Loofah bath sponges, also known as luffas, are not really sponges at all. True sponges are aquatic animals found in the ocean. Loofah bath sponges are the fruit of the loofah sponge gourd plant that you can grow in your own garden. Loofahs are primarily used to clean, massage and exfoliate human skin, but have many other uses. Cleaning a loofah regularly is important since they can harbor bacteria.
Basics
The loofah sponge gourd plant (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill) is a vine similar to a cucumber plant. It is native to tropical regions but can be grown successfully in temperate zones. The loofah most familiar to bathers is made from the long, cucumber-shaped fruit of the loofah plant. The fruit is picked, cleaned and stripped to expose its rough fibrous interior. The majority of loofah bath sponges are imported from countries with long growing seasons and warm climates.
Uses
The rough surface of the loofah bath sponge is primarily used as a beauty aid to rub away dead skin while bathing. These hardy vegetable sponges are also used as pot and grill scrubbers and are made into doormats, hats and sandals. Historically, loofah sponges have been used as filters, soundproofing material and medicine. The squash-like fruit of the loofah sponge plant can be eaten when less than 4 inches long. Loofah vines decorate gardens, climbing trellises and bearing fragrant flowers.
Benefits
Rubbed over the skin during a bath or shower, the loofah can exfoliate dead skin and increase circulation. In addition to these beauty and skin care benefits, this natural plant product is a renewable resource. Unlike other sponges over-harvested from the sea or manufactured from non-recyclable materials, the loofah is grown on a vine.
Caution
Loofah bath sponges have the potential to harbor and promote a wide variety of bacteria capable of harming the human skin, according to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. The loofah sponge, a complex network of fibers, provides a beneficial environment for bacterial growth, especially when warm and moist. Dead skin cells attached to the sponge help feed the potentially harmful bacteria. Cleaning your loofah routinely with a weak bleach/water solution will reduce the risk of bacterial transmission.
Grow Your Own
Growing your own loofah bath sponges is not difficult, but finding the seeds that will produce large, sturdy loofahs is sometimes a problem, according to the University of North Carolina. Experts advise starting the seeds in flats in a greenhouse, then transplanting the thinned seedlings in the garden once the threat of frost is over.
The loofah sponge gourd needs the same soil as cucumber plants: good drainage and plenty of air circulation. Adding nitrogen may be necessary about halfway through the growth cycle. Once you have a successful crop, save the seeds for next year.
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