If you haven’t heard of activated charcoal, then you’re definitely not alone. I went some time before hearing about it. But then one day, I was at my sister’s house, and I noticed a small bag on her shelf in the kitchen.
“What is this?” I questioned.
“Activated charcoal!” she exclaimed. “I love it!”
The only thing I knew about charcoal was that I used to draw with it in school. I had no idea why it was sitting in her kitchen, or what “activated” it.
She told me that she uses it to stop her food from molding and keep her kitchen smelling great.
Charcoal does that? I thought. I was a bit skeptical, so as soon as I got home that night I decided to look into activated charcoal for myself. And it turns out it does purify the air. And so much more!
This stuff is practically magic. And the best part is, it’s all natural! Which means that activated charcoal gets an A+ on my hippie, toxic-free home report card.
So, what is activated charcoal?
Activated carbon, aka activated charcoal, is basically a material that is produced from different carbon sources. When these carbon sources (like coal, coconuts, or wood) are cooked at a really, really high temperature (around 1,800°F. Yikes!), a magical chemical reaction occurs. When that happens, all the harsh compounds disappear and tons of good ones are added in. At the same time, the surface area expands full of tiny pores that are perfect for adsorption.
Adsorption is not the same as absorption, even though they sound nearly identical. Adsorption attracts a substance and traps it on a surface. Absorption soaks in all the substances, like a sponge soaking in water.
Anyway, after some cooling and cleaning, the result is activated charcoal.
My favorite part about this product is that it is so versatile! I never knew one item could make me cleaner, fresher, healthier, and HAPPIER in all different parts of my life.
6 Benefits of Activated Charcoal That Are Almost Too Good To Be True
1. It absorbs odors.
You guys know how important clean air is to me. And this stuff does the trick. For my whole life, I’ve kept a bit of baking soda in my fridge to keep it smelling fresh. But now that I’ve found activated charcoal odor absorbers, I’m never going back! This stuff makes my fridge smell like a fresh garden. And my kitchen! And my garage! And my bathroom! (I have some in every room of my house, hehe.)
I know what you’re thinking. How can one little bag make my whole house smell amazing?
It may seem like magic, but it’s actually quite simple. Basically, the activated charcoal attracts odors, toxins and chemicals and traps them inside. Think of it like a vacuum that sucks away the icky smells that make you wrinkle your nose. Then, all that’s left is the good stuff! Mmm…
This stuff works in the fridge, in the garage, in the car… I even put a little bit in my husband’s gym bag. His stinky socks have never smelled so sweet! These are small little guys though, so don’t think that one small box will fix a big giant house. Having one for each small little area helps a lot.
2. It makes food last longer.
Not only does activated charcoal help make the space you store your food smell fresher, it helps keep your food fresh too. Because activated charcoal sucks out all the toxins in the air, it also protects your food from all the substances that make it spoil. Which also protects you from accidentally eating those tiny particles that might make you sick.
So with one tiny bag of activated charcoal, you’ll get cleaner air AND fresher food (that lasts longer!)
Sounds like a win- win to me.
3. It whitens teeth.
As someone who loves to smile, this is a big one for me. I used to long for whiter teeth but I hated using the whitening strips because I knew they were filled with so many sketchy chemicals.
With activated charcoal teeth whiteners, I can rest assured knowing that I’m cleaning my teeth with all natural ingredients! Bye bye toxins and helllooo pearly whites!
I even found it in a cinnamon flavor and I absolutely love it. Every time I brush my teeth, it feels like the coziest holiday party is happening in my mouth. I’m hooked!
4. It treats burns and bug bites.
There’s not much worse than annoying, itchy bug bites. They’re so distracting and I hate clawing at my skin like an animal. But, ever since I discovered activated charcoal, they haven’t been as much of a problem at all. It’s super easy! I just mix some of the powder with a little bit of coconut oil and rub it over the bites.
Not only that, but activated charcoal also helps with burns and bee stings as well!
5. It detoxifies skin.
When I get a pimple, it feels like the end of the world (okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but you know what it’s like). I get so self-conscious and I feel like anybody I talk to is only focusing on my blemish.
But, surprise surprise, the magical powder that can do anything really can do anything!
I’ve been using activated charcoal powder for facials and mud masks and it’s been fabulous! I use it almost every night before bed (and, when I can, with my girlfriends! Perfect for ladies night).
It’s great for targeting acne prone skin. It clears my blemishes right up and it feels like it sucks all the dirt right out of my face. After I use it, my skin always feels clean, smooth and beautiful!
6. It even helps hangovers!
It may sound weird, but activated charcoal traps toxins and chemicals into its tiny pores and keeps them there until they are safely carried out of your body. So next time you are out on the town, or having some drinks with some friends, try taking some activated charcoal before hand. You can then continue to enjoy your night without fear of a bad hangover the next day (just remember to always drink responsibly)!
So where can you get this magical substance?
There are a bunch of places that sell activated charcoal in many different forms. My two favorite brands are Moody Zook and Sagano.
I know we all love some good ole’ DIY, but in this case, I think it’s best to leave it up to the experts. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to fool around with any 1,700 degree furnaces.
Which is fine by me. Life is busy enough as it is. And buying activated charcoal has been a huge time saver for me.
With just one item, I can purify my air and food, clean my teeth, treat my skin, and prevent hangovers. AND because it’s all natural, I don’t have to compromise on my standards. I’ll be buying this stuff for a looong time, that’s for sure.
Have you reaped the benefits of activated charcoal yet? Do you love it as much as I do? Why or why not?
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