X

Get my top tips and seasonal gardening advice straight to your inbox each week.

What to Do With Loofah (and How to Use It!)

If you’ve ever grown loofah (or luffa) gourds, you know the excitement of watching them dry into fibrous sponges. But once they’re harvested, you might wonder what to do with loofah to make the most of your homegrown bounty.

I make cleaning scrubbers from loofahs grown in my backyard—and it couldn’t be easier. If you have an abundance of loofahs, these make fantastic gifts. I love using them to clean dishes, countertops, veggies, and even as body scrubbers. They’re versatile, compostable, and completely homegrown—a simple, sustainable swap for plastic sponges.

What to Do With Loofah (and How to Use It!)

Ready to turn your loofahs into something practical? Let’s get started!


How to Make Loofah Scrubbers


Supplies Needed

Before you dive in, gather these items:


Harvesting & Prepping Your Loofah

Shake Out the Seeds

After you pick your loofahs, give them a good shake to dislodge as many seeds as possible. Save these seeds for replanting next season or sharing with friends. Learn more about saving seeds in this guide.

Soak & Remove the Skin

Slide a finger under the skin along one of the natural seams and peel off the entire shell. If the outer shell doesn’t peel easily, soak the loofahs in warm water for a few minutes.

Peeling loofah sponges

Pro Tip: If the skin still feels stubborn, soak a little longer.

Let Them Dry

Once peeled, place your loofahs in a warm, sunny spot to dry.


Cutting & Using the Core

Slice & Remove the Core

Cut a slit lengthwise down the loofah. You’ll notice a dense core in the center—carefully cut around it. Those core pieces can be sliced into rings for luffa soap.

Removing luffa Core

Flatten the Remaining Fiber

After removing the core, you’ll have a pliable, oblong sheet of loofah fiber. Flatten it out and give it a final check for any leftover seeds or skin.

Pro Tip: The luffa may still have a bit of pulp or debris—give them a quick rinse if needed before setting them aside to dry.


Sewing Your Loofah Sponge

Fold

Fold the flattened loofah in on itself, and then again, until you have a small rectangular shape. This thickness helps create a sturdier scrubber and reduces waste.

Sew the Edges

Using your needle and thread, sew around three edges of the folded loofah. The stitching is simple, and there’s no need for perfection (I joke that the craft police won’t show up if your stitches aren’t perfect). Creating something handmade and useful is incredibly satisfying.

  • Tie a knot at the end of your thread.
  • Use a simple running stitch along the outer perimeter.
  • When you’re done, tie off the thread a few times and pull it through the sponge so the tail is hidden inside.

Pro Tip: Don’t stress about perfect stitches—functionality is key!

Voila! Your Handmade Sponge

Each sponge takes just about 10 minutes (or less!) to sew. You can make several in one sitting and store them for future use or gift-giving.


How to Use & Care for Your Loofah Sponges

  • Kitchen Scrubber: Great for dishes, pots, pans, and even scrubbing produce.
  • Bathroom Cleaner: Use them to get soap scum off sinks, tubs, and showers.

Long-Term Care & Storage

  • Rinse & Squeeze: After each use, rinse your sponge thoroughly to remove any debris and let it air dry.
  • Storage: Keep extra or unused sponges in a cool, dry place—like a cabinet or drawer—to prevent mold or mildew.
  • When It Wears Out: If your sponge becomes too flimsy or frayed, add it to your compost pile. It’ll break down naturally.

One of the best things about natural loofahs is that they’re 100% biodegradable. When they wear out, toss them in your compost bin or bury them in the garden—no waste! Learn more about composting in this guide.

What to Do With Loofah (and How to Use It!)

Creative Ways to Share & Give Loofah Gifts

  • Homemade Gifts: Pair a loofah sponge with a handmade soap bar or body scrub for an eco-friendly bath set. Check out my Homegrown Christmas Gifts post here for more ideas.
  • Grow Your Own: Interested in a never-ending supply of loofahs? Read my How to Grow Luffa guide for planting, pollination, and harvesting tips.
  • Neighbor Gift Bundles: Create a lovely gift set with loofah sponges and a packet of seeds. See my Wildflower Seed Packets for Neighbor Gifts post here for additional inspiration.
Making loofah soap

Now that you know what to do with loofah after harvest—how to use loofah sponges for practical and creative projects—the options are endless. Whether you keep them for your cleaning arsenal or turn them into thoughtful gifts, these natural sponges are a fantastic way to reduce waste and keep things clean.

Subscribe to the newsletter for gardening tips and seasonal advice sent to your inbox every week.

Join the List

Leave a comment on What to Do With Loofah (and How to Use It!)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Topics