[Steph1]

Everyone except the baby has their own bath puffs, but of course they need to be thrown out after awhile. So I'm looking for a natural, more green alternative. I know, I know, everybody's going to say "use a washcloth silly!", but I can't get enough lather with a washcloth, then I end up using MORE body wash than I need to. Very wasteful. And I only use it once, when it dries it's all crusty and smelly. So, I need something that dries nicely and doesn't need to be washed every time I use it, but is machine-washable. Thanks!

 

[skybluepink02]

Maybe a loofa? They're made from the loofa squash and if you get them unbleached, they're very natural.

 

[Steph1]

I'm always afraid they're going to be a little too scratchy. I found this, & I might try one: http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=63261&vid=1160

 

[texaspeach]

natural sponge? they do eventually wear out, and they don't exfoliate in the same way puffs do.

I'd be worried about the puff you posted mildewing. it looks like it would take a long time to dry.

 

[jennlyn]

You don't actually needs lots of lather to get clean. Natural soap does not generally bubble up , but it will clean you- the needing the bubblies is purely psychological.

 

[riverscout]

Maybe the body wash is the problem as far as lather goes. A washcloth and bar soap works fine for me. Plenty of lather and no plastic bottle to dispose of. I agree about not wanting to use one twice, so I bought a bunch so there are always fresh ones.

 

[Steph1]

Well, I do need a little lather to shave, and seriously if I use a washcloth (with either body wash or soap), by the time I get down to my legs, I'm shaving with just water. Besides, bar soaps dry my skin.

 

[rainyday]

Well, it's not natural, but it does last forever...

How about a Japanese washcloth? I have ones that are more than 20 years old and they're still fine. Japanese washcloths

They dry quickly, they're machine washable, they're great exfoliaters, they're long, so they're great for scrubbing your own back well, they suds up well (and can be balled up like a bath puff) and they last forever, which makes them pretty green in my book!

 

[DaughterOfKali]

Those Japanese washcloths look fabulous! Wonder if I can find those locally.

 

[Melaine]

I wash the bath puffs in the washer and re-use them a lot. For my face I make the little crocheted face scrubbies and they work really well and dry fast.

 

[slsurface]

If you can knit or crochet, then I recommend making your own. I've used hemp twine (from the hardware store) to make ones that are nice and scrubby (and cheap to make too!).

Here are some patterns:

-knitted: http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTbonbon.html

-crochet: http://strngbn.tripod.com/puff.html

-misc bath patterns: http://www.knittingpatterncentral.co...ctory/bath.php, & http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bath.php

 

[pumpkin]

I've successfully washed those plastic bath puffs in my washing machine. So just doing that could prolong the life.

Otherwise, I'd try knitting one.

I hate using regular washcloths. Its just the wrong shape.

 

[jrabbit]

Why do you have to throw them away? I wash mine occasionally in the washer, and the only time I've thrown one away is when DH throws all the towels into the dryer, and they melt.

I really prefer them over washcloths because they hold lather with sooooooooo much less soap. (I use liquid soap) I have been experimenting with knitting/crocheting something similar.

--janis

 

[Steph1]

Y'know, I had never considered washing them in the washing machine.

But sometimes they get so out of shape that it's time for them to go! But I guess that could be true of anything.

 

[Steph1]

Are real sponges compostable?

 

[hibana]

My mom used to machine wash her pouf. The thread holding it together finally broke, and she re-sewed it into pouf shape. They're really just long tubes of plastic mesh, nothing non-washable there.

 

[HrCreuzi]

I've actually found that I get better lather by using my hands and no cloth or anything. If I feel the need for exfolition on any of us I use a loofa with no soap and then go back over with soap. It also saves us on laundry.

 

[ParisApril]

I'd never thought about that. My DH uses a pouf and when it gets all out of shape and yucky he asks me to get him a new one. It's plastic so wasking it and sewing it back tight should make it like new again.

I will try it when DH wears out his next time.

 

[Oliver's Mama]

I just got a new product that I love.. it's by Aveeno, and is a combo bodywash and shave cream, so it cuts down on products, and it's nice and thick, so it works great for shaving, and spreads well enough for overall cleaning without the use of a puff/loofah. I have a mental block against loofahs... i recall my mother always having the same loofah throughout my childhood, and in retrospect, it grosses me out.

 

[sugareemoma]

So for you ladies that loofah, how do you care for your loofah? I toss mine in with the towels about once a week but they seem to wear out after a couple of months. Do they even need to be washed that often? I found some for $1 and I am not sure if they are the same high quality as the ones I used to get for more.
Also, does anyone else use a loofah dry? Some days I loofah before hopping in the shower because my skin needs super exfoliation in the winter.

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