Sponges
Sponges are living creatures found in the Oceans and Seas around the world. Different areas of the world yield different qualities of natural sponges. The sponges of the Mediterranean yield the finest quality sponges in the world, and Kalymnos a tiny island in the Aegean Sea has for eons had the finest sponges divers that have graced the world with the finest of sponges for centuries. The sponges we offer are the highest quality available and though we could offer cheaper sponges the softness and durability is more of a concern to us than the price. We believe that where price verses quality, it our way of doing business quality is always our determining factor.
The best sponges are found at great depths, as shallower waters though yielding sponges, their quality (durability and softness) suffers. We deal with sponge companies that have been around for well over 100 years and as is ours it is still a family business and this is where we put our trust and help to support family owned and operated business's as long as quality is a main focus. We think you'll agree that the sponges we offer are not only far superior to synthetic sponges which fall apart and create waste as they make their way to landfills, but a quality sponge depending on how it's used and maintained can last for years.
How's a sponges created? A sponge is a living organism that grows quite large, and the deeper and colder the waters the large the sponges are found. They can grow (depending on the species) quite large, a wool sponge for instance can grow large than a watermelon! Once the sponge is harvested the real work begins. The outside of the sponges is quite slick and is actually a membrane, which needs to be removed, then cut and trimmed to size. Not all of the surface of a sponges is suitable for use and is cut away using sheep shearing shears. Then sponges are sorted according to size and either left natural or are bleached (non chlorine thank you!) to achieve the white or cream color most people are used to seeing. A natural unbleached sponges is a dark brown color. Click to see unbleached sponges.
We offer Wool Sponges, Silk Sponges, and Elephant Ear Sponges at present and stock 1 size of each but other sizes are certainly available upon request. The lead time for any other sizes is 2 weeks maximum.
Wool
Sponges verses Grass Sponges
Wool Sponges are ideal for bodycare natures wash cloth ideal for body washing, car washing and using around the house for cleaning. Grass sponges are in no way near as dense and much coarser to the feel than a wool sponge. A sponge when dry will feel coarse, but the real test is when the sponge is wet, after all you're not going to wash with a dry sponge! Grass Sponges come from the Caribbean and the Bahamas, while the Wool Sponge come from the Mediterranean, and the Seas within that area.
Silk
Sponges
Silk Sponges are used for cosmetics and other uses certainly apply and are a very tight sponge, meaning the wholes are very small hence the 'silk' label they have acquired. As all sponges they can easily be cut using a pair of scissors to create the size or shape needed, depending on what application your are using then for.
Elephant
Ear Sponges
These have been used for ceramics, be it tile work or in throwing clay for pottery, characteristics are that they are flat, tight and are very durable. Ideal in the kitchen for washing dishes, out lasting your old synthetic sponge. They can also be used as a wash cloth, but don't hold as much water being that they are flat. Left whole, they have a cup type shape and are also used for decorating and planting air plants within them where a sprinkling of water will hold enough moisture to maintain plants like resurrection plants and other parasitic type plants found commonly growing on tropical and semi tropical trees. Bromeliads for instance can grow within an Elephant Ear Sponge.
Please
feel free to contact us for other sizes, or just more information.
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