Can you put a coir doormat outside?
Short answer: yes, but only where it stays dry. A coir doormat is happiest at a covered entrance, such as under a porch, canopy or deep overhang, or just inside the door. Coir is a natural fibre that soaks up water, so a mat left out in open rain can stay wet for days and be permanently damaged.
What is coir?
Coir comes from the husk of the coconut. The stiff, bristly fibres are brilliant at brushing dirt and grit off shoes, which is why coir has been used for doormats for generations. Our mats are natural coir with a PVC backing and are about 15 mm thick.
Why coir needs a covered spot
- It absorbs water. Natural fibres take on moisture, and a soaked mat is slow to dry.
- Being waterlogged causes lasting damage. A mat that stays wet can lose its shape and wear quickly, and leaving it to dry won't fully put it right.
- Dry coir works best. Coir only does its job of brushing off dirt when the fibres are dry and springy.
Is my entrance covered enough?
Look at the spot after a rainy day. If the ground where the mat would sit stays dry, it's a good home for coir. If rain blows straight onto it, use the mat just inside the door instead, or choose a spot further under the porch.
How to look after a coir doormat
- Shake it out regularly to remove loose dirt.
- Brush it with a stiff brush, or vacuum it, to lift grit from between the fibres.
- Let it dry somewhere airy if it gets damp, and keep it out of the rain while it dries.
- Don't soak it, hose it or put it in the washing machine.
It's normal for a new coir mat to shed a few loose fibres in its first weeks.
Choosing your mat
Not sure which size to pick? Read our doormat size guide, then browse our six personalised designs, each printed to order with your wording.