Kitchen cleaning products are some of the most consumed items in our homes. They are also known as one of the biggest sources of plastic pollutants around the world. This is not only because of the plastic packaging that a lot of cleaning products come packaged in, but also that a lot of kitchen sponges and scourers are actually made of plastic!

We should therefore consider stopping the consumption of these plastic items and opt instead for more eco-friendly washing up pads.

Over the past few years there have been on-going efforts to develop and produce more plant-derived eco-friendly washing up pads, especially since are all becoming more aware of the harmful effects of plastic. One of our favourite plant-derived eco-friendly washing up pads is the compostable Egyptian loofah washing up pads. These pads are skillfully hand-made from loofah plants, a subtropical vine in the cucumber family. They are 100% biodegradable so a great substitute to the plastic washing pads which are not only unrecyclable but known to release plastic micro particles with every wash!

Egyptian loofah eco-friendly washing up pads are soft enough to use on non-stick pans, and durable enough to last a long time. These eco-friendly washing up pads are also made from sustainable raw materials as the loofah plant can easily be grown in people’s gardens, supporting and encouraging local crops, and cottage industries within Egypt promoting and supporting localized traditional skills.

Most Egyptian loofah eco-friendly washing up pads come with a convenient cotton string for hanging and drying, which is important to keep this clean and dry between use. After its useful life, it can be put in with your home compost and will degrade back down to soil.

Egyptian loofah eco-friendly washing up pads are easy to use. When dry they may appear tough and abrasive, but when immersed in water they become soft, spongy and flexible, bending round rims and easily reaching into corners.

To keep it fresh, remember to squeeze out excess water between use, remove food particles and hang to air dry. If signs of mould appear and unnatural odours are noticed, then it maybe time to compost these down and start on a new pad. To prolong the life of a loofah washing up pad, dip your loofah washing up pad in a diluted mixture of 10% bleach for 5 minutes, at least once every week or two. Rinse it with cool water and allow to dry completely hanging outside if possible.

So, stop using the plastic scouring pads and opt instead for the natural loofah alternative! See some options of Egyptian loofah kitchen washing up pads here!