Loofah gourd
Origin
Loofah is a plant species that relate to cucumber. Both species have interchangeable usage. In India, China and Vietnam, there are cultivated as a vegetable. The Loofah is quite edible before it is fully harvested.
Once it ripes up and dries down, the remains of the fruit resemble a sponge and also become coarse. The fibrous texture of Loofah makes it a perfect choice as a scrubbing object for kitchen or cosmetic application. The vines of this plant grow yellow flowers, thriving in the Indian climate.
To derive the fiber from loofa, the plant is allowed to be fully harvested and mature till it becomes brown or yellowish. The skin is peeled revealing the finely coarse texture of these natural sponges. It can be easily found in the medicinal store.
Indisutras sources these exotic sponges from the local family farms of rural Karnataka and Andrapradesh. Loofah is harvested for the fruit and is allowed to mature in case it is harvested for the fiber.
Material: Loofah benefits and characteristics
The appearance of the Loofah that is all-natural and binge to tan-colored resembles sawdust. It is insoluble in water and its absorbent properties help it enhance the foaming feature and is quite an option to create lather.
Loofah powder is also quite fine and soft, which helps in gentle exfoliation and polishes dirt, pollutants, and dead cells away from the skin. It also helps to calm the inflamed skin and improve blood circulation as per regular use.
It is also a perfect solution and a natural alternative to plastic loofahs. It is a plastic-free gentle exfoliator. Loofah is a renewable resource and is quite easy to grow.
Loofahs vs. Pouf
The problems with the bath poufs are extreme to the environment. Usually, after the plastic gets worn out, there is no other option than to toss it away, ultimately sitting on landfills for years and years. They can even end up in waterways. Another aspect is that plastics are harmful to our health. The microfibers in the plastics get washed and enter the local water source. This contains cancer-causing substances that can end up in our drinking water.
On the other hand, natural loofah scrubs have no plastic. They have dried up gourd that contains a network of fibers with a thick outer skin. The inside of the plant can have a rougher texture than a pouf, for which you can soak it in water for sometime before use.
1. Loofahs are plastic-free gentle exfoliators!
2. Loofahs are also vegan sponge alternatives. If you don’t want to use sea sponges as they are also animal, a vegan alternative is switching to loofah gourd.
3. You can compost your old loofah sponge. You don’t have to do much, just toss it in your backyard compost.
4. Loofahs are very easy to process and are a renewable resource. They just need more time to mature and dry out.
Things you need to know about loofah gourd for eco-friendly and sustainable living
Lacquer Wood: It is a 100% non-toxic resin that has been used in India since ancient times. It is derived from the secretion from a tiny insect called “Laccifer lacca”. The substance is approved as a food-grade finish.
These traditional toys are made from different kinds of woods like pine, teak, rosewood, cedarwood, ivory, and rubber to name a few. The most commonly used material is ‘Aale mara’ (Ivory wood). It is machined and finished without any chemical treatment on a traditional lathe.
Every section of the wood is utilized by the artisans. The wood is completely safe and does not pose any occupational health hazards.
Colors: The vibrant colors used to decorate the toys are not only attractive but are also harmless for toddlers.
The artisans use vegetable colors on the toys with traditional designs and detailing.
The zero-waste spine: Loofah guard uses In the shower
Loofah is known to be a good exfoliator and an effective and sustainable alternative to plastic body scrubs. They have slightly coarse fibers that make it helpful to scrub and exfoliate the body and skin.
Loofahs are also known to increase blood circulation and remove dead skin cells, exfoliating the pores to expel oils and impurities.
Regeneration of the dying art In the kitchen
Loofah is also effective for use in the kitchen to wash and clean the dishes. The regular traditional sponges that you buy from the market have a lot of plastic fibers. These plastic sponges are also required to be replaced with a new one every 2-4 weeks. If you are looking for a sustainable and comparatively durable alternative, the Loofah sponge is a clear winner in this case!
- Loofah is a perfect substitute for cleaning dishes, pans, and even glasses.
- You can also use Loofah sponges to clean your kitchen platform and it scrubs away all the dirt and impurities easily.
For Multipurpose use
Loofah can be cut into any shape and used for various purposes. You can use it as a soap holder or even makeup brush cleaner. Loofahs absorbs moisture effectively and is very soft and secure. Loofahs are also used to make laptop sleeves and shower mats. Loofahs are also used to make flip flops. They are comfortable to wear and also relieves pain in the foot.
Care and maintain Loofah
A new unused loofah can be stored for years if kept dry. The loofah sponge surprisingly lasts longer if dried after use than the plastic scrubs. However, it is recommended to change the loofah scrub every one month. Make sure you follow the steps to keep your loofah scrub neat and clean –
- Soak loofah in water for sometime before use
- Dry your loofah scrub daily after use, away from humidity. To make it more durable, you can wash your loofah with soap and leave it to dry.
- To remove any bacteria, you can boil it in water or microwave a damp loofah for 15 seconds. You can disinfect it once a week.
- Every sponge has a life span. That means you need to discard it after its shelf life. With the above instructions, you can make good use of loofah scrub for at least a month before replacing it with a new pair!
And guess what? You can discard your old loofah scrub into the soil as it is 100% biodegradable and does not add to the waste!
Loofah products processing and manufacturing at Indisutras :
At Indisutras , farmers grow Ridge/Loofah using traditional methods that were used for cultivation in India. This ensures the quality and durability of the Loofah.
Our local farmers use organic to harvest and are free from pesticides and fertilizers. All the activities are done on a seasonal basis.
During summer, the skin of the dried and mature ridge/ loofah guard. The loofah is smoothed and cut in the right dimensions. Our artisans use handheld and manual ancient tools to cut and shape the Loofah.
Authentic loofah products at Indisutras
Indisutras offers genuine and authentic loofah scrubs that are sourced from local artisans. Our loofah scrubs are made from natural materials and not plastics, which makes them a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. To sustain this rare handicraft of India, Indisutras urges more and more businesses to be a part of this cultural revolution and bring back the ancient form of art with innovation and efficiency. Choose sustainability, Choose Indisutras .
