ANSWER -- Sisal is a natural material obtained from the stock and leaves of the succulent agave sisalana plant, which is found in Central America, the West Indies and Africa. These fibres are mechanically spun into yarn and woven into rugs.
Although it is considered to be a very strong and durable material, there are some precautions that accompany this product in order to extend its lifetime.
For your family room, look for a rug that displays a tight weave of continuous rows or a herringbone pattern. Loose loops tend to catch and break, causing permanent damage to the carpet's integrity.
As is true with all natural materials, sisal fibres are porous and can absorb liquids quickly. These rugs do not respond well to a damp/wet environment as the fibres tend to swell, distorting the rug. Shrinkage and buckling can occur, during the drying process, if the rug absorbs too much liquid.
If your rug does come into contact with liquid, place a clean towel under the carpet and apply another towel over the stain to blot the excess liquid. Apply gentle pressure, but do not rub, as this motion can cause fibres to break.
Dry any remaining moisture with a handheld dryer, on the cool setting, until the rug is dry to the touch. Generally a sisal rug can last for many years with regular vacuuming without a beater bar to remove dirt and particles that can get embedded into the weave.
Should you find you need to tend to a stain, apply a solution of warm water and Tide detergent to the area with a toothbrush. Work in the direction of the fibres.Rinse, blot thoroughly (with towels above and below) and dry with a handheld dryer as described above.
--Canwest News Service
