Indoor-outdoor carpeting often has a coarse texture and does not absorb a lot of moisture. Many indoor-outdoor carpets are made from nylon, but if you're looking for a more natural, eco-friendly solution, there are several plant materials that have these qualities, too. Here's a look at each of those materials, and the characteristics that make them perfect choices for indoor-outdoor carpeting in a mud room, sun room, or the like.

Seagrass

Thick bands of seagrass are woven together to create very durable carpets that are great for heavy-traffic areas like mud rooms. Seagrass does not hold onto dye, so nearly every seagrass carpet you find will be beige or brown in color; there's no need to worry about toxic dye chemicals being given off by this carpet.

Seagrass carpeting has a textured look. It is moisture-resistant, so it withstands high humidity levels and will not stain easily if you get muddy water or dirt on its surface. In most cases, you should be able to wipe it off with some water, and it will look clean again.

Sisal

Sisal carpets are similar to seagrass carpets, but the fibers used to weave sisal carpets are thinner. Sisal carpets tend to have a slightly rougher texture than seagrass carpets. Actually, sisal is obtained from a certain type of cactus. It can be dyed, but is usually only dyed natural, earthy tones, since these blend in with its natural brown color.

Sisal carpets are easy to keep clean. They don't absorb liquid quickly, so there's usually time to clean up a spill before it leaves a stain. They can be cleaned with a standard carpet cleaner, as long as a mild detergent is used.

Coir

Coir is a tough, fibrous material made from coconut husks. Carpets made from coir have a very rough, abrasive texture, which is why they are favored for rugged indoor-outdoor use. They don't have a woven appearance; rather, their surface is bristly like a big brush. Coir can be colored, so if you value eco-friendly living, make sure the one you're purchasing specifically states it has been colored with natural dyes.

If you spill anything thick on your coir carpet, like mud or chocolate, your best bet is to wait until it dries or hardens, and then scrape it off. Treat any remaining stain with water and a mild detergent. Do not use anything that contains bleach, as it will likely remove the color from your rug.

If you have any trouble cleaning these different carpets, its best to contact a carpet cleaning service, such as Home & Commercial Cleaning Service, for questions and help.

Seagrass, sisal, and coir all offer a great alternative to the tough nylon fibers that are usually used for indoor-outdoor carpets. Take a look at various carpets made from these natural materials. You'll be surprised how easy they've become to find, thanks to the recent boom in green decorating.