About Coir
THE BENEFITS OF COCONUT FIBER
Biodegradable and durable, environmentally friendly and sustainable! Coconuts, the primary origin of Coir, have a low environmental impact. Coconuts are harvested by hand and do not require pesticides or herbicides to be grown. This makes Coir a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable from source to you.
The Benefits of Coconut Fiber
Coconut fiber, also known as coir, is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconuts. This versatile material has many benefits and uses.
Coconut Tree Anatomy
- The coconut tree is a monocot plant with non-concentric and woody vessels. It grows well on sandy plains such as beaches and tropical regions.
- The roots are fibrous, thick, and woody with bulbous roots. The leaves are single with pinnate reinforcement and deep with leaves so that they look like compound leaves.
- Coconut tree flowers are compounded in a series protected by bractea. There are both male and female flowers on one tree. Female flowers are located at the base of bouquets while male flowers are further from the base.
Coconut Fruit Anatomy
- The coconut fruit is large, ranging from 10 to 20 cm in diameter or even more. It can be yellow, green or brown in color.
- The fruit is composed of mesocarp in the form of lignin fibers called coir. This part protects the hard endocarp (called shell) which is waterproof.
- The endocarp protects seeds that are only protected by a membrane attached to the inside endocarp. Endospermum is a liquid or coconut water that contains many enzymes. As the fruit ages, the solid phase settles on the endocarp wall.
What Is Coir Fiber & What’s In It?
What is Coir Fiber and What’s in it?
Coir fiber is a natural fiber obtained from the outer shell or husk of the coconut. It is coarse, stiff, and reddish-brown in color.
Coir Fiber Composition
- Coir fiber is made up of smaller threads that are about 0.03 to 0.1 cm long and 12 to 24 microns in diameter.
- These threads are composed of lignin, a woody plant substance, and cellulose.
Processed Coir Fiber
- Processed coir fibers range from about 10 to 30 cm in length.
- They are lightweight, brittle, strong, and elastic with a tendency to curl.
- Hand processing often yields superior fibers that are resistant to abrasion and can be dyed.
Uses for Coir Fiber
- Coir fiber is used to make brushes, woven into matting, and spun into yarns for marine cordage and fishnets.
- It is often promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to peat moss in gardening.
- As a soil amendment, it helps retain moisture and aerate the soil. It is also used as a growing medium for hydroponic gardening.
Components of Coconut Coir
Coconut coir for potting and coco gardening use consists of three components:
- Coconut coir fiber
- Chips
- Pith (also known as peat)
Coir is a 100% natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut. It has many uses in building supply products including entrance mats.
Benefits of coconut fiber
Coconut fiber has many benefits. It contains high potassium and can be used as a planting medium and materials that support plant growth. It also contains beneficial microorganisms and can be used to make a variety of products. Here’s a summary of the benefits of coconut fiber:
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High in potassium: Coconut fiber has a high potassium content which is useful for fertilizing soil.
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Planting medium: Coconut fiber can be used as a growing medium for plants such as orchids.
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Cocopeat: Cocopeat is derived from coconut fiber and can help compact soil in potted plants, improving water diffusion and oxygen absorption.
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Beneficial microorganisms: Coconut fiber contains beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis which can help overcome bacterial wilt attack on chili.
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Versatile: Coconut fiber can be used to make a variety of products.
Product creation from coconut fiber
To be creative, of course, requires ideas. So if we continue to research coconut fiber, it may be that many ideas will emerge about what products will be made from coconut fiber.
Random Snippet
WHAT MAKES COIR MATTING SO EFFICIENT?
Coir is a naturally occurring material derived from a coconut husk. Assuming you’ve held a coconut, you’ll be aware of its naturally coarse fibres. In nature, this hardwearing husk creates a uniquely abrasive protection for the coconut, which is difficult to recreate synthetically.
Mat makers throughout the centuries realised the fibres of the coconut husk or coir fibres, were the same as the woody fibres of the hardier plant varieties. This quality meant the coir didn’t rot, and when woven into a mat had the perfect shape, absorbency and rigidity to aid and sustain regular and vigorous foot wiping.
A ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CHOICE
Because they’re manufactured from a pure, natural source, coir door mats are one of the best choices for customers looking for an environmentally friendly and sustainable option.
HARD-WEARING NATURAL COCONUT FLOOR MATTING
Natural fibre coir mats suit most doorways, entrances and walkways. Coconut matting soaks up and retains water and dirt, keeping your floors and entrances dry and clean throughout the day. Coir mats are also incredibly easy to manage and keep clean with a simple daily vacuum.
CARING FOR YOUR COIR MAT
Coir mats, otherwise known as coconut mats, are a beautiful and practical addition to any entranceway, either in your home or within a commercial property. But, to keep your coir mat in great condition and to help prolong its life, it is important to follow three basic care tips.
1. Shake it – Although a fairly obvious tip, shaking out or vacuuming your coir mat every now and then, really does help, not only in making it look better, but also as a way of freeing up the fibres to improve the performance of the mat.
2. Wash it – Over time and with constant use, natural coir mats will need washing, but before putting your coir mat into the washing machine,coir mats are naturally ultra-absorbent and can get damaged if saturated.
For a non-machine-washable coir mat, the best way to clean it is by using a dry foam or powder cleaner, similar to the type you might use on your carpet. Avoid strong detergents or solvents, as these tend to weaken the natural fibres which may result in pile-loss.
3. Brush it – Using a stiff broom or brush is a highly effective way to clean your coir mat, just make sure the mud or other dirt is left to dry, otherwise brushing will simply force the dirt deeper into the fibres.
WHEN WAS THE DOORMAT INVENTED?
The doormat has been around for centuries, and its history is as interesting as its utility. The doormat is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, where it was used to wipe the feet of Pharaohs and their guests. The word “doormat” is thought to have come from the Dutch word “deurmat,” which means “door mat.”
The doormat was introduced to Europe in the 14th century, and it quickly became a common household item. However, doormats were originally made from straw or other natural materials, but they soon began to be made from coarser materials like jute and hemp. In the 18th century, doormats were made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, rubber and even stone.
Doormats became increasingly popular in the 19th century, as they were seen as a necessity in homes and businesses. Doormats were often used to welcome guests, and they were also used to protect floors from dirt and mud.
Today, doormats are still used for these same reason.