The BEST Custom Sisal Rugs You Can Actually Clean
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After years of searching, I’ve found the best alternative sisal rug ever! Learn about the BEST easy-to-clean, custom sisal rugs with borders or without.
Find out why this incredible indoor outdoor sisal rug might be perfect for your home!
I love sisal rugs. They’re natural, neutral and easily transition with each season. However, I don’t love the dust/dirt {have you ever looked under yours, the horror!} and inability to clean.
Last December, we purchased a chenille and sisal rug – it was so beautiful and the perfect fit for our living room, but not our lifestyle. We have an asphalt driveway that despite all efforts, transfers onto surfaces inside our home, including the rug.
Even worse, if you follow along on Instagram you know that I don’t exactly have a steady hand with red wine.
Needless to say, the rug didn’t fare well. We attempted to clean it but it changed the color of the sisal and given it’s natural fibers, the stain didn’t budge much. So, we knew it was time for a more durable change in this room.
Table of Contents
The New Sisal Rug Alternative
There’s a time and a place for everything, and I’ll always have a place in my heart for authentic sisal rugs, but I found an alternative that looks and even feels like sisal, but wipes and hoses clean.
I’ve written a lot about rugs, including the best easy to clean indoor/outdoor Stair Runner on Basement Steps, the Best Kid and Pet Friendly Rug, and even Indoor Outdoor Rugs. Get my best Tips for Purchasing a Rug with this comprehensive guide, and Bedroom Rug Size and Placement Guidelines too!
After an extensive Google search, I found Sisal Rugs Direct and worked with them to design a rug that fit our living room and our lifestyle.
Even better, this custom sisal rug with a border can be specifically ordered to fit your room, and you’ll select your color, texture and binding! It’s the easy and inexpensive solution I have been looking for to have my sisal and enjoy it, too!
What are Sisal Rugs?
True sisal rugs are produced with natural plant fibers, which create a warm, natural and inviting feeling in a home. They are known for their durability and versatility, with a look that mimics a tightly woven natural rope in many instances.
Sisal is available in a wide variety of natural colors, and the texture adds beauty to any room. While a 100% sisal rug would tend to stain, shed and be a little less comfortable underfoot, many are available as a blend, or in a synthetic fiber that take the best of several production techniques and create even more appeal.
A sisal blend is often less expensive than other rugs, simple to clean and maintain, and can work in a variety of decor styles. Whether your style is modern, vintage, farmhouse or beyond, a sisal rug could be the perfect choice for your space!
While a true sisal is made of 100% natural fibers, the term “sisal rug” actually encompasses all varieties of this look and feel in the world of interior design.
Why You’ll Love this Sisal Rug
While I’m not always a fan of synthetic fibers, sometimes it’s just a requirement for daily living to use something with a little more durability.
Sisel rugs are often blended with synthetic materials. You can also find sisel wool blends, sisel nylon blends, and so much more. This indoor outdoor sisal rug is actually 100% polypropylene, which means it won’t mold, mildew or fade.
In fact, it’s so durable that it’s meant to be hosed off for cleaning!
- Soft underfoot
- tightly woven boucle pattern
- A gorgeous variety of colors
- All the look of a custom sisal with none of the disadvantages
- Made of Polypropylene for the ultimate in indoor outdoor rug durability
- Backing: Un-Backed, Rug Pad Recommended
- Usage: Indoors and Outdoors
How to Order a Custom Sisal Rug with Border
- Select your favorite textures
- Select your favorite colors
- Choose a binding that fits your style/lifestyle
- Order samples
- Measure your space {2′ from each wall for a living room or 2+’ longer than each side of the table for a dining room. In this style, the maximum width is 13’ in all colors.
- Order!
How to Clean an Indoor Outdoor Sisal Rug
- Spot clean with a damp, white cloth or white paper towels. Blot, don’t rub.
- For red wine {not that I would need it} dampen a white cloth with club soda and blot clean with Folex.
- Hose rug clean with water, clear dish soap if needed and allow to dry.
Our Custom Sisal Rug Details
This indoor outdoor sisal rug is available in a more natural color {dune}, but I selected a softer neutral for the family room {frost}.
It works well with the wall color and for a soft, calming Neutral Living Room and I love that you can choose a contrasting border if you wish. You can shop this specific style of rug here. Find more about my favorite Neutral Rugs here.
- Style: Belize Outdoor Sisal Rug with Border
- Color: Frost
- Border: Extra Wide Cotton Alabaster
Quick tip: Order a sample! You can find the rug samples here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sisal and jute rugs?
Authentic sisal rugs are made of a stiffer fiber than jute and are generally not soft underfoot. Jute is slightly softer, although they often look much the same.
Which is better, jute or sisal rugs?
In general, sisal rugs are thought to be more durable and last longer than jute, which is a more delicate fiber and requires a less trafficked area of your home.
However, any natural fiber tends to shed and deteriorate over time, which is why there are so many wonderful sisal alternatives on the market.
Are sisal rugs durable?
Sisel fibers are quite resilient and if cared for well, they can last for many years. However, true sisel tends to stain and carry moisture, making them difficult for an active family lifestyle. Many beautiful sisel alternatives are on the market with synthetic durability.
Can sisal rugs get wet?
Sisal fibers are very absorbent and retain moisture, causing mildew and mold. If you own a true sisal rug, use as little water as possible while cleaning.
An indoor outdoor sisal rug can be hosed off, however, as it’s made of a Polypropylene material.
Get more of my best tips for layering rug in this design guide for Layering Rugs on Carpet!
I’d love to hear from you! Do you love sisal rugs as much as I do? Have you struggled to maintain the rugs that you love?
More Decorating Ideas
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- Choosing Patterned Carpet
- Vintage Turkish Rugs
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- 10 Ways to Make an Old Home Feel New
- 20 Easy DIY Wall Art Ideas
- 5 Designer Secrets to Decorate a Room
- 7 Ways to Add Light to a Room
Sue says
Hi Julie, thank you so much for this source. I live in Canada and it’s near impossible to find anything like this. Do you happen to know the color of your binding and what type of binding you chose?
Thanks!
Debra says
Hello — I am wondering if you are still happy with this faux sisal rug. I ordered a sample and it is very pretty. Am considering it for several rooms and may even consider for a stair runner. If I use it as a runner, I will not be able to “hose off.” Do you think it is easy enough to spot clean for that purpose? Thanks
Julie says
I absolutely love it! I’m having a stair runner installed next as well. I have yet to hose mine off. Vacuuming has kept it spotless so far, I only used a wet paper towel once to wipe a spot.
Rebekah Chiew says
So you got one that sisal and coated it or did you get the polypropylene one?Â
Julie says
Polypropylene, but it doesn’t feel like it!
Anonymous says
Can you link to the one you got?
Julie says
It’s custom, so I can’t really link to it, but if you follow this link and select Belize for the pattern and Frost for the color, and outdoor binding, you can add your dimensions to have one made. Enjoy!
laura says
Hi Julie, What color did you choose? With a Bernese Mountain dog sisal rugs are very forgiving! xo laura
Julie says
Frost – I can only imagine! Our little pup tracked all sorts of dirt in. Hope you have a beautiful week!