Zero Waste Hessian Shower Pouf – How To Make This Upcycled Bath Sponge Puff

I am always on the lookout for ways to reuse old items to make new useful items. So today I decided to show you how to make a zero waste hessian shower pouf – a reusable body exfoliation bath sponge puff that is much better for the environment than a plastic exfoliating shower sponge.

Zero Waste Hessian Shower Pouf – How To Make This Upcycled Bath Sponge Puff

This week I had a real brainwave. Over Christmas my OH was given a gift set containing a shower pouf. You know, one of those plastic netting things that you take into the shower to exfoliate. Well, I was a bit upset to see it. They end up being horrid bacteria breeding mouldy things hanging in the shower. I suddenly realised that it would be really easy to make an upcycled version that could be washed – and could be composted at the end of its use.

Its very easy to find old hessian. A local reclamation shop sells old burlap coffee sacks, which are perfect for making rag rugs.

See here how I make rag rugs, which are perfect for using up old clothes and scraps.

But I always ended up with some smaller offcuts. These are perfect for making these zero waste hessian shower poufs

What You Will Need To Make Hessian Shower Poufs

• Hessian fabric – old coffee sacks – or buy some here (or  here for my lovely U.S.A. readers)
• Cotton thread
• Old ribbon, or jute twine.
• A rotary cutter, mat and quilting measure are a good idea for cutting out, but not essential
• Scissors, pins and a sewing machine are essential.

Cut some large rectangles of hessian material to make up each shower pouf. Mine measured 6 inches by 34 inches approx (15cm by 86cm)

Turn over the hessian cloth once at each of the ends (short sides) and hem the ends.

Then, place the long sides right sides together, and sew down the long side, giving you a long inside out tube. You don’t need to trim any allowances. Turn the tube inside out inside out, so that the tube is right side out. I love my tubeturner for this!

The ends may still be quite rough, so I tuck any roughness in, and sew both ends a little more, leaving just a gap in the middle to push the ribbon or jute twine through.

Now, thread an old piece of ribbon through the long tube, using a safety pin or bodkin. My old ribbon came from some packaging, I love to save everything I can! Make sure you hold the other end!

Finally, pull the two ends or ribbon or jute thread together taut. This has the effect of scrunching up the hessian into a scrunchie like pouf structure. Tie in a knot, and use the extra ribbon or twine to make a hanging loop.

And there you have it! A finished zero waste hessian shower pouf

These can be washed with a normal wash (wash with your normal laundry every 3-4 days depending on use). But leave to air dry.

They are just a much better alternative to the horrible bacteria breeding plastic shower pouf sponges.

When they are worn out or you feel they have come to the end of their use, cut them up and they can be composted. (provided you have used 100% cotton thread). Cut away any non cotton ribbon and reuse if possible.

And now shower safe in the knowledge that you are helping the environment, albeit in a small way. Remember, every little helps.

Need some more ideas for using up all your old fabric scraps? Try this post here.

Looking for more kitchen zero waste swaps?

See how to make Reusable Kitchen Roll.

Or see my post on how to make unsponges

And please do pin this post for later.