How to Make Luffa Soap

by Roger and Karen Manasco

Roger & Karen Manasco in northeastern Oklahoma grow luffa sponge gourds on their Wuv'n Acres Gourd Farm, and they have provided the text and photos for this tutorial on how to make wonderful  home-made soap with a built-in sponge.
Often spelled in many ways, Luffa / Luffah / Loofa and Loofah ... is a fibrous vegetable on a vine which will dry to become a welcome addition to the bath, kitchen and more!  So you're intimidated by the thought of making home made soap? Fear not, it's easier than making candy, much less mess and much more fun! If you have a microwave or a pan to melt the glycerin (soap).
Here are the basic requirements to make soap: 
  •   Scents (optional) 
  •   Glycerin soap chunks or loaf, found at your local hobby store (In our area, a two pound brick runs $8.99 at higher priced stores) 
  •   A glass measuring cup (a pint is fine, a quart for larger amounts) 
  •   Plastic soap molds (they are very inexpensive from the hobby store) 
  •   Goodies to place in your soap, if desired. I prefer to use luffa slices. 
  •   A microwave (if you don't have one, you can melt the soap on low on the stove) 
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    Simply slice the glycerin brick into a few squares. Place the squares into the glass measuring cup. Add a drop or two of your scent to the squares, if desired, heating in your microwave for about 40 seconds. Place luffa slices, chunks, shredded pieces or whatever your heart desires into the molds Pour the soap into the molds and allow to cool.
    If the luffa slice keeps popping out of the mold, simply wet it down with melted soap and it quickly learns to stay put. If it wants to float out of the mold, simply use a steak knife to hold it down. I propped mine up against the measuring glass until it hardened, then simply remove the knife. Just press the soap down if it forms a bump. After all, this is the bottom, and it won't show.
    Pop them out of the molds. Yes, it's that easy! I had fun making mine. I got creative with them and used squashed sections, shredded sections, whole pieces and even added real luffa seeds to my soaps.

    This is a very fun hobby and not as expensive as it once was. You can get very creative with soap by adding powdered milk for a creamy appearance and more! Have fun, and don't forget to wash behind your ears!

    Karen,  Wuv'n Acres Gourd Farm
    email  -- website: www.wuvie.net