Crafting with Luffa Sponge Gourds

Luffas can be used in a variety of ways as a food source, skin scrubber, and home cleaning sponge. The dried fibrous skeleton of the gourd also makes a great natural craft material. You can create fiber crafts, mixed media art projects, and home items using dried vines, gourds, and seeds.

Luffa vines are sturdy and can be woven into natural baskets or made into decorative wreaths. Slices of dried gourd add a decorative touch to body care gifts when tied on packages with a bit of jute or garden twine. Luffa is easy to work with and perfect for kids’ crafts. They can be used in nature crafting, art projects, and making wild bird feeders.

Drying Your Luffa

Fall is the time for harvesting your luffa. They may also be seen for sale at local farm stands and natural food stores.

When your luffa gourds turn brown and are dry to the touch you can pick them from the vine and let them dry for about 1-2 weeks. Cut off the ends of your gourd and shake out the black seeds and save these for next year or for sharing. Soak the gourd in fresh water and gently peel off the outer skin. The inner fibrous skeleton is what you want to use as your “Sponge.” Some people soak their sponges in a mild bleach solution to whiten them but this is not necessary. It is a matter of personal preference.

The most important thing when using and caring for your luffa sponge is to keep it clean and dry. Bacteria can grow in a warm moist environment and you do not want that on a sponge you are using on your skin. Once a week rinse your luffa and clean it by either boiling it in a pot of water on the stovetop, placing it in the top rack of your dishwasher, or in the washing machine with a load of towels. Air dry your luffa thoroughly and it should last several months to a year. When you are done with your sponge you can compost it or place it in the bottom of your flowerpots before planting to help them retain moisture.

Preparing Your Luffa Material

How you prepare your luffa depends on the craft you are making.

Luffa slices for making stamps, pet chew toys, bird feeders, and scrubbing soap bars.

Start with a clean, dry luffa sponge and a serrated kitchen bread knife.
On a cutting board slice the luffas with the knife into whatever size slice you need.

Full luffa sponge is used to create crafting material that can be sewn into washcloths, small baskets, ornaments, and pet chew toys

Cut down one side of the luffa lengthwise and then cut out the hard fibrous core.
The hard fibrous core can be used as a heavy-duty scrubber or place it in the compost bin.
Wet the material and flatten it under a heavy breadboard or cookie sheet.
When dry you can cut the material with sharp scissors into the size and shape you desire.

Luffa Treats for Wild Birds

Bird watching is one of life’s simple joys and is also good for you as a meditative exercise. You can make simple treats to hang in your trees that will not only give the wild birds something to eat; but also give you a bit of entertainment. Luffa chews are also used for caged birds like parakeets and parrots.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup
4 cups wild bird seeds
1 teaspoon flax seeds
1 Tablespoon sunflower seeds
Dried luffa slices
Garden twine
Muffin tins or small molds

Directions:

Grease your muffin tin with a bit of coconut oil or natural oil. Tie a string around your luffa slice for hanging and place inside the muffin tin or mold. Mix together the flour, water, and corn syrup and stir well in a large bowl. Add the bird seed, flax seed, and sunflower seeds and stir until well mixed. Spoon into your molds and press firmly, filling the luffa slice. Let the treats harden and dry for 4 to 6 hours. Unmold and let air dry for another 4 to 6 hours or overnight. Hang outside.

Note: After the birds have eaten all the seeds you may be able to reuse the luffa slice. If not you can discard it in your compost bin.

Luffa Stamped Tags and Bags

Make a simple stamp out of a slice of luffa and use it to decorate cotton fabric or paper projects. Why not make up a set of gift tags with your homegrown sponges?

Ingredients:

Luffa slices
Acrylic paint
Heavy card stock or paper tags
Natural seeds, pressed flowers, bits of colored paper
Paintbrush

Directions:

Dip the slices of luffa in the paint and press them onto the paper tag. You can do this same method with pieces of heavy natural fabric. Let the paint dry completely, then use or continue to decorate with natural seeds or pressed flowers. Seal your tags using clear spray paint or decoupage medium such as mod podge.

Luffa and Flower Arrangements

If you love flower arranging but are trying to limit the use of floral foam as a way to keep your blooms in place, you may want to try luffa. Luffas work great inside your flower vases to keep all your stems in place, like a natural “floral frog” that won’t scratch up your containers like chicken wire can.

Trim the sponge to fit inside your vase and arrange your flower stems inside.
Remove the leaves that will be under the waterline, as this will keep your water and flowers fresher longer.
When you are done with your floral arrangement, either compost the whole thing or clean and dry your sponge for another use depending on its condition.

Luffa Household Cleaner

Luffa sponges by themselves are excellent natural scrubbers. Gentle enough for fine glassware and tough enough for stubborn spots like stovetops or even car tires without fear of scratching the surface. You can mix up your own natural household cleaner to use along with your luffa sponge. Be sure to clean your sponges between uses and keep them dry. This will extend their usefulness.

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Source: National Garden Bureau.

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