How to clean an African net sponge

After every use: rinse soap and residue through the whole net, squeeze it gently, spread it open and hang it somewhere it can dry fully.

The Net Sponge · Updated 30 August 2026

After every shower

1. Rinse it thoroughly. Keep rinsing until visible soap and residue are gone.
2. Squeeze, do not store it soaking wet. A gentle squeeze is enough; there is no need to wring it aggressively.
3. Open the mesh out. Do not leave it scrunched into a wet ball.
4. Hang it where air can move. A hook or rail outside the wettest part of the shower is better than the bath edge or floor.

Can you machine-wash, boil or bleach it?

Only if the care instructions for your exact net say you can. Net sponges can differ in nylon blend, joins, dyes and construction, so one seller's washing advice should not be treated as universal.

If the maker gives no special instructions, thorough rinsing and complete drying after each use are the safest everyday baseline. Avoid experimenting with very hot water or bleach on an unknown material.

When should you replace it?

Ignore one-size-fits-all claims such as “replace every six months” or “it lasts for years”. Replace the actual net in front of you when:

• the mesh is torn, fraying or permanently distorted;
• the joins or edges have become rough or uncomfortable;
• residue no longer rinses out easily;
• an odour remains after proper washing and complete drying; or
• the texture has become uncomfortable or the net no longer works as intended.

Should you share one?

No. Treat a reusable body-washing tool as a personal item.

Why drying matters

Cleveland Clinic's guidance on loofahs highlights the basic issue with reusable shower tools: retained moisture and skin debris can create a better environment for microbes. An open net is convenient because it can be rinsed through and spread thinly, but it still needs proper cleaning and drying.