Coir fibre is a 100% natural product made from the outer husk of a coconut. It is very useful as wall and floor covering and extremely durable. Like other natural vegetable fibre materials, coir tents to have a variety of fibre sizes and colours, even when dyed, these fibres have a tendency to revert to their natural shade if exposed to direct sunlight.



Coir is a wonderful choice for matting; a waterproof backing allows it to deal with dusty, muddy or wet foot traffic without damage. The mat can easily be cleaned with a shaking or beating later. Expect slight differences in the weaving and colour of your mats and realise that there may be differences between the areas of matting exposed to the sun and those that are protected.

Fortunately, colour fading due to sun exposure is generally even and looks pretty much like unfinished wood. Coir matting can be used in many locations, but the most popular is in front of the door. Anywhere you would like a durable mat; this material is an excellent choice.

Maintenance of coir matting is easy, just vacuum regularly with a suction-brush attachment after shaking off large clumps of soil. Vacuum even when the mat does not look dirty - daily is not too often. That's because regular vacuuming pulls out invisible dirt and extends the life of the matting; it also helps it look better and keeps stains from forming.

If your home is likely to have air with low humidity, remember to lightly spray your coir matting on a regular basis as well. This will enhance the texture, wearing quality and longevity of your coir matting. Areas that might be a danger to your matting include those near heat vents, rooms that are humidity controlled, a dry climate, and even areas that have heavy traffic.

A light sprinkle, a spritz from a bottle, or even a damp mop can be used. Coir dries more slowly than similar materials like sisal, and will need less frequent moistening. Make sure all matting is clean and has been well vacuumed before you moisturise it, to avoid dissolving dirt and creating stains.

If spills occur on your coir matting, you will need to pay attention to them immediately by removing the spill right away using clean cloths without dyes in them. Don't scrub or allow liquid to spread, though complete removal of moisture is impossible. Then, allow your matting to air dry.

One thing that can happen to your coir matting if you use it in a high traffic area is a curled edge. Fortunately, for even the highest traffic locations, this is easy to fix. Just dampen the part of your matting that has curled, and then weigh it down over night. Severely curled mats may need this treatment more than once to become flat enough.

Coir is a wonderful natural fibre that's ecologically friendly and long lasting. It can be an excellent choice as an area rug or as a mat in high traffic areas. Check out all the options available to you and see if coir is the right choice for your home.