My name is Jaela Deming and I’m excited to get to share a little bit of information about natural sponges with all of you! Prior to February, I had never thought nor cared about sponges as anything other than something to clean dishes with (and those aren’t even real sponges), but a visit to Tarpon Springs, Florida opened my eyes to the world of natural sponges.

My family and I are originally from Minnesota, but recently completed an eight-and-a-half-month RV road. Much to our delight, we were able to spend almost two months adventuring in Florida, enjoying the sun and making many memories together. As part of our Floridian travels, we day-tripped to Tarpon Springs…the sponge capital of the world. This cute little beach town has, since the early 1900’s, been the largest exporter of sponges in the U.S.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SPONGE DIVING,

The rich supply of sponges in Tarpon Springs was accidentally discovered by turtle fishermen after they snagged sponges with their nets. Experienced Greek divers quickly began immigrating, bringing their families with them, leading to the strong Greek presence still remaining in Tarpon Springs.

In the beginning, sponge divers donned rubberized suits and the iconic metal scuba helmet, before descending into the watery depths with a harvesting rake. They would walk along the bottom, about 15-60 feet deep, filling net bags with the fresh and slimy sponges. Nowadays, divers wear different gear usually consisting of a scuba mask and wetsuit and use different tools to cut the sponges from their habitats while still leaving an inch or so of the sponge. This has made the sponge industry much more sustainable as the sponge will regrow from that remainder at a much quicker pace than if it were to start from scratch.

FROM WATERY HOME TO CONCRETE DOORSTEP

Surprisingly, that lovely yellow, natural sponge you own or are interested in buying didn’t look quite so pleasant when it surfaced from the deep. The freshly harvested sponge would have been a dark brown or even black, with a slimy texture and lots of debris clinging to it. They are laid out on the boat deck, covered with wet burlap and allowed to bask in the sun for several days. Next, they are squeezed to remove all the unwanted tissue, debris, and outer skin, and sent to a factory that trims and sorts them. After a gentle acid soak, they receive a final wash in a soda solution to remove the acid and lighten the color…and shortly after, they’ll arrive on your doorstep ready for use.

NATURAL SPONGE BENEFITS

So maybe you’re thinking “Alright Jaela, I get that sponge diving and processing is cool, but why should I use a natural sponge in the first place?” Good question. Glad you asked.

There are a number of benefits to using natural sponges starting with exactly that…they are natural. There are no harsh, synthetic materials, chemicals, or dyes in them. Because of their organic composition, this also makes them a very eco-friendly alternative to manufactured ‘fake’ sponges. Plus, if taken care of, they can last up to six years before needing replaced!

Additionally, these hypoallergenic sponges contain an enzyme that makes them naturally antibacterial, preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and other undesirables that you don’t really want to be rubbing on your lovely skin…or anything else for that matter. In fact, these sponges are also home to multiple nutrients such as magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium and more, that are beneficial in keeping your skin nourished and healthy.

As if all of that weren’t exciting enough, these sponges have an intricate canal system throughout that allows for the easy, complete rinsing out of unwanted, organic matter…the same organic matter that causes the distasteful odor that often accompanies used synthetic sponges.  What could be better than that?

NATURAL SPONGE CARE

Because they are inherently anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, these sponges don’t require vigorous cleaning routines to keep them happy. As long as they are simply rinsed and gently squeezed after use, they will stay well preserved and ready for use. For an additional deeper cleaning and to restore the sponges’ volume, soak your sponge for half-an-hour in a solution of 10 parts water to one-part white vinegar or baking soda. Rinse thoroughly in fresh water and allow to air-dry in a well-ventilated area or in the sun.

5 NATURAL SPONGE DON’TS

1. Don’t leave a natural sponge in the deep-cleansing soak for too long as this can damage the strength of the sponge over time and shorten it’s lifespan.
2. Don’t wring your sponge as this can tear it.
3. Don’t use bleach on the sponge as this will cause it to deteriorate.
4. Don’t dry your sponges out in a microwave or clothing dryer as this will shrink and harden it.
5. Don’t store the sponge in an airtight container as this will lead to moisture-retention and weaken the sponge over time.

5 NATURAL SPONGE USES

1. Gentle skin exfoliation in the shower/bath for any age
2. Daily face-washing and/or makeup application
3. Kitchen cleaning – dishes, counters, produce, etc…
4. Scratch-free car washing and buffing
5. Even paint application on canvas, furniture, walls and more.

EXCITING NEWS

AVNS is now carrying Natural Sponges so that you can enhance your daily care routines, whether that be in the shower, the kitchen, the garage or elsewhere…check out these luxurious sponges sourced straight from Tarpon Springs, Florida! Don’t miss out on adding a Natural Sponge to your collection of natural products…who knows, maybe it will prove to be your new BFF.