It's really hard to clean. REALLY hard. I'm a carpet cleaner, & I use one of the methods recommended for cleaning sisal (HOST), but the truth is, unless you get a spot or spill up immediately, it can easily cause a permanent discoloration.

I've reached the point where I no longer clean sisal for anyone but my regular clients who insist that I do it for them. And even those clients say they'll never buy it again - they thought they were buying a stain resistant, easy to care for rug, but they quickly learned that was not the case.

Just my experience. Others may have better things to say about it.

What about a "sisal look" carpet in something like wool or polypropylene/olefin? There are some very good-looking ones out there that are much easier to keep nice than the natural sisal fiber. I find sisal rough on the feet, too, but the faux versions are a lot softer.

(Just to be the resident grump, 10 years old does not qualify as an "old house" by a longshot. I have shoes older than that. :-) Was that a typo? Did you know there is a Flooring forum too?)

HI, thanks for your thoughts...I think I will skip this flooring as my guess is I won't be happy...

John Mari, actually I also have a 150 yo brick historic and this particular site has been wonderful...old habits die hard, I'd trust this group to help with my " modern house"