How to Clean a Loofah?

Loofahs trap dead skin and stay damp, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Cleaning and, more importantly, drying them properly is key.

Daily care:

1. Rinse thoroughly after every use to flush out soap, skin, and residue.
2. Shake out excess water.
3. Dry it outside the shower. Hang it somewhere with good airflow, not in the damp shower where it stays wet. This is the single most important step.

Weekly disinfecting:

• Soak the loofah for about 5 minutes in a diluted bleach solution (roughly 1 part bleach to a few parts water), then rinse well and dry.
• Alternatively, some natural loofahs can be run through the dishwasher or washing machine, or soaked in a vinegar solution.

When to replace it:

• Natural (plant) loofahs: replace every 3–4 weeks.
• Plastic mesh pouf loofahs: replace every 2 months or so.
• Toss it immediately if you see mold, notice a musty smell, or it develops dark spots — no amount of cleaning makes a moldy loofah safe.

Tip: If keeping a loofah truly clean feels like too much work, a washcloth (laundered regularly) is an easy low-maintenance alternative.