A natural sea sponge is one of the few things in your bathroom that gets better the longer you own it, as long as you treat it right. At Lori’s Soap & Sponge Market in John’s Pass we sell thousands of Gulf and Mediterranean sponges a year, and the question we hear most at the counter is the same one: how do I clean it, and how long will it last? Here is exactly what we tell our customers.
How long does a natural sea sponge last?
With basic care, a good wool sea sponge lasts one to two years of daily use. Yellow sponges and grass sponges are a little softer and usually last six months to a year. A synthetic pouf, by comparison, should be thrown out after about a month. The sponge is done when it starts to tear apart in your hand or no longer springs back after you squeeze it.
Before the first use
New sponges arrive dry and stiff. Soak yours in warm water for a minute or two and squeeze it a few times. It will double in size and turn soft. Some sponges shed a little sand or shell on the first rinse; that is normal and means it was harvested, not manufactured.
Every day: rinse, squeeze, hang
- Rinse thoroughly after each use until the water runs clear of soap.
- Squeeze, don’t wring. Twisting tears the fibers. Press it between your palms instead.
- Let it dry in the open air. Hang it from a hook or set it on a soap rest where air moves around it. A sponge left sitting in a puddle on the tub edge will break down months early.
Once a week or two: a deep clean
Sea sponges naturally resist bacteria and mildew, but soap residue and body oils build up. Every week or two, soak the sponge for 15 minutes in one of these:
- Baking soda: one tablespoon in a cup of warm water. This is our favorite. It cleans, deodorizes and actually helps the sponge fibers stay strong.
- White vinegar: a quarter cup in a cup of warm water. Good for a sponge that has started to smell.
- A drop of tea tree oil in warm water if you want extra antimicrobial protection.
Rinse well and let it dry completely afterward.
What never to do
- No bleach. Chlorine dissolves the sponge fibers. It will fall apart within days.
- No microwave, dryer, dishwasher or boiling water. Heat cooks the fibers and makes them brittle.
- No wringing or twisting. Squeeze only.
- Don’t store it wet in a closed container or a travel bag. Let it dry first.
Which sponge is which?
If you bought yours from us, it is one of three types. Wool sponges are the soft, dense, honey-colored sponges most people picture; they hold the most lather and last the longest, which is why they cost the most. Yellow sponges are lighter and a touch firmer, great for a gentle scrub and for kids. Grass and silk sponges are the small, very fine sponges we sell for the face and for babies. All three are cared for the same way.
Is a sea sponge sanitary?
Yes, more so than a plastic pouf. Sea sponges contain natural enzymes that inhibit mold, mildew and bacteria, which is why they don’t develop the sour smell a synthetic pouf gets. They are also fully biodegradable: when yours finally wears out, it can go in the compost or the garden.
Where our sponges come from
Our family’s sponge story starts on the Greek island of Kalymnos, where sponge diving has been a way of life for centuries, and continues in Tarpon Springs and the Gulf of Mexico, the sponge capital of the United States. Sponges are harvested by cutting above the base so the animal regrows; a properly harvested sponge bed produces for decades.
Ready for a new one?
Browse our natural sea sponges online, including wool bathing sponges, yellow bathing sponges, facial silk sponges and a soap rest to keep it drying properly, or come see the baskets in person at our shop on the boardwalk in John’s Pass, Madeira Beach. Pair one with a bar of our goat’s milk soap and you have the same set-up our family has used for generations.
