A bath loofah is a fundamental tool when giving a deep clean. Some basic care must be maintained with the object and the skin.
Taking a good shower after your work routine is always invigorating. But without a bath loofah is almost synonymous with not being clean.
Sponges are always on shopping lists as an essential item and there are zillions of options to buy. The important thing is to have this instrument and feel very clean and smelling good after taking a shower.
Some curiosities are embedded in these loofahs, and some basic precautions need to be respected. Many people do not know, for example, the exact time to change, or they use them inappropriately, causing various problems to the skin.
There are specificities regarding this object. Children are one of the points of attention when choosing the best sponge, because not just any sponge should be used, for example.
With that in mind, let’s clarify once and for all what they are for, how to use and how to handle the different types of bath loofahs. And, if you want to explore some options after reading all the interesting facts, you will be equipped with valuable information when choosing and using them.
What is the bushing for?
Initially, the bath loofah was invented to help clean the body. It performs an important function that, sometimes, soap alone cannot solve. For example, when we get our feet dirty and that crust of dirt doesn’t come off, a sponge is the best option to help with hygiene.
Therefore, in view of the previous observations, the main action of loofahs is exfoliation. What would the most difficult-to-reach regions of our body be without these specific instruments, right? Another strong point is that, when using them, the removal of impurities is more profound, causing the exchange of dead cells for living cells.
These microorganisms are responsible for keeping the skin looking rejuvenated. However, dirt residues prevent cell renewal, and that’s exactly where the functionality of bath sponges comes in. And, if you still want to enhance this aesthetic health effect, just look for products with moisturizing and exfoliating compounds for the skin.
Types of bushings
It is common to find vegetable sponges in almost every home. However, these are not the only options available.
Seeing the great demand for bath loofahs, the industry started to produce several different types and formats that suited the tastes of each user. Furthermore, some skin is more sensitive than others and, for this reason, new inventions have also been adapted. Look:
sea sponge
In a world where bath loofah is predominantly vegetable or synthetic, sea sponges are super new. Don’t be surprised, but this loofah is made from a material called “spongin”, that is, it comes from animal origin. Made from proteins and collagen, this peculiar loofah is the result of a long softening procedure.
In short, its natural organic origin is efficient when it comes to storing fungi and bacteria. Therefore, in addition to being sustainable, there is no need to worry unreasonably about these mini nuisances. Furthermore, they are perfect when it comes to absorbing and moistening the skin with the product used.
Synthetic sponge
Surely you have already seen one of these synthetic sponges. The name itself tells you where their origin is, as they are produced using chemical procedures. Its texture is minimally thought out, because the central objective is to achieve the ideal softness to be used on the face and even on babies’ skin.
However, what makes it fall below the level of the best choice, just like any other synthetic model, is that this type of bath loofah is not at all sustainable and its useful life is much shorter. Therefore, the descant cycle is much more intense.
Some special care must also be taken into consideration when storing them. Humidity is the worst villain, as it generates the appearance of bacteria and fungi.
foam sponge
The fun at bath time for your child is when the foam loofah comes into action. The different formats are distracting and make bathing much more pleasant. Its soft material, also synthetic, promotes lighter cleaning, without hurting babies’ skin. This type is the most common and is always inside the baby’s bags when it’s time to go out.
nylon sponge
Anyone who has a nylon bath loofah knows that its touch is soft, it even feels like a massage for the skin. And that’s why it’s at the top of the list for skin treatments. Gentle contact with the epidermis promotes exfoliation without hurting and, another positive point, is the absorption of bath products and aid in aesthetic treatments.
Fabric sponge
First of all, this type of bath loofah is preferred by grandmothers. However, fabric sponges are gaining a lot of space in bathrooms. And, if the fabric is already super pleasant when going out, imagine when taking a shower?
Craft mode is on the rise and will end up winning over the other options above. We really take care of our clothes, even putting them in the sun.
How to soften vegetable loofah
The leadership is clear! Vegetable bath loofah dominates and reaches all social classes. It’s incredible to think that nature already provides us with material ready for use. However, the only problem is when softening these natural sponges. For those who don’t know, after harvesting Loofah from Pé de Bucha, they are very rough and hard.
A basic, homemade procedure can be done before using them. Take your vegetable loofah, remove it from the skin and soak it in a wide basin and remove it as soon as it softens. If you think the piece is too big, just cut it, leave it to dry in the sun and save the other part for when it is necessary to change it.
Still on the positive points of using natural sponge, it can even be recycled. In some cities, there are specific collection points that know how to dispose of waste in a sustainable way of reuse. Look for selective collection and orient yourself in relation to this type of service.
Loofah care in the bath
Everything that is too much spoils, right? Bearing in mind this valuable saying, be careful when rubbing your skin. Especially in the case of vegetable loofahs, which are much rougher.
Excessive force can cause the opposite of exfoliation, that is, “skinning”. As a result, the skin can end up injured, causing pain and burning.
Secondly, another important factor to highlight is that cleaning too much can reduce the skin’s protective oily layer. This natural liquid is responsible for keeping the epidermis hydrated, that is, with water preserved in the right quantity. Rubbing too much removes this protective film, so it’s good to be careful when bathing.
Conservation tips and when to change
The horror for everyone is when these objects acquire a bad smell, or become full of fungi and bacteria. Some basic care is necessary after bathing to keep them clean and healthy.
In other words, this handling requires discipline so that no errors occur and the skin stays away from these problems. Therefore, follow the instructions:
- Rinse after bathing (until all the soap is removed)
- Hang outside the bathroom to dry
- Change the vegetable bath loofah every month
- Change the synthetic bath loofah every 2 months
- Dip it every week in chlorinated water
Now, by observing the above precautions, your skin will be clean and exfoliated correctly. All of this with properly preserved material, without putting health at risk. Finally, choose the best bath loofah for you and follow all the basic rules.
For more tips, read: Soaps for combination skin – 10 best products on the market.
Sources: Wellbeing Guide, Huffpost, Saber Atualizado, Westwing, Vix,
Image sources: Huffpost, Westwing, Guia de Bem Estar, Marilú, Vix, Cell Shop, Opitec, Elo 7, Mercado Livre, Denise Brunetti, Bonde, Smell Box, Ciclo Vivo, Porus
