Luffa. Sponge Luffa

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?LHOFA 18 October 2011 Luffa

Some dried luffa were picked today and prepared for use. There are about 20 fruit on the three vines. Luffa take a long season and my area is at the limit.
The un-dried sponges will be left on the vine until dry, then processed.

The shell is removed from a very dry fruit, then the ends are cut off and the seeds shaken out. A fruit is considered dry when it is orange/yellow in color and it rattles when shaken due to the seeds being loose inside the shell. The prepared sponges are washed on a gentle cycle in the washing machine, or they may be washed in a bucket. If badly stained some bleach is beneficial. The sponges are then dried and later they will be impregnated with soap mold for washing the body. The gentle fiber impregnated with soap is a fine scrubber for removing dead skin, much in demand amongst my family and friends. The sponges last forever and is great for washing sinks and bathtubs. Some seeds previously collected have been viable for five years.

[MKG]

Last photo - Always wondered how Shredded Wheat was made.

Mike

[Durgan]

Last photo - Always wondered how Shredded Wheat was made.

Mike

Both have about the same nutritional value.

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?RHSLN 11 November 2011 Luffa Impregnated Glycerin Soap
Luffa impregnated soap was processed today. The annotated pictures depict the simple process.The product is a slightly abrasive soap for removing dead skin.

Method: Very dry luffa, crack the skin with a rubber hammer, shake out the seeds, wash and bleach lightly, dry,force luffa into the mould, melt soap in microwave, add selected color, pour into mould, after slightly hard place in freezer to speed up the hardening, cut into hand pieces. Molds are 2 inch PVC pipe.

[Biscombe]

brilliant idea! I grow Luffa's I'll give it a go! thanks

[JuzaMum]

I had never thought that loofahs could be used for cleaning sinks etc, I shall add it to the growing list of things I would like to grow. Thanks for that :)

JuzaMum

[Durgan]

I had never thought that loofahs could be used for cleaning sinks etc, I shall add it to the growing list of things I would like to grow. Thanks for that :)
JuzaMum

Luffa is great for cleaning the bathtub, the sponge shapes nicely when cleaning around taps. They never seem to deteriorate. The present one in the bathtub has been there for over a year. A little dab of Dutch cleanser and it is an excellent tool.