How to Clean With a Coconut Coir Brush

Coconut (or coir) fibers have become a common material in household items such as brushes, mats, and rugs. Mature coconut coir fibers are good for brush bristles, and they can be used either in their natural brown color or bleached or dyed to be more aesthetically appealing. Here are some facts about coconut coir brushes and tips for using them around your home. 

Thick and Strong Natural Fibers

Coir is one of the thickest and strongest natural fibers, making it ideal for cleaning supplies such as brushes. Of all the natural fibers suitable for cleaning, coir is one of the most sustainable. 

Coir brushes are made with brown coir fibers, which come from mature and fully ripened coconuts. The fibers are extracted from coconut husks, which are removed when coconuts are processed for their edible kernels. Fibers typically measure between 4 and 12 inches in length. Fibers that are over 8 inches long are called ‘bristle fibers’ and can be used in brushes. Brown coir fibers are very strong and can be used in brushes, rugs, mats, and other heavily used household items.

Coir Brushes

Coir’s natural qualities — its resistance to water, its strength, and its sustainability — make it an ideal cleaning material. Because it is generally resistant to color change, it can be paired with almost any household cleaner on most surfaces and locations. 

For people who want to use natural products in their home, coir brushes are the perfect choice. Because coir fibers are rather stiff, they are great for scrubbing vegetables, dishes, mugs, pots, pans, and even your floors. Coir brushes are also highly durable, resisting deformation. 

Cleaning Applications

Coconut coir brushes can be used to gently and thoroughly clean all kinds of vegetables (and fruits). Try using it on potatoes, root vegetables, and apples. Coir also makes an excellent kitchen brush or scourer. Unlike wool fiber, it can be used on all types of pots and pans without scratching them, and it won’t scratch pottery or glass.

For gardening, coir brushes can clean tools, garments, and other utensils. Since coir brushes won’t rot from the weather, they can be stored and hung outside to dry. You can also use coconut coir brushes to clean your house. Use your brush to scrub mats, floors, tiles, showers, toilets, and other appliances. 

You can use a coir brush while you’re showering to stimulate your lymphatic system. Coir helps scrub away impurities and detoxify the skin, and it can increase your circulation and help your body eliminate toxins. However, the stiff bristles should be used gently, with caution, and not on cuts or wounds. 

Caring for coir brushes is a simple process. Wash the bristles with soap and water and remove any foreign particles. Hang up the brush to dry when you’re not using it. 

Coir brushes are a practical, multipurpose tool and can be an extremely useful addition to your household. Try using one in any of the ways described above or develop new applications for your coconut coir brush.