How do they make sponges, like the ones used in washing dishes, cars, etc?

Two ways: There are the natural loofah spinges, which are marine creatures. They construct a sponge skeleton around them, and after harvesting, drying and treating them you have a usable sponge.


Most sponges today, however, are made of plastic. One kind of plastic (polypropylene I believe, there are probably others) gets mixed with a foaming agent . This bubbles up, the plastic sets around it, then the agent is flushed out. What remains is a sponge.How do they make sponges, like the ones used in washing dishes, cars, etc?
There are two different types of sponges, natural and manmade. A type of natural sponge called a luffa comes from the squash family of plants. They are dried, creating the cavities in the sponge.


Cellulose is derived from wood pulp, sodium sulphate, and hemp fiber. Other materials needed are chemical softeners, which break the cellulose down into the proper consistency, bleach, and dye. These are most likely the sponges you are asking about.


There are also sea sponges which are also natural.