Specialty bath shops often sell Luffa sponges, which were grown commercially, but are made from gourds you can grow at home. The seeds are available from many companies, and the plants require no more care than winter squash.

The plants grow quickly and will spread 10 to 15 feet. They need lots of water and sunshine, but if you live in a temperate climate, you should be able to grow your own sponges with no problems.

Harvest luffas when they're mature. The sponge part of the luffa is its fibrous inner layer, so carefully peel the skin away to expose it, then leave the luffas to dry in the sun for a week or so. When the pulp has dried, shake out the seeds and bleach the remaining coarse sponge in the sun or in a mild solution of peroxide and water.