I have no idea why, but lately I’ve ended up on a side of TikTok that made me realize I’ve probably never properly washed myself in all my 24 years. The “Black girl shower” trend has blown up on TikTok, where women share how bathing is done in their culture, including all sorts of life hacks and tips.
First and foremost: exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin is essential everywhere (we also don’t talk enough about how important it is even for intimate areas — I’ll make a separate post about that!). This is the foundation for everything that follows. There are different ways to exfoliate, and Black women often swear by dry exfoliation, which is done using a brush. It’s not something you should do every day, but it definitely makes your skin softer!
Once exfoliation is done, it’s time to shower — and this brings us to today’s main topic: the African net sponge. This “sponge” is unlike anything else, with a truly unique texture. Technically, it’s not even a sponge, more of a mesh or net. A good quality one shouldn’t be soft or bouncy — if you hold it from the top and let go, it should fall straight down due to its weight. When you hold it, it should hang in a perfectly straight line — if it does that, you’ve got the real deal! Ideally, the net is also quite long, which helps you easily reach your back and other tricky areas. Here’s mine: https://amzn.to/43eV811
Cultural Background
The African net sponge, often referred to as “Sapo” in some West African cultures (notably Nigeria and Ghana), has been a household essential for generations. It’s not just a practical bathing tool — it’s deeply rooted in the daily hygiene routines passed down through families. Its durability, hygiene benefits, and ease of cleaning have made it a sustainable alternative to traditional loofahs or washcloths. In many African households, the net sponge is part of a communal cultural knowledge around self-care — mothers teach daughters, siblings share tips — and it’s often paired with natural soaps or local black soaps known for their skin-cleansing properties. The use of the sponge is more than just physical cleansing; it’s part of a broader tradition of care, respect for the body, and even ritual cleanliness in some communities.
Back to the routine — using the net sponge, double cleansing is the norm. Step one is using a regular bar soap — it really doesn’t matter what kind. I use a basic Dove soap bar. You wet it, rub it into the sponge until it lathers, and then use that to cleanse your body. Make sure to clean every fold and sweaty area thoroughly, but avoid using the soapy sponge on intimate areas, since it can mess with your pH balance.
Step two is using body wash — again, applied with the net sponge. It’s a good idea to coordinate the scents of the soap and body wash, though it’s not absolutely necessary.
After showering, to make the skin even softer, body lotion is applied while the skin is still damp. I don’t understand the science behind this, but it works like magic! Any body lotion will do — I just use the cheapest drugstore one, and this trick makes them all work well. At this stage, it really is worth paying attention to fragrance — I personally use a matching body wash and lotion from the same brand with the same scent (my soap bar is very basic and almost unscented).
One thing’s for sure — I can tell from just watching these women on my screen that they must smell divine. None of their tips have let me down, so I wholeheartedly recommend trying them yourself! Go check out their tips and tricks on TikTok — your skin (and probably everyone around you) will thank you!
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