How to Remove an Oil Stain from a Sisal Mat

Mary said, “Any suggestions on removing oil stain from a seisal mat?”

Table of Contents:

Removing the Stain
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

Sisal mats can stain easily, but since oil stains soak into the fibers rather than staying as a surface stain, they can be particularly troublesome. Follow the steps below to clean the oil from the natural fibers.¹

Removing the Stain

You Will Need:

Paper towels
Baking soda or cornstarch
A vacuum
Water
Dishwashing liquid
A cloth
A soft-bristled brush
A fan or hair dryer

Steps to Remove the Stain:

Blot the stain with paper towels until you have soaked up as much oil as possible.¹
Cover the stain with a thick layer of an absorbent powder, such as baking soda or cornstarch. Let the powder sit on the stain for a couple hours, then vacuum it up. Repeat the process as many times as needed to fully remove the oil stain, using a fresh application of powder each time.
If the stain is stubborn, you may need to use water. Test the rug with water first to look for any running ink or other adverse effects. If safe, stir together some dishwashing liquid with water to create suds. Scoop only the suds onto a soft cloth, and gently rub the suds into the stain. Blot the area with a damp cloth to rinse.²
If the stain is still not removed, you may need to fully wash the rug. Use the sudsy water and a soft-bristled brush. Be gentle with the brush so as not to damage the delicate weaving. Once clean, rinse the rug quickly, trying not to soak it.²
If you used water to clean the rug, use a fan or hair dryer on low to quickly dry the area. ¹

Additional Tips and Advice

Do not use a stiff-bristled brush to clean the mat as it can damage the weaving.²
Always brush a sisal rug with the direction of the weave.³
Contact with water may cause the sisal to darken.⁴