The Search For A Better Loofah

For as long as I can remember I’ve had one of those plastic mesh loofah sponges in my shower. I don’t feel like I ever bought one, I’ve just always had one. They’re the kind of product that just makes its way into your life and you have no idea how. I don’t love the plastic, or the look, but I love the lather and exfoliating power. Inevitably though, they all come undone, and when my last loofah pouf came undone, so did my entire routine.

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I began with the all natural sea wool sponge. There was a minute when all we were selling online were sea sponges; orders were coming in every day from across the country. I had to know why. 

Let me tell you, the first time I used a sea sponge I felt like a mermaid! Once it got wet, it was so soft and silky, like bathing with seaweed in a magical, not skeevy way. The lather was on point, and the whole thing was moisturizing and luxurious. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to try one!

We also carry a Caribbean Sea Silk Sponges which are finer and meant for washing your face. Given how soft the Sea Wool Sponge was, I was sure I could use it on face. I was wrong; It’s a bit too course! If you’re looking for a gentle exfoliator for your face, opt for Caribbean Sea Silk.

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After a couple weeks I felt like I needed more scrubbing power. The sponge is great but it’s too soft for when you really need to get clean (like after gardening). So I tried the sisal mitt. I’m obsessed.

This thing is great because it’s like taking away the middle man of the loofah sponge. I’m just using my hand to scrub. It doesn’t really lather so you have to use less soap and apply it more frequently. My favorite part was washing my feet because I could actually cradle the bottom of my foot to get every inch of it at once, as opposed to using a pumice stone or exfoliating tool which really doesn’t cover much ground. 

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My husband annoyingly refers to me as Goldilocks but I have to admit, I was missing the in-between. As much as I didn’t like the plastic loofahs of my childhood, the sea sponge is too soft and the mitt is too course. As luck would have it, that’s when one of my wellness suppliers launched the natural loofah sponge!! I literally could not wait for that shipment to arrive. 

This sponge is it. I’m set for life now. Made from natural loofah, which is actually a root that grows on land and is part of the gourd family, this is the closest thing to a plastic mesh loofah sponge I’ve found. After all, natural loofah was the OG inspiration for plastic loofahs. 😵💫 

It’s the perfect mix of soft & exfoliating, and it lathers like a gem. Plus it has a loop sewn on so you can hang it to dry right in your shower. 

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Our wellness section is stocked with tools for you to create your ultimate shower routine. I may have been focused on my sponge situation, but our hair care bars are actually the most popular items we sell in this category. We stock four scents in both shampoo & conditioner. Thanks to their low price (compared to many other solid hair care brands), these bars are a great starter product for anyone looking to switch to a plastic free shower routine.

Like any bar soap, they hold up best when they’re able to drain, which is why we have the perfect round, bamboo soap trays for them. And if you’re loyal to bar soap over liquid, we have a variety of classic sized ceramic and bamboo soap trays so you can find the style that suits you.

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Probably my most favorite item in our wellness section is Baja Zen scrubs. We have carried them at cinder + salt for ten years and once you smell them you will understand why. SAND immediately transports you to the beach, maybe even back in time. And COCO GLOW is 100% the scent profile of my trip to Hawaii when I was 23. They are downright luxurious & worth every penny. And also made right in CT! (Support your female business owners!!)

I alternate between both scents and use the scrubs once or twice a week. They are extra exfoliating with coconut husk, and leave your skin insanely soft. 

Transitioning to an all natural and plastic free wellness routine is not easy, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we’re committed to stocking a variety of tools, treats & treatments to make the switch as enjoyable as possible. Explore our complete wellness line up here, or in our Middletown, CT store. And leave a review!! Share why you love, or don’t love, your next eco-finds and help your neighbors be more informed when they’re ready to switch.