Archive for August, 2007

10 Ways to Use Salt as a Health and Beauty Product

August 29, 2007 · Filed under Natural Beauty Products, Salt, Skin Care

table-salt1.jpg

Table salt is an inexpensive way to treat your body to a nice relaxing delight. Salt can be used to relieve dry itchy skin and reduce the oiliness of oily skin. Salt, along with baking soda, can make an excellent toothpaste that is great at fighting plaque and is a natural whitener.

10 ways to use salt as a health and beauty product

  1. Relax sore muscles by massaging your skin with salt. While your body is still wet in the shower gently rub salt in a circular motion all over your body. This will help relax the muscles and increase your blood circulation.
  2. Wake up in the morning by invigorating your mind, body and skin with salt and lavender essential oil. In a bowl add 1/4 cup of salt and 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Massage this mixture into your skin in a warm/hot shower. Then rinse off.
  3. Relieve dry itchy skin by soaking in a bath tub of saltwater. You can use either table salt or sea salt; add 1 cup of either to a nice hot bath. Soak for 20 - 30 minutes.
  4. Cleanse and tone your face with a mixture of olive oil and salt. In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Use mixture to gently massage your face; avoid contact with your eyes. Wash your face as normal and pat dry with soft cloth.
  5. Reduce oily skin by spritzing your face with a spray bottle filled with a mild saltwater solution. Fill bottle with lukewarm water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Pat dry with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.
  6. Get rid of bad breath with a natural mouthwash solution of salt, baking soda and water. In a small glass of water mix 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Use as a mouthwash and rinse.
  7. Natural teeth whitener brush teeth with a mixture of equal parts baking soda and salt. Dip a wet toothbrush into a small bowl containing this mixture and brush teeth.
  8. Natural toothpaste brush teeth with a paste made of baking soda, crushed salt and water. You can crush the salt with a spoon in a bowl. 
  9. Relieve mouth pain (sore gums, a bite on your cheek or tongue, or toothache) with a salt water solution. In a glass of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of salt. Swish in your mouth for a few seconds and spit out. Repeat if necessary. Any serious mouth problems; you should see a dentist.
  10. Emergency toothache but can’t see the dentist right away; rinse your mouth with this solution: 4 ounces warm water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt. Repeat as needed.

~ DIY Naturally

| | | | | | |

Comments (4) »

10 Ways to Use Salt to Clean Your Home

August 27, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning, Natural Stain Removers, Salt

copper-cookware.jpg

From stained carpet to tarnished copper; salt can do the job of cleaning your home. Salt is tough enough to tackle your hardest cleaning projects including polishing your sinks, removing stains in your carpet and revitalizing your word furniture.

10 ways to use salt to clean your home.

  1. Red wine stains in your carpet can be removed easily. Begin by immediately blotting up as much wine as you can with a towel. Then sprinkle the area with salt. Let stand for 20 minutes allowing the salt to soak up any remaining wine. Finally, clean up area with a solution made of vinegar and water mix at a 1:2 ratio. ex. 1 cup vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  2. Removing grease stains from carpet or rug can be tricky but salt will work every time. Use a mixture of salt and rubbing alcohol at a ratio of 1:4. Rub the mixture into the stain going in the same direction as the nap. You may need some elbow grease for task but it should work. When finished rinse with water and blot dry.
  3. Brighten up enameled sinks, bathtubs, and toilets that have gone yellow with age. You will need to make a paste with salt and turpentine (wear rubber gloves) . You should only need a small amount of turpentine. Make in small quantities; this mixture will go along way. Apply to enameled surface and let sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Then wipe away with a damp sponge.
  4. Whiten yellowed wicker by scrubbing it down with a saltwater solution and placing in direct sunlight for 30 minutes.
  5. Hot pans and water stains on your wood table can be removed with a little salad oil and salt. Just make a thin paste and polish the area of the stain. Use a gentle circular motion and wipe off with a soft cloth when finished.
  6. Polishing pewter can be a difficult task because it is so soft and can be damaged easily. Using flour, salt and vinegar you can make a paste that will be gentle enough to polish pewter. See recipe bellow.
  7. Polish copper or brass with a sliced lemon dipped in slat. Rub salted lemon in a circular motion on the copper or brass surface. Rinse with water. This method is best for slightly tarnished copper and brass.
  8. Clean tarnished copper with a little vinegar and salt. Begin by adding vinegar with a little water to a spray bottle. Spray the copper item with the solution and then sprinkle with salt. Gently scrub the piece with a soft sponge and rinse making sure to remove all of the salt.
  9. Clean and shine copper and brass make a paste with equal parts vinegar, flour and salt. Rub on paste and let stand for about 1 hour. Then clean off and buff with a soft cloth.
  10. Remove rust with a simple paste made of salt and lemon juice (from the fruit not in the bottle). Apply paste to the rusted object. Rub with a dry soft cloth.

Pewter Polish
You will need:

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Vinegar

In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of vinegar and add flour until you have a smooth paste. Apply paste to the pewter piece and allow to dry for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and polish with soft cloth. Make sure to remove all paste residue.

~ DIY Naturally

| | | | | | | | | | | |

Comments (3) »