How Sisal Carpets Can Withstand Heavy Foot Traffic and Maintain Their Beauty
Sisal Carpets are made from natural plant fibers, and are becoming more and more popular with consumers. Many are seeking alternatives to synthetic flooring, which has been linked to some health problems and isn't as environmentally friendly as one might think. Other options include wool, jute, sea grass and coir. Sisal is harvested from the leaves of the sisalana, or agave, plant, which grows in arid climates like Mexico, Central America, and Africa. This makes it the toughest of all the natural carpet fibers, and very durable.
Sisal Carpets
The downside of sisal is that it's rough and scratchy underfoot, so if you have children or pets, you may want to consider a soft fiber instead. Also, because it's so coarse, it tends to show footprints and furniture indentations quite easily. It's not ideal for hallways, entryways, and stairs because of this.
Manufacturing process
Jute, on the other hand, is soft and chunky, making it a great choice for family rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. Like sisal, jute is a plant fiber that comes from the stalks of the jute or sisal plant. Unlike sisal, jute can be treated with stain resistant chemicals during the manufacturing process. This treatment allows the jute to be resistant to liquids and stains, making it much easier to maintain than sisal.
Easy to maintain
Both jute and sisal are easy to maintain, but they do require regular vacuuming and blotting of spills. You can also treat them with stain inhibitors or something similar, which will help water and liquid stains to bead up rather than absorb into the fibers. Just like with any other rug, it's best to vacuum frequently and regularly, at least once a week. This will remove dirt and grit, which can act as an abrasive and cause premature wear of the fibers.
Sisal and jute are perfect for high traffic
Because of their durability, sisal and jute are perfect for high traffic areas in homes with heavy furniture, like living rooms, dens, dining room and family spaces. They also do well in entryways and stairs, since they're durable enough to withstand the abrasions of foot traffic.
Conclusion
Sisal Carpets is also flame retardant, which makes it an excellent choice for kids' rooms and playrooms. It also has anti-static and noise reducing properties. Most manufacturers will finish a sisal rug with either a wide cotton or latex binding, which will keep the edges from fraying and add color and style to the rug. If you choose to have yours custom made, look for a binding that's at least 3" or 5". This will give the rug a professional appearance and keep it from tumbling over. The bind isn't as important with jute rugs, however, because it doesn't have the same potential for fraying. The good news is that jute and sisal will stay looking new for years when properly cared for.
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