What can be cleaned with activated charcoal: 5 super life hacks
We will tell you how to use activated carbon in a non-standard way in everyday life.
Surprisingly, activated charcoal is one of the most powerful and natural cleaning agents. “Activated charcoal is one of the most underrated cleaning agents,” says professional cleaner Ivy Graham. “After twenty years of dealing with difficult cleaning tasks, it has become my go-to solution to impossible problems.” What can you clean with activated charcoal? And how do you use it?
Activated charcoal differs from regular charcoal (the kind you use on a grill) in that it has lots of tiny holes and crevices, giving it a large surface area. This makes it more porous and absorbent, allowing it to trap toxins, odors, oils, and moisture. These properties have made activated charcoal a popular cleaning product, beauty product, and treatment for a number of health problems. MigNews lists some smart ways to use it in your home.
How to use activated charcoal at home: freshen up rooms that smell bad
Activated charcoal is great for eliminating odors—even on an industrial scale. “At our landfills, the nasty diesel fumes were giving me constant headaches,” Graham recalls. “Regular cleaning products only masked the odor. But once we started adding activated charcoal powder to our floor cleaning routine, those deep-seated odors were gone within days.” Thanks to its porous structure, activated charcoal absorbs toxins, pollutants, and unwanted odors from the air. This makes it a great addition to windowless bathrooms, closets, home gyms, and even refrigerators.
“Activated charcoal can be used in powder form,” explains Carilanne Brown, Grove expert at Grove Collaborative. Brown recommends placing it in a bowl or bag and leaving it in areas that need odor control and have poor ventilation. “Replace the activated charcoal every three to six months for optimal odor absorption.”
What can you clean with activated charcoal: remove grease from kitchen surfaces
Grease can be very stubborn. But activated charcoal makes it easy to remove. “Activated charcoal is used in detergents and personal care products as an absorbent,” says Brown. “It’s often used in oil and pesticide spills because it can absorb 100 to 200 times its weight in oil and toxins.” At home, it’s perfect for tackling greasy stovetops, range hoods, and countertops.
Brown suggests making a paste of equal parts activated charcoal powder and water, then applying it to the greasy surface. Rub the paste into the surface with a soft sponge or cloth, then rinse it off. “Don’t use it on metals, acids, alcohols, or alkalis—it won’t work on them,” Brown says. Think of activated charcoal as a microscopic sponge that helps absorb unwanted oils, odors, and other contaminants.”
How to use activated carbon at home: purify drinking water
Use activated carbon to purify water, Source: vecteezy.com
Activated carbon is not only for air purification, it also works with water. It absorbs pollutants and chemicals present in tap water, including pesticides, chlorine, byproducts, nitrates, microplastics and other volatile organic compounds, improving its taste and safety.
You can use activated charcoal to make a filter at home. Place some powdered activated charcoal in something porous, like a coffee filter or cloth. Then slowly pour water over the activated charcoal in your water pitcher to let the charcoal filter out impurities. You can also use activated charcoal sticks in reusable water bottles for continuous filtration on the go.
How to use activated carbon at home: reduce humidity in damp rooms
If you're struggling with dampness and mold in your home, activated charcoal can draw excess moisture out of the air thanks to its porous nature. This DIY humidifier is best used in small spaces like the bathroom, laundry room, or under the sink.
Simply place activated charcoal sachets in the damp areas you want to address and let them do their work, replacing them every few months. While this isn't a permanent solution to your humidity problem, it's a great temporary solution while you work on a long-term strategy.
What can be cleaned with activated charcoal: deep cleaning the bathroom
Activated charcoal is a great bathroom cleaner, from deodorizing to fighting scale. “I discovered its true power while working on a contract with a luxury hotel,” says Graham. “Their shower doors were looking damaged, cloudy from years of scale. When I mixed a fine powder of charcoal with a little water, the glass was spotless.” Activated charcoal can also be used in beauty treatments—in shower filters, face masks, or even toothpaste, for example.
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