The benefits of loofah sponges

loofah... Every time we enter a supermarket, drugstore or department store, we are confronted with dozens of cleaning accessories and tools designed to help us to varying degrees in fighting dirt, grime and bacteria. Whether you prefer certain products because of their cost, looks, or sustainability, it's important to know the pros and cons of the different products on offer to understand not only how effective they are in cleaning, but also how well they do when it comes to being eco-friendly meet the demands of the modern household.

Loofahs are among the most popular natural solutions for home cleaning and personal hygiene. The dried loofah shells form a naturally textured surface that provides the user with a perfect scrubbing tool.

Thanks to the way the loofah's natural body dries, the overall effect is an effective exfoliation that creates the perfect lather on the body, washing dishes and even scrubbing stubborn stains - however, without the proper care and attention, your loofah can become lifeless also become a source of bacteria.

Before we get to the care and proper handling of the loofah first, let's take a closer look at where loofahs come from and what makes them such a great eco-friendly medium of exchange for the home.

The origin of the loofah

As you can see from our range of loofahs, the main material of a loofah is dry and crusty - the naturally rough surface is the perfect exfoliation tool. But what makes loofah sponges so sustainable?

Would you believe us when we tell you that everything about the loofah - from its shape to its textured surface - is completely natural? Loofah sponges are derived from the loofah gourd plant, which is native to tropical and subtropical climates, and is made by growing the plant into its long, cucumber-shaped flower, then harvesting and drying that flower for up to six months .

The dried flowers (they're called "gourds" in the industry) are then soaked and peeled, and all the seeds are removed. Once dried again, they can be sliced ​​and made into a variety of different shapes to replicate the variety of sponge shapes and sizes we see on store shelves today.

If you need proof that loofahs are all natural and sustainably sourced, all you have to do is compare a range of loofahs at a health and beauty or eco store - all products are completely unique. After all, there is no such thing as uniformity in nature; everything is exactly as nature made it.

Sustainable Harvest

You may be wondering how we can ensure that loofahs are made using cruelty-free and sustainable methods when they have to be grown in tropical climates. That's where organic loofah gourd farms come in, utilizing the warm tropical environment of a greenhouse to grow and harvest loofah plants for commercial use.

Some people even choose to grow their own all-natural loofah plants for personal use. Organizations like the National Trust encourage eco-friendly swaps by sharing growing tips and selling loofah seeds every spring.

The benefits of loofah sponges

If you're browsing our selection of loofahs and wondering which sponges are best for different uses around the home, we recommend our range of loofahs which come with handles and hooks - for safe storage and effective all around use body.

Of course, the main advantage of loofahs in the bathroom is the natural exfoliating property of the outer material, which creates a good lather when soap is applied, which removes dead skin cells and ensures a beautiful appearance. As loofahs are completely natural, users must ensure that the texture is not too abrasive for their skin - hence we recommend avoiding the use of loofahs on the face and on very sensitive areas of the body.

Because of the same exfoliating material, loofahs are also ideal for use in the kitchen as a dishwashing sponge, and also in the rest of the home as an effective cleaning agent for stubborn stains and even moisture or mold. Loofahs are a great alternative to traditional dishwashing sponges and scrubbers as they are completely plastic free and made with zero waste. Shoppers report that loofahs are particularly good for cleaning bathroom and kitchen tiles, as well as kitchen surfaces where they want to ensure a thorough and deep clean.

The disadvantages of loofah sponges

This is where storage and care comes in - loofahs are extremely effective at removing dead skin cells and removing stains and bacteria from all sorts of surfaces, but if not used regularly or cleaned properly after each use, they can become a breeding ground for become dangerous bacteria.

You might consider yourself a regular loofah user - and for the sake of your skin, once or twice a week is probably more than enough. However, when it comes to the health and hygiene of your sponge, it's often not enough to completely kill any bacteria that may have built up on the surface. That's why we recommend investing in one of our eco-friendly cleaning products to sanitize your loofah and ensure it's safe to use every time.

You can also help reduce the spread of bacteria by keeping your loofah away from sources of water and extra moisture, and avoiding use on sensitive areas like the face where bacteria can easily be spread throughout the body.

Conclusion

When it comes to buying eco-friendly household products, be it a cleaning product for your home or for your body, it is important to ensure that what you are bringing into your home is not only effective but also safe to use is. Provided you invest the time in properly caring for and cleaning your loofah, the naturally grown product can be a worthwhile trade that will save you money and help you become more environmentally friendly.

For more information about our range of loofah sponges visit the Shop page our site.