Natural plant fibers (cellulosic fibers) such as cotton, linen, silk and wool are well-known due to their extensive use in a wide variety of textile products— from upholstery fabrics to window treatments. While these fibers are also used in rug and carpet constructions, there are some lesser-known types that often make up natural fiber rugs. This blog will cover four of these natural fibers: sisal, seagrass, jute and coir.
Though these fibers have their drawbacks, they can be a great addition to any space if you’re interested in adding the unique element of natural fiber rugs. We will discuss what each fiber is, the traits they possess, and the best way to care for them.
What is Sisal?
Sisal is a leaf fiber obtained from the leaves of plants in the agave family. The sisal fiber is separated from the fleshy parts of the leaves, then washed and dried. Sisal fiber is creamy white to light brown in color and has a coarse and inflexible texture.
Sisal has been used for small rugs and mats for many years. However, large sisal area rugs have become increasingly popular and sisal wall-to-wall carpet can even be found occasionally.
Fiber Fun Fact: It takes approximately 100 pounds of leaves to produce only 4 pounds of fibers, and the leftover fleshy part is used to produce tequila!
What is seagrass?
One of the most unique natural rug fibers you will find is seagrass. As you may be able to guess from the name, seagrass is derived from the perennial grasses of saltwater marshes. Seagrass material is smooth and hard— like a finished piece of thin wood. Completed seagrass rugs are naturally yellowish brown to light green in color.
A seagrass rug adds an earthy and natural touch to any space, but not all climates are ideal for them. Seagrass rugs are not recommended for humid environments since they can easily mildew.
What is jute?
Jute fiber is obtained from the stem of the Corchorus plant, which is mainly grown in Asia. Natural jute can range in color from yellow to brown to gray and has a silky luster. Unlike the other fibers discussed in this article, jute is sometimes used as a pile yarn in hand-knotted rugs.
Jute is the second most manufactured natural fiber in the world after cotton, and is commonly used as a backing material for different types of rugs. Jute is a rainy season crop that grows best in warm, humid climates. The jute stalks, which are 8-12 feet tall, are cut, tied into bundles and retted— soaked in water until the outer bark begins to rot. The jute fibers are then stripped from the stalk in strands 6-10 feet long, washed in clear water and then dried.
India and Bangladesh are the top jute producers in the world, and jute rugs are a staple in the interior design world for their ability to be easily incorporated into neutral designs.
What is Coir?
Coir is a stiff fiber made by stripping the outer hairs of a coconut. The husks are separated from the coconuts, retted (soaked) in lagoons and are beaten with wooden mallets to produce the golden fiber. The word “coir” is thought to be derived from the Indian word “kayiru” which means “rope”.
Coir rugs are naturally a beautiful shade of cinnamon brown, although the fibers are often dyed darker. Coir rugs add beautiful depth and warmth to any design.
Coir can also be processed as a soil alternative, often called coconut coir or coco coir. Overall, coir is a very versatile and sustainable fiber type that can last many years when properly cared for.
Shared characteristics of sisal, jute, seagrass and coir
This group of cellulosic fibers are all course, stiff fibers that are valued for their natural appearance rather than comfort or performance. These fibers share several traits that define how they must be cared for.
- They quickly and easily absorb moisture and allow it to penetrate deep into the fiber and construction.
- Once crushed, distorted or flattened, these fibers rarely recover. Texture or appearance changes are often permanent.
- These fibers are often undyed or lightly processed and contain significant lignin. This means that once moisture is introduced, cellulosic browning is a major risk.
Common differences in natural fiber rugs
- Sisal and seagrass have a natural medium to high luster, while jute and coir do not.
- Sisal and seagrass are very prone to fading or color loss from sunlight exposure, while coir’s resistance is fair and jute has a strong resistance to sunlight.
Caring for natural fiber rugs
Vacuum
Routine vacuuming is critical in caring for sisal and other floor coverings that can’t be traditionally wet cleaned. High-traffic areas will develop deep soiling that may be difficult or impossible to remove if not regularly vacuumed.
Choosing a vacuum for these natural fiber rugs that offer maximum suction is recommended. Vacuums with a beater bar or brush agitator should be used with caution since they may cause fuzzing and wear on certain floor coverings. We recommend this vacuum for natural fiber rugs.
Location
To keep your natural fiber rugs in good condition, keep them away from high-traffic areas such as dining rooms, hallways, living rooms and anywhere pets frequent. Water or water-based spills can cause color loss or browning, so areas where drink spills or pet accidents may occur are not ideal.
Back Coatings
Latex back coatings are common on sisal, coir, jute and seagrass rugs. Latex is easily weakened by solvents commonly found in cleaning products. When the time comes to full-clean one of these rugs, it is best to call a professional. If you are cleaning a rug yourself, use solvents sparingly and dry the area as quickly as possible.
Painted Surfaces
Sisal and related floor coverings are often painted by hand or screen-printed using a variety of paints. Most paints are extremely durable— but with time and traffic they can soil, crack, chip and/or wear off. Cleaning can weaken the binders in the paint, causing further deterioration. Extreme caution must be used when working with painted floor coverings, and hiring a professional cleaning service is your best option for optimal results.
Protection
Fabric protection services are highly recommended for these natural fiber rugs. Since wet cleaning is not ideal for these fibers, fabric protection will keep spills at bay that can be easily wiped away.
Cleaning
Spills and stains should be addressed as quickly as possible. Blotting liquid spills with a dry paper towel or white cloth towel should always be your first course of action, and will be much more successful on protected rugs. If a spot persists, contact your local fabric care company for advice or to schedule a professional to come out.
Fiber-Seal provides clients with a Fabric Care Kit that contains a number of spotting tools and solutions, including Kleen-Tec— a mild solvent for removing any oil-based stains on your natural fiber rugs.
Increase Longevity of natural fiber rugs with Fiber-Seal
At Fiber-Seal, we understand that accidents happen— and we are here when they do.
You can prevent permanent damage with fabric protection services, and complimentary spot cleaning is just a phone call away for Fiber-Seal clients. We have been protecting, cleaning and maintaining fine furnishings since 1971, keeping homes beautiful and livable.
