How To Clean A Sisal Rug

Are you wondering how to clean a sisal rug? Is sisal hard to clean? Good news, cleaning your sisal rug is very easy to do. So whether your sisal rug needs an overall cleaning or you’re wondering how to clean sisal rug pet stains, food spills or other spots from your rug, read on for the best methods for sisal rug cleaning.

Sisal rugs are made from the leaves and stems of the agave plant. Sisal fiber is very strong, durable and affordable, making it a great material for ropes, bags and especially rugs. Sisal rugs tend to be stiff and coarse which helps them to stand up well to heavy wear and tear. There are a lot of ways to clean sisal rugs naturally. Follow these methods to keep your sisal rug looking like new:

Shake

Give your sisal rug a good shake to remove dirt and debris and to keep your rug looking its best.

• Take your sisal rug outside, and while tightly grasping onto the corners, give the rug a powerful shake. Keep shaking until it appears that all the dirt, crumbs and debris have come out.
• For large sisal rugs, hang the rug from a railing, fence or clothesline. Then give the rug a good beating using a broomstick or other strong stick. Beat both sides of the rug.
• If possible, leave the rug outside in the sun for a short time to help kill any bacteria or mildew that may be hiding in the rug.

Vacuum

Vacuum your sisal rug frequently to keep it looking its best. Sisal rugs tend to shed fibers leaving a fine dust under the rug. Vacuum the rug on both sides and under the rug once a week to keep dust at bay.

How To Clean Sisal Rug Spots

A common question we receive is how to clean dog poop or urine from a sisal rug. Follow the spot cleaning method to remove pet stains.

• Clean spots and spills from your sisal rug right away to keep them from staining.
• Use a clean cloth and warm (not hot) water to clean spills as they happen. Be sure to blot the area--don’t rub as rubbing can grind the stain deeper into the fibers.
• For solid spots or spills (like pet waste) that have dried, use the edge of a butter knife to remove as much of the solid material as possible. Then brush the spot with a stiff bristled brush, vacuum, and use a clean cloth and water to remove the stain.
• Wine, tomato sauce and other acidic stains can be neutralized with club soda.
• For tough stains, blot the stain with a little mild detergent in water.
• After the stain is removed, blot the area many times with clean water to remove any leftover detergent.

Can Sisal Rugs Get Wet?

Sisal is super absorbent and will hold onto liquids. If a wet sisal rug doesn’t dry completely, it can develop mold and mildew so it’s important to use as little water as possible when cleaning.

• If your sisal rug does end up getting wet, allow it to dry completely before placing it back on the rug pad. Try hanging your rug outside in the sun as this will help kill any mold or mildew.
• We do not recommend soaking, shampooing, power washing or steam cleaning your sisal rug.

Dry Cleaning

Another cleaning method for your sisal rug is dry cleaning. Purchase a dry cleaning powder that works with sisal and natural fiber rugs online or in cleaning supply stores. Lightly shake the powder onto the rug and then vacuum the powder up. Dirt and debris will come out with the cleaning powder.

Alternative Considerations

If you're looking for a lower maintenance rug we offer a wide selection of stylish, high-quality washable rugs. Perfect for busy households, these rugs can be easily cleaned, saving you time and effort. Explore our washable rug collection.