How to Clean a Sisal Rug

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: November 28, 2022

Sisal is a natural fiber made from the leave of the agave plant. It is a popular choice for rugs and other household decor thanks in part to the earthy look of its rough weave. Sisal is generally easy to maintain. All it takes is a suction-only vacuum or a soft beating with a rug beater to clean a sisal mat. It is important to avoid getting sisal wet, though, as this may cause warping and discoloration. Blot wet spots and dry quickly to help minimize the damage.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Maintaining the Rug for Daily Use

1
Shake out debris. If you find your rug picks up large amounts of dirt or debris, start by shaking it out. Take it out to an area that you don’t mind getting dirty, such as a garage or yard, and shake the rug by raising one end in your hands above your head and bringing your arms down quickly. This will help expel any large debris.^{[1]
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2
Beat the rug. To help get out finer dirt and dust, hang the rug up in an open area such as a yard and use a rug beater or a tennis racket to beat the dust out of the rug. Firmly but gently hit sections of the rug with the racket, working your way from top to bottom, and moving over once you’ve completely cleared a section.^{[2]
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- Beating the rug may not always be necessary, but it can be especially helpful if you keep it in a place that is prone to dust or high foot traffic. It is also a good alternative if you are unable to vacuum your rug.
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3
Vacuum the rug. Use a suction-only vacuum such as a hand vacuum or the upholstery attachment for your vacuum hose to finish cleaning the rug. Using the beaters on your vacuum is less effective and may cause more wear to the fibers. Instead, use a strong suction setting to help pull out any dirt and debris that has settled in the fibers and on the underlay.^{[3]
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- Weekly vacuuming is recommended, even if you cannot see any soiling. Regular vacuuming will help prevent buildup of unwanted materials, keeping the rug looking fresh every day.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Treating the Rug for Stains

1
Blot spills as they happen. Moisture of any kind can warp the weave of sisal and lead to browning of the fiber, so it is important to address spills as they happen. Blot the spot dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing, as this will only spread the moisture.^{[4]
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- Take note of whether the spill left a stain. Even a slight change in color at the time of the spill can quickly alter the color of the rug.
2
Treat potential stains. If you notice a stain forming, blot up the spill and then treat the area quickly. Use a brush or sponge to apply a small amount of a mild fabric detergent to the area. Make sure the area isn’t oversaturated with the cleaning solution. Follow immediately by blotting the area with lukewarm water and a clean, undyed paper towel or cloth. Continue to rinse until all sudsing has stopped.^{[5]
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- Any cleanser used on the rug should have a neutral pH, like mild dish soap. Check the label for a pH value of 7.
- If your stain is still there or there is an odor, use 1 part vinegar mixed with 1 part water for a cleaning solution.
- Use the same process for an oil-based stain, but opt for a tetra solvent instead of a mild detergent.^{[6]
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3
Dry the rug. If a sisal rug gets wet, even if it is just with water, it is important to dry the rug as quickly as possible. Use a low heat setting on a hair dryer or a large fan to help you get the rug to dry faster.
- Dry the carpet as soon as you can to avoid warping or additional water marking.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining a Sisal Rug

1
Keep humidity consistent. Large fluctuations in humidity can lead to discoloration and degraded strength in a sisal rug. Try to keep your rug in a climate-controlled environment. If you notice large fluctuations in humidity in the area where you keep your rug, consider investing in either a dehumidifier or a humidifier.^{[7]
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- A dehumidifier may be more practical if you live in a place that is typically drier but has a humid period. A humidifier may be more useful if you live in a place that is typically more humid but has noticeable dry periods.
- If you experience one abnormally dry day but do not want to invest in a humidifier, hold a spray bottle filled with water well above the rug. Spray the air with water and let the mist settle on the fibers, moisturizing the rug.^{[8]
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2
Maintain consistent sunlight. Since sisal is a natural fiber, it can be bleached by the sun. It is fine to keep a sisal rug in the sunlight just so long as you ensure relatively even sun exposure across the rug. If sunlight only reaches a portion of the rug, it may bleach out that individual part, leading to inconsistent coloration across the rug.^{[9]
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- If your rug has been discolored by water, leaving it out in the sun for several hours may help bleach the fibers back to a more natural color.
3
Apply a fabric protectant. Fabric protectants made especially for sisal can help keep the rug looking better and make it more difficult for wet spills to stain the surface. Look online or at a home improvement store for a fabric protector meant for use on sisal.^{[10]
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- Use and wear will decrease the effectiveness of fabric protectants over time. Reapply as you notice your rug getting dirty faster or as you find it is harder to fully clean the rug.

Expert Q&A

Question

Sprite Soda was spilled on my sisal rug. It was blotted up with paper towels and does not appear to have left a stain. Due to the sugar content in the soda, is there anything else I should do?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Due to the sugars in the soda, it is recommended to blot the area with lukewarm water with a clean cloth. If you notice any sticky residue within the fibers, you should first use a highly diluted pH neutral soap solution, like mild dish soap to reduce any long term damage to the rug.
Question

Is there any way to fix the discoloration of sisal after spot cleaning a pet accident? The pet stains came out fine, but now i have several light spots remaining in the carpet.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing what product you used to spot clean your rug, as remnants from the product could have left the discoloration. However, vinegar and baking soda can get out many types of stains. You can first combine 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and 1 drop of mild dish detergent. Apply the solution onto the stained area with a clean cloth. If the stain is still apparent, you can sprinkle baking soda over your damp rug and continue blotting with your vinegar and water solution. Let the stain sit for 15 minutes and then blot with a clean rag with water and dry the area with a hair dryer on low heat.

Warnings

Sisal can easily be stained by water. Avoid using sisal in areas that may regularly get wet, and blot up wet stains quickly.

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Do not steam-clean sisal rugs. This can lead to a breakdown of the weave, as well as staining and distortion along the rug.

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