Industry news

1. Sisal raw materials (unprocessed/coarsely processed fibers) : Limited water washing is acceptable, but the conditions need to be controlled

Sisal, as a natural plant fiber, has a certain degree of water resistance in its raw materials (such as sisal yarn and unfinished sisal bundles). However, the purpose of water washing is mostly to clean surface impurities (such as residual resin and dust from processing), rather than for daily cleaning. When operating, please note:

Water temperature and detergent: Only rinse with clean water at room temperature. Do not use hot water (temperatures above 40℃ will damage the fiber structure and make the fibers brittle). No need to add cleaning agents (especially alkaline laundry detergent and soap), to avoid chemical substances corroding the natural pectin of the fibers and affecting the subsequent processing performance.

Cleaning method: Gently soak (for no more than 10 minutes), then gently squeeze by hand to remove impurities. Do not rub or twist (as this may cause fiber entanglement and breakage, reducing fiber length and strength).

Drying treatment: After cleaning, lay the fibers flat in a well-ventilated and cool place to air dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight (strong light can cause the fibers to fade and become brittle), and do not use a dryer to dry them (high temperature will cause the fibers to lose water and shrink rapidly, losing their original elasticity).

2. Sisal finished products (such as sisal carpets, sisal MATS, and sisal fabrics) : Water washing is not recommended, especially full immersion water washing is strictly prohibited

The finished sisal products used in daily life (especially large-area products such as carpets and MATS) are prone to irreversible damage due to their fiber structure and processing technology characteristics when washed. The specific reasons and precautions are as follows:

The core reason why it is not recommended to wash with water

Fibers are prone to shrinkage and deformation: Sisal fibers are porous and highly hygroscopic. After being washed with water, they absorb a large amount of water and expand. During the drying process, the fibers contract unevenly, resulting in curled edges and wrinkles in the finished product (for example, sisal carpets may have curled edges and uneven surfaces after being washed with water), and it is difficult to restore their original shape after shrinking.

The fibers become brittle and prone to breakage: The toughness of sisal fibers relies on natural pectin for bonding. Washing with water (especially multiple washes or using cleaning agents) can damage the pectin structure, causing the fibers to lose their toughness and become stiff and fragile. They are prone to wear and breakage during subsequent use (for example, after washing sisal MATS with water, fiber shedding and surface fuzzing may occur).

Prone to mold growth: After absorbing water, the drying speed of sisal fibers is slow. If they are not thoroughly dried after water washing (especially when the moisture inside the finished product is difficult to dissipate), mold is very likely to grow, resulting in black spots and musty odors. Moreover, mold will further corrode the fibers, shortening their service life.

2. Special circumstances: Local light water washing (only for small areas of stains, strict control is required)

If the finished sisal products (such as small area sisal placemies, sisal storage bags) are stained with stubborn local stains and cannot be treated by dry wiping or vacuuming, a very small amount of local water washing can be tried. The steps are as follows:

Dip a clean towel in room-temperature water (or diluted neutral detergent at a ratio of 1:20, only for heavy stains such as oil stains), and wring it out until it is "not dripping but only moist".

Gently press the stained area (do not wipe or rub to avoid the spread of the stain and damage to the fibers). After pressing 2-3 times repeatedly, use a dry towel to absorb the moisture.

Immediately place the finished product in a well-ventilated area (a fan can be used to accelerate drying), ensuring it is completely dry within 24 hours to prevent moisture from remaining.