Coconut coir, a by-product of coconut, forms an excellent green eco-friendly alternative. The coir is gaining widespread acceptance and adoption since it cleans without harming the environment.

How is it made?

Coco coir is the husk of the coconut. After extraction, it is soaked in the water for a few weeks to loosen and soften. The husk is then dried, brushed, and spun into a fiber-like product that is extremely strong. The product is durable, and any form of stretch or compress does not damage it.

Uses of Coco Coir: 

White coco coir, extracted from unripe coconuts, is used to make fine brushes, ropes, mattresses, upholstery, and fishnets. 

Brown coco coir, extracted from ripe coconuts, is pressed to make mats, pots, and also disk-like scrubbers for cleaning utensils and kitchen tops. These naturally antimicrobial products make for better options than plastic scrubbers in the kitchen. They are non-toxic and can be reused as an organic planting medium when they start to fall apart. 

Benefits of using coconut coir for washing dishes: 

1. Comfortable to use – Lose coconut fibers are bound together by sewing with a cotton thread or using non-toxic adhesives. This makes them durable and comfortable to hold and use. 

• Good water retention quality – These scrubbers can hold moisture up to a few times their weight, making it expand and become soft and easy to handle. These also use less soap and lathers well. 

• Does not smell or become moldy – Rinsing the scrubber after each use and storing it in a dry place prevents it from smelling or becoming a clumpy mess. Its antimicrobial properties prevent any form of viral or bacteria from forming on it making it a hygienic product. But, when it starts changing color, consider changing it. 

• Does not contain chemical substances – Coconut coir does not contain any added toxic chemical substances making it a completely eco-friendly product. You will only have coir fibers going down the drain in place of microplastics from plastic sponges. 

• Can be recycled – After serving its purpose as a kitchen top or utensil scrubber, you can easily compost it by burying it into the ground or adding it to your potted plants as a natural planting medium. 

• Won’t leave scratch marks – Coco coir, although tough excellently clean the dishes without leaving any grease, stains, or scratches on them. This makes it the best choice for cleaning any type of utensils, unlike steel or plastic scrubbers. 

• Cost-effective – Coconut coir is the husks of the coconut that is removed so that the nut can be used. Reusing the coir as a natural fiber truly ensures that no part of the coconut goes waste. If not used the coir would be utilized as burning material or a fertilizer, hence, making the products made using it low-priced. 

• The livelihood of local Artisans – Coconut coir products are made by rural craftspeople in a process that is waste and chemical-free. Every product you buy contributes towards saving the environment and also helps to support the local artisans. 

Where and how to get these: 

Coconut coir is majorly handcrafted in India and Sri Lanka, making it readily available in stores across these countries. Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of coir fibers and products around the world. You can easily find and order all kinds of coir products from popular online sites. 

Recycling coco coir: Coconut coir can be reused multiple times as it takes time to decompose. It can easily be mixed in with the soil to promote growth due to its water-retaining and good ventilation properties. Your plant will require less water and can grow in sandy soil. Its antimicrobial properties also protect the roots from insects and germs. 

Coconut coir, which was once considered as waste, is now being used to make cleaning alternatives and other versatile products. Say yes to coconut coir, and pave a path to a plastic-free and safe environment.