Pumice stone—you know, that stuff that forms when hot lava cools? If you’re not familiar with this fabulous multi-purpose stone, you should be! Perfect for all types of exfoliation, pumice stone is a cheap and easy way to slough off dead skin and more—some of its uses may surprise you! In this article, we’ll go over all the best ways to use a pumice stone and how to keep it clean and hygienic so that you can use it again and again.

[Edit]things you should know

• Soften your skin by soaking in warm water for about 5 minutes. Then, wet a pumice stone and gently rub the calloused areas to remove dead skin.
• Clean the pumice stone with a scrub brush and allow it to air dry between uses.
• Remove pilling and lint from clothing by rubbing the pumice stone in circular motions. You can also use a pumice stone to scrub and remove toilet stains.
• Dedicate each pumice stone to one purpose (removing dead skin, cleaning the toilet, etc.) Avoid using the same pumice stone for multiple purposes.

[Edit]step

[Edit]exfoliate with pumice stone

1. Soak your dry skin in warm water for 5 minutes. The feet are the most common part of the body to exfoliate with a pumice stone. The heels develop a layer of hard, calloused skin that may become cracked or scaly. Additionally, your elbows can be another area that can benefit from exfoliation. Soak the hard part of your body in warm water for about 5 minutes to soften the skin.^[1]
   
   • If you’re working on your feet, fill a bowl with warm water and make a foot spa.
   • Exfoliating as part of your shower routine may be easiest for other parts of the body you want to exfoliate, such as your feet.
   • Use a pumice stone for a manicure by gently rubbing it into the skin around your nails.
2. Wait till your dry skin becomes soft. Your dead skin will be easier to remove if it’s soft and supple—see ya, scales! Touch your skin after it has soaked for about 5 minutes. If it still seems hard, wait a few more minutes (reheat the water if necessary). If it’s soft to the touch, your skin is ready for the pumice stone.^[2]
   
3. Wet the pumice stone in the soapy water. Wetting the pumice stone will help it slide more easily over your skin. Run the stone under warm water with a little mild soap, or dip it where you’re soaking your skin to thoroughly wet it.^[3]
   
4. Rub the pumice stone over the calloused area in circular motions. Use gentle, circular motions to remove dead skin such as corns and calluses with the pumice stone. As you’ve soaked your skin so it’s nice and soft, dry, dead cells should slough off immediately. Continue until you have removed all the dead skin and have fresh, supple skin underneath.^[4]
   
   • Don’t press too hard. Only light pressure is necessary—let the surface of the stone do the work.
   • If you’re working your feet, focus on the heels, the sides of your toes, and other areas where dry skin tends to build up.
5. Wash off dead skin and go over stubborn areas again. Wash or wipe away the dead skin from the area where you have a pimple and check to see if you need to continue. If you still see bits of dead skin, go over the area again with the pumice stone. Continue using the stone on that area until you are satisfied with the results.^[5]
   
   • Be careful not to rub your skin raw.
   • Since the pumice stone will wear down a bit while you use it, turn it over for extended use.
   • To keep the surface of the pumice stone clean and effective, wash it with water.
6. Pat your skin dry and moisturize. When you’re finished exfoliating with the pumice stone, use a towel to pat your skin dry. Then, coat the area with oil or lotion to lock in the moisture. Your previously dry skin should now be soft, supple and glowing!^[6]
   
   • Coconut oil, almond oil or body lotion are great ways to condition your skin after lathering up.
   • Repeat as often as needed to keep your skin in good condition.

[Edit]pumice stone care

1. Scrub your pumice stone after each use. Dead skin will build up in the pores of the stone when you use it, so clean the stone after each use. Use a scrub brush to scrub the stone while holding it under running water. Add a little mild soap to help get the stone completely clean. This way, your stone will be clean and ready for action the next time you need it.^[7]
   
   • Use a mild soap, such as Dawn, to avoid damaging the stone.
2. Allow your pumice stone to dry completely. Keep the pumice stone in a dry place, so that it does not get wet between uses. Some pumice stones come with a string that allows you to hang the stone to dry. If you leave the stone wet, bacteria can grow in the pores, making it unsafe to use.^[8]
   
3. Boil your pumice stone every 2 weeks. If you use your pumice stone often, clean it thoroughly every 2 weeks to make sure it isn’t harboring bacteria. Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the stone and boil for 5 minutes. Use tongs to remove the stone from the water and allow it to dry completely before storing it.^[9]
   
   • If you used the stone on a dirty surface, add a capful of bleach to the water to kill all the bacteria.
4. Change your pumice stone every 2-4 weeks. Pumice stone is a soft stone that eventually wears away or becomes dirty with continued use. When it becomes too small to handle easily, or the surface too smooth to be effective, spring for new ones.^[10]
   

[Edit]practical and surprising pumice stone uses

1. Use a pumice stone to remove hair. The ancient Greeks used pumice stone to remove body hair, and because it’s so effective, people still do! Begin by soaking your skin in the bath or shower until it is warm and soft. Then, wet the pumice stone and rub your skin in gentle, circular motions. Within 30 seconds, the area you are rubbing will be hairless.^[11]
   
   • The effects of pumicing are similar to those of shaving.
   • Because pumicing is an effective way to exfoliate, it also prevents ingrown hairs!
   • Foaming should not be painful. If you feel pain, make sure you’re not applying too much pressure.
2. Use a pumice stone to remove pills from clothing. The soft, porous pumice stone surface is perfect for picking up pills and getting lint out of clothing. If you have a sweater you want to clean, start by laying it out on a flat surface. Then, rub a dry pumice stone over the pilling in circular motions. Don’t press too hard since you don’t want to damage the fibers of the garment – just light pressure is enough to pop the pills right away!^[12]
   
3. Clean your toilet with a pumice stone. Jhama can even remove copper rings from inside the toilet—what can’t this little stone do? To start, put on a pair of non-porous cleaning gloves. Then, using a scrubbing motion, rub the pumice stone over the ring. Repeat until the ring disappears, and voila! ^[13]
   
   • For more stubborn stains, use a pumice stone with toilet cleaner.
   • Use different stones for cleaning the toilet and for body use. Do not use the same stone for both the purposes.
4. Use a pumice stone to clean your oven. Wet your pumice stone completely with water, then use a scrubbing motion to remove grime and grease from the outside and inside of your oven. Be sure to wet your pumice stone frequently to avoid scratches.^[14]
   
   • Add your favorite oven cleaner to your pumice stone for extra cleaning power.
5. Try using a pumice stone as an essential oil diffuser. If you’ve wanted to try a diffuser but have been hesitant because of the price tag, look no further than the humble pumice stone. Apply 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil to a dry, clean pumice stone and hang it where you want to smell great!^[15]
   
   • You can also keep it in bowls or dishes in high-traffic areas like your kitchen or living room.
6. Remove pet hair and dander with a pumice stone. We love our pets, but dusting on upholstery and carpet can be frustrating! The good news is that pumice stone is incredibly effective at lifting and collecting dirt and dander. Go over the area using small motions in one direction and see how easily the hair comes off.^[16]
   
   • The pumice stone isn’t rough enough to damage or tarnish your furniture—just be sure to apply gentle pressure to the surface you’re removing pet hair from.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Advice

• Use a pumice stone at least once a month to prevent dry skin from coming back.
• After exfoliating your feet with a pumice stone, try wearing moisturizing socks to help lock in hydration and keep your feet smoother longer.

[Edit]Warning

• Use the least amount of pressure possible when exfoliating your skin with a pumice stone to avoid chafing or dryness.

[Edit]Reference

[Edit]quick summary