It is easy to forget to clean loofahs, washcloths, and shower brushes. They spend their lives covered in soap, so they seem clean. In fact, they collect dead skin cells in their fibers and stay damp in a warm room, which are ideal conditions for bacteria and mold. A simple routine keeps them fresh, and knowing when to throw them away matters just as much.
Why it matters
Using a contaminated tool is unlikely to harm healthy, unbroken skin. The risk rises when skin has tiny openings, for example after shaving, waxing or scratching, or when someone has a weakened immune system. Possible results are irritation and infection of the hair follicles.
After every use, for all tools
- Rinse thoroughly under running water until no soap or debris is left.
- Squeeze or shake out as much water as you can.
- Hang it to dry in moving air. Outside the shower enclosure is best, near a window or in a ventilated room.
- Do not leave it on the floor of the shower or on a wet shelf.
Drying is the single most important step. Microbes multiply on tools that stay wet.
Cleaning by tool
| Tool | Weekly cleaning | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton washcloth | Machine wash hot with detergent and dry fully; use a fresh cloth every one to two showers | When thin or worn |
| Natural loofah | Soak for about five minutes in a diluted disinfecting solution, rinse very well and dry | About every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Mesh puff | Soak as for a loofah, or machine wash in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle; air dry | About every 2 months |
| Silicone scrubber | Wash with soap and hot water; many can go in the dishwasher | When damaged |
| Shower or back brush | Wash bristles with soap; soak the bristles in disinfecting solution; dry with bristles down | Every few months, or when bristles splay |
| Exfoliating gloves or mitt | Machine wash; air dry | Every 1 to 3 months |
| Pumice stone | Scrub with a brush and soap; dry in open air | Every few weeks to months |
Replace any tool at once if it smells musty, changes color or shows dark spots of mold.
About disinfecting solutions
Some dermatology sources suggest a weekly soak in a weak household bleach solution for loofahs and puffs. If you do this:
- Follow the dilution on the bleach label for disinfecting, and never use it neat.
- Never mix bleach with other cleaning products.
- Rinse the tool very thoroughly afterwards and let it dry.
- Wear gloves and ventilate the room.
White vinegar is sometimes used as a milder option, though it is a weaker disinfectant. Replacing tools on schedule is simpler and just as important.
Washcloths in detail
- Use a clean cloth for your face each time.
- Do not leave a used cloth bunched up damp. Hang it flat until laundry day.
- Wash at the warmest temperature the fabric allows, and dry fully.
- Avoid heavy fabric softener, which leaves residue and reduces absorbency.
Things to avoid
- Microwaving a damp loofah or sponge. It is a fire and burn risk, and synthetic puffs can melt.
- Sharing tools with other people.
- Using a scrubbing tool for a few days after shaving or waxing, or on broken skin. See Shaving in the Shower: Preparation and Aftercare.
- Using the same tool on your face and body.
- Keeping a tool "just a bit longer" when it smells.
Keeping the shower itself clean
- Ventilate the bathroom after showers.
- Wipe down shelves, and wash soap dishes.
- Clean hooks and caddies where tools hang.
- Wash bath mats and towels regularly.
Lower-maintenance options
If the routine sounds like a chore, switch to a tool that needs less care:
- Hands: nothing to clean.
- Washcloths: a fresh one from the cupboard each time.
- Silicone scrubbers: non-porous and quick to dry.
Loofah vs Washcloth vs Shower Brush: A Simple Guide compares the tools.
A simple schedule
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every use | Rinse, squeeze, hang to dry outside the shower |
| Weekly | Wash or disinfect |
| Monthly | Replace natural loofahs; check everything else |
| Every 2 months | Replace mesh puffs |
Exfoliating tools should be used gently and not every day. See How to Exfoliate Your Body: Methods and Precautions. For the rest of the shower routine, see Shower Routine: Simple Steps for Daily Body Care. Nail and pedicure tools need similar care. See How to Clean and Store Nail Tools.
Related on ArniSun
- Loofah vs Washcloth vs Shower Brush: A Simple Guide
- Shower Routine: Simple Steps for Daily Body Care
- Shaving in the Shower: Preparation and Aftercare
- How to Exfoliate Your Body: Methods and Precautions
- How to Clean and Store Nail Tools
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How often should I replace my loofah?
A natural loofah about every three to four weeks, and a synthetic mesh puff about every two months, or sooner if it smells or shows mold.
Can I put a loofah in the washing machine?
Mesh puffs can usually be washed in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Natural loofahs may break down, so soaking and air drying is safer.
How often should I wash my washcloth?
After every one to two uses. Use a fresh cloth for your face each time.