8 Facts Everyone Should Know About Sisal and Sisal Rugs

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Most people are familiar with wool rugs, and some know what jute and hemp rugs are. But what many customers ask when they stumble upon our site is, "What are sisal rugs?"

If you own a sisal rug or you are considering buying one, you might want to spend a little time learning about these natural-fiber accessories and how they can benefit your home. Here are eight facts to get you started. 

1. Sisal comes from a cactus plant.

Sisal rugs are both stylish and eco-friendly. Sisal rugs are made from the sustainable natural plant fiber sisal, a type of flowering cactus native to southern Mexico.

These days, sisal is cultivated for commercial use mostly in other areas of the world, such as Brazil, Vietnam, and Kenya. The sisal fibers used to make our rugs are woven from fibers taken from sisal’s long leaves. These fibers are stronger and more durable than other natural fibers like jute or coir. In fact, it's so tough that even drought conditions in Tanzania have not stopped commercial production of the fiber. And because sisal is a plant, it can be sustainably grown and harvested. 

2. Sisal is related to tequila!

Just when you thought you couldn’t like sisal rugs any more! The scientific name for the sisal plant is Agave Sisalana, which you may recognize as very similar to Agave Azul, aka the plant from which tequila is distilled. While we don’t recommend attempting to make spirits from your rug, the sisal plant can be distilled into a liquor similar to tequila, though it is mostly used to make things like rugs, rope, and even paper.   

3. Sisal rugs are very durable.

The natural fiber sisal is well known for its resilient nature, so you can easily place a sisal rug in high-traffic areas like the living room or bedroom, as well as commercial spaces. While artificial and even some natural-fiber rugs become worn quickly due to overuse, sisal rugs will stay in top-notch condition for long-lasting style and functionality.

This also makes them well-suited to any home with pets. And because sisal rugs are made from natural fibers, not only will your pet’s paws not tear up the rug, if your pet leaves a little gift on your sisal rug, it is quite easy to clean! Which brings us to our next point.

4. Sisal is eco-friendly!

Sisal’s eco-friendliness goes beyond the fact that it’s a plant and can therefore be grown and regrown again and again. As we mentioned earlier, sisal is hardier than most plants, which means it can be grown year-round in very dry and very hot locations. This means it’s not only a reliable source of natural fibers, but it does not require massive amounts of water in order to grow. 

But the fibers plied from the sisal leaf are not the only useful part of the plant. The remnants of the plant are used to feed animals, to produce electricity, and as fertilizer. Any waste not used for another purpose is biodegradable, which makes sisal one of the greenest and most sustainable materials available. 

5. Sisal rugs are easy to clean

Natural-fiber rugs like sisal are easy to maintain following a dry-cleaning process. To care for your sisal rug, simply vacuum regularly and spot clean with Sisal Life Cleaner when needed. This will prevent spills from becoming stains. 

6. They look great in any room

Along with their durability, sisal rugs are a smart choice for your space because they are often woven from more than one textile. We carry sisal rugs made from both sisal and wool, allowing you to enjoy a rug that is both long-lasting and soft. You should know, however, that rugs made only from sisal can be soft, too; just look for a rug with a thick weave. 

Sisal rugs are very versatile, which means you can enjoy them in the dining room, bedroom, living room and even the hallway. No matter what your home's style is, a sisal rug will complement and enhance the look. 

7. Sisal is very soft! 

The main selling point of sisal is its durability. However, it can’t be counted out when considering softness. While a sisal rug won’t be as soft as a jute rug—an unfair comparison, considering jute is one of the softest natural fibers—it’s still very soft, especially with a thicker and chunkier weave, like a Mali Sisal rug.

8. A rug pad would go perfectly underneath your sisal rug

There are many benefits to having a rug pad. They extend the life of your rug, for example, and they increase comfort and prevent the rug from moving around. If you haven't already, consider placing a pad underneath your rug.

Consider adding a sisal rug to your home. We offer a diverse selection and you can customize the size for a better fit.