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Anyone who has used a loofah in the shower can attest: Its ability to create lather is unmatched. No other soap applicator comes close to the loofah’s talent for producing abundant, instant foam with just a gentle swipe across your skin. And the sheer amount of suds it generates? A washcloth simply can’t compete.
Whether you favor the soft, synthetic mesh loofahs you can grab for $2 at Target or the natural, earthy ones crafted from real gourds, the unfortunate truth is that they can get pretty gross. They require regular replacement—likely more frequently than you realize.
What’s lurking inside your loofah?
Though loofahs begin as symbols of cleanliness, they eventually turn into havens for bacteria. While they distribute soap across your skin, their main role is exfoliation. The fibrous texture excels at removing dead skin cells, which is beneficial. However, these dead cells get stuck in the loofah’s fibers and remain in the damp, humid shower environment, never drying out—which is problematic.
As noted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in an interview with the Huffington Post, if a loofah doesn’t dry correctly, bacteria—which thrive on organic material—begin to multiply. The next time you use it, “The loofah reintroduces yesterday’s grime (and bacteria) onto your skin.”
A study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology states, “Loofah sponges can act as a reservoir and a conduit for transmitting potentially harmful bacterial species to human skin.” It further explains, “Bacterial overgrowth...can occur in just one night.” Among these bacteria is staphylococcus, which can enter through small cuts or abrasions, potentially leading to a staph infection. For this reason, it’s advised to avoid using a loofah immediately after shaving or if you have any open wounds.
How to maintain your loofah
While this may sound alarming, if you’re not ready to give up your loofah, there are ways to use it more safely. Manufacturers and numerous online sources suggest removing the loofah from the shower to let it dry near an open window. However, the authors of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology study point out that this method does little to decrease bacterial levels; a significant reduction would require drying it for over two weeks.
Instead, they advise sanitizing it “with a 10% hypochlorite solution regularly.” Dr. Sejal Shah, a New York-based dermatologist, supported this suggestion in an interview with WomensHealthMag.com, recommending that loofahs be soaked in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes weekly. (Alternatively, as the Cleveland Clinic notes, it’s one of the many unexpected items that can be cleaned in your dishwasher.)
When to get a new loofah
“Change it often—every 3 to 4 weeks for natural loofahs and every 2 months for plastic poufs,” Shah advises, and replace it sooner if you detect mold or a musty odor. Alternatively, consider switching to a washcloth.
