How to peel and remove the skin from dried loofah

Dried loofah can be peeled off by scraping off the outer skin with the back of a knife and then tearing it open to remove the loofah web, or by soaking and softening it before manually peeling it off. The main processing methods for dried loofah include hot water soaking, knife scraping, tapping, steaming and softening, and natural drying.

1. Hot water soaking method

Soak dried loofah in hot water at around 80 ℃ for 10 minutes. After the outer skin softens, gently rub it with your hand to peel it off. This method can maintain the integrity of the loofah network and is suitable for making household items such as dishwashing cloths. Adding a small amount of salt during soaking can accelerate fiber separation, and the water temperature should not be too high to avoid damaging the plant fiber structure.

2. Knife Scraping Method

Use a kitchen knife to lightly scrape the skin along the longitudinal direction of the loofah, with even force to avoid cutting the internal fiber web. Before processing, the luffa can be exposed to sunlight for 2 hours to make the outer skin brittle. After scraping off, the luffa can be torn longitudinally to obtain a complete luffa web. This method is suitable for aged dried loofah with naturally cracked skin.

3. Beating Method

Place the dried loofah flat on a hard surface and evenly pat it with a rolling pin to separate the outer skin from the fiber layer. After tapping, grasp both ends and twist them in the opposite direction, and the fibrous network will naturally protrude. This method has a significant effect on thick and robust old luffa, and gloves should be worn during operation to prevent fibers from puncturing the skin.

4. Steaming and Softening Method

Steam for 15 minutes in water to soften lignin, then use chopsticks to open the outer layer along the gaps of the melon while it is still hot. The steamed loofah web is more resilient and suitable for making handmade crafts. Pay attention to controlling the steam time, excessive heating can cause fibers to become brittle and prone to breakage.

5. Natural Drying Method

Hang fresh loofah in a well ventilated place and let it dry naturally for 3 months. After the outer skin is completely dry, gently shake it to automatically remove the skin. The silk gourd web obtained by this method is pure and natural without damage, but it takes a long time to prevent mold growth. During the rainy season, it is necessary to move indoors to avoid moisture affecting the fiber quality.

When processing dried loofah, it is recommended to choose an old and ripe melon body with a yellow brown skin and a shaking sound of seeds. Newly sun dried loofah is recommended to be left for two weeks until it is fully dried before processing. During the peeling process, cotton gloves can be worn to protect hands. The obtained loofah silk can be used to make cleaning tools such as bath balls and cup brushes. Before use, it should be boiled and disinfected with boiling water, and regularly dried to extend its service life. If medicinal use is required, high-quality luffa cocoons that are free from mold and insect infestation should be selected. After crushing, they should be sealed and stored against moisture.