Sisal area rugs are the strongest and most durable natural-rugs you'll ever come across. They're also quite resilient in the face of heavy foot traffic and occasional dirt, which is why they are perfect for furnishing the outdoors and semi-outdoor areas.
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 you want to go green for your outdoor rug, jute is a natural choice that instantly adds texture to an outdoor space. Since jute comes from plants, a jute rug definitely provides a patio, porch or deck with a rugged feel. Keep in mind, jute, while a durable fiber, doesn't do well in very humid climates.
Sisal rugs can be bleached by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, so it's best to rotate them from time to time in order to avoid an uneven color pattern.
Q: What type of carpet can be used outside? Rugs made from both natural and synthetic fibers can be used outdoors. Bamboo, sisal, hemp, jute, polypropylene, nylon, and polyester rank among the most popular materials. Wool rugs don't work outdoors.
Our quick answer: Avoid getting your jute rugs wet! Water releases oils in jute that will brown the fiber during the drying process.
They can certainly handle some moisture and even a rain shower, but remember that all natural fiber rugs, when exposed to moisture, are prone to mildew. Mildew will eventually cause the rug to discolor, smell bad and decompose.
Jute is a type of plant fiber, and it's usually woven into rugs. Sisal, on the other hand, comes from plants such as agave or pineapple plants in Africa. It's often used for flooring because its stiffer texture makes it more durable than Jute and Linen. Jute is softer and has a more textured surface.
Considering that a sisal area rug can cover a larger surface area in your home, this gives your cat plenty of room to go wild and scratch away. Sisal rugs won't give into your cat's claws either as their tight weaves guard them against damage, making them a very durable area rug.
Do Sisal Rugs Shed? All plant fibers shed to some degree whereas natural sisal fairs much better in the shedding category than jute. Another way to say this: the more durable a natural fiber rug, the less it sheds. Sisal is tough.
Can Indoor rugs be used outside? No, indoor rugs are not made to withstand the elements – rain and sun – of the outdoors. The sun can fade them. The rain can cause watermarks and the fibers to disintegrate.
A majority of outdoor rugs are made of synthetic materials. Typically, this means acrylic, nylon, polyester or man-made polypropylene. These types of outdoor rugs are popular due to their durabilty and affordability.
Polypropylene rugs (also known as olefin rugs) have a natural-fiber appearance, but unlike most natural fibers, they are able to absorb water. This makes them well-suited for the outdoors and areas like the bathroom or basement; polypropylene rugs will not grow mold or mildew when exposed to water.
A liquid spill will act as a magnet to any dirt particles that are in the rug, causing the dirt to rise to the surface. Professionally clean as needed. Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a natural fiber floor covering which can cause shrinkage, discoloration, and/ or staining.
Outdoor rugs are not often waterproof. But they are water resistant. Simply put, they absorb less water than most indoor rugs, and they dry a lot quicker after getting wet. Thanks to these characteristics outdoor rugs can be left outside and stay outside even in the rain.
Regular vacuuming is the best care to keep the appearance of your Sisal Rug fresh. Visible and loose dirt should be vacuumed with a strong suction vacuum. Do not use a beater bar. Vacuum the carpet from different directions, making several passes over the area.
Rugs and Carpeting to Avoid
Because they appeal to cats and are hard to clean, Ruvel does not recommend either sisal or jute rugs. Shag carpeting and high-pile rugs are also difficult to clean and maintain, she says, while Berber rugs with loose loops can be a problem (animals can get their claws caught in the loops).
Scratching is a natural part of feline nature, and plays an essential role in maintaining their health. Luckily for homeowners, cats usually prefer to scratch vertical surfaces. Since rugs lay flat on a horizontal surface, jute area rugs are typically safe from cat scratches.
Cats love woven sisal due to its rough texture. Scratching posts made from woven sisal have a more resistant surface, which makes scratching more challenging – and fun! – for the cat. They are also more durable, which means your scratching post won't shred and the fabric won't come apart.
Plus, although sisal fibers are very durable and wear very well, they can be tricky to clean. If you want to be on the safe side, we would suggest going with a sisal weave with lots of color variation and with a binding that is darker so it won't show dirt that easily.
Pros: Especially durable sisal is great for high-traffic areas. Cons: Sisal fibers are coarse, so they're less comfortable underfoot than jute. They're prone to becoming a bit slippery with a lot of wear, so avoid using sisal runners on stairs. And because sisal is absorbent, tough stains can be tricky to remove.
The look of sisal is something for which it is prized as well. Like many natural fiber carpets, sisal has a distinctive tan, beige, and creamy white color that naturally comes from the plant fibers it's made of.
Dry The Rug In Sunlight To Prevent Mold
They are easy to clean and resists mold. To ensure that your area rug stays free of mold growth after washing, hang it over a porch railing in the sunlight. If you don't have a railing, lay the rug out in the sun to dry and flip it over to make sure both sides dry thoroughly.
An outdoor rug won't exactly damage your concrete patio, but it could cause the surface to darken. If moisture becomes trapped under the rug, it will seep into the porous concrete and change its appearance. There are several approaches you can take to prevent this.
Short of using your dryer, the best way to dry your rug is to hang it outside in the sun. For smaller rugs, use clothespins or clips to hang the rug straight. For larger rugs, you might need to hang them over a clothesline. If you can't hang it outside, you can also use your hairdryer.