Why Should We Celebrate Diatomaceous Earth?

Not many minerals get their own national holiday, but diatomaceous earth (DE) does. August 31st is National Diatomaceous Earth Day. It’s a day to recognize the versatility and benefits of this natural substance. From filtering liquids to enhancing the soil, DE is utilized in a wide variety of daily applications.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

DE is created from single-cell microalgae called diatoms. After they die, they leave behind frustules — opal-colored skeletons — which form diatomaceous earth. DE can be found around the world in sedimentary rock formation that easily crumbles into a fine, white powder.

DE has been used for centuries for various purposes such as painting and building material. Once it was discovered that DE could also absorb, filtrate, polish, and stabilize materials, it became a popular product across many industries. So popular that in 2016, August 31 was declared National Diatomaceous Earth Day.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

Why are we celebrating a mineral? Because of its many benefits and uses. DE has the following features that helps make it the versatile material it is today:

• Abrasive
• Absorptive
• Anti-caking
• Detoxifying
• Porous
• Insulating
• Lightweight

These features come in handy across industries and applications, including:

• Household. DE powder can absorb odors and become a natural deodorizer for your fridge, trash can, or shoes. Its absorbent properties also makes it a helpful stain remover on certain carpet and fabric spills.
• Gardening. When used as a soil amendment, DE’s porosity helps retain moisture and nutrients, which may support plant health in certain conditions. Sprinkling DE in your compost pile can help manage moisture levels and may assist in odor management during the composting process.
• Filtration. Its fine structure, low density, and anti-caking properties are some of the features that contribute to the utility of DE filter aids in applications such as the beer and wine industry and swimming pool filtration.

Learning about DE and how it can benefit products and processes is just one way to celebrate DE day. Another way is to research how you can use the product in your home or apply it to your business and try it for yourself. Consider incorporating this versatile product into your gardening routine or filtration processes for beverages and pool water.

If you’d like to learn more, contact Dicalite Management Group. Not only can we answer your DE questions, but we supply a broad range of diatomaceous earth products for your filtration, gardening, and household needs.