Looking for a zero-waste loofa? That's a wise choice!
Loofahs are actually an eco-friendly choice for your shower - natural loofahs that is. Their plastic counterparts found in nearly every drug and big box store around the country are much less beneficial.
But first, let's clear up what a loofah actually is.
What is a Natural Loofah?
Despite what you might think, natural loofahs aren't from the sea - they're actually dried gourds from the cucumber family! These fibrous plants create a naturally exfoliating sponge that's perfect for cleansing and is completely biodegradable. While these sustainable scrubbers have been used for centuries, their plastic counterparts have become more common in recent decades.
The Problem with Plastic Loofahs
Plastic loofahs (or poufs as they are sometimes called) create a double environmental impact. Not only are they made of plastic, but they shed microplastics as they're used, which then go down your shower drain and make their way into the ocean.
According to National Geographic, microplastics that make their way into our waterways are often swallowed by animals causing their digestive systems to block, altering their feeding behaviors, and reducing their growth and reproductive outputs. In turn, microplastics end up in the food on our plates, with the average person eating 70,000 microplastics each year.
Sustainable Alternatives
Fortunately, there are several eco-friendly alternatives to choose from:
- Natural Loofahs: Made from dried gourds, these traditional scrubbers provide excellent exfoliation while being fully biodegradable
- Fabric-based Scrubbers: Often made from natural fibers like hemp or sisal, these create a rich lather while being compostable at the end of their life
The best eco-friendly plastic loofah alternatives
1) Zero Waste Store Loofa Sponge
Price: $4.00 for 1 loofah
Materials: 100% natural loofah gourd
Sustainability Features: Biodegradable, compostable, plastic-free
Lifespan: 3-4 weeks with proper care
Best For: All-over body exfoliation, dish cleaning, general household scrubbing
The perfect alternative to plastic dish sponges and plastic bath loofahs. Use this zero waste, sustainably sourced loofah sponge (made from a plant!) to wash dishes, naturally exfoliate your skin, clean sinks, tubs, and so much more! Once wet, they naturally expand, making the perfect sponge and scrubber!
2) Eco Roots Soap Saver bag
Price: $5.97 for 1 bag
Materials: 100% sustainable sisal, a 100% natural fiber that comes from the agave cactus family.
Sustainability Features: Biodegradable, compostable, plastic-free
Lifespan: 3-5 months with proper care
Best For: All-over body exfoliation, dish cleaning, general household scrubbing
This sisal scrubber bag is great for those little leftover bits and pieces of soap or for a whole soap or shampoo bar. Easy on your skin, this textured soap-saver bag also helps to produce a creamy, rich lather or to exfoliate and massage your head, hands, or body.
When the soap bag gets worn out, toss it into your compost bin!
- Plastic-Free
- Package-Free
- Zero-Waste
- Compostable
- Vegan
- Plant-Based - 100% Sisal Fiber
3) Net Zero Co Exfoliating Mitt
Price: $6.99 for 1 mitt
Materials: 100% natural sisal
Sustainability Features: Biodegradable, compostable, plastic-free
Lifespan: 3-5 months with proper care
Best For: All-over body exfoliation, dish cleaning, general household scrubbing
Trade wasteful disposable plastic loofahs for this all-natural sisal based exfoliating shower mitt. These shower mitts are reusable and compostable making them a clean solution to your shower routine, simply lather up the mitt as you would a loofah and start scrubbing away. To clean, handwash the mitt and hang dry in between uses to extend its life, these mitts should be replaced every 3-5 months.
4) Etee natural loofah
Price: $4.00 for one loofah
Materials: 100% natural loofah gourd
Sustainability Features: Biodegradable, compostable, plastic-free
Lifespan: 3-4 weeks with proper care
Best For: All-over body exfoliation, dish cleaning, general household scrubbing
Trade in that plastic loofah for the real deal, these natural loofahs from Etee come from a family owned loofah farm in Guatemala, loofahs are the perfect zero-waste alternative to your bathtub poof. These dried gourds that are part of the cucumber family are great for exfoliating & cleansing your skin, but they don't stop there.
