INTRODUCTION

Woven rugs and carpets made from sisal, coir, sea grass, jute and similar natural fibers are increasingly popular as designer floor coverings.  Synthetic imitations of these fibers are likewise becoming increasingly common.  While the synthetic versions respond well to standard cleaning techniques, the natural fibers present some cleaning challenges.

Natural fibers are not appropriate for locations in the home where moisture is likely - bathrooms, kitchens, damp basements.  Many of these fibers are durable but still should not be installed in high use areas such as hallways, entry ways or the family room due to likely cleaning problems.

Sisal - is made from the agave plant, the same family of plants that provides aloe and tequila.  These are grown in Central America but major production is from Brazil and East Africa.

Strong fibers from inside the large leaves are separated, washed, dried and spun into fiber.  These fibers accept color well and are often dyed.

Natural anti-static property of sisal permits it to release dry soils easier than some other natural fibers.

Coir - (sometimes spelled coire) is composed of fibers from the outer husk of coconuts.  Most coir is produced in India.  The coconut seed pods are soaked in water for several months to loosen the fibers.  They are then separated, dried, and cleaned before spinning into yarn.

Seagrass - is indeed a grass.  It is grown in China in paddy fields.  Part way through the plants growth, the fields are flooded with sea water.  Seagrass tends to resist moisture but it is still not advisable for rooms where it may get wet.

Being moisture resistant it will not accept dyes.  Variations in natural color will be more evident than in products that can be dyed.  These variations can add to the decorator appeal and charm.

Jute - Jute is another plant fiber grown in Bangladesh, India, and China.  Jute is the least durable of this group of fibers.  It should not be used in settings with high traffic.

Cleaning Considerations - These fibers contain more lignin than cellulose.  While adding strength, it also makes them more likely to "brown" following wet cleaning.  Seagrass' moisture resistance means it will wet clean easier than the others.

PROCEDURE

STEP 1

Educate your clients to quickly blot up any wet spills.  This can be done with paper towels or white cotton towels.  Drying can be finished with a hair dryer or by sprinkling Stain Absorb on the spot.  This will be removed by normal vacuuming.  Wet spills can leave permanent rings, especially on sisal.

STEP 2

Inspect carpet for any potential problems.  Point these out to your client before beginning any cleaning attempt.

STEP 3

Thoroughly vacuum installed carpets.  Area rugs can be turned upside down and shaken or beaten before vacuuming.

STEP 4

The safest cleaning is accomplished using a dry systems such as Host��.

CAUTION

Water marks or rings easily form at the boundary or interface between a wet area and a dry area.  Shrinkage is possible.  Color may be lost from dyed fibers.  Wet cleaning should be attempted with great caution!

Should you choose a wet cleaning process, limit moisture wherever possible.  Use air movers to accelerate drying.