Fullers earth question

[A.J. Cairo]

Is there any difference between the Fullers earth that is sold at auto parts stores for fuel and oil absorption nd the Fullers earth sold at say Todd,s costumes or other costume stores?

[Tennessee Smith]

Probably the main difference is it's not as finely ground as what Todd offers. The granules are most likely the size of kitty litter (which is sometimes made from Fullers Earth).

If you decide to buy it, let us know what you find.



-TS

[Indiana Bugs]

That's nothing a mortar and pestle won't cure.

[Figure5901]

The stuff Todd's sells is so cheap why bother. Support the good guys.

[Leon Kennedy]

Kind of pumped right now as I get to make my first post on a subject I actually have some firsthand knowledge of. Here goes...

The biggest difference that I've noticed primarily has to do with the color. You never really know what you're going to get with a bag from the parts store (unless the bag is clear). The stuff is usually on the tan side, but I've seen gray and even white. As mentioned earlier in the post, consistency also varies. Long story short, I'd recommend just going with Todd's; the color is spot on for achieving that screen accurate look.

[davex247]

excuse my ignorance but... what IS fullers earth?

[lantzn]

It's a clay like material used in movies to add dust to costumes. It's also used as a filtration material.

[BendingOak]

The stuff Todd's sells is so cheap why bother. Support the good guys.

I agree. He goes out of his way to get this stuff. Support the local guy and fellow member.

[4505marcel]

Wssnt it originally used for medical reasons during the war?

[Kt Templar]

The name reflects the first use of the material. In past centuries, fullers kneaded fuller's earth and water into woollen cloth to absorb lanolin, oils, and other greasy impurities as part of the cloth finishing process. Similarly, it has been used as an ingredient in powdered, "dry" shampoos. Fuller's earth was also sold in pharmacies until recently for compressing pills and cleaning hats and fabrics.[4]

Important uses are in absorbents and filters. Because of this, it is used (with activated charcoal) in the treatment of paraquat poisoning to prevent the progression to pulmonary fibrosis. Fuller's earth is also used by military and civil emergency service personnel to decontaminate the clothing and equipment of soldiers and CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) responders who have been contaminated with chemical agents.[5]

From your friendly neighbourhood Wiki...

[4505marcel]

Ahh I thought it was used somehere during the wars, my nanny used to keep it at home also, for what I dont know lol

[Kt Templar]

Ahh I thought it was used somehere during the wars, my nanny used to keep it at home also, for what I dont know lol

Could also be used to filter farm petrol to take out the red tint... Or so they say... But apparently filtering it through a loaf of bread would do the same. Yes, I've been watching 'The Wartime Farm!'. .