COCONUT DOORMAT: 4 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING
If you are looking for a new coconut doormat for the entranceyou will have noticed that there are various types and shapes: coconut doormats natural, coconut doormats synthetic, coconut carpets rectangular or half-moon and coconut and rubber doormats. But, what are the advantages of a coconut doormat and how do you clean it to keep it performing as long as possible?
A coconut doormat not only decorates and complements the entrance area, but also plays an important role from a practical point of view: it acts as a barrier against dirt and helps you keep your home cleaner, for longer. With this in mind, it is therefore important to choose it with particular care.
For a good choice, here are 4 things to know:
Coconut doormat: origin and benefits
The coconut yarn is named after the tropical fruit of the same name from which it is made: the coconut. The plant fibres that wrap it are removed, separated and processed into a real yarn.
The land of coconuts par excellence is India and in particular the Kerala region.
It is no coincidence that its name derives from the words Kera (coconut tree) and Alam (land), because about 40% of the country's surface area is cultivated with coconuts for trade, particularly in carpets, mats and doormats. The coconut palm is a tree that bears fruit all year round and lives for at least 80 years! The first advantage of a coconut doormat yarn is that it is made from natural raw materials and therefore eco-sustainable. Its bristles, once processed, allow for excellent cleaning of shoe soles.
The second advantage of a coconut doormat is that its fibre is extraordinarily resistant to rubbing, moisture and wear.
It is not afraid of water (even sea water) and the sun, it is rot-proof (does not rot and is mildew-proof) and also has good fire resistance.
Because of these extraordinary characteristics, it is considered one of the most reliable and almost indestructible natural fibres.
The second advantage of a coconut fibre doormat is that it is extraordinarily resistant to rubbing, moisture and wear.
Coco doormat: natural or synthetic? The main differences
Now, having seen the main characteristics of a natural coconut fibre doormat and its advantages, if you are intending to purchase one, it will be useful for you to know what the differences are between a natural coconut fibre mat and a synthetic coconut fibre mat.
Aesthetically, they may look the same, but they are two different products, starting with the materials they are made of.
A synthetic coconut fibre doormat is a needle-punched mixture of synthetic fibres such as polypropylene and nylon. Needlepunching is the process by which fibres of different materials, especially synthetics, are joined together without threads or seams.
Through the use of mechanical looms, special hooked needles move vertically, transporting the fibres over each other and fixing them until a single fabric is obtained.
This is why a synthetic coconut doormat (even when new) does not lose its bristles, unlike a natural doormat, which may lose some fibres in the first few weeks.
A synthetic coconut doormat, from a practical point of view, offers the same advantages as a natural coconut doormat: it is resistant to trampling, water and sunlight. However, as far as absorbency is concerned, it has a lower absorbency power.
The final consideration is the price of a coconut fibre doormat: a synthetic mat will always cost slightly less than one made from sustainable, naturally occurring materials, which require longer and more careful processing.
Coconut fibre entrance carpet: rectangular or half-moon?
A rectangular entrance mat is always a great classic, but today you can find half-moon, oval, shaped, key-shaped, dog, cat, round...in short, there is something for everyone!
Although there is a wide choice, the best-selling ones online are the rectangular doormat and the half-moon doormat.
At this point you may be asking yourself: which one is the most suitable for my home?
It all depends on your goal and your taste.
If you want a more "full" feel to your entrance and you like linear, bold shapes, a rectangular coconut doormat might be the right choice.
Meanwhile, if you want to create a sense of movement, give your entrance a touch of elegance and you like soft, rounded shapes, a half-moon coconut doormat is the one for you. Keep in mind, however, that a half-moon entrance mat will look visually smaller than a rectangular one of the same size.
Finally, remember that the best doormat for your entrance is one that fits the width of your door.
How to clean a coconut doormat?
If you have chosen to buy a new natural coconut doormat, and have chosen its size, shape and pattern, you may be wondering how best to clean it and keep it performing for as long as possible.
No machine washing or tumble drying! Such washes are too aggressive for a natural product and could ruin your carpet.
For efficient maintenance of your coconut fibre doormat, here are two suitable methods:
You can lay it down with the bristles facing downwards and beat it with a simple beater.
This way, most of the dirt will fall to the ground.
In order to achieve the best result, you can vacuum it immediately afterwards to remove fine dust.
Another method is the 'water' method. Before washing it with water, it is always best to give it a whisk or vacuum as seen above. You can wash your doormat (depending on its size) under running water in a sink or lying or hanging vertically using a water jet. This will soften the fibres before brushing them out with a hard bristle brush (a broom is fine) which will dislodge any dirt stuck to the surface without damaging your carpet.
You can repeat this several times until the carpet is clean.
After washing, allow your doormat to air dry completely.
The doormat can be vacuumed as above.