Parkes Shower Stone Review - Made From Diatomaceous Earth

This is a sponsored post for Parkes Home Co’s sustainable, self-drying Parkes Shower Stone™, but we do our best to provide a balanced view.

An excellent quality bathmat is essential in a bathroom - it keeps your feet warm and dry after a shower and does the most important job of protecting you from slipping on a wet floor. It also protects the floor from water damage as you get out of the bath.

As much as I love stepping onto a warm and dry bathmat when I get out of the shower; however, I hate that my cloth bathmat ends up getting completely soaked and it takes a long time to dry.

I don’t always hang up the bathmat and then I find that it ends up being soggy throughout the whole day. And sometimes it starts to smell from the mold, which is really gross. Plus, it seems to attract a bunch of dirt. So I wash every week. Eventually, the mat gets worn out and I need to buy a new one because it no longer absorbs very much water at all.

Is there an alternative to this love-hate bathmat relationship? I’d love to find something that is easier to use and requires less maintenance!

In this article, we will be doing a detailed review of the Parkes Shower Stone, which is made from Diatomaceous Earth (pronounced: dai · uh · tuh · may · shuhs urth). This blog will go into details of using a diatomaceous earth mat and the brand Parkes Home Co.

Parkes Shower Stone ™ by Parkes Home Co. - In a nutshell:

Quality of material: Made of diatomaceous earth; quality 4.5/5

Value for money: 5/5

Overall satisfaction: 4.5/5

Designs: Marble or plain

Colors: Pink, Blue, Grey, Marble, and White

Size: 30X40cm and 40X60cm

Durability: 2-3 years or more if appropriately maintained (Read the blog to learn more)

Convenience: 4/5

Customer Support: Yes

Instead of constantly wiping the floor after taking a shower or bath, many people get a standard cloth bathmat. While these mats may be beneficial, they are not without their own set of issues. For example:

1. When the mat is not actively dried after absorbing lots of water, it can result in mold and bacterial growth over time.
2. If there is too much water, the bathmat stops absorbing the water and can make a larger mess.
3. Cloth bathmats require more upkeep because they need to be cleaned and dried frequently like a towel.

We'd rather avoid these hassles and use something that doesn't require as much effort. Isn't the whole aim of a bathmat to make your life easier? And we'd prefer something that's also more environmentally friendly than a synthetic mat or one made of cotton, which can be damaging to the environment.

We were ecstatic to discover that the Parkes Shower Stone™ is an alternative bathmat that may be the solution.

About Parkes Home

Redefining household cleanliness during the COVID pandemic, Parkes Home Co. introduced household essentials that are healthy, hygienic and germless alternatives.

Parkes Home was created to revolutionize and make eco-friendly and sustainable products that protect the environment and elevate a modern healthy lifestyle with innovative designs and features.

Parkes Shower Stone

Parkes Shower Stone™ is made from diatomaceous earth, a unique type of natural rock, which is easy to clean and maintain.

Parkes Shower Stone™ Highlights:

• It instantly soaks up and dries wet spots, helping to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• It helps to keep the bathroom dry, maintain floor hygiene, and improve overall household cleanliness.
• It is a great time to have one in the Post-covid era as people are more conscious of cleanliness and hygiene.
• It is also biodegradable and eco-friendly.
• The Parkes Shower Stone™ is ethically produced and has stunning designs to match any interior.

The science behind using a diatomite bathmat

Diatomite, also known as diatomaceous earth, is a naturally occurring rock that contains millions of micropores. This porous rock soaks up water and allows it to evaporate quickly, without accumulating moisture or bacteria. It is made from a layer of fossilized diatom shells, a type of algae. This rock is known to have an exceptional capacity to absorb and hold water. It can also evaporate the moisture from the air nearby and is also used in general consumer products, construction materials, and interiors.

The diatomaceous earth is made up of diatoms, a fossil that dates back to the Cretaceous period - a kind of plankton that was deposited in the lakes and riverbed for years. It is a naturally formed material and no harmful substances are used in the production process.

What makes diatomaceous earth antimicrobial?

The antibacterial property of diatomaceous earth is due to its naturally-occurring physical features and is not influenced by any chemical preservatives or additives. The material attracts bacteria and parasites from nearby and binds them, drying them out and killing them in the process.

The problem with conventional mats and why diatomaceous earth mats may be the solution

Bathmats are known to be a breeding ground for many molds, bacteria, and parasites, due to being in the dampest area of the house. Regular cloth bathmats absorb moisture and can take a long time to dry out. Cloth fabrics absorb water, and unless hung up to dry, there is no easy way for the moisture to evaporate from the cloth, which creates the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow.

Parkes Shower Stone™ - features

1. Premium quality diatomite bath stone: Parkes Shower Stone™ is made from high-quality and naturally-formed diatomaceous earth, which contains micropores that last for a long time.
2. It is super-absorbant, anti-slip, and requires less maintenance: the mat soaks up the water and moisture from the surface in seconds, which would take hours for a cloth bathmat to dry up.
3. It is resistant to bacteria and mold development: diatomite earth is naturally antibacterial and does not accumulate water or bacteria.
4. The look and texture: It has a sleek yet earthy design that will go with any interior look. There are five shades available, which are fairly neutral and soft - blending in with most interiors. The texture of the mat feels organic and soothing under your feet. You will feel as if you have stepped out of a pool onto stone. It is a fascinating experience to see the mat soaking up water under your feet in seconds.

How to maintain and clean the Parkes Shower Stone?

Unlike regular bathmats, a diatomite mat rapidly absorbs and evaporates moisture and prevents mold formation. The Parkes Shower Stone™ can hold almost up to 150% of its weight in water - all it needs is sufficient airflow to dry quickly.

However, without proper care and maintenance, the Parkes Shower Stone™ can get saturated and not dry out properly, allowing some mold to breed (but still less than in conventional mats). After use, ensure that the product is elevated from the floor so that there can be enough airflow, allowing it to dry out between uses. Like any light-colored towel or sheet, dark-colored liquids can stain the Shower Stone.

Lighter liquids are less likely to discolor the mat. If your mat becomes discolored, there are two ways to remove the stain:

1. Use sandpaper to gently wipe away any light stains or scuffs. This should be done in a well-ventilated place.
2. Small doses of bleach or hydrogen peroxide can help to remove the more stubborn stains.

Product Guarantee for Shower Stone

The Parkes Home Co offers a 30-day guarantee period if your product arrives defective or damaged. It also covers normal household use, including using the Shower Stone inside your house on flat surfaces (i.e. floors, counters, etc).

If there is anything wrong with your Shower Stone, you can send them an email with some photos to parkeshomeco@gmail.com. After looking at the condition, the team will let you know if the refund is approved or not.

The company suggests that instead of returning the broken product back to them, it is more environmentally friendly to keep it and find a way to repurpose it. You can use it as a plant plate or pet bowl feeding mat. To take care of the Stone, it is recommended to occasionally leave it out in the sun.

Pros

Dries rapidly (in seconds) – Excellent at preventing water from getting onto the floor – the anti-slip rubber sheet included holds the stone securely in place – Many bathrooms can benefit from its eco-chic design – It contains no toxic substances – Antimicrobial characteristics are built-in – If stained, it is simple to clean - It is easy to keep and maintain.

The potential of utilizing DE elsewhere

Don't think of the shower stone as being restricted to the bathroom. This mat may be used everywhere, although it is most effective in an area with a lot of moisture.

It may be used as a plant stand, to hold damp shoes, or as an umbrella stand.

Cons

– Ceramic-like stone does not have the same feel as fluffy bathmats – With enough water, the stone might become overrun, and mold can still form – Cleaning the mat does need a bit of effort – If struck with enough power, the stone can potentially break.

You will be disappointed if you expect to place your feet on what feels like a fluffy cloud. The Parkes Stone appears and feels like you're treading on a smooth rock.

While the bath stone may absorb up to 150% of its weight in water, it cannot dry very effectively if overexposed. It is possible to waterlog the bath stone, and then it will not be able to absorb and evaporate water.

Final Verdict

Overall, it looks like a great product. It absorbs water well and is easy to clean and wipe down. Any stains or discoloration can be easily wiped with a wet towel or running water. We recommend checking out the Parkes Shower Stone™!

This bath stone can serve as a great alternative for a typical bathmat.

It outperforms several other bathmats in terms of functionality - with durability and maintenance. The bath stone has a distinct appearance and an excellent design.

People buy fluffy bathmats for a reason: they feel great after a nice, warm shower. Stepping on a stone might be entertaining at first, but we can understand if people get tired of it after a while.

Overall, the Parkes Shower Stone is a great purchase. Many other people appear to enjoy this eco-friendly alternative to a bathmat as well.

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