Do you use a loofah to scrub your body while bathing? Is it safe to use? Does it really clean the body?
If you are using a loofah to clean the body, it is time to rethink.
The spongy scrubber which is meant to exfoliate the dead skin and give you an awesome bathing experience with loads of foam on your body is actually a perfect home for the bacteria.
A study conducted shows that the loofah made from actual cucumber can be a host and a carrier to pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). It is a bacterium that can cause disease in animals.
How Can Loofah Not Be The Best Bathing Accessory
Loofahs are hygienic to start with. They scrub off the dead skin cells off from the body. These bacteria get caught in the fibrous matrix of the loofah.
The loofah after use is left in the bathroom until next use and that gives bacteria a chance to cultivate. The bathroom environment is humid, with very little circulation. This makes it a perfect place for the bacteria to breed. The discarded dead skin cells are eaten by the bacteria.
Every time this loofah is used, these microorganisms grow more. The dirt present in it spreads in the body.
This can lead to skin infections. If there are any open wounds present in the skin, scrubbing the skin with a loofah can further infect them.
If you think you are washing your body with a lavender-scented body wash or some antiseptic wash, you are actually scrubbing your body with more bacteria.
How To Reduce The Loofah From Carrying Bacteria?
How the loofahs are maintained plays a big role in affecting their longevity. You can actually reduce the bacterial infestation. You just need to follow simple steps while using it.
Let It Dry
After using the loofah in the shower, take it out of the moist environment of the bathroom.
The bathroom should have enough air circulation to dry out in between uses. Keep the doors or the windows open for more airflow.
Clean the loofah by soaping it up after scrubbing your body and hang it out to dry completely.
Replace It
If you find your loofah smells bad or there is a color change, think about replacing it.
Avoid using one loofah for a long time.
Clean The Loofah Properly
Keeping things clean is a key way to prevent bacteria form growing.
Clean the loofah properly and hang it out whenever used. You can also occasionally microwave it for 20 seconds while damp (for synthetic sponges). Make sure it is completely damp during the process.
Do not microwave plastic loofah.
Bleach It
Bleach can also be used to get rid of the bacteria in the sponge.
Soak the loofah in a solution which consists of 5 percent bleach. It is a tedious process but cleans this bathing accessory.
The loofah should be replaced every three weeks or earlier if it gets damaged.
Also, it is not necessary to use them, neither the washcloth nor the scrubby. All these are harsh methods to clean the body. You should be very gently while using anything on yourself. These things strip off the skin of its natural and healthy moisturizing oils making it dry and flaky. Your hands are enough to keep you clean, use them to actually get clean during bathing.