on a sisal rug as this can add unnecessary wear and tear to the carpet, aging it more quickly. Simply ask your guests to remove their shoes when visiting your home. Shampoo the sisal rug once every six months. After shampooing the carpet, turn it one complete turn clockwise to diversify the foot traffic pattern. This will keep even wear on the carpet so one portion of it doesn’t look more worn than another.

A few general tips to care for your rug is:

• Rug pad extends rug life and protects floors.
• Use rug indoors, away from high moisture areas.
• To avoid fading, do not expose rug to direct sunlight.
• Blot spills immediately using a dry absorbent cloth and do not allow water to soak rug.
• Vacuum regularly to maintain best appearance.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage the rug.
• Do not pull loose ends. Clip scissors to remove.
• Turn carpet around occasionally to equalize wear.
• For hard-to-remove stains, professional rug cleaning is recommended.

Sisal area rugs require special attention and some extra care. If you follow these simple steps your sisal rug will treat you well and stay with your for many years to come. Remember to keep your sisal rug out of direct sunlight and away from humid or damp areas. This is probably the single most important aspect of caring for you sisal rug.