this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
1 points (100.0% liked)

Buy it for Life

8091 readers
1 users here now

A place to share practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last, with an emphasis on upcycled and sustainable products!

Guidelines:

Things that are well-made and durable (even if they won't last a lifetime) are A-Okay!

Unlike that other BIFL place, Home-made and DIY items are encouraged here, as long as some form of instruction is included in the body of the post.

Videos links are not allowed as post titles, but you may use them in a text post.

A limited amount of self-promotion is accepted, IF the item you are selling aligns with this criteria:

  1. The item must be made with sustainable or recycled materials.
  2. If electronic in some way, the item must be open-source.
  3. The item must be user-serviceable (if applicable).
  4. You cannot be a large corporation.
  5. The post must be clearly marked with a [Self Promotion] tag in your title.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hello all! Do you recommend any eco friendly loofah alternatives, or anything really to scrub your body in the shower with. The fact that most loofahs are made from unrecyclable plastic concerns me.

top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] StringTheory@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If you don’t want to use a real luffa made from the luffa gourd, you can use a simple cotton washcloth to scrub. They can last for decades, wash in the laundry with your towels, and biodegrade/compost after a long and useful life.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 1 points 1 year ago

Amazing how many people probably don't realize that that plastic waste abomination was preceded by a biodegradable plant option

[–] Specific_Skunk@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

You could try an actual luffa, which is from a squash-like plant.

[–] blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I was thinking the same thing recently. I purchased a silicone body scrubber. So far it works fine. It doesn’t lather as much as a luffa but it works for my needs. I think the people talking about luffas aren’t looking at the transportation costs and manufacturing costs. Even if the luffa is eco friendly, it isn’t eco friendly to get it delivered a couple times a year. The first R is reduce.

Avilana® Silicone Body Scrubber with Advanced Hygiene Technology, Gentle Exfoliating Body Scrubber That's Easy to Clean, Lathers Well, Longer Lasting, The Ultimate Loofah Replacement (S1, DARK GRAY) https://a.co/d/02cDt3p

[–] Dianoga@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

My partner knit (or crotcheted maybe) a mitten out of hemp. It's held up now for several years and works great.

[–] cerement@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

luffas are a type of cucumber, it’s their fibers that form the bathroom sponge – luffas are the original, the “unrecycled plastics” are the alternative

EDIT: as for the buy-it-for-life aspect, they’ll break down over time, but they are compostable and you can just grow new replacements

[–] thistledown@rblind.com 0 points 1 year ago

I use a soap bag. Place a bar of soap in the bag. Soap lathers well through the loose weave. Sisal or cotton fibers exfoliate your skin as you scrub. Then hang it by the drawstring to dry after each use.

I have been using mine for several years. I do not know the brand, but these look similar: soap saver bag from Golden Forrest and sisal soap bag from Olivaris Organics.