Pumice, a porous, lightweight rock formed from volcanic eruptions, has several uses in the household. The fine-grained abrasive of pumice is sold as powder-impregnated pads or paper, or as bars or sticks, sometimes with an attached handle. Some cleaners and polishers contain pumice. You can buy pumice in hardware and beauty supply stores.
Callous Remover
You can use pumice to smooth rough skin on your feet and remove callouses. Rub the pumice stone gently back and forth over the rough area. Be careful not to rub deep enough to expose raw skin or cause bleeding. You can use a plain pumice stone for this, or purchase a special foot file which features pumice attached to a comfortable handle.
Hair Remover
Pumice provides an alternative to shaving or depilatories for removing hair from large areas such as your legs or back. In order to protect your skin from irritation or a friction burn, first coat the area with lotion or shower gel. Then rub the pumice in a circular motion over the unwanted hair. Work in small areas and stop rubbing if you feel any pain or irritation. The pumice breaks off the hair at the surface of the skin, so the effect lasts only a few days.
Cleaning
The mild abrasive in pumice removes stains from porcelain without scratching. You can use a pumice stone to remove toilet rings or stubborn bathtub stains. Wet the pumice before using to lessen the likelihood of scratching your tile or porcelain. Purchase a scouring powder than contains pumice to clean kitchen sinks or ceramic tiles.
Art
Sculptors use pumice stones or pumice-impregnated tools to carve ivory, marble, limestone and other softer stones. Pumice cuts the stone smoothly without cracking it. Pumice is also used to create a lightweight concrete for casting planters and other decorative items.
Member Comments