4 Reasons to Use Walnut Shell Tumbling Media

Tumbling Media

With all the types of tumbling media available, it is surprising to see that walnut shells are still a popular choice for many different uses. It seems like other materials could perform better than walnut shells, but it really is a case of old-fashioned methods working best when it comes to tumbling media. Walnut shells continue to remain a popular form of cleaning and polishing media for the following reasons and more:
Durable: Walnut shells are surprisingly durable. They will hold up to tough metals, and can even be used on materials with sharp edges. The hard texture of the shells make them extremely durable for extended periods of time, and the shells can be reused over and over and will produce consistent results again and again.
Gentle: Although the shells are tough, they will still act gently with more delicate materials. A piece of metal with a delicate finish or design will not become damaged when polished or cleaned with walnut shells. Walnut shells can also polish plastic and other softer materials if a finer grit of shell is used.
Non-toxic: Since walnut shells are natural, they are completely non-toxic. This benefits the metal or other material you are tumbling as well as the user. When you do decide to get rid of the walnut shell media, you can just throw it right into the trash or even in a compost pile to dispose of the material.
Biodegradable: Since walnut shells are natural, they are completely biodegradable. If placed into a yard or compost pile, over the course of a few months the shells will soften and turn into soft compost. Walnut shells can act like a mulch in garden beds, keeping the moisture and nutrients locked into the soil.