Activated charcoal is one of the most powerful natural cleaning agents.
Here are five ways cleaning experts recommend you try it at home.
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Charcoal might be the last thing youd consider asa cleaning tool.
Credit:1989_s/Getty Images
After all, one would assume something so black and powdery could make an even bigger mess.
Surprisingly, activated charcoal is one of the most powerful andnatural cleaning agentsavailable.
Discover smart ways to use it around your home with these expert-approved ideas.
Freshen Up Smelly Spaces
Activated charcoal is great for eliminating odorseven on an industrial scale.
At our waste transfer stations, nasty diesel fumes gave me constant headaches, recalls Graham.
Replace the activated charcoal every three to six months foroptimal odor absorption.
Remove Grease from Kitchen Surfaces
Grease buildupcan be stubborn, but activated charcoal makes removing it a breeze.
Activated charcoal is used in cleaning and personal care products as an absorbent, says Brown.
At home, its perfect for tackling greasy stovetops,range hoods, and countertops.
Work the paste into the surface using a soft sponge or cloth, then rinse it away.
Purify Drinking Water
Activated charcoal isnt just forair purification; it works similarly on water, too.
Water filtration systemstypically use charcoal in their filters for this purpose, says Brown.
However, you might use activated charcoal to make a filter at home.
Place some activated charcoal powder in something porous, such as a coffee filter or cloth.
I discovered its real power at a luxury hotel contract, says Graham.
Their shower doors looked ruined, clouded with years of limescale.
When I mixed the fine charcoal powder with a tiny bit of water, the glass ended up spotless.
Activated charcoal can also be implemented into your beauty routinethink shower filters, face masks, or even toothpaste.
