What Is a Loofah? Where It Comes From, How to Use It and How Long It Lasts

A loofah is the dried, fibrous inside of a tropical gourd, used as a bath and kitchen sponge. This guide covers where it comes from, how to use one, how often to replace it and where not to use it.

We sell natural loofahs, such as our compressed natural loofah, so read this with that in mind. Where our own product pages and the medical source differ, this guide says so. For the comparison with plastic sponges, see our natural loofah vs synthetic sponge guide.

What Is a Loofah?

A loofah is a natural sponge made from the dried fruit of the luffa plant. NC State Extension describes luffa sponges as the fibrous interiors of the fruits of the luffa sponge gourd, and says the mature, dry fruit is a hard shell around a stiff, dense network of cellulose fibres.

• What it is: The inside skeleton of a dried gourd. Once the skin and seeds are removed, what is left is the sponge.
• What it is used for: NC State says the popularity of luffa in personal care comes from the gentle exfoliating effect of the fibres. It also names household scrubbing for pots, pans and grills.
• What it is not: A sea sponge or a plastic mesh pouf. Cleveland Clinic separates natural loofahs, made from a dried tropical gourd, from synthetic ones made from plastic.

Where Does a Loofah Come From?

It grows on a vine. The luffa sponge gourd plant is, per NC State Extension, a tropical annual vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, closely related to the cucumber, and its fruit is edible when young.

• How it becomes a sponge: NC State says mature gourds turn brown and dry, then are soaked in warm water for five to twenty minutes until the sponge slips out of the skin. Seeds are shaken out.
• Where sponges are grown: NC State lists imports from China, El Salvador, Korea, Taiwan, Guatemala, Colombia and Venezuela. It notes luffa is also a home-garden crop.
• Why people choose it: NC State says many environmentally conscious consumers appreciate that luffa products are natural and a renewable resource.

Is It Loofah, Luffa or Loofa?

All three refer to the same plant and sponge. UF/IFAS says luffa is the genus name and that the plant is alternatively spelled loofa or loofah, a name taken from its use as a sponge for bathing and cleaning dishes.

• Two common species: UF/IFAS names smooth luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca), also called sponge gourd, and angled luffa (Luffa acutangula), also called Chinese okra or ridged gourd.
• Which makes the sponge: NC State's production guide covers Luffa aegyptiaca as the sponge gourd.

How Do You Use a Natural Loofah?

Soften it in warm water, add soap, scrub lightly, then rinse and hang it up to dry. That sequence follows the instructions on our compressed loofah and terry cotton loofah listings, with the drying advice from Cleveland Clinic.

1. Soak it: Our compressed loofah listing says 30 to 60 seconds in warm water expands and softens the fibre.
2. Add soap: Apply body wash or soap directly, per our listings.
3. Scrub lightly: Use circular motions. Cleveland Clinic says to use a loofah gently and not rub your skin too vigorously.
4. Rinse well: Rinse the loofah thoroughly after each use and shake it out.
5. Hang it to dry: Hang it from its cotton loop, ideally outside the shower, so it can dry out.

Can a Loofah Hold Bacteria?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Melissa Piliang says loofahs have lots of nooks and crannies and are very porous, so skin cells lodge in them, and that because they are used in a wet room and never totally dry out, they are a breeding ground for bacteria.

• What can live on one: Cleveland Clinic lists E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and says loofahs can also hold fungal organisms.
• The advice is not to quit: Cleveland Clinic's bottom line is that if you love your loofah, keep using it, dry it every day and clean it once a week.
• How to clean it: Cleveland Clinic says to soak it in a diluted bleach solution for 5 minutes then rinse thoroughly, or put it in the dishwasher. Our My Scrub Sponge listing says the sponge can go in the dishwasher and can also be boiled; the boiling advice is from our listing, not from Cleveland Clinic.

How Often Should You Replace a Loofah?

Every three to four weeks for a natural loofah, according to Cleveland Clinic. A plastic one can last about two months. Our compressed loofah listing gives the same three to four weeks.

• Replace it sooner if: Cleveland Clinic says to throw it away if mold grows on it or it develops a mildewy or musty odor.
• How often to use it: The dermatologist says there is no reason to use a loofah more than twice a week.

Where Should You Not Use a Loofah?

Not on your face or genital area. Cleveland Clinic says those parts of the body are sensitive and you would not want to scrub them anyway.

• After shaving: Skip it for a couple of days. Cleveland Clinic says bacteria can enter your skin through any nick or cut.
• Where we differ: One of our listings, the small natural loofah with cotton rope, mentions face and body use. The dermatologist advice is clear that the face is off limits, so we suggest following it.
• If skin is irritated: Stop and ask a doctor. This guide is information, not medical advice.

What Can You Use Instead of a Loofah?

A washcloth is the alternative Cleveland Clinic recommends first. Its structure makes it less likely to trap anything, easier to clean and dry, and most people wash it in the laundry and replace it more often.

• Other options named: Silicone bath scrubbers and sea sponges.
• If you want texture without the sponge: See our guides to natural exfoliation and dry brushing.

Which Natural Loofah Should You Choose?

It depends on how you want to hold it. All three below are described on their listings as using natural loofah fibre.

• Compact and cheap to store: The compressed natural loofah arrives flat and expands when soaked, with a cotton rope loop.
• A softer second side: The natural loofah with soft terry cotton has a loofah side and a terry cotton side, plus a hand strap.
• Loofah plus cellulose: The My Scrub Sponge pairs loofah fibre with cellulose, one side to scrub and one to lather.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a loofah?

A loofah is the dried, fibrous inside of the luffa gourd, a tropical vine related to the cucumber, used as a bath and kitchen sponge.

Is a loofah a plant or a sponge?

Both. It grows as a gourd, and after the fruit is dried and the skin and seeds are removed, the cellulose fibre network is used as a sponge.

How often should you replace a loofah?

Every three to four weeks for a natural loofah and about two months for a plastic one, per Cleveland Clinic. Replace it sooner if it smells musty or grows mold.

How do you clean a loofah?

Rinse and dry it daily, and clean it weekly. Cleveland Clinic says to soak it in diluted bleach for 5 minutes and rinse well, or run it through the dishwasher.

Can you use a loofah on your face?

Cleveland Clinic says no: never use a loofah on your face or genital area, because those areas are sensitive.

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