Calling a loofah a sponge is a misnomer. Sponges are sea creatures, but loofahs -- also called luffas -- are grown in the garden. They are part of the cucumber family of gourds. When dried, the cellulose fibers create a network that can be used as a gentle scrub against your skin. They are commonly found in beauty supply shops and are sold primarily as an exfoliating tool.
Function
Loofahs have one main purpose in the bathroom -- to exfoliate and smooth your skin. They also function as a non-abrasive sponge in the kitchen. For commercial uses, they can be used to protect delicate items during shipping or as filters for liquids.
Benefits
A loofah is a gentle tool that aids in softening your skin and removing dead skin cells to uncover new, fresh skin. It is a natural product, so it doesn't harm the environment in the way production of plastic scrubbers might.
Features
The loofah looks like a giant zucchini when harvested. However, once it is peeled and deseeded, it dries into a fibrous husk. This husk is what is sold to consumers as loofahs. It can be used with soap, attached to washcloth-like material or used on its own.
Considerations
If you use a loofah, bleach it regularly to remove potentially harmful bacteria. Hang it to dry to minimize the growth of bacteria. Replace your loofah at regular intervals to minimize any contaminants in your shower or bath.
Warning
The "Journal of Clinical Microbiology" warns that loofahs used for exfoliating can be a source of harmful bacteria. In a 1994 article, they traced a case of folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, to a contaminated loofah. The study's authors noted that the combination of the network of fibers and exfoliated skin cells can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
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