A sponge that softens in water, grips glasses and cutlery, is gentle enough for non-stick pans, and composts when it's done. The LoofCo Washing-Up Slim Pad is one of those rare finds that I add to EcoElara without hesitation.
Each pad is hand-made in Egypt from Luffa aegyptiaca - the same plant loofah has always come from - cut into a slim, unstitched 13×8cm layer that works differently from anything synthetic. Dry, it's firm and abrasive. In warm water, it softens into a flexible, spongy pad that folds around glasses, fits between cutlery, and won't scratch a non-stick surface.
No plastic foam. No synthetic fibres. No microfibres going down the drain. Just a plant, a little warm water, and your usual washing-up liquid.
What I particularly like about these is the honesty of the design. The open loofah structure dries fast between uses. The cotton hanging loop means it's not sitting in a puddle collecting bacteria, which is exactly the problem with most conventional sponges. It's a small detail that makes a genuine difference to how long it stays fresh.
With proper care, each pad lasts for months. And when it's finally done, it goes in your home compost bin - no landfill, no guilt.
Why I Chose LoofCo for EcoElara
- 100% plant-based - hand-made from natural loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca), grown and processed without synthetic materials
- Genuinely plastic-free - no foam, no synthetic fibres, no microplastic shedding
- Flexible and multi-use - softens in water; soft enough for non-stick pans, flexible enough to reach inside glasses and around cutlery
- Fast-drying open structure - the cotton hanging loop keeps it off the sink and drying between uses
- Compostable at end of life - add it to your home compost bin when it's worn out
- Lasts months, not weeks
- Pack of 4: good supply without over-buying
How To Use
Wet the pad before use as this is when it transforms from firm to flexible, so don't skip this step. Use with warm water and your usual washing-up liquid or Washing-Up Soap Bar.
After each wash: rinse thoroughly, squeeze out the water, shake out any food particles, and hang from the cotton loop to dry. This is the single most important thing you can do to keep it fresh.
For a deeper clean: wash by hand or in the washing machine occasionally to refresh the fibres and extend its life.
Good to know
The pad is firm when dry. If you pick one up before it's been wetted, it'll feel more abrasive than you expect. Once it's in warm water for a few seconds, it softens considerably. First-timers sometimes skip this step and wonder if it's too rough, it isn't, once it's properly wet.
Size: 13×8cm per pad.
PRODUCT SUMMARY
4 × LoofCo Washing-Up Slim Pads
Hand-made from natural loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca) - 100% plant-based
Plastic-free | Compostable | Fast-drying cotton hanging loop
Size: 13×8cm per pad
Lasts months with proper care
Free UK delivery on orders over £20
Dispatches within 1–2 working days
