With so many synthetic products in our homes, isn’t it time to go natural?

Here is a list of 7 natural organic vegetable fibres that last longer, are sustainable, ethical, chemical free and are used in our Eco Max Brushes to replace plastics in the home.

Coconut Fibre – one of nature’s little gifts.

The fibre comes from the husk of the mature coconut, so is a waste product from harvesting coconuts and what’s not to like about coconut.

• It is naturally anti-bacterial – so is ideal for use in the kitchen
• Has a natural resistance to fungus & mould – think bathrooms
• Is relatively water resistant – so therefore dishwasher safe
• Fats and oils do not congeal to it – unalike a nylon scourer
• Is long lasting – used every day a Kitchen Scrubber will last 6 + months

Sisal -ideal for Dry Body Brushes

Is a species of cactus – Agave sisalana; although originally from Mexico this species has been successfully grown in many parts of the world. In Tanzania and Kenya it has become an important sustainable crop as it can be grown throughout the year, even on marginal land and in semi-arid areas, and does not require fertilizers or pesticides making it ideal for poorer areas where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy.

• Unbleached sisal is a golden creamy colour and is firm but soft
• It does not absorb water easily – ideal for dry body brushes
• The fibres are strong and durable

Jute – soft and gentle, yet strong.

The fibre is extracted from the bark of the Jute plant and is one of nature’s strongest vegetable fibres. Jute plants are easy to grow, have a high yield and have little need for pesticides and fertilisers. In India and Bangladesh some 4 million farmers earn their living and support 20 million dependents from jute cultivation, while hundreds of thousands work in the jute manufacturing sector.

• The fibres are very long and silky
• It is strong yet soft – so ideal for our Face Brush
• Jute is part cellulose (plant fibre) and part lignin (wood fibre) and absorbs natural vegetable dyes easily

Tampico – absorbs 65% more water than plastic.

A species of cactus Agave lecheguilla, it grows naturally in only one region of Mexico and cannot be commercially grown. So although it is commercially harvested and processed predominately by hand it is a naturally grown crop.

• Has wonderful water retaining qualities – it will absorb 65% more than plastic bristles.
• It keeps its shape and texture, not softening or becoming flat with use – so ideal for a Nail Brush
• Under a microscope, the fibre has tiny hooks which give it a natural slightly abrasive quality
• It is very resistant and hard wearing

Arenga Fibre – the colour of chocolate and just as nice.

The fibre comes from the hairy fibrous trunk of the Arenga pinnata palm tree which only grows in Indonesia.  In the wild the tree will die about 2 years after the palm has flowered at 5 – 15 years of age, depending on the altitude it is grown in. We are developing a range of bottle brushes and kitchen cleaning brushes using Arenga fibre as well as men’s range of body brushes as the fibre is a beautiful natural dark black brown colour.

• It is extremely durable & hardwearing – out performing synthetics
• Highly resistant to salt water
• Has a heat resistance of up to 150° – so ideal where plastics fail
• The fibre is finer & a softer than coconut fibre

Palmyrah – tough enough to live out doors.

Palmyrah is produced from the base of the palm frond stalk of the Palmyrah Palm tree. The fibre is from young palms, 5 – 10 years old and 12 leaves per year are cut. The palmyrah fibre is ideal for stiffer outside brooms and we use it mixed with coconut fibre for our Christmas Trees and Wreathes to keep their shape and for its long lasting properties.

• The fibre are hard and stiff
• Resistant to water and attack by termite and other insects

Coconut Palm Frond – King of the trees

In Sri Lanka the Coconut Palm Tree is known as the King of all trees. Every part of the tree in used from the timber, fruit, fronds and flowers. The leaf stalk, mid rib of the palm frond when stripped of the leaves is used to make a traditional broom, Ekel Broom. This broom is an amazing outside broom which easily rakes without tearing up the runner in the grass and is a new addition to our Eco Max range.

Did you know that all natural vegetable fibres are…

• Biodegradable – so at the end of their life you can put them into your compost bin to breakdown naturally
• Sustainable – they are carbon neutral: absorbing the same amount of carbon dioxide that they produce.
• Ethical – all these fibres are products of agriculture in developing countries so by choosing them you are supporting developing countries and helping to fight rural poverty.
• Renewable – natural fibres are a renewable resource.
• Healthy – natural fibres do not have the chemicals found in manmade fibres and do not contribute to micro-plastics and plastic fibres in our waters and food chains.