Kramer Industries Inc > Pumice Powder Media

Pumice Powder Media

Pumice Stones

Pumice powder media has been used in liquid, solid and gel abrasive hand soaps for decades. Today, pumice powder particles are used in foot scrubs, abrasive pumice hand cleaner, body & shower gels, facial scrubs and even kitchen counter cleaners.

What is Pumice?

Pumice is a volcanic ash which is formed when lava is permeated with gas bubbles during the solidification process. Pumice is very fragile and breaks apart into small particles quite easily. Because lava has properties and a chemical make-up similar to glass, pumice is very abrasive, but unlike glass, pumice is very soft. Pumice is one of the softest abrasive media in use today.

What is the purpose of using pumice in consumer and commercial applications?

Pumice is used as a mild, yet effective, abrasive suitable for a multitude of uses, including in hand pumice soap and pumice hand cleaner. In soap, pumice offers a light abrasive quality which easily removes almost any grease or grime. Because pumice is a soft media and a natural mineral, it isn’t harsh or toxic to people or the environment.

PumiceFor commercial applications, pumice has become the most widely used grit in many manufacturing processes which require a mild abrasive characteristic. Couple this with the fact that pumice can be ground down into a micro-fine powder for handling the lightest of abrasion needs.

Regardless of the application, it is important to perform tests and formulate procedures in order to determine the most appropriate grade of pumice to use. The grain sizes required in hand soaps differ from those used for facial applications. Using an incorrect grain size would prove ineffective and possibly damage the applied surface.

One other very important key to achieving desired results is consistency during manufacturing and grading of particle size from one batch to the next. Select a supplier that constantly monitors and checks for particle size and shape conformity to be sure of the quality of your products as well.

Various Applications for pumice include:

  • Facial and body scrubs – to exfoliate dead skin cells
  • Abrasive soaps – to remove dirt and grime
  • Dental supplies and paste – teeth cleaning and polishing
  • Television glass – grinding and polishing
  • Electronics – circuit board metal preparation and cleaning
  • Calcium silicate insulation – ceramic and tile raw material
  • Foot and hand scrubs – to slough off calluses, dead skin and cuticles
  • Kitchen countertops – to remove stubborn stains and polish surfaces
  • Car polish – to remove old wax build-up and polish painted surfaces

Moderation and a light touch are key when applying any abrasive soap, cleaner or polish. Applying too much pressure while applying an abrasive cleaner can cause scratches or redness. Instead, use a very light application of a scrub and wash and dry the cleansed area thoroughly. If you are polishing a car finish, remove any residue with a soft lint-free cloth. Always use circular motions when applying abrasive soap, scrubs, cleaner and polish to prevent “burning” an area from concentrated actions.

Today, pumice is used in more than just abrasive soap and its ability as a versatile and mild abrasion additive is continually being expanded on and innovated.

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