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Have you ever heard of diatomaceous earth? No? Then today is your lucky day. Read on to discover diatomaceous earth uses to benefit your home, garden and family!
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is special kind of dirt, found in certain deposits around the world. Essentially, diatomaceous earth is a fossil, ground into a very fine powder.
This is important! There are two types of DE: food grade and industrial grade. Industrial grade DE is toxic to humans and pets. *this post contains affiliate links Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is non-toxic, and beneficial in many ways. YOU MUST ONLY BUY AND USE FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Phew. It feels good to get that out.
Diatomaceous Earth Uses Around The Home
DE is killer on bugs. The DE scrapes their exoskeleton and dries it out, leaving the little suckers dead. So, sprinkle DE around windows and doors to protect from ants and spiders.
Diatomaceous earth uses include treating bed bug infestations.
Sprinkle DE in your carpet or other areas where you think there may be fleas lurking. Next, rub it in with a broom, and allow it to sit for 4-12 hours before vacuuming up. You’ll want to do this once a week for 4 weeks to make sure you’ve killed both fleas and their eggs that may hatch down the road.
Sprinkle DE in your garbage cans for odor control. Because we always seem to get ants around our garbage cans in the summer, we sprinkle DE around our garbage cans too.
Add DE to your buckets of bulk grain storage to keep pests and moisture out. You’ll need about 2 cups for every 50 pounds of grain or beans.
But, Wait! There’s More!
Use to clean up oil spills, as *this post contains affiliate links Diatomaceous Earth can hold up to TWICE it’s weight in liquid. Afterwards, sweep up the DE and throw it away. Finally, clean with the spot with soapy water.
Fill a container (like a spice bottle) with DE, and stick it in your fridge with the holes of the spice bottle open. It will take care of any funky odors!
Scour tough stains! Struggling with a tough stain? Sprinkle some diatomaceous earth on the stain, then scrub it in. The extra abrasion will help with the stain, and it rinses away clean.
PRO TIP: While DE can be taken internally, you do NOT want to breath a bunch of it in as you are using it. This is a good time to grab one of your face masks and protect your lungs.
Water Stain Remover Recipe
Hard water stains around your water facets? DE to the rescue!
Mix together lemon, vinegar, vegetable oil and DE in a small container. Using a damp cloth, use this paste to scrub the deposits away!
How To Use DE In The Garden
Sprinkle a ring around your garden plants for protection against garden pests. But NOTE: DE kills the good guys too. So, it is best to use it only where you have plants that are really struggling from garden pests.
Apply DE to compost piles to keep odors and bugs away.
Are you a beginning gardener? You’ll want to read our post on Beginning Backyard Vegetable Gardens
PRO TIP: If DE gets wet, it has to then be reapplied.
What About Bees And DE?
Good question! I’m glad you asked.
The best time to use DE in the garden is in the morning, before the bees are out, or late in the evening. Apply DE close to the ground, where bees are less likely to land. Finally, do NOT apply DE to flowering plants where the bees would be landing to pollinate.
Pro Tip: ONLY apply DE on non-windy days to avoid it being blown all over the garden, and onto flowering plants.
You can use essential oils in the garden for pest control too. Try our Homemade Garden Bug Spray With Essential Oils.
What Is The Easiest Way To Apply DE?
I find shaking it on with a *this post contains affiliate links cheese shaker to be the easiest. For small spaces, you could simply fill an old spice container and shake it where it needs to go.
For bigger jobs, you’ll want to go with bigger shaker bottles, like these *this post contains affiliate links 32 ounce Clear Plastic Spice Bottle Containers.
What are your favorite Diatomaceous Earth uses? I’m loving finding new uses for this ‘wonder dirt’!
Does DE work systemically on flowers?