Make your Dormat last: coir doormat care guide

Coir is made from coconut husk fibre, which is why it's brilliant at scraping mud and grit off shoes. But it's a natural fibre, so where you put it matters as much as how you clean it. Here's how to look after it.

First: where to put your mat

Coir is at its best inside your home or in a covered porch. Rain and standing water make coir swell, shed and break down, and a mat left out in the weather won't last long. If your front door is exposed, keep the mat just inside the door, or bring it in when it's wet.

Every week: shake it out

Take the mat outside, hold it by one edge and give it a few firm shakes. Then drop it face down and stand on the back, or hang it over a railing and beat it with a broom handle. Most of the grit in a coir mat is loose, and this gets nearly all of it out.

Every couple of weeks: vacuum both sides

Vacuum the front with a strong suction setting, going with the direction of the fibres and then against them. Then flip it over and vacuum the back: dirt works its way through and collects underneath. A handheld or upholstery attachment works well.

For marks and stains: spot clean

Mix a little washing-up liquid into a bowl of warm water.
Dip a stiff brush in it and shake off the excess. You want damp, not soaking.
Scrub the mark in small circles.
Wipe over with a cloth dampened in clean water to lift the soap.
Dry it completely before putting it back (see below).

For muddy patches, let the mud dry first. Dry mud brushes out of coir far more easily than wet mud, which just gets pushed deeper.

Drying a wet coir mat

The one thing coir doesn't like is staying wet. Stand it on its edge somewhere airy, ideally outside on a dry day or in a garage or porch, so air can get to both sides. Avoid putting it on a radiator or in direct heat, which can make the fibres brittle. Once it's bone dry, give it another shake.

Spills: blot straight away

Coir soaks up liquid quickly, so deal with spills while they're fresh. Press a clean, dry cloth onto the spill to soak it up rather than rubbing, which spreads it into the fibres. Then spot clean as above and let it dry fully.

Musty smell or mould spots

A musty smell means the mat has been damp for too long. Natural fibres need air, so keep your mat somewhere that dries out between uses, not in a damp corner or on a floor that stays wet. If it smells, dry it right through (see above), then give it a firm brush and shake. In a damp hallway or porch, a little ventilation or a dehumidifier makes a real difference.

Keeping the colour

Strong, direct sunlight slowly bleaches both the coir and the printed design. A spot out of the midday sun keeps your mat looking fresher for longer.

Give it a protective spray

For extra protection, spray your mat with a clear UV protector or sealant spray. It helps preserve the printed design and the coir fibres, and is one of the best ways to make your mat last longer, especially in a porch that gets the sun.

Start with a clean mat that's completely dry.
Test the spray on a small corner first and let it dry.
Spray outdoors or somewhere well ventilated, in light, even coats, holding the can about 30 cm away.
Leave it to dry fully, as the can directs, before putting the mat back down.
Reapply every few months, or whenever the mat starts to look dull.

Frayed edges

Over time a few fibres work loose at the edges. Snip them off neatly with sharp scissors rather than pulling them, which loosens the fibres next to them. Lift the mat to move furniture, bikes or bins over the doorway rather than dragging them across it.

Flattened bristles

The spot where everyone steps gets flattened first. Brush it firmly against the direction the fibres lie to lift them again, and give it a shake. Keep the mat away from radiators and heaters: dry heat makes coir brittle and stiff.

Stopping it slipping

Your Dormat has a non-slip black PVC backing that grips most floors. It grips best on a clean, dry surface, so sweep under it now and then, and dry the floor underneath if it gets wet. On very smooth or polished floors, a thin rug gripper underneath adds extra hold.

Storing your mat

If you swap mats with the seasons (a Christmas mat and an everyday one, say), make sure the one you're putting away is clean and bone dry, then store it flat somewhere dry. Don't fold it, which creases the backing, and don't keep it in a damp shed or garage.

What not to do

Don't put it in the washing machine. It will damage the mat and possibly your machine.
Don't soak it or pressure-wash it. Soaking weakens the backing and the fibres hold water for days.
Don't use bleach or strong chemicals. They can fade your printed design and dry out the fibres.
Don't leave it lying in puddles. If your step floods, lift the mat until it drains.

Why is my new coir mat shedding?

All new coir mats drop some loose fibres for the first week or two. It's the short ends from the manufacturing process working their way out, not the mat falling apart. Shake it every couple of days and it settles down quickly.

Make your Dormat last: the short version

Keep it indoors or under a covered porch, out of the rain and strong sun.
Shake it out weekly and vacuum both sides every couple of weeks.
Blot spills straight away, and dry it fully if it ever gets wet.
Snip loose edge fibres; never pull them.
For extra protection, give it a clear UV protector or sealant spray, and reapply as needed.
No washing machines, pressure washers or bleach.

Coir is natural, so the patch where everyone steps will wear first. That's normal: it means the mat is doing its job.