Diatomaceous earth is one of those products that very few people have ever heard of, much less used around the house. Below, you can learn more about this wonder product – what it is, how it works, and the benefits of using it – so that you can make informed decisions about utilizing it in your own home.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
The name “diatomaceous earth” might make it sound like a chemical-laden product that you should wear gloves to handle, but in all actuality, it’s one of the safest products on the planet – and it has a wealth of benefits and uses, too. It’s named as such because it is made from “diatoms,” which are tiny algae that live very close to the surface of many bodies of water around the world. When this algae fossilizes, it sinks to the bottom of the water and mixes in with the other sediment, creating a mineral known as silica. When that silica is combined with various other trace minerals, you get the wonder dust known as diatomaceous earth.
What Does Diatomaceous Earth Do?
Originally, diatomaceous earth was used as a food additive for pets, poultry, and livestock. Not only does it aid in preserving their food, but the trace minerals it contains – including silica, copper, manganese, and more – are actually good for animals’ bodies. It provides a wealth of benefits for animals by boosting their metabolism, improving skin and fur quality, improves appetite and weight gain, and even boosts bone mineralization in young animals so they can grow strong and healthy.
Using Diatomaceous Earth at Home
Over the last few decades, scientists have discovered that diatomaceous earth is good for much more than keeping pet food fresh and animals healthy. Today, you can find it being used in several very interesting ways.
- All-natural insect repellent. Diatomaceous earth works as a pest repellent in two ways. First, it absorbs the moisture from their habitats, which makes them inhospitable. Second, it is even a slow-acting pesticide; insects crawl through the powder, which then dries out their bodies and leads to their deaths.
- In-home odor control. Just as you might place a box of baking soda in the fridge or use odor-absorbing inserts for your shoes, diatomaceous earth can do all of this and more. A small container of diatomaceous earth in the fridge can absorb odors for up to three months, and sprinkling a bit in your shoes will kill odors overnight
- Toothpaste additive. Many companies utilize a variety of ingredients in their toothpaste to act as abrasives, and not all of these are good for the environment (or good for your body). Fortunately, diatomaceous earth is the perfect toothpaste additive since it is safe, effective, and even healthy! You can add a bit of diatomaceous earth to your favorite toothpaste or purchase eco-friendly and fluoride-free toothpaste with diatomaceous earth already in it.
If you don’t already have some diatomaceous earth around the house, now is the perfect time to pick some up on your next trip to your local farm or home improvement store. It’s safe, it’s cost-effective, and a little goes a very long way. Whether you want to kill odors or keep insects away from your home and garden, diatomaceous earth is the best and most Earth-friendly solution out there.
Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diatomaceous_Earth.jpg
