Compostable Sponge with Scourer
Loofah One Side, Cellulose the Other
Loofah scrubs and cellulose foams, so it does two jobs, and when it is finished it goes in the home compost.
- Two sides, two jobs
- Home compostable, not industrial
- Loofah and cellulose only, no plastic
- Replaces the plastic scourer
For Christmas, order by 16 December, or 18 December in WA. All dates
A double-sided sponge with a loofah scourer on one face and cellulose on the other, so it scrubs and it foams. When it is finished it goes in the home compost rather than the bin, which is the thing a supermarket sponge can never do.
Key Features
- Two sides, two jobs. Loofah scrubs, cellulose foams and soaks.
- Home compostable. Not industrial, home.
- No plastic. Loofah and cellulose only.
- Replaces the plastic scourer. One object instead of two.
Pūrē Standard
- A kitchen sponge is the worst offender in the house. It is replaced every few weeks, it is almost always polyurethane foam with a nylon scour pad, and every one of them is landfill. Changing this one item changes more than most low-tox swaps.
- It sheds nothing. Synthetic sponges abrade into microplastic with every wash, straight down the sink. Loofah and cellulose are plant fibre.
- Home compostable, which is the harder claim. Plenty of things are industrially compostable, which is no use without a facility. This goes in the compost bin.
- Genuinely plastic free. No plastic scour layer, no synthetic backing.
- Where we would like more. Seed & Sprout do not publish the country of manufacture, or a compostability certification number.
Overall score:
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
| Low-Tox & Material Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
| Sustainability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
| Manufacturing Transparency | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| Packaging | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.5/5) |
How to Use
- Loofah side for the scrubbing. Baked-on pans, the sink, the bottom of the kettle.
- Cellulose side for everything else. It holds far more water and soap than a synthetic sponge.
- Wet the loofah first. It softens considerably once damp, which is when it is at its best.
Care Instructions
- Rinse and stand it on edge to dry. Natural fibre lasts far longer when it dries out between uses.
- Refresh it in the dishwasher. Top rack, or a few minutes in boiling water, if it starts to smell.
- Compost it when it is done. Straight into the home compost.
Good to Know
- Test the loofah side first. It is a genuine scourer, so keep it off non-stick coatings, and try an out-of-sight patch on anything polished before you commit.
- It will not last as long as plastic. That is the trade, and it is the point. Plant fibre breaks down, which is exactly why it can go in the compost.
- Dry it or it will smell. True of every sponge, but natural fibre is less forgiving if you leave it sitting in the sink.
Product Details
- Material. Natural loofah on one side, cellulose on the other.
- Contents. One sponge.
- End of life. Home compostable.
- Weight. 70g.
- Origin. Not disclosed by the brand.
Choose options
For Christmas, order by 16 December, or 18 December in WA. All dates
Our Take
Most sponges are polyurethane foam with a nylon pad welded on, shedding microplastic down the sink until they reach landfill. This is loofah and cellulose, and it composts. Probably the cheapest swap in the house.
Pūrēly Organic
Good to know
Frequently asked
Does the loofah side actually scrub as well as a plastic scourer?
On baked-on pans, the sink and the bottom of a kettle, yes. It is firmer when dry and softens once wet, which is when it works best. What it will not do is survive being scrubbed against cast iron for months, because it is plant fibre rather than nylon.
Is it really home compostable, or do I need a facility?
Home. Loofah and cellulose are both plant fibre and break down in a domestic compost bin. That matters, because a lot of products are only industrially compostable, which is no use to anyone without access to a commercial facility.
How long does one last?
Weeks rather than months, depending on how hard you use it and how well you dry it. Standing it on edge so air gets through both faces makes more difference than anything else. It will not outlast a synthetic sponge, and that is the trade you are making.
Will it scratch my pans?
Keep the loofah side off non-stick coatings. On stainless, enamel and glass it is fine, but try an out-of-sight patch first on anything polished. The cellulose side is safe on everything.
How do I stop it going smelly?
Dry it properly between uses, which is the whole answer. If it does turn, run it through the dishwasher on the top rack or drop it in boiling water for a few minutes.
What is it actually made of?
Natural loofah on the scourer face and cellulose on the other. No plastic scour layer, no synthetic backing and no glue holding a foam block to a nylon pad, which is how a supermarket sponge is built.
