Can you use soap on a natural sponge?

Sponges and soap go together like mac and cheese. But can you use any soap on a natural sponge? Our sea sponges are not abrasive like a loofah, and they aren’t as scratchy as a plastic sponge. Instead, they are made of an intricate network of naturally made fibers. So, naturally, the type of soap you use with a natural sea sponge may be different to what you usually opt for.

This guide will answer whether you can use soap on a natural sponge and explain which soaps are best.

Using natural soap on a natural sponge

Yes, you can use soap on a natural bath sponge. You can use a liquid soap, like a shower gel, or a solid bar of soap. Apply a small amount of soap onto the sponge (or rub the bar gently onto the sponge) then rub the sponge in a circular motion on your body to create a lather.

It is important to note, however, that different soaps can work differently with different sponges. For example, some soaps create a better lather with natural sponges than others. 

When choosing a soap for your natural sea sponge, an ingredients list containing shea butter may be most beneficial as it can create a creamy rich lather. One great benefit of a sea sponge is that the fibrous structure produces an intense lather with most soap types, particularly creamy ones.

The way a natural sponge creates a lather also means that you can avoid a soap with SLS or SLES. These controversial chemicals are responsible for making soap products foam up. However, a natural sea sponge can create a lather even with a chemical-free soap – all you need is a little patience. Just enjoy the massaging sensation as you use a sponge to work up a lather.

How to clean a natural sponge with soap

When it comes to cleaning a sponge, sterilization is incredibly important. As we explored in our article Do Natural Sponges Hold Bacteria?, even a sponge that is naturally antimicrobial like a sea sponge can cling onto some bacterium.

Cleaning all the bacteria away requires the right method. Rather than using boiling water or a heat source to kill bacteria (and also destroys the texture of the sponge), we recommend creating a solution with vinegar, tea tree oil, or baking soda. You can find a recipe and instructions on how to do a light and deep clean on your favorite Naroa sponge in our article How Do You Sterilize and Clean a Natural Sponge?

Soap + Sponge = Best body wash to remove dead skin

Soap is an important part of your skincare routine, but it’s often wise to remember that less is more. Rather than having an “everything wash” every time you run a bath or take a shower, strip back your skincare routine to a natural soap and a high-quality sponge. This is all you need to treat your skin to a luxurious experience.