Luffa: Discover the zero waste soap dish

First, let's clarify what exactly aloofah is: it doesn't come from the sea. Loofah is actually a vegetable from the squash family. The squash is picked, dried, and peeled.

What remains is what you see below and in bathtubs around the world. It is even believed to have been used by the Egyptians as a sponge!

You can cut the entire luffa plant into pieces based on your specific needs or purchase pre-cut gourds.

Luffa in the shower

The most well-known use is the shower. And there are good reasons for that!

• Exfoliate : The loofah sponge is made up of slightly rough fibers that are very useful for exfoliating your skin. It is extremely beneficial for removing dead cells and achieving smooth and glowing skin, especially when the skin is particularly dry and flaky during the winter months.

• Loofahs can also help improve circulation and encourage pores to expel oil and other impurities.

Luffa in the kitchen

A lesser-known use is in the kitchen for washing dishes. If you use a traditional kitchen sponge, did you know that it is probably made of some kind of plastic? Did you also know that it is recommended to replace your traditional sponge every 2 to 4 weeks? If you are looking for a "zero waste" alternative to a sponge, the loofah clearly stands out considering this!

The loofah has become one of our favorite dish sponges for pots, pans, and even wine glasses!
Luffa sponges are perfect for cleaning almost anything, anything that needs scrubbing but can't stand up to abrasive steel wool.
*If you use these for both shower and kitchen, make sure to use two separate loofahs!

Luffa soap dishes

Loofahs can actually be cut into any shape and used for a multitude of purposes. We've started using thin slices as zero waste soap dishes and we love them!

Environmental impact of Luffa

Loofahs are completely biodegradable. Simply toss them in the compost when they reach the end of their life! Loofahs are one of the best "zero waste" sponges out there!

Caring for Luffa

New, unused loofahs can last for years if kept dry. They should be covered so that dust does not settle on the surface. Loofahs in good condition will last a surprisingly long time if allowed to dry between uses, usually a few months, but we recommend changing them every month.

Here's how to care for your loofah to keep it clean and effective:

• Remember to soak it briefly in water before using it for the first time.

• Daily Drying: After using your loofah, rinse it and let it dry in a place away from the humidity of the shower, so that it dries completely between uses. For maximum preservation, after use, apply soap and rinse again before letting it dry.

• To eliminate bacteria, you can boil the water, wash it at high temperature in the washing machine (with towels for example) or put the wet loofah in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds. Ideally, disinfect once a week.

• Like any sponge, the loofah should be used for a limited period of time before being replaced. In any case, if maintenance is carried out as outlined above, you should be able to use a single loofah for a full month before replacing it.

What is loofah used for? Let us know what you think!