How to Clean Sisal Rug
Sisal rugs are earthy rugs that enhance any room. Made from the fibers of the Central American agave sisalana plant, these tightly woven rugs come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. With their tight fibers, these rugs fight off dirt and staining, but aren’t immune to it, and over time can undergo wear and tear. If you have a sisal rug, know how to properly clean up spills and stains in order to keep it looking naturally beautiful. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum (with brush attachment)
- Paint scraper or plastic knife
- 1 cup of boiled, distilled water
- 1 cup undistilled white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Clean cloth
Instructions
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1
Read the label that accompanies your sisal rug. Some rugs are made from more delicate fibers, and require that they be dry-cleaned only.
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2
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly, front and back, and use the brush attachment that accompanies your vacuum cleaner to try and brush out any debris ingrained into your sisal rug’s fibers.
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3
Scrape up any dried stains, like mud or food, with a paint scraper or plastic knife. Remember to do this gently, slowly digging your scraper underneath dried pieces and pulling them away.
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4
Boil some distilled water and allow to cool to lukewarm, then pour 1 cup of it into a plastic bottle with a spray nozzle. Add 1 a cup of undistilled white vinegar. Swirl the mixture around a few times in the bottle to mix it up good.
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5
Spray any stains that can’t be scraped, like old liquid stains, with about four squirts to dampen the stain, but not soak it. Repeat on the other side of the stain as well.
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6
Use a white cloth to slowly blot up the stain on both sides, and repeat the previous step, blotting every time until the stain is gone.
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Tips & Warnings
For new stains, like spilled liquids, react fast and begin gently blotting the stain on either side with a cloth to soak it away from the rug. Don’t push down too hard, as you risk pushing fluids further into the carpet.
Never use chemicals on a sisal rug that aren’t meant for cleaning sisal rugs specifically.
Always spot-check any new chemical products on a small area before cleaning any larger areas.
References
- Photo Credit Texture of sacks image by Bambuh from Fotolia.com
