Our mission is to provide thoughtful products for mindful consumers, so when we were presented with natural sea sponges as products to sell we couldn’t say no.
We were introduced to the Natural Intimacy brand of sponges and later the Sensible Options brand of sponges. Both product ranges consist of sustainably harvested sponges in plastic free packaging. Given that sponges are biodegradable, compostable in fact, we saw so many boxes being ticked for ethical consumers that we could only say yes!
As we began to look at which products and variations to stock we realised there’s a whole universe of information we had to absorb (sorry for the pun!) regarding types of sponges and their uses.
Fine Silk Sponges
Fine Silk sponges grow in both the Mediterranean and Caribbean, but the cooler temperatures of the Mediterranean, along with a range of other environmental variables, results in two different sponges. Hands down the Mediterranean Silk sponge is by far the better quality sponge. Their pores are much smaller which produces a finer, smoother texture, and the sponges are more robust so they last longer even with regular use. Greater absorbency was another attribute of the Mediterranean which makes them the best option as “IntimateCare” sponges – basically reusable tampons.
Mediterranean Silk sponges are of a higher grade than their Caribbean counterparts which is reflected, logically, with a slightly higher price. That’s not to say that the Caribbean Silk sponges are ‘bad’, they’re just a slightly lower grade, without the ‘wow’ that the Mediterranean Silks have. This makes them ideal as “FacialCare” sponges – makeup removal, blending and exfoliation where absorbency isn’t the most important attribute.
HoneyComb and Grass Sponges
These are much bigger sponges than the Fine Silk sponges. When you take a Fine Silk sponge which is more than three or four inches across and wet it, I just flops! They’re not apt as “BodyCare” sponges where you need a big chunk of sponge for corporal cleansing. HoneyComb and Grass sponges have a much larger tubular structure running through them which stops the flop when a large piece of sponge is wet, so these two types are used accordingly.
HoneyComb sponges come from the Mediterranean Sea and Grass come from the Caribbean, they’re both more than suitable for BodyCare and BabyCare duties but the HoneyComb is a much denser, higher quality sponge which lasts longer than it’s Grass cousin. It’s accepted that the best is rarely the cheapest. The slightly higher cost of the HoneyComb sponges is something many of our customers will willingly accept.
Not wanting to put natural, quality sponges out of the reach of our more price sensitive customers we will be offering both HoneyComb and Grass sponges whilst educating them on how to make the decision between price and quality.
For two decades David has been the owner and director of several marketing and distribution companies. During this time he has learned the indisputable benefits of looking after customers, colleagues, workers, suppliers and the local community, treating them all as respected stakeholders in a common project. Recently he consolidated his personal beliefs and business ethics by founding the Natural Intimacy brand and developing it as an Ethical Company.
