Cleaning and maintaining a rug is not something that should be done just for aesthetic purposes; it is a practice that is necessary to keep your floor covering well-maintained and prevent health and hygiene issues. Different types of rugs require different cleaning techniques to be used, and some are much easier to clean than others.
Sisal rugs have gained an excellent reputation over the years for being relatively easy to care for and clean. If you’ve recently acquired a sisal rug and want to keep it in your life for the long haul, here’s everything you need to know about how to clean it.
What Are Sisal Rugs?
Sisal rugs are natural fibre floor coverings that are composed of plant fibres made from the cactus plant Agave sisalana. They are a sustainable rug choice known for their versatility and durability. Like other natural fibre rugs, sisal rugs are pretty low-maintenance and can be easily restored to their original form.
How to Upkeep A Sisal Rug
Regularly cleaning your sisal rug is the best way to upkeep it. Maintenance habits you should get in the habit of doing include:
· Shaking out dirt and debris: Manually shaking out your sisal rug or making use of a rug beater will dislodge the dirt and debris that can get caught in its fibres and cause them to unravel.
· Vacuuming your rug: A suction-only vacuum is also an effective way to get rid of dirt, and it can help pull out tiny particles that are lodged deep in the rug’s fibres.
· Making an effort to keep it dry: Natural fibres tend to shrivel up and/or turn brown when they are exposed to water, so do your best to keep your sisal rug as dry as possible.
How to Spot Clean A Sisal Rug
Since sisal rugs are sensitive to any kind of water exposure, it’s of utmost importance to clean up spills immediately after they happen. Here are the steps you should take after spilling liquid on your sisal rug:
1. Blot
Use a dry towel and gently blot the wet spot. Be careful not to rub the towel on the rug, as this will spread the moisture and make the damage worse. Keep blotting the affected area until there’s no longer any residue transfer.
2. Use Club Soda to Lift the Stain
Stains that aren’t too severe can usually be lifted with club soda. Simply dip a cloth into club soda then apply the cloth onto the stain.
3. Use a Cleaning Solution
If you notice a stain is still left behind after using club soda to clean up the spill, it’s time to turn to some mild detergent. Remember, any colour change on your rug will likely become a permanent fixture.
Create a mixture of warm water, white vinegar, and mild dishwashing detergent. Soak a cloth in the solution and wring it out. Blot the affected area with the damp cloth, then go in with a separate cloth that just has water on it and continue to blot until all the suds are gone.
4. Apply Baking Soda to Smelly Stains
Sometimes smelly odours can linger on rugs, and you most definitely don’t want to let that odour set into your rug permanently. To combat the stench, apply baking soda to the stain then vacuum it up once you think the odour has been drawn out.
5. Dry Your Rug
After cleaning your rug, it’s essential that you dry it either with a hairdryer or by setting it out in direct sunlight. (Note: Too much sun exposure will bleach a sisal rug, so don’t your leave your rug out in the sun for too long).
That’s it! By following this guide on how to clean a sisal rug, you’ll be ready to tackle stains as soon as they happen. And if you think your rug is past the point of no return, you can turn to the professionals at Love Your Rug.
Love Your Rug is an accredited and award-winning rug cleaning and rug repair service that serves all cities in Southern Ontario. Our team of dry cleaners and area rug merchants are well equipped to deal with rugs in all types of conditions and return them to you within 7-10 days. Contact us today to get a free quote!
