I just was browsing my latest Home Decorators catalog and I saw a Faux Sisal that caught my eye. I would need to see it in person. I'm starting to think about adding a cat to the household and natural sisal is not an option, so faux may be for me. It says it is soft. I would think something like this would probably be available in the box stores. http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Cove_Area_Rug/880/ This post was edited by wendyb on Sat, Feb 1, 14 at 9:26

Sherwhy, I have sisal rugs in my dining room, my living room and as of last week my foyer. I just got the shipping notice for a seagrass remnant which will go into my main hallway. That should be here within the next few days. So far so good. The DR rug has been down almost 2 years now, and it looks perfectly fine. My daughter vacuums it weekly and we've had spills that wiped right up. No stains, no trouble. We have 2 indoor cats who like to use the rugs as scratching pads--again, so far no damage. Fur vacuums right up as well. I really have been VERY pleasantly surprised at how well the natural rugs have turned out in my home. I was a bit dubious given some of the stories I've heard here and other places, so all of my rugs were definitely bargain purchases just in case. But I've ended up with a style I love and a reasonably durable floor covering to boot! What's not to love? :) Here's a picture of the DR: Ann

Thanks to everyone for all your advice. 1) I looked into Smart Strand. It appears Home Depot carries it but under a different name. It looked quite nice-- much nicer than a patio rug-- however it was a little expensive for me (around $4 per square foot--$600+ just for material not counting the cost of binding) considering that I don't know for sure whether I'd be able to get any future smells out or not. (Yes, I am cheap, or as I prefer to think of it, "thrifty".) My husband and I were thinking about it, though. 2) I will ask the vet about Kitty Prozac. My problem cat isn't Siamese --he's just an insecure baby. Ironically, our other cat *is* part Siamese. She is not possessive, just full of self-confidence and has never, ever had an "accident". 3) I'll also look into Fizzion cleaner in the future. That's one I haven't tried. Other research I've done suggests that polypropylene or olefin WITHOUT a jute backing is best material in a generic sense. Apparently jute tends to hold odors. Finally though-- here's what I've settled on: I looked up my old Overstock order for the existing stinky rug to see exactly what it's specs were. The rug is three years old. To my amazement, Overstock still carries it and it's on sale for $225. This is a 10' x 13 rug--- big. At that price it's a no-brainer. Especially since I really like the existing rug. It doesn't look or feel like a cheap rug, IMO. I am also getting a good felt pad to put underneath. My theory is that a felt pad will soak up excess fluid so the rug won't absorb as much, and then I could cut bad spots out of the pad and tape new felt back in. Also I'm going to put a sheet of plastic between the pad and wood floor to protect the wood floor. Thanks again for all the advice, Ann

I only have experience with jute and sisal: Sisal runner I bought in 2004 and still have (on tile, two houses). Has held up wonderfully, even with cats thinking it’s there for their claw sharpening exercises. Very minimal shedding. I clean under it like I would any other rug. I love it, plan to have it forever. Chunky jute runner I bought for my dad’s house (over two yrs ago). Sheds terribly. He’s moving this year and isn’t going to put it in the new place. It looks great, but is too dirty. Both rugs above are comfortable to me barefoot, and I’m someone with very sensitive feet. And they’d hold up great to chairs. They have a smooth feel, but with light bumpiness ... actually feels good to me (like a smooth pebble shower floor). Ours aren’t scratchy at all. These are just my own experiences — I have friends who have jute and love it. It’s possible my dad’s being so sheddy is just an anomaly. Or how it’s made/different manufacturers, I don’t know. But for a bigger area rug, and wanting a smoother feel, I’d definitely go with sisal over jute. I’d love to know about sea grass, too, hope someone shares if they have it. I love natural fiber rugs so much! They’re so versatile and good-looking.