Loofah Sponge

Most people assume a loofah comes from the sea. It doesn't. It's a gourd that grows on a vine, similar to a zucchini, and once it's dried out you're left with the tough fibrous webbing from inside it. It is known by other names: people call it luffa or loofa as well, all the same plant.

That webbing is the whole point. It's coarse enough to remove dead skin properly, and it works up a good lather from hardly any soap at all, so your bars last longer too.

Soak it in warm water for a minute before the first use. It arrives quite stiff and softens up once it's had a proper wetting.

How to use

Wet your skin first, then work the loofah over in circles. Elbows, knees and heels are where you'll notice the most benefit.

Not recommended for the face or extra sensitive parts.

Making it last

Rinse it out after every use and hang it up to dry. That really is all there is to it. A loofah that sits wet in the bottom of the bath will start to smell within a fortnight, while one that dries out between showers keeps going for weeks.

When it's finally worn out, put it in the compost or dig it into the garden. It's a plant after all, so it breaks down like one.

We have two sizes

Jumbo with rope is 17 to 18cm with a cord for hanging, and it's the one most people are after.

Baby size is 6 to 7cm with no cord. Good for travel as it's smaller and easy to pack, and it fits nicely into a gift.

No plastic in sight

Plastic shower puffs shed microplastic every wash and end up in landfill. This one grew in the ground and goes back into it.