By Online African Shop Team · Updated October 2026
If you grew up in a West African home, you probably know the long, stretchy nylon net that hangs in the shower. In Ghana it's called a sapor or sapo sponge, and in Nigeria a kanrinkan. It's the African net sponge, and once you use one, it's hard to go back to a washcloth or loofah.
Quick answer: an African net sponge is a long, stretchy exfoliating net. Wet it, lather it with soap, hold both ends and scrub your back and body in a see-saw motion. Rinse it well and hang it to dry. It lathers fast, reaches your whole back and dries quickly, so it stays cleaner than a loofah.
What is an African net sponge?
It's a piece of nylon mesh about 2 to 3 feet long when stretched. The long shape lets you hold one end in each hand and scrub your entire back on your own. The open weave works up a rich lather with very little soap and gently buffs away dead skin.
Why people love it
- Reaches your whole back, no brush or help needed.
- Makes a big lather from a small piece of soap.
- Exfoliates dull, ashy skin so moisturizer sinks in better.
- Dries fast. The open mesh drains and dries quicker than a loofah or washcloth.
- Lasts. A good net holds up for months.
How to use an African net sponge
1. Wet the net and add soap
Soak the net, then rub a bar of soap along it or squeeze on a little body wash. African black soap and shea butter soap both lather well in the net.
2. Scrunch it to build lather
Squeeze and scrunch the net between your hands for a few seconds until it foams.
3. Scrub your body gently
Bunch it in your hand for your arms, legs and chest. Use light pressure. You're polishing, not sanding.
4. Stretch it for your back
Hold one end in each hand behind you and pull it side to side, then up and down, like drying off with a towel.
5. Rinse, moisturize, hang to dry
Rinse your skin and the net well. Pat dry and smooth on raw shea butter while your skin is still damp. Hang the net somewhere it can drip and air out.
How often should you use it?
| Skin type | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Normal or oily | Daily with light pressure is fine for most people |
| Dry | Every other day, then moisturize right away |
| Sensitive, or prone to dark spots | 2 to 3 times a week, very light pressure, or bunch it loosely |
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often you need it, and that harsh scrubbing on darker skin can lead to dark spots. So if your skin looks red, stings or starts getting dark patches, ease up.
Net sponge vs loofah vs washcloth
| African net | Loofah | Washcloth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reaches whole back | Yes | No | No |
| Lather | Rich | Good | Fair |
| Dries quickly | Yes | Slowly | Slowly |
| Exfoliation | Medium | Medium | Light |
How to keep it clean
- Rinse out all the soap after every shower.
- Hang it stretched out to dry, away from the floor of the tub.
- Once a week, soak it in hot water for a few minutes, then let it dry fully.
- Replace it when it starts to smell, fray or lose its stretch.
Who should go easy
- Skip broken, sunburned or irritated skin.
- If you have eczema, active acne on your body or very sensitive skin, use the net loosely and less often, or ask a dermatologist.
- Don't use it on your face. The skin there is thinner. Use your hands or a soft cloth instead.
Build your shower routine
Raw African black soap
Rich lather in the net. Great for oily skin and body breakouts.
Shop black soapFAQ
What is the African net sponge called?
It goes by many names: African net sponge, African exfoliating net, sapo or sapor sponge in Ghana, and kanrinkan in Nigeria.
Is the African net sponge better than a loofah?
For most people, yes. It reaches your whole back, lathers more and dries faster, so it stays fresher.
Can you use an African net sponge every day?
Many people do with light pressure. If your skin is dry, sensitive or prone to dark spots, use it every other day or a few times a week.
Does the African net help with dark spots or ingrown hairs?
Gentle exfoliation can help skin look smoother and brighter, but scrubbing hard can make dark spots worse on darker skin. Be gentle. Read our dark spots guide for what works.
How long does an African net sponge last?
Usually several months with good care. Replace it when it smells, frays or loses its stretch.
Keep reading
How to use it without drying your skinShea butter for hair
The LOC method + whipped shea recipeDark spots on Black skin
7 dermatologist-backed stepsAfrican soaps
Black soap, shea and cocoa butter bars
Sources
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, talk to a dermatologist before exfoliating.