How to clean sisal flooring

Just like a well-tailored suit or little black dress; sisal flooring is known for its timeless and classic style which remains year after year as a chic addition to any environment. Its rough texture and woven pattern adds another dimension to flooring offering any domestic or commercial setting a hardwearing floor with good under the foot grip.

So what is Sisal?

There are so many different types of carpet on the market; from wool and nylon through to sea grass, coir and sisal. Sisal is different in a number of ways from these and becomes the perfect alternative to conventional flooring when someone is looking for something a little bit different and with plenty of character.

Sisal carpets are manufactured from the Agave Sisalana plant, which is a spiky bush that grows in the sub-tropics in South America and East Africa. Sisal is initially exported in large bales, which are usually grouped, by type, length and colour. It is then used in a variety of products from rope and carpet to an environmentally responsible alternative to fiberglass.

Why Choose Sisal?

Apart from the fashionable vintage chic of sisal it is also known as a super tough fiber; hardwearing and strong making it perfect for any high traffic areas.

Sisal is anti-static, due to its natural fibers helping to control the humidity in the atmosphere. This is a great bonus for any office settings with computers and also means that the flooring is less likely to attract dirt.

The dense natural fiber also means it is particularly good at absorbing sound and with regular upkeep sisal is a relatively low maintenance option.

Other benefits

Sisal is a sustainable resource and grown with minimal, if any, pesticides and herbicides. Making it a fantastic environmental carpet choice.

Own a cat? No need to worry, sisal is great for sharpening nails without causing any damage. It is also the main textile used in most cat posts you see today!

Disadvantages

Due to its complex texture, stains are difficult to remove. Although sisal carpets are generally stain resistant, once a spill has occurred it can be hard work to completely clean.

Like most natural fibers, sisal can be rough to sit on. The market, however, does now offer lots of softer alternatives.

Sisal will absorb air humidity and release it leading to flooring contracting or expanding. For this reason the carpet is not recommended for areas likely to become damp and wet cleaning is a definite no.

Keeping Up Appearances

Sisal carpet cleaning is not a standard cleaning procedure. The first and most important rule for cleaning sisal is to never wet shampoo or clean. The use of a  dry carpet cleaning compound  and  vacuum  is the only recommended option for the successful clean of sisal, limiting any risk of damage.

Remember that sisal is a very absorbent fiber. Liquid spills will cause any dirt particles to rise to the surface and stain the carpet/rug and may cause dramatic shrinkage.

For best results spot cleaning is recommended where you would deal with any spoils quickly and as they happen. To do this, blot at a spill with a white cloth to avoid colour transfer. Never rub the area of the spill, as the aim is to absorb as much as you can into the cloth and not spread it further into the carpet. If the liquid spill is likely to stain then the use of a cloth made damp with carbonated water can really help to lift the stain out. Make sure you dry this area immediately after to avoid damage.

In any case over exposure to water or moisture can leave it looking a little worst for wear. For a deeper clean which will remove spots and debris without risking damage is a dry cleaning process, which involves products such as  envirodri pro 40 microsponges   and a GEN4 Dry Carpet Cleaning Machine . This system agitates a dry cleaning compound through the sisal fibres which breaks down and absorbs oil and water based dirt. The floor is then quite simply vacuumed after use leaving behind a clean and fresh smelling carpet.

With so many different types of carpet available on the market, making the right choice on how to maintain them is just as important as the carpet itself.  If you have a large area of sisal that needs cleaning then please contact us   so we can provide you with the right products for the job.