It's no secret that the quality of the washcloth largely determines how well we cleanse and exfoliate the skin during water procedures. Most of us have recently been using accessories made from artificial materials (nylon, foam rubber, viscose, polyester), although many have a great alternative to using natural materials. A loofah sponge was recently in almost every home, although few people thought about its origin. But this wonderful plant not only serves as a raw material for the manufacture of bath accessories, but is also used as food and has an excellent decorative appearance. It is such versatility of the loofah that causes a new wave of its popularity, since it can easily be grown in your personal garden or cottage.
Properties of natural washcloths
What properties does a natural loofah have? It has a hard peeling effect. It is often used not only while taking a bath or shower, but also for some cleansing cosmetic procedures. Loofah sponge relieves dead skin from the skin, improves blood circulation, promotes the production of elastin and collagen, rejuvenates and smoothes the skin, increases its elasticity. Many also note a good anti-cellulite effect from the use of such bath accessories. Loofah sponge perfectly massages, but it does not irritate even sensitive skin. Due to its natural structure, it has a polishing effect on epidermal cells, making it silky. Its use allows you to stimulate
skin regeneration in its most problematic areas.
Growing and manufacturing loofah sponges
This plant can be grown only by those who live in the temperate latitudes of our country, since it has a rather long
vegetation period. It is best to use seedling method of cultivation. Seeds are sown in March in peat pots, and grown plants are planted on the street at the end of May. This climbing plant has female and male flowers. To stimulate fruit growth, pinch too long shoots. Increases productivity and artificial pollination. On each plant, it is better to leave 2-3 ovaries, and cut the side shoots. Thanks to such actions, the fruits will grow faster and will have a larger size.
Young loofah can be eaten, but when it begins to overripe, a peculiar rigid mesh forms in its tissues, which is subsequently used to make a washcloth. In mid-autumn, fully ripened fruits dry right on the bushes. Before the start of frost, they are collected and dried in a warm room for a couple of weeks. How to make a loofah washcloth at home? Fruits that are sufficiently dried up and thundering seeds in them are ready to extract the net. Seeds are removed through a small hole on the tip of the fetus. Then it is immersed in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Next, the loofah is cleaned of skin, seeds and excess fiber. Fabric handles are sewn to the prepared mesh at the edges so that the loofah washcloth is convenient to use. Caring for such a bath accessory is simple: it is enough to dry it well after use and change it every 3 months.