When I saw the heading, right away I thought (use wool). We had a wool sisal. This is the only photo that i have of it. It was up the stairs and also in the second floor hallway and back stairs to the kitchen. The only problem we had was a red jello stain (luckily small). Other than that we were very happy with it. This photo shows it after about 7 years with three toddlers. Sorry it's the only photo I have, mid move.

{{!gwi}}

we had a light stair runner and regreted it... it wasn't wool, but i don't think it would have mattered that much

but, i think it depends on your living situation. we had 3 kids and their friends and large dogs... the back stairs, which get a TON of traffic, were horrible. the lesser used stairs, not so bad...

Unless you can train the family to take off their shoes, I would say "don't do it" Light colors are really ugly when they get stained whereas a multi or darker color it's hardly noticeable.

This is the runner I was considering. I have 4 kids and a dog. It will be on main steps that will be used a lot.

Oooh, pretty.

We do usually take off our shoes. I don't think it's that hard to train the kids to do that, who likes wearing shoes? What's hard is training them where they should put them when they do take them off, LOL!

The dog may make all the difference, we were dog-less in that home. We have a big golden now. We have a white duck slipcovered sofa, which I just washed. I noticed that the seats were not so dirty, the back cushions nearly spotless, and the skirt was far dirtier ... which is there the dog lays against it.

We also have a "no food or drink outside the kitchen" rule. That helps a lot. I don't know what criminal had the red jello!

Lol we have a golden also. At least her hair would watch the carpet lol