At Small Acres we grow our own loofah sponges! We order our seeds from Fedco Seeds and start our luffa (aka loofah) seedlings early in the spring and keep them on heat mats until they are ready to be transplanted into the ground. They are grown under the protection of a “caterpillar tunnel” which is similar to a greenhouse. The plants grow fast and we have to keep them trellised and pruned to make sure that each fruit has the best chance of absorbing as much heat and sunlight as it can during our short summers. If all goes well, the fruit starts to harden and the fibrous insides cure by mid-September or early October. Then the fruit is ready to peel, wash, and cut into sponge size pieces!
Use your luffa in the shower…
Our luffa are certified organic and are not bleached or treated with any chemicals. They are tough enough to exfoliate but soft enough to use on sensitive skin.
Not only can you clean your body, but you can also clean the grime off your shower and tub! It is particularly good on tough-to-clean tile grout.
Use your luffa in the shop…
Try it as a replacement to steel wool for cleaning tools. Then use it to scrub the grease off your hands.
Or on your kid…
Slugs and snails are so fun to play with! But their slime is so hard to remove! A luffa makes this task fun and easy. Our extensive research shows it also works well for tree sap, melted marshmallow, and gum. Testing of other sticky substances in progress…
Use your luffa as a pet toy…
An all-natural, chemical free chew toy! The fibers will floss your pet’s teeth and any bits that are chewed apart are biodegradable and safe if ingested. In order to encourage playing with this unusual looking toy, it may be helpful to hide a treat inside or soak it in broth.
Use your luffa in the kitchen…
Luffa is great for scrubbing off baked-on food from cast iron skillets! And it is durable enough to last for many months. Luffa also works well for washing potatoes and other root crops. To clean the luffa, just toss it in the dishwasher.
Unfortunately, we don’t ship at this time but if you live in Washington State, stop by the farm to get yours or visit one of our local vendors. Or join our Small Acres monthly CSA membership and you can add loofah to your delivery!
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