Diatomaceous earth is composed primarily of silica. Over 85% of the composition of diatomaceous earth consists of tiny, highly absorbent particles of silica.
The absorbent properties of this unique substance make it a highly effective tool for deodorizing or removing moisture from almost any enclosed environment.
Diatomaceous earth users use DE powder to keep their fridges, closets and drawers free from moisture, mildew and odors, but there is another place in the home that can benefit from diatomaceous earth– the bread box.
Bread boxes, used to store fresh bread, were commonplace throughout the world until the inception of prepackaged, sliced bread sold in airtight plastic bags. New research, however, is pointing toward the BPA plastic that is used to wrap store-bought bread as a cause of many health conditions.
BPA plastics have been linked to a wide variety of health conditions, such as inflammatory diseases or immune system dysfunction.
As a result, more and more people worldwide are turning to plastic and chemical free lifestyles, which includes eschewing plastic-wrapped bread in favor of organic alternatives.
This return to a holistic lifestyle has led to a resurgence in the popularity of bread boxes, which have brought with them an age-old issue- bread box odor and mold. When moisture is allowed to seep into a bread box, a strong odor can form, contaminating bread and accelerating the growth of mold on bread.
Most of the mold that grows on bread is harmless, but commonly causes nausea or vomiting, and creates a highly unpalatable odor.
Diatomaceous earth is an efficient and economical way of removing odor and moisture from a bread box, protecting bread from mold and keeping your bread box smelling fresh.
In this article, we’ll provide a basic step-by-step guide on how to reduce bread box odor and moisture with diatomaceous earth.
What You’ll Need
- Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
- White Vinegar
- Cheesecloth
- A Twist Tie, String or Twine
- A Cooling Rack
Step 1: Clean Your Bread Box
Before you can treat your bread box with diatomaceous earth, you’ll need to clean it out. Mix white vinegar with warm water and use a scrubbing brush to remove any mold, mildew or food scraps from the bread box.
The high acidity of the mold will help to destroy any mold that may have formed inside the bread box, even if you cannot see it with the naked eye.
If there is a serious build up of mold in your bread box, add a tablespoon of diatomaceous earth into your water and vinegar mix. This will help to scrub away the built up mold without the need for dangerous and toxic cleaning chemicals.
Step 2: Prepare Diatomaceous Earth
Place the cheesecloth on a flat surface and place 2-3 tablespoons of food grade diatomaceous earth in the middle of it in a heap. You’ll need to use breathable cloth, but if you can’t find cheesecloth an old dish towel will suffice as long as it’s thoroughly clean.
Wrap the diatomaceous earth pile and twist the cloth, tying off the twisted end with either twine, twist ties or string.
Once the bread box is completely dry, place this diatomaceous earth package in the box.
Step 3: Prepare Your Bread Box
Place the cooling rack in the bread box. When storing bread in the bread box, place it on the cooling rack inside. This will keep moisture from forming underneath your bread and allow the diatomaceous earth to keep it dry.
Additional Notes
Only use 100% food grade diatomaceous earth for this method. Other forms of diatomaceous earth, such as pest control grade diatomaceous earth, are treated with highly toxic chemicals that will contaminate your bread and present a very serious health risk.
Replace the diatomaceous earth in your bread box every time you clean it. As a general rule, if you’re using DE as a desiccant in your box, you should clean it once every month.
Diatomaceous Earth Information Guide:
We have a wide variety of food grade diatomaceous earth resources for you look through to make your life a little easier and chemical-free. Please check out the other valuable resources and versatile application uses for silica-rich diatomaceous earth below:
- Diatomaceous Earth Supplementation
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- Diatomaceous Natural Aphid Control
- Diatomaceous Natural Cleaning Products
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- Silica Supplements Guide
- Silica Mineral Benefits For Hair
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- Silica Water
- Bamboo Extract
- Orthosilicic Acid (Organic Silica)
- Diatomaceous Earth DIY Bath Bombs
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- Diatomaceous Earth For Deodorizing Your Shoes
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- Going Green With Diatomaceous Earth
Please reach out regarding any information above. In the future, more share-worthy useful enhancements, experiences and effects of diatomaceous earth will be added as the benefits continue to pile up. Always welcome for more insight and awareness, click the button to see the most recommended beautifully blended product that combines both high quality food grade diatomaceous earth powder and pure organic silica together in one formula.