Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Patio and Outdoor Gardens

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Where can I find sisal rugs in 10x14 size?

   • ANSWER:
     You have your choice, Pier1, Cost Plus, Rennovation Hardware, Tuesday Morning, Home Goods Store, Linen N Things, Home Decorators catalog and online, Bed bath & Beyond, and even fake, washable sisal at WalMart and Target. I just priced out the same size sisal rug.

2. QUESTION:
   how should I clean my sisal area rugs?

   • ANSWER:
     hand on the clothes line a spray with warm water let dry

3. QUESTION:
   How well do sisal and jute rugs hold up under daily use?
   Can they be used beneath a kitchen table in an adult household? Or will the movement of the kitchen chairs damage their fibers? How easily can they be cleaned? Are they comfortable underfoot?

   • ANSWER:
     very well

4. QUESTION:
   Do prefer sisal/natural fiber area rugs, as opposed to wool?
   If so, why? In what room(s) to do you use them? Do you prefer colors and/or designs, or a plain natural color? Do you think they are better for people with pets?

   • ANSWER:
     wool can be a little harder to clean if you have pets who will pee on the rug, but wool also lasts a lot longer.

5. QUESTION:
   How do I clean a sisal area rug at home?
   I could always send it out to a dry cleaner or a rug specialist, but I'd rather save the money and do it at home. Here's a link to what a sisal rug looks like: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p5767/index.cfm?pkey=cprwrugall.

   • ANSWER:
     Sisal area rugs are simple to clean using mild dishwashing detergent and water. To do this, take the rug outdoors. Dip a brush in a detergent solution to clean the entire surface, and rinse with a hose. Hang the rug up to dry in the sun.

     But be sure it dries quickly and completely. Damp,
     natural fiber rugs will mildew and eventually disintegrate.

6. QUESTION:
   Where can I buy sisal or Seagrass "rugs" or sectional pieces for a floor covering
   I remember in about the late 70's their were these sectional pieces of Sisal ( or seagrass) in about 2x2 ft. squares that you could buy at places like "Pier One".

   I would love to find "Room size" Floor covering made of Seagrass or Sisal ...that can be cut to fit the dimensions of the floor.
   If you know a source for this product , please let me know.

   Thanks, Peace

   • ANSWER:
     World Bazaar carries those type of rugs and Pier 1 still has some also.
     Have you tried Ikea? They are a very trendy source or even go into LTD Commodities on line. They have several catalogs that you can go through to look. Or use your search.

7. QUESTION:
   How do I remove a pet stain from a sisal rug?
   I returned from a trip to find the dog had vomited on my sisal rug. The pet sitter put paper towels to soak it up so the stain had plenty of time to set. I've tried blotting it with a water-soaked towel and that seemed to help, but there still is a large, dark stain.

   • ANSWER:
     "Mix one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with one cup of lukewarm water. Spray solution on spot then blot.
     Mix one Tablespoon clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup water. Spray solution on spot then blot.
     Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Spray solution on spot then blot.
     Mix one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with one cup of lukewarm water. Spray solution on spot then blot.
     Spray water on spot then blot. "

8. QUESTION:
   Does anyone know how I can dye the faded black, cotton border around my sisal rug?
   I have a 6'x9' sisal rug with a 1" cotton black border that has been faded by the sun in places. The sisal still looks great, but the border looks grayish and dull. Is it possible to dye it at home without going to a rug professional?

   • ANSWER:
     Dip it in india ink. (Art supply) Squeeze out well the excess. Let dry out good. This is permanent. Use rubber gloves and be careful not to get on other parts of the rug. Do this outdoors to be safe.
     Try on a small portion FIRST to make sure this will work on your material.

9. QUESTION:
   How to restore a sisal rug ? Cleaned areas bleached out?
   i recently purchased an inexpensive sisal rug, one of the dogs had an accident on it, after I cleaned it the area is much lighter than the rest of the rug. Any ideas on hiding this? or should I just pitch the rug,

   • ANSWER:
     Whatever you used to clean that spot should be applied to the whole rug.

     Remember this tip next time you have an accident or spill. It's not a good idea to spot clean because you could end up with a light spot. You have to clean the entire article...mattress, rug, bedspread, etc.

10. QUESTION:
    how can I clean a sisal rug?
    I have a large sisal rug that has been spilled on cat-vomited on, and who knows what else. Trying to spot-clean the stains hasn't been productive. What should I do?

    • ANSWER:
      Hey,i happen to have a sisal rug myself!!

      Firstly, it depends on the kind of sisal rug you have. There are two types: synthetic fiber, which may contain nylon or wool-blend materials; and natural fiber, made of plant products such as sea grass, paper, or coconut fibers.
      To safely clean synthetic-fiber sisals, follow the manufacturer's directions, which may recommend hot-water extraction or a dry-cleaning method. Manufacturers of natural-fiber sisals suggest only a dry-cleaning method. Do not steam-clean or wet-shampoo; liquids or excessive dampness may cause these rugs to shrink or pucker.

      For spot-cleaning a stain, lightly mist the area with the manufacturer's recommended cleaning solution (do not pour or heavily apply any cleanser directly onto the rug). Then blot the damp area with a white towel and continue blotting until the stain is removed.

      A fabric protectant may be applied to both types of sisal rugs during the manufacturing process or by the consumer. But regular wear and tear and cleaning can decrease its effectiveness; it may need to be reapplied.=]

      thx,

11. QUESTION:
    Where can I sell an expensive used sisal rug online other than Craigslist?
    I have a rug worth k in great condition. Would like to resell it but am not having any luck on CL. Any ideas? Ebay is not an option as I only want someone to pick it up.

    • ANSWER:
      Ebay now has a local classified section. I haven't tried it out, but it's for just the purpose you mention, to have people pick things up. eBayClassifieds.com.

      Sometimes newspapers have free classifeds these days, too; and they're posted both in the paper and on the web.

      I know what you mean about having trouble selling something worth $$ on CL. People often are looking for things there on the free list and don't have in mind an expensive item like your rug.
      Good luck; hope you can sell it soon.

12. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know how to get cats puke off a sisal rug?
    I know this is gross but our cat through up today and I used a dry paper towel to get it up and then I scrubed it with a wet paper towel and a sponge. It wouldn't dry on its own (I waited six and a half hours) so I dryed it with a hairdryer. It's a little less noticable but its still there. Is there anyway to get it up?

    • ANSWER:
      use a small amount of carpet cleaner. Spot check the rug somewhere inconspicuous to make sure that the cleaner doesn't discolor the carpet. Let it sit on the stain 3 or 4 minutes, then wipe it up with a sponge or paper towel.

      Make sure your kitty doesn't get in the carpet cleaner--it's unhealthy for animals.

13. QUESTION:
    How can I safely clean my sisal rug?
    I've been spot cleaning it with Resolve and Spot Shot, and the stains come out OK, except now there are white spots on the rug where I've cleaned it.

    • ANSWER:
      There should be a specialty rug cleaning company in your town.
      Don't know if it will ever be the same after the over the counter items.

14. QUESTION:
    How do I get red wine out of Sisal carpets and rugs before it stains?
    WELL I ACTUALLY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION... But the stain has to be fresh, as I don’t know the effectiveness of this solution on old stains.

    Fill half a cup/mug with water, and the other half with WHITE vinegar. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution, open out the cloth and place over the stain. Tread over the cloth repeatedly with your feet to absorb and agitate the wine. Rinse the cloth with clean water, squeeze, and add more of the vinegar solution and repeat again.

    Rinse the cloth and add more of the solution, but this time rub the affected area LIGHTLY with (NOT AGAINST) the grain of the carpet. If you’re not sure what, with/against the grain means, you’ll have to Google it.

    Finally, find a DRY clean cloth to place over the dampened area of carpet/rug, and once again tread the excess liquid out of the carpet and leave to dry. Please keep in mind that sisal goes very dark when wet but will return to its normal shade when dry.

    I have used this method personally (admittedly with a carpet treated with scotch guard) and it has left the carpet stainless after I had spilt a substantial amount of dark red wine. Though do follow these guidelines with caution as different sisal carpets may vary.

    Cheers.

    • ANSWER:
      blot the spot with Club Soda .

15. QUESTION:
    How long does it take to dry a sisal area rug?
    We had to take our area rug outside for a cleaning and now it is raining. The rug probably will remain wet for at least 36 hours. Are there steps we can take to prevent mildew from setting in?

    • ANSWER:
      Here's an area rug page:
      http://www.findanyfloor.com/area-rugs/AreaRugCare.xhtml
      Another tip: Allow your carpet to dry flat... dont roll it up or anything... maybe get a hook hanger and hang it by your dryer... so the heat can dry it a bit faster! thats all i got! good luck!

16. QUESTION:
    Do you have a trick to getting a stain out of rugs?
    This is a sisal/ sea grass rug. It is from a cat hairball. Nice. I know. But hey, it happens. If you have a helpful hint, i'd love to know because nothing i'm doing seems to work with the texture of the carpet/rug.

    • ANSWER:
      I'd find an area that is small and not noticable and put a dab of shaving cream on it (the foam stuff and not the gel). Let it sit there a while and rinse it off by dabbing it with a wet cloth. After it dries, if there is no change in texture or colour, then try to use that on the stain and scrub it with an old tooth brush. After the area is clean, get the residue of the foam out with a cloth that you rinse frequently.

17. QUESTION:
    How do I home clean sisal rug with oil stains? Tks!?

    • ANSWER:
      Hope this helps ..Good Luck !

      Carpets/Upholstery:
      1) A great non-toxic carpet stain remover is club soda. Soak spot immediately with soda and blot until the stain is gone.
      2) Pet Urine on Carpets: Dab area with toweling to absorb as much as possible, wash spot with liquid dish detergent, and rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Lay towels or paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture. Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to dry completely. Use an electric fan to speed drying.
      3) Red wine stains can be removed from carpet by rubbing baking soda in and vacuuming.
      4) Sprinkle cornstarch onto carpet, vacuum.
      5) To remove grease spots from carpets, first sop up the liquid with a sponge, then rub a liberal amount of baking soda into the spot. Let it absorb overnight. Next day, remove the excess and vacuum the area.
      6) To remove grease spots from carpets, first absorb excess with a sponge, then rub a liberal amount of corn starch into the spot. Let sit overnight, then vacuum.
      7) Dry cornstarch sprinkled on rug and vacuumed.

18. QUESTION:
    My dog chewed a hole in the center of my 8x10 sisal rug.?
    How can I salvage it? I hate to throw it away because it's new. I can't put furniture over it because the hole is in the center. Is there a way I can cut it in half and make a runner or smaller rug? How do I bind it?

    • ANSWER:
      Call up the Home Depot. When I worked there several years ago, they had a carpet binding service available. I don't know if they will bind carpets not purchased there, but it's worth a shot. Just call a rug binder, tell them your situation, and see what they can do...

19. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know how to get a red wine stain out of a Sisal rug?

    • ANSWER:
      You have a couple of choices, instanteous gratification, use Wine Away which removes red wine instantly. (Cost Plus and kitchen stores sell it). Make a paste of water and borax, agitate into the stain until it turns blue, add more borax and water till it completely fades, let it dry and vaccum it up. Take a cup of salt, wet it and let it dry. It usually will absorb the wine. Some friends told me to use white wine, but that didn't work to get it out of my sisal rug, it just made the stain bigger!

20. QUESTION:
    New Sisal Rug- waves from being rolled 8x10. 3x5 crease from being folded.?
    Help. I purchased a sisal rug from Pottery Barn a month ago. When I first unrolled it it was very wavy. I thought it would flatten out eventually. Didn't work. I reverse rolled it. No Luck. I even tried ironing the small one. How can I fix this problem?

    • ANSWER:
      You have reverse rolled it with no luck, but have you side rolled the rug? If that does not work, and if it is a true sisal (not polypropylene) you may consider misting the rug and raising the temperature in the room. Cold dry air will make the sisal curl or roll and when warmed it will lay flat. Do not start stretching with carpet installer tools, you could do more harm than good if untrained!

21. QUESTION:
    Anyone using a sisal rug? Bamboo 'rug'?
    I have found one that I really like but I have been told that they are not easy to clean and not really good for high traffic areas. Also I like the bamboo rugs but I am not certain about those for the same reasons. Any of you have any experience on these?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes I've used sisal and it is difficult to keep clean. Spills are difficult to clean up because they get into the weave and go straight through to the flooring below. Further, even vacuuming doesn't always get the grit that falls below the weave to the flooring underneath. It does not do well with moisture or applications where there is the potential for water to get on it as it molds/mildews easily. There is however, an all weather "faux" sisal (I got a wonderful area rug 5x8' that I use outside on my patio). It can be hosed off, is impervious to mold/mildew, wears better than sisal, it is less expensive than genuine sisal and is easier on the feet than sisal. I put a fabric border on my faux sisal rug with hot glue and it has been out there for 2 years looking like the day I purchased it. I got mine at chez Target Botique and they now carry ones with assorted fabric borders as well as without.

22. QUESTION:
    What is a Sisal Rug?

    • ANSWER:
      The origins of the use of sisal rugs can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians who used bulrushes to weave into attractive floor coverings. These bulrush rugs like that of a sisal rug were made to give the interior of the house an elegant look.

      Now while there are many types of natural fibers that you can use in natural floor coverings sisal rugs are much hardier than jute, flax and hemp. In addition you can find many different sizes and weaves for your sisal rug. The fact that a sisal rug can be dyed to complement your furnishings makes the choice of these rugs an excellent choice for many homes.

      Besides being able to buy natural colored sisal rugs that have been dyed, you can buy your sisal rug that has been bleached to a lighter coloring to provide an open and spacious look to your rooms. In many instances you will find that your sisal rug has a natural sheen that looks like it has been waxed.

      You can buy sisal rugs that look like other natural floor coverings. There are some sisal rugs that look like bamboo flooring and birch. There are some instances when you can find sisal rugs that come in vibrant shades like deep burgundy, sand, and a lovely pine green to mention a few shades that your sisal rug may be available in. These great things aside there are other benefits that you can reap from a sisal rug.
      See the full article here:
      http://www.shops-flower.com/1/arearug/Sisal-Rug.php

23. QUESTION:
    cleaning vomit sisal rug?

    • ANSWER:
      Sisal is a natural fiber. Take it out to the driveway and hose it off, use woolite if you need soap, rinse well and leave flat to dry.

24. QUESTION:
    Carpet spot cleaner on khaki colored sisal rug didn't remove blood and left lightened/discolored spots.?
    Now I have light colored spots all over my carpet, and the blood is still there too. It did nothing to remove the blood at all. I am more upset about the discoloring than the blood. What can I do about both things?

    • ANSWER:
      Nothing can be done with the part about the carpet cleaner. Thats why they protect their behind by saying "Test in an inconspicuous spot"
      Blood -- Take a 1/2 lemon and rub, rub, rub. Rinse w/ a damp cloth and watch as it dries. It may take a few tries GL

25. QUESTION:
    how can I expect my sisal rug to hold up with pets?
    I just bought a new sisal rug. It's a nice one, from Ballard Designs. I noticed some irregularities in the texture, but this is natural, I believe, to this type of fiber. I have cats. I may have made a BIG mistake in choosing a sisal rug. I saw one of the cats popping his claws into the rug, but I yelled at him and he stopped. I did not notice any damage. But tonight, I did notice a few places that were kind of picked up. They looked like little tufts of the fiber, standing up. I've never had a sisal rug before. Is this a part of the natural wear of the weave? Or could it be damaged by the cats? I hope I just didn't throw away 0 bucks.

    Anyone else have a sisal rug and cats? Or am I an idiot?

    • ANSWER:
      I have sisal mats just for my cats to scratch, maybe the rug will protect everything else

26. QUESTION:
    What is the difference between a jute rug and a sisal rug?
    Is one of the two supposed to be softer than the other? More durable? Easier to clean? I want a sisal type area rug. I want a casual look that would go with my blend of tradtional and contemporary decor. I do not want a scratchy rug with fibers that "stick up" like bristles on a brush! I thought the sisal would be softer and more pliant to the touch, but a decorator friend said the jute is what I want.
    I believe seagrass is the scratchy, bristle-y fiber, and I don't want that. I want a sleek, tailored look.

    Any suggestions or ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      Sisal rugs tend to be more durable. They are both natural fibers. I believe sisal wool rugs are what you're looking for. Sisal - the strength and durability of natural fibers, Wool - the soft underfoot feel.
      Sisal wool rugs have the best of both worlds - durable and soft. Jute is also soft, one of the softest natural fiber rugs. I guess the best way to compare the textured feel is to go into a rug shop and feel the difference of the materials.

27. QUESTION:
    too much detergent in a sisal rug - advice?
    My husband believes that the more cleaning product, the better. So when our cat had an accident on our sisal rug, hubby poured large amounts of dish detergent on it to clean it. Problem now? The vomit stain is gone, but I can't get all the detergent out, and now we have a light stain where the detergent has penetrated. I've tried using a small amount of water and a scrub brush, making the stain a bit damp and scrubbing up the bubbles, then blotting with a rag, but having done that dozens of times now, it doesn't seem to be working. Anyone else have other ideas? I live in a manhattan apt so taking it out to the driveway and hosing it off isn't an option.

    • ANSWER:

28. QUESTION:
    How can I make my cat stop puking all of the time?
    My11 year old indoor kitty, Polly Prissypants, eats really fast & then barfs undigested food. She does this 4 or 5 times a week. Occasionally, she barfs up watery digested food.

    Sometimes I think she's bulimic; binges & purges. I think that maybe she eats too much, too fast & feels like she needs to compete with our other cat, Big Fat Lacey Cat. What can I do to keep her from hurling on my sisal rug every day?

    • ANSWER:
      1. have separate food bowls for each cats and place them in different areas.

      2. feed your cats smaller portions twice a day(yes this is a pain but it may help)

      3. leave a small amount of food for your cats when you are not around. cats are grazers(they eat a little throughout the day), so they are not ravenous by the time you get around for the second feeding.

      4. try giving her something for hairball treatment. it's possible that a hairball is in her digestive track and causing her to digest the food improperly.

      5. switch to a brand of food that's designed for older cats so she will get better benefits from it and more nutrients.

      6. if all else fails, take her to the vets as there may be some underlying problem.

29. QUESTION:
    Which is strongest- sisal, jute or a seagrass rug?

    • ANSWER:
      Seagrass wears out the quickest.
      Sisal and Jute are about the same in toughness so go with them in the weave and size that suits your area of use. Also realize that the more loose the weave the faster the item will wear because of movement between the fiber elements. Tight weave reduces movement ergo friction.

30. QUESTION:
    Natural rug that is child-friendly too?
    I am trying to be as 'green' as possible while decorating my house. In addition, I love the look of textured, natural stuff. I looked at the sisal and bamboo rugs, but with small children on the floor all the time - they just are too rough. Is there anything else out there?

    • ANSWER:
      What about cotton area rugs? They should be soft, come in lots of colors and are machine washable in cold water. Amazon.com has a a selection in a few colors up to 6'x9' at http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Cotton-Area-Rugs-Cobalt/dp/B000FNF2MI and I'm sure there are many other places with other sizes and colors as well.

31. QUESTION:
    What is the best rug material to use with pets?
    I have a medium sized dog that sheds quite a lot and need to buy a new rug for my living room. I am considering sisal but wondered if the pet hair will get caught in the weave making it harder to remove than 'normal' rugs Any recommendations?

    • ANSWER:
      Any short pile, thick carpet will be easier to remove dog hair. Woven rugs get the hair woven in them also, sculpted ones tend to hold more hair in the low spots, and looped ones catch toenails & then get frayed.

32. QUESTION:
    Sisal vs. Seagrass? What's better for a rug?

    • ANSWER:
      Seagrass is a smoother grass and not quite as "prickely" on your feet. Sisal is more sturdy, but not remotely "barefoot friendly". I've thrown down samples for my cats to "destroy" and both held up quite well. Make sure to get the topical stain protection for either one...they are natural fibers, and absorb stains quickly.

      Really depends on how you're going to use the room....please remember, both are natural fibers and should not be exposed to a great deal of moisture. Seagrass lends itself to a more casual living space, while sisal tends to look more formal because it is usually more tightly woven.

      I have done seagrass wall to wall in bedrooms and living rooms....sisal mostly as area rugs. Also remember, they both fade in strong natural lighting.

      Take your shoes off....walk on both of them!!! It really comes down to ....what feels best to your feet.

33. QUESTION:
    What color rug for a yellow room?
    I painted my office yellow (kind of a daffodil color) with white trim. The floor is medium toned hardwood and the desk mostly matches the floor. I'm looking for a rug. I was leaning toward something natural (sisal maybe?) but now I think I want something soft and comfy since I'll spend 10 hours a day in the room. Any suggestions? Also - I plan on buying a nice comfy chair to go in the room too (in addition to the more practical desk chair). Should it match the rug or contrast? Help! I don't have a decorator's bone in my body!

    • ANSWER:
      red persian silk rug

34. QUESTION:
    How do get cat vomit out of a jute rug?
    I don't have time/ can't find any cleaners like rugstick etc. I need some kind of homemade formula or something like that.

    The rug looks kind of like this:
    http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Rugs/By-Design/Sisal-Jute-Natural-Fiber-Rugs/Braided-Jute-Rug/p/1407?path=1%2C2%2C1466%2C1519%2C1630&iProductID=1407

    • ANSWER:
      Warm water and alot of rags. Hows kitty?

35. QUESTION:
    Is there such a thing as a super thin extension cord that I can run under a rug?
    I do not have electrical outlets in the floor of my home, as some newer structures do. I have a lamp on an end table that is several feet from the wall outlet. I wanted to make the cord as neat as possible, so I used two extension cords, ran them under my sisal rug, under and behind the sofa, and plugged the lamp in on the opposite wall. The end table has a shelf, so the connector plug is hidden. The concept was good, but the outline of the cord is beginning to show through the rug. I have a thin pad in place, and the cords are under that as well. It still shows as a raised ridge under the rug.

    I know it may be a safety issue, but I use the lamp only when I am home. My question is, is there a type of extension cord that is thin and meant for use under rugs? Would an electrical supply place or an electrician have cords other than those I can buy at Home Depot or Lowe's?

    The foundation of my home is concrete. It may be too much of an issue to install a plug in the floor to accomodate a lamp that is not near a wall.

    Any ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      Determine the current which will be flowing through this wire. Wire diameters vary with respect to the proposed current flowing through. Doing so reduces the risk of damage to the wire and at worst, electrocution or fire.

      Treading over electrical wiring is not recommended either, anyway, I doubt you could safely utilise wire thin enough in diameter to go under your rug unnoticed.

      If all else fails, buy a thicker rug or a battery operated lamp.

36. QUESTION:
    what kind of rug will cats be least able to destroy with scratching?
    What kind of rug should I buy that will stand up best to cat's claws besides sisal?

    • ANSWER:
      You can take your rug suggestions from others here with good experience of it.

      I will just add that the inexpensive cardboard floor scratchers (about -12) from the pet store might deter your cats from scatching any carpet or rug. You can put catnip on them for enticement too (as a matter of fact they come with some catnip).

37. QUESTION:
    How do I get my cat to stop peeing around the house?
    How do I get my cat to stop peeing around the house?
    I have had her for 10 years. Since she was little she ALWAYS peed once a day around the litter box (so not in it but around it) and sometimes in other places but that is more rare. I got used to cleaning around the litter box (have always had it on hard wood or tile)...that is just her. Over the past few years we built a new house. She starting peeing on our hall rug. I eventually had to throw it away and it was very expensive persian rug. Then she peed in front of the front door....got those psssst spray things and it stopped. Those things work by the way. She peed on all of my bathroom rugs so got rid of them. I finally found she will not pee on the sisal or seagrass rugs so we got a bunch of those (again, expensive). So, suddenly she is peeing on the sisal rug that is right in front of her litter box room (laundry room). She has NEVER peed on this type of surface before. It always comes with some type of anxiety. We went on vacation but I had a pet sitter coming four times a day to check on her and my dogs. When I came back she was peeing in our bath tub and the hall sisal rug. i have tried EVERYTHING over the past 10 years. I have even bought those expensive hormone things that you plug in...sprays....i clean the litter box daily....why does she do this? she is RUINING my new house and I think I have been more than patient. Now I also notice she is getting these horrible snarls (long haired cat) all over her hair...looks like dread locks. Is she stressed? Is she stupid? She is very healthy as of her last check up several months ago. how can I make her stop? If she does not stop I just think I cannot take it anymore. The cost a lone (replacing rugs) is killing me. I cannot use the pssst things in the hall in front of the laundry room because then she will not go to her litter box at all. what now?
    yes I have been to the vet multiple times with the "urinary tract" theory. She is healthy. She has been doing this for years so I doubt it is an infection.
    yes, I have the apple bitter stuff and i have tried that too. Does not work. Think I am going to have to make her a back yard kitty
    I do have another cat. He is a boy and neutered. He never pees anywhere and I know this because I have watched him and her....plus I have had her longer and just know. They are companions and I work at home so she is not lonely, next theory.

    • ANSWER:

38. QUESTION:
    Help choose wall paint colors to harmonize kitchen,dining,living that are all visible from each other.?
    I have rustic dark teak dining table & carved teak chairs with tufted silk cushions. Cushion colors are solid muted jewel colors. 2 purple/2 sagey green & 2 merlot.A sisal rug under table with sage green border. In living room there is a carved indonesian teak buffet table that has muted green, purple & red accents & a giant armoire dark teak with some carving on door. Sofa is neutral cream soft "burlap" texture. Solid Colored throw pillows of rusty orange/armygreen/muted red. Basically I feel like there is a lot of color & texture in furnishings. I need wall colors (& ceiling--only 8 ft) to tie everything together & emphasize the world furnishings. sort of morocco meets thailand & india. Ideas? I love greens/purples.

    • ANSWER:
      play around with the Sherwin Williams color visualizer to help you imagine how the colors will look together. It is the best paint visualizer on the web, imho. I like how their color palette is laid out, I like that you can search by color family & color name, the "painted" rooms look the most realistic, and it suggests coordinating color schemes. You can literally spend hours:
      http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

      I think "gale force" (# 7605) might be a good choice.

      You can take a photo of your house & upload it to the makeover gallery on this website:
      http://www.roomvues.com/
      You can get color suggestions & for they'll photoshop them onto your room so that you can get an idea of what it will look like.

39. QUESTION:
    Will Queen Anne dining chairs be too old-fashioned?
    Hello, I have an antique English oval dining table with Queen Anne legs. I need to buy chairs for it. I would describe my desired style for the dining room as classic/vintage pieces with a modern feel. For instance, I would give the table a crisp look by putting it on a sisal rug with a red border. I want an eclectic look, not a really antique or formal look. I was thinking of buying some used Queen Anne dining chairs and modernizing them by using a fun fabric (maybe red and white stripe from Pottery Barn) on the seats. But will this still look like a really old-fashioned dining room set? I have heard that these days you should mix-and-match your table and chairs--do you agree? Any advice on getting that Pottery Barn-look would be appreciated!

    • ANSWER:
      today, you are invited to put anything together that suits you. You do not have to stick to one style, period, or origin. Personally, I prefer that the wood all be similar in hue.
      I like Windsor back chairs. They are comfortable, timeless and look very light on the landscape of your room.

40. QUESTION:
    Stopping cat scratching furniture, unique solutions, have tried everything?
    Ok, so my kitten has a thing for scratching the red couches I have downstairs and one sisal-like rug. Nothing can stop her, I'm looking for something better then the usual solutions. Things I have tried...

    1. She has four different scratchers of every texture imaginable - carpet, sisal, wood, etc etc. They are tall and at different angles. One hangs on the door, one on the floor, one is a condo, and the other is a ramp.

    2. When she is upstairs she always uses her scratchers but she will not use them when I bring them downstairs - so I know she knows how to use them. I always praise her when she scratches on them.

    3. Whenever she scratches I say "No" firmly (not yelling) and pick her up, put her by her scratcher and praise her - she just runs off to somewhere else

    4. The double sided sticky tape is useless because she knocks it off or picks a different part of the couch

    5. She wears soft paws but as they fall off she manages to claw into the furniture anyway - I work hard to keep up with them, but it's not saving my furniture

    6. She could care less about catnip so it doesn't encourage her to use the scratchers

    7. I've been trying to train her to use them with fresh cooked, plain chicken but it doesn't help because she knows how to use them, she just wont use them in the presence of the red couches.

    8. I cannot move the couches or get rid of them.

    What can I do? The couches and rug were very expensive and I will under NO circumstances declaw her. I don't want to use a water pistol unless is absolutely necessary because I don't want to traumatize her. I don't mind her being on or near the couches I just don't want her tearing them apart. She is set to be spayed in a few weeks. Thanks!
    9. I cannot wrap the couches in cling wrap because they are so large it would take an eon. Plus she scratches many different areas so I would have to cover them completely - additionally I could never cover the rug because it's huge

    • ANSWER:
      When they scratch, they put down scent markers. On rugs, dusting that area with talcum powder works. But she might go to a different area.

      Sensitivity to catnip is inherited, so your cat is one of many who doesn't show interest in catnip. About half of all cats are not sensitive to catnip.

      I assume one of your scratchers is one of those inexpensive cardboard ones, laid flat.

      Since she uses the scratching devices upstairs, downstairs has become a game, and test of wits. And she is winning.

      Sorry, to say, but you are going to have to use a squirt gun, or else hiss at her when she looks like she is about to, or actually scratches. Mother cats train their kittens by hissing, and it is quite effective; it gets their attention.

      Most of my cats are mad about the scratcher I am providing in the link. They are available many places.

41. QUESTION:
    Can I expect the landlord to put in a new kitchen floor after leak damage?
    We've only been here for 2 weeks. The entire unit was re-floored by the previous tenant with a 'seagrass' sisal type flooring. We have taken the responsibility ($) to cover the flooring with new rugs, but the kitchen still has the seagrass, which is dirty, impractical and stinks.

    There was a leak in the kitchen sink area, which caused water to soak the flooring in front of the sink. Until the plumber could come, I put a bathmat in front onf the sink so that we could at least get into that area without getting our feet/shoes 'gooey'.To my horror, when I lifted the bathmat after a couple of hours, there was brown sludge all over it- from the wet floor. The leak has just been fixed (1 hr ago), but now we have a huge wet spot with MOLD growing out of if! I think this is extremely unsanitary, and possibly a health hazard. We'll be calling our landlord later, and I hope that she will decide the flooring should be changed. If she doesn't volunteer to do it, do we have a right to demand it?

    • ANSWER:
      If the leak is not your doing, then YES they can be held responsible. Get pictures of Floor an were leak was at. If theres mold there,it is a Health problem!!!
      After you get Pictures. Get for now, some baking soda, an put it on the mold area, let it dry an soak it up a little, then in getting it up ,DO NOT SWEEP then its air born ,NOT GOOD.
      Justwipe it up an scoope it .Seal it in a bag an remove from Home. !!!!!!!!!! WARE GLOVES an MASK on FACE please.
      Call your local has-mat group they are glade to help, an give You guide lines to go by.
      Good Luck,
      Keep any Kids way away!!!

42. QUESTION:
    my kitty is in dire need of training...help?
    ok, she jumps on the piano, dining table, etc. how do i train her not to? also, she scratches the ratan chairs, rug, and leather couch. she has a furry/sisal scratching pole with hanging mice and a cardboard scratcher. ive tried catnip spray and putting her scratchers by the places she likes to scratch.

    • ANSWER:
      Cats are hard to train but you can try using Sticky paws on places you don't want your cat to scratch or go (it is a double sided tape that deters the cats but doesn't ruin the furniture). You can also get some sprays from the pet store that will deter cats, or if scratching is truly a problem you can get claw caps to put on your cat (small nail covers, humane way to "de-claw your cat" so they can't tear up the furniture...

      good luck!

43. QUESTION:
    Questions about carpeting....?
    Hi! Thank you in advance for taking time with me ...and Merry Christmas, too!

    First of all, do you like wall-to-wall carpeting?
    How often do you have it cleaned.... I guess that would depend upon where you live... but do you have a service come in and clean it for you?

    Second, do you prefer wool or is a synthetic or a blend acceptable ?...Which is more comfortable on bare feet, especially in the summer ( when I do go barefoot indoors ) ?

    Is sisal matting hard on bare feet? It comes in such nice colors ... I am tempted...

    Have you ever had a carpet or a braided rug in the kitchen?

    • ANSWER:
      i never had a carpet in the kitchen and i dont think i would want one. it is very messy and hard to clean when the carpet gets dirty. you should try useing the astrailian wood flooring. if you have children its going to be difficult to be waisting money cleaning the carpet once in a while. ask your self a ? do you have enough money to waist on cleaning the carpet. however, i would perfer wool because it feels good on your bare feet. the wool is worm during the winter and feels cool during the summer, if you have you ac on all the time.

      i helped my parents put carpet in a room in our house. it was some kind of wine red and i put a border on the edges of the carpet, on the wall part, becasue it makes it saty in place and keeps it from lifting up.

      well take care and Merry X-Mas to you too. have fun!!

44. QUESTION:
    What type/color rug would you suggest??...?
    I have a home built in the 1940s with arched doorways and furniture that I inherited from my great-grandmother including a channel-backed couch that I had recovered in a gold-ish herringbone patterned fabric and a Victorian chair that has been recovered in a red/gold/green tapestry pattern, I also have two club chairs that are in a kind of olive green color with gold detail. Currently I have a plain beige rug in the room but want and NEED to update this and wonder if I should go with something a little more fancy or keep it minimalistic with the other patterns going on (I have hard wood floors as well as wood paneling on the walls). I was thinking of maybe going with a natural fabric like jute or sisal or maybe something funky like leather or shag.

    I have a 6 month old puppy, thus the need to replace the rug.

    • ANSWER:
      With a puppy, I would stay away from natural sea grasses such as jute and sisal, as these rugs are unusually difficult to clean. I also find that they are awful when you're in your bare feet, but that is just me. Leather and shag are just a bit easier to clean, but all are disaster for a puppy. If your puppy doesn't have a chewing problem, I would suggest that you pick a dark, busy, good quality Oriental style rug. These are incredibly easy to have cleaned, and there are many varieties that you can get that have little to no issues with color running should your puppy have an accident. They wear incredibly well too. Look at Mashad, Kashan, and Kerman styles if you want to coordinate with your grandma's antiques. If you want something still traditional, but with a little bit more contemporary color schemes, check out Peshawar and Oushak designs. All the best with your decorating!

45. QUESTION:
    Cat not getting it. She still scratches rug.?
    Soft Paws are a WASTE. I spent alot of money on those and they dont work for us.

    She has EIGHT different scratchers. 3 tall posts, 2 sisal, one carpet. The rest are cardboard floor scratchers, as she seems to like to scratch that way. And they are scattered out so theres atleast one in each room.

    Each time she does it on the rug I pick her up and put her on the scratchers.. but she just leaves and comes back in the room with the carpet and scratches.

    I even let her have one of the scatter carpets from the dining room that she was scratching anyway and try to put her on that too when she is scratching something I dont want her to, and no luck.

    I keep her nails short to.

    If I cant teach her to stop before fall she will either be declawed or put in the shelter. I dont own this house and the carpets are inlayed berbers and do not belong to me.

    PLEASE I dont want to resort to that. I need suggestions ASAP.
    Ok thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      DON'T put your cat in a shelter! Declawing, while cruel in my opinion, is still better than a shelter! Cats don't like to learn...they're very stubern.

46. QUESTION:
    Can I expect the landlord to put in a new kitchen floor after leak damage?
    We've only been here for 2 weeks. The entire unit was re-floored by the previous tenant with a 'seagrass' sisal type flooring. We have taken the responsibility ($) to cover the flooring with new rugs, but the kitchen still has the seagrass, which is dirty, impractical and stinks.

    There was a leak in the kitchen sink area, which caused water to soak the flooring in front of the sink. Until the plumber could come, I put a bathmat in front onf the sink so that we could at least get into that area without getting our feet/shoes 'gooey'.To my horror, when I lifted the bathmat after a couple of hours, there was brown sludge all over it- from the wet floor. The leak has just been fixed (1 hr ago), but now we have a huge wet spot with MOLD growing out of if! I think this is extremely unsanitary, and possibly a health hazard. We'll be calling our landlord later, and I hope that she will decide the flooring should be changed. If she doesn't volunteer to do it, do we have a right to demand it?

    • ANSWER:
      If the leak was caused by the previous tenants or is a fault of the plumbing, then yes, your landlord should replace it. Hopefully, you can prove that.

      If you caused the leak, then you might be on hook to pay for the damages.

      What was the condition before you moved in? Did you do a thorough walk-through of the unit and document the conditions and/or take pictures?

      Is there any way you can contact the previous tenant, or a neighbor who can confirm that the wet floor was a pre-existing condition?

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