Sponges quickly become clogged with dirt and bacteria and are therefore quickly changed. Add to this the importance of having a sponge dedicated to washing dishes and another for cleaning and this quickly represents a significant quantity of sponges to buy during the year. So, either you decide to start creating a tawashi type sponge (a washable and ecological sponge that you can keep for life and whose manufacturing steps are developed right here), or you use your garden to make it push all the sponges you will need. Even though we’re not even kidding!
What you need:
- Luffa seeds (Luffa aegyptiaca)
- Biodegradable buckets
The plant in question is part of the squash family and makes it possible to obtain vegetable sponges. You can find the seeds in specialized stores as well as online.
The steps:
1) Plant your seedlings in your pots. The best time is early spring (between April and May), but the most important thing is to keep your seedlings in a bright place with a temperature of around 12°C.
2) One month later, replant your shoots in the ground, keeping them in their pots to preserve their roots. Leave space between the plants (one to two meters) so that they have room to spread out.
3) Water and add compost if necessary.
4) The fruits are harvested in autumn and there are between three and five per plant.
5) Dry them then soak them for a few days in a basin of water.
6) Remove the pulp and seeds which you can replant the following spring. Blanch what remains in boiling water and dry everything again.
7) Cut a piece to the desired size for the tasks at hand. And that’s it! Growing sponges is not complicated.
Growing sponges is one thing, but how do you use them?
They are abrasive enough for cleaning, but they can also be used for washing dishes and as a horsehair glove for the skin. Their maintenance is easy: just rinse your sponge and let it dry. In short, they are not very different from classic sponges even if their appearance is surprising! Also, know that you can put them in the compost once they are at the end of their life.
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