What is a loofa made from?
What is a loofah
A loofah sponge (or luffa sponge) is a natural sponge, in a tube shape, that is anywhere from 8-24 inches long in its natural state, and 4-6 inches in diameter. It is a mesh of fibers and has fibrous webbing throughout the inside of the tube, in a flower pattern.
What is a loofah made of?
A loofah is "made" from a plant. Grown, in the ground, that is. It is a common misconception, that a loofah sponge is a sea sponge. It is not. It is a plant, in the gourd family, which is in the squash family, otherwise known as the cucurbitaceae family. This plant family includes squashes, such as pumpkins, Winter squashes, gourds of all kinds, and zucchinis. It also includes all cucumbers and all melons. Some say when a loofah is young, it can be eaten.
There are 2 species of loofah plant. One name is Luffa Aegyptiaca and the other is Luffa Acutangula. It is also known as Dishcloth Gourd, or dishrag gourd, or Luffa Gourd, or Loofa, or Loofah, lufa, or loufa. It is a heat loving plant, but with a little help, can be grown in cooler climates. I have some in my garden.
How to buy a good loofah
Loofah quality
There is a big difference in loofah sponge quality, when you compare organically garden grown loofah sponges that are air dried and commercial factory farmed and kiln dried loofah sponges.
Organic garden style grown loofah sponges that are air dried are soft and can be easily squeezed in your hand. They gently exfoliate dead skin, while invigorating your skin, when used to wash your body, face hands and feet.
Factory farmed and kiln dried loofah sponges are hard and cannot be easily squeezed in your hand. This makes them very rough on your skin. They are scratchy. This rough quality may be enjoyable to you and will definitely exfoliate dead skin cells, while also removing a layer or two of live skin.
The photo to the right is a loofah in my garden. The sponge is contained inside the protective shell as it grows.
Good quality loofahs go with good quality soapo
Loofahs around the world
Loofah history
Historically the loofah is thought to have originated in Asia or Africa. Carbon dating has the loofah brought to the Americas over 9000 years ago. It is one of the first known crops grown for intentional cultivation and harvest. Eaten young, and then dried, peeled and harvested for washing dishes, household cleaning, and personal care.
Loofah is excellent for exfoliating skin and revitalizing your healthy glow.
The photo on the left is the back of the loofah flower with the tiny loofah gourd in the early stages of growing.
Loofah is excellent at holding Liquid Castile Soap for shower wash.
How to select and care for a loofah sponge
How to use
It is best to store the loofah in a place where it will dry between uses. Periodically wash the sponge by submerging it in soapy water and squeezing it, hand washing a garment. Let the loofah soap for about 30 minutes and then rinse with clean water. You are now ready to put it back in your shower for regular use.
With proper care, your loofah should last for 2-5 years.
When purchasing your first loofah sponge, be very conscious of how easy it is to squeeze. If it does not squeeze like a regular dish washing sponge, you may want to consider finding another, softer one.