What is charcoal good for?

Charcoal has long been associated with warm evenings, fireplaces and outdoor cooking. However, this naturally occurring substance is much more versatile than most people give it credit for. It can be found in a variety of forms including activated charcoal capsules or powder, and it’s suitability for everything from face masks to water filters is well documented.

But what is charcoal exactly? And what makes it so beneficial for such diverse uses?

In this article we will explore the many benefits – both serious and humorous – that come with using charcoal throughout our daily lives.

Let’s Start from the Beginning

What Is Charcoal?

Simply put, charcoal is a form of carbon that has been created by heating wood or other organic matter in an oxygen-free environment.

It’s hard and brittle texture makes it perfect as a material for creating sketches on paper alongside graphite pencils but not only! There are different types of charcoal available used mainly for artistic purposes namely vine, compressed and pencil additionally to its use as fuel source. The binders used determine density softness/hardness texture amongst other features (Lukas 2019).

Throughout history humans have relied on the warmth provided by burning coal to heat their homes in winter months but today we’ve discovered plenty more ways to make use of this age-old resource!

So without further ado let’s investigate some innovative uses for charcoal

Beyond your Backyard

Pet Odor Solutions:

We all love our pets but the smells they leave behind can be unbearable at times. From cat litter trays to dog beds there seems no escape from those pungent aromas! Enter activated-charcoal, a one-of-a-kind solution which works wonders at neutralizing pet odors effectively becoming every owner’s saving grace.

Simply place pieces around wherever required resulting pleasant-smellingly fresher air! An eco-friendly alternative to chemical based air fresheners (Relf & McDaniel 2019).

Air Filter:

If you live in a city, chances are good that the air surrounding your home or workplace isn’t exactly clean. Air filters typically have carbon-resin filter as part of their working system since they’re highly effective at removing impurities from the air (Jain & Sharma 2020).

Carbon’s dense porous structure makes it ideal for attracting and trapping chemicals, volatile organic compounds VOCs including emissions – no wonder it’s used extensively in commercial grade HVAC systems!

Water Filtration:

With so many pollutants influencing our water supply, investing in water filtering technology becomes increasingly vital.

Charcoal has been found to be beneficial because of its porous nature helps absorb most contaminants as they move through charcoal layers (Moore Long-Term Treatment Performance/Budget Factors For Engineered-Carbon-Sorbent-Based Water Treatment-Experience At Syracuse Research Corporation 2013). Saltwater aquarium owners have also reported using activated charcoal pearls/pellets inside power filters within reef/fish tanks ensuring water quality is maintained.

Aesthetic Benefits

Teeth Whitening:

Activated Charcoal Teeth whitening treatment has become increasingly more popular with consumers over recent years due to its unique ability of binding stain . However essential caution needs adhering when trying these products. Avoid those laced are containing other potentially harmful constituents

While there are plenty of products on the market claiming miraculous results, activated-charcoal-powder, is said by users who seem enthralled with its effects really does work wonders.

People demonstrate pictures highlighting the difference between teeth staining pre vs post usage whereafter smaller equally spaced crystals activate pulling surface stains from teeth facial features rendering them white and shiny! Worth giving it a try but remember higher end brands such dentist formulated ones always better compared non traceable mixtures available online.

Skin Care:

Because of its toxin removing capability, charcoal has become increasingly popular ingredient in skincare products Charcoal sticks/powder are easily obtainable and one can try making their skin care products conveniently at home without the need to buy prepackaged alternatives.

One popular option is a charcoal face mask with many variations available online, where consumers mix up either powder or paste depending on formulation applied onto desired facial features peeling off after drying period expiry. The overall effect being purging surface debris and reintroducing lost life to your dull complexion!

Beat Bloat & Improving Digestion

Many people turn towards detoxification methods aiming at improving digestion by reducing bloating – this is usually achieved targeting easing constipation via using fibrous supplements because they’re good aids for encouraging biological waste speeding through alimentary canal.

But thanks to activated-charcoal pills, there’s now an even more natural way of tackling tummy troubles like gas/bloating/indigestion. Activated Charcoal benefits occur when supplement taken orally; empty stomach advisable.

When active constituents hit digestive tract acting as aid trapping excess gas compounds thus preventing accumulation causing uncomfortable sensations such as pressure bloating flatulence (DaSilva et al 2019). However best practice only consuming minimal dosages appropriate persons confirmed free system internal bleeding or currently prescribing medication.

Pests-Bugs-Bad-Smells Beware

Billions spent collectively every year due damage pest related destruction caused homes globally pests not limiting yourselves furry friends unfortunately!

Keep those pesky bugs away from your garden before it’s too late! Mix some powdered coal with water diluted further spraying over plants keeping insects/or other insects enemies say goodbye no harm incurred. The same solution also serves purposes getting rid unpleasant smells present in environments such cigarette smoke pet-fouling etc

Another smell elimination treatment involves placing small pieces on open containers strategically placed around affected areas so foul odors might quickly absorbed ultimately vanishing! Works wonderfully as a deodorizer when utilized in enclosed spaces too – this is because of its naturally absorbent feature

The Endless Possibilities

From outdoor cooking to household use, charcoal is truly an incredible resource with the capacity for so many applications. Whether it’s benefiting our health or improving other home and everyday needs activating into your routine could end up turning over new leaf for the better

So go on, give charcoal a try! You just might be pleasantly surprised with the results!

References:

DaSilva G., & Martindale R.G. (2019). Activated Charcoal as an Emergency Poison Control Treatment/Treatment Guidelines for Medicine and Primary Care/

Jain R., & Sharma N.S. (2020). Performance Evaluation of Carbon-Resin Based Filters For … Aerodynamically Efficient Stove Designs/IJRASET.

Lukas J.P.(2019)Charcoals Handbook: Compressed Pencils Vine Powder.

Moore C.B. Long-Term Treatment Performance and Budget Factors For Engineered-Carbon-Sorbent-Based Water Treatment Experience At Syracuse Research Corporation/Water Reuse Reviews Volume II.

Relf D.,& McDaniel A.M. Pet odor problems/ Virginia Cooperative Extension./

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