 When choosing a bathing tool to create the perfect lather, look for sponges and bath brushes made from natural materials. This means using things like sea sponges, natural loofahs (made from gourds) or renewable fibers like hemp and bamboo rather than those made from artificial materials like plastics. While no sponge is perfect from a green perspective, they generally emit less pollution and create less waste in their creation than their artificial counterparts. To maximize the earth-friendliness of a sponge or bath brush, find out where the raw materials came from, how they were grown and/or harvested and what type of processing the company utilizes.
Although sea sponges may resemble plants, they are actually a simple animal. Sponges are harvested by divers and have been used as cleaning accessories for thousands of years. They are softer than manufactured sponges. They are favored for more delicate activities as well such as applying makeup or cleaning scratch-sensitive surfaces. Environmentalists are concerned about the over-harvesting of sea sponges, especially since so little is known about their importance to the food chain and potential medicinal uses. If sea sponge populations decline, it's likely this ancient species will be pushed to extinction. Other factors that may effect sea sponge populations are pollution and global warming. Keep this in mind when choosing a tool.
Loofah is a type of vegetable related to the squash and gourd that's long been used as a food source. It also has been long used for beauty and bathing purposes and for household cleaning. As a plant, it is a truly renewable material. Specialty bath sponges like poufs or nets are often referred to as loofahs even though they are generally made of artificial materials, not the natural loofah plant. Be sure to read carefully to make sure it truly is a plant material instead of plastic.
Hemp is durable, resistant to mildew and extremely absorbent. Hemp fiber can absorb 150% of its weight in water! Hemp is considered an earth-friendly alternative to conventional cotton, partly because it produces three times as much fiber per acre. Hemp does require water and fertilizer (in moderate amounts) to grow, but does not need to be treated with chemical pesticides or herbicides and can be grown in a wide range of climates and terrains. The cultivation of hemp also benefits overall soil conditions by adding nutrients, fostering microbial life and eradicating weed growth. Hemp, however, is not perfect. The conversion of hemp fiber to hemp fabric, like many textile processes, often involves the use of water and bleach. Try to get hemp that has been minimally processed.
Bamboo fiber is spun from the pulp of bamboo grass and it resembles cotton in its unspun state. Bamboo is considered a sustainable crop. Bamboo grass is one of the fastest growing plants in the world! Some species grow 30 inches every day. A bamboo plant may release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and can sequester up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare. In addition, bamboo plants contain a natural antifungal, antibacterial agent that acts as a sort of internal pesticide, which minimizes the need for pesticides.
EnviroCitizen.org strongly encourages you to find a green bath scrub; whether a natural sponge, loofah or hemp washcloth. Green bath scrubs are better overall for everyone, including the Earth!
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