You Probably Have This Effective (and Cheap!) Cleaning Tool in Your Bathroom Cabinet

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If you enjoy getting a relaxing pedicure, you’re likely already familiar with the rough, porous rock your technician uses to smooth away stubborn calluses on the bottom of your feet. This pumice stone, which forms from the explosive, rapid cooling of gas-rich volcanic magma, provides both gritty abrasive power and gentle softness. Beyond the spa, pumice stones are a surprisingly versatile tool for tackling tough home tasks, from cleaning toilets and ovens to removing pet hair from furniture. We spoke to home cleaning experts to identify their favorite pumice stone uses ‌around the home and garden.

1. Erase water rings and stains in your toilet bowl.

A pumice stone works well as a nontoxic, abrasive cleaner for removing hard water stains, toilet rings, soap scum, and mineral buildup in your toilet bowl. “Always wet the stone and surface first, and avoid using it on fiberglass, marble, plastic, or other delicate materials, as it can scratch these surfaces,” notes Ashley Torres, professional cleaner at Karen’s Green Maids in Chicago, Illinois. Then, gently scrub the stains in a circular motion, rinsing frequently to check your progress.  

2. Enhance your garden.

Pumice stones are also helpful outside in the garden. Remove rust from garden tools by rubbing a wet pumice stone over the rusty spots. Just be sure to dry off the tools and wipe away any rust residue when you are finished. “They are also good for cleaning mineral deposits and dirt from clay garden pots before replanting,” says Torres. “Just wet the stone and pot, scrub lightly, and rinse thoroughly.” Finally, pumice mixed into the soil can help boost healthier plant growth by improving soil drainage, root aeration, and moisture retention, while also preventing soil compaction.

3. Remove build-up inside your oven.

Pumice stones are also a chemical-free way to remove heavy food build-up from the surfaces and grates inside an oven, says Katie Lambert, owner of Clean Queen in Denver, Colorado. She recommends dampening the pumice stone with water for lubrication and then scrubbing the surface at a 45-degree angle. Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth. It even does an effective job of loosening burnt residue that’s been accumulating inside your oven for a while. Avoid using pumice on glass oven doors, as they can scratch easily.

4. Lift pet hair from furniture and rugs.

If you are a pet owner frustrated by all the fur accumulating on your upholstered furniture, carpet, and area rugs, consider trying a pumice stone. “It can be used to remove embedded pet hair from durable upholstery and carpeting by lightly rubbing the surface before vacuuming, but test on an inconspicuous spot first,” recommends Torres. To gather the loose hair, dampen the pumice and then use short, gentle strokes, working in one direction. The rough texture of the stone collects ‌hair in clumps, which you can then easily vacuum up. However, be careful using this tool on delicate fabrics like thin cotton and silk.  

5. Refresh your barbeque grill.

Pumice stones are also useful when it comes time to clean your grill. “They are perfect for scraping off hard grease and food build-up from the grates of your grill as well as the flavor bars,” says Chris Willatt, founder of Alpine Maids in Denver, Colorado. “You can also use them to scrub the bottom of your grill where all that carbon buildup occurs.” He recommends only using pumice stone, however, on parts of the grill that are made of heavy-duty metal to avoid ruining the shiny exterior finishes and fixtures on your grill. Simply wet a pumice stone once your grill is cool and gently scrub any hard residue that accumulates. “A pumice stone will shed as you clean, so make sure you wash that residue off your grill before using it again,” advises Willatt.

6. Clean pool tile.

Another great place to use pumice stones is on pool tile, says Lambert. “As the water in a pool evaporates, it leaves a white calcium ring on the tile that is hard to remove,” she explains. “You can scour it away using a pumice stone.” Scrub the tile gently with light pressure to avoid scratching the surface. It’s always a good idea to perform a test in a small area before tackling the entire pool.

 

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