So your first natural sea sponge has arrived. It's firm, a little crunchy and golden, and you might be wondering if you've been sent the right thing.

You have. That's exactly how a dry sea sponge should feel.

The magic happens in water. Here's everything you need to know to get the most from it, starting with your very first shower.

Before your first use

1. Soak it in warm water. Hold it under the tap or drop it into a bowl of warm water for a minute or two. You'll feel it soften, open up and become completely pliable.
2. Squeeze it through a few times. Squeeze, release, repeat. This lets water flow right through its natural channels.
3. Rinse out any sea treasures. Because it's formed by the sea, you may occasionally find a grain of sand or a tiny fragment of shell. That's perfectly normal. A good rinse sends it on its way.

That's it. No special treatment needed.

How to use it on your body

1. Wet it first. Always start with a soft, fully wet sponge in warm water. A dry sponge is firm; a wet one is soft.
2. Add a little body wash or soap. Start with less than you'd use on a shower puff. A natural sea sponge gives a rich, creamy lather from very little.
3. Squeeze to build the lather. A few squeezes in your hand and the foam builds.
4. Wash with light pressure. Move it over your skin in slow circles. There's no need to scrub; let the sponge do the work.
5. Rinse and squeeze. Rinse your skin, then rinse the sponge until the water runs clear and squeeze out the water.

If you use a bar soap, rub the wet sponge over the bar a few times, then squeeze. Our Zoi Bars are handmade with olive oil and pair beautifully with a sponge.

How to use a facial sponge

Your face needs a finer texture than your body, which is why we have the Fino Facial Sponge.

1. Soak it in warm water until soft, then squeeze out the excess so it's damp rather than dripping.
2. Add a small amount of your usual cleanser.
3. Move it over your face in small circles with light pressure, then rinse.
4. To remove makeup, use it damp with your cleanser and wipe outwards.

Keep your facial sponge for your face and your body sponge for your body.

After every use

This is the part that keeps a sea sponge lasting for months.

• Rinse it thoroughly under running water until no soap is left.
• Squeeze, don't wring. Twisting can damage its natural fibres. Think squeeze, not strangle.
• Let it breathe. Hang it on a cord or rest it somewhere with good airflow, not sitting in a puddle on the shower floor or in a closed caddy.

Every so often, give it a refresh: a 5 to 10 minute soak in warm water with a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, then rinse, squeeze and dry. Skip boiling water, bleach and harsh disinfectants. The full care guide has more detail.

Common first week mistakes

• Using it dry. A dry sponge feels firm and scratchy. Always wet it fully first.
• Too much soap. It needs far less than a shower puff, and too much just takes longer to rinse out.
• Scrubbing hard. Light pressure is all it needs. If you want more texture, a firmer sponge like our Wild Sea Sponge is a better fit than pressing harder.
• Wringing it out. Squeeze instead.
• Leaving it wet in the dark. A toiletry bag or a closed caddy keeps it damp. Let it dry in the open.
• Sharing it. Like a toothbrush, a sea sponge is best kept to one person.

Which sponge for which job?

• Luxe Bath Sponge: soft honeycomb for everyday body washing, and our bestseller
• Fino Facial Sponge: our finest texture, for face cleansing and makeup removal
• Wild Sea Sponge: firmer, for people who like more exfoliation, including buffing skin before fake tan
• Little Luxe: for bathing babies, and a lovely gift for a new arrival

Our body sponges come in Petite, Classic and Grande. Not sure which type or size suits you? Which Natural Sea Sponge Is Right for You? walks you through it.

Quick questions

Why is my sponge hard when it's dry?
That's normal. A natural sea sponge is firm when dry and softens completely in warm water.

Do I need soap with a sea sponge?
You can use it with water alone, but most people use a small amount of body wash or bar soap for that rich, creamy lather.

Can I use a sea sponge every day?
Yes. Our sponges are designed for everyday bathing. Some people with dry or mature skin even use the firmer Wild Sea Sponge daily.

How do I know when to replace it?
When it starts breaking apart, becomes very thin or weak, or keeps an odour after proper cleaning and drying. With good care, our body sponges last around six to twelve months, and the Luxe around 12 months. Compare that with a plastic puff in How Often Should You Replace a Loofah?

Are sea sponges animals?
Scientifically, yes, though they have no brain, heart or nervous system. We explain it simply in Are Sea Sponges Animals? The Honest Answer.

Ready to start?

If this is your first sea sponge, the Luxe Bath Sponge is where most people begin. It won Silver for Best Bathing Self Care at the 2026 Clean + Conscious Awards. Want body and face covered? The Radiant Ritual Set pairs the Luxe with the Fino.

Hand harvested in Greece, checked by hand and shipped from Melbourne. Free shipping over $105.