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How to Clean Coir Carpets

Amanda Flanigan

Coconut husk is used to produce coir carpets and rugs. Coconut husk contains elastic and is strong and durable, making it a perfect choice for carpets that see a lot of foot traffic. As with any other type of carpeting, daily use of your coir carpet will cause dirt, dust and debris to become trapped in the fibers. This will cause your the carpet to look old and dingy. Fortunately, the durability of coir carpets make them easy to clean. However, it is best to clean them with a dry powder instead of a liquid cleaning solution to prevent shrinkage.

Coir carpets and rugs are made from the husks of coconuts.
  1. Vacuum the coir carpet to remove dirt, dust and other debris that has settled on the surface of the carpet.

  2. Sprinkle a dry powder cleaning product liberally onto the coir carpet. Alternatively, create your own dry powder cleaning solution by mixing equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Add some spices or dried fragrant leaves—such as lavender, cinnamon or cloves—to the powder.

  3. Leave the powder on the coir for at least 30 minutes.

  4. Remove all traces of the powder with your vacuum.

  5. Repeat the process at least every six months to keep your coir carpet looking and smelling its best.