Advertisement
This puffy shower accessory can become lodged with skin cells (and other gross things), so make sure you dry it daily and clean it once a week
It’s shower time, and you’re ready to get squeaky clean. And the number of body washes, soaps, creams, gadgets and tools that you can use in the shower is unlimited.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
While you may gravitate to your trusty old loofah, maybe you’ve wondered: Are loofahs bad? Do loofahs hold bacteria? Are loofahs sanitary?
The answers aren’t so pretty. By their nature, loofah sponges have lots of nooks and crannies, and they’re very porous. When people use a loofah to scrub off dead skin cells, those cells become lodged in those nooks and crannies. And that sets the stage for a bacterial playground, says dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD.
But that doesn’t mean you should never use one — you just need to know how to keep it clean. Dr. Piliang shares how to clean a loofah and how long loofahs last.
Natural loofahs are made from a dried tropical gourd, while synthetic ones are made from plastic. Regardless of the type, there’s plenty of opportunity for bacteria and other gross things to take up residency on your loofah.
“Loofahs are interesting,” says Dr. Piliang. “They’re used in a wet environment and you hang them up in the shower, which is also a wet environment. They don’t ever totally dry out, so the loofah is a beautiful breeding ground for bacteria.”
Some kinds of bacteria that may be found in your loofah? How about:
Loofahs can also contain fungal organisms that lead to skin infections.
“That’s why it’s important to make sure you keep your loofahs clean, replace them regularly and use them gently — don’t rub your skin too vigorously,” stresses Dr. Piliang.
You may love your loofah, but you won’t want the things that can lurk in a loofah to linger. So, how should you properly care for your loofah? Dr. Piliang offers a few tips:
How often should you change your loofah? Dr. Piliang offers the following guidance: “If you have a natural loofah, you should replace it every three to four weeks. If you have one of the plastic ones, those can last for two months.”
Advertisement
And pay attention to its appearance and smell, she notes.
“If you notice any mold growing on your loofah, you should throw it away and get a new one. Or if it develops a mildewy or musty odor — that’s a sign you should get rid of your loofah.”
What to use instead of a loofah? You may want to consider washcloths as a good alternative to loofahs. They don’t present the same degree of problems. Their physical structure makes them less susceptible to anything lodging in them — and also makes them easier to clean and dry, Dr. Piliang says.
Plus, you probably tend to wash them in the laundry and replace them more often than you would with a traditional loofah.
You can also consider other options like silicone bath scrubbers, which are made with antimicrobial benefits or sea sponges, which are grown in fresh bodies of water and boast some antibacterial properties.
If you’re devoted to your loofah, go ahead and keep using it. But implement Dr. Piliang’s advice about drying it out every day and cleaning it once a week. And make sure you avoid certain sensitive areas like your face and genitals.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
The results aren’t great, and the risks — like vision problems — aren’t worth it
During an annual exam, your provider will check for any moles or spots that have changed in size, color or shape
Dry air, harsh soaps and even some medications can bring on an itch, but in some cases, itchiness can be a sign of an underlying condition
Moisturize often, take oatmeal baths, use Epsom salts and follow a healthy diet to help reduce your symptoms
Adding a little milk to your bath can leave your skin smooth, silky and refreshed
Wear properly fitted shoes, break them in ahead of time and wear moisture-wicking socks
Topical treatments — and even some cosmetic procedures — may help reduce the appearance of this crinkled-paper look
Ferulic acid can help make other antioxidant products more powerful
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims