Activated carbon can be used to purify water or polluted air.In an emergency, activated charcoal can be used to remove toxins from your body.You need to make your own charcoal by burning wood or plant material.You are ready to add activated chemicals, like calcium chloride or lemon juice, and complete the process.
Step 1: A small fire can be built in a safe area.
You can make activated charcoal in your home fireplace if you use an outdoor fire.The fire should be hot enough to cause wood pieces to burn.Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and take safety precautions.
Step 2: There are small pieces of hardwood in the metal pot.
If hardwood isn't available, you can substitute coconut shells.Place your hardwood pieces or plant material in a metal pot and cover it with a lid.The vent hole on the lid of the pot should be small enough to keep out the air.The air can escape through the spout if you use a camp cookware kettle.Before you put it in the pot, it should be as dry as possible.
Step 3: Make charcoal by cooking the pot on an open fire for 3 to 5 hours.
The pot should be on the fire.Smoke and gas should escape from the vent hole as the material cooks.The carbon in the material will be burned away if this is done.It is most likely finished cooking when there is no more smoke or gas coming from the pot.
Step 4: Once the charcoal cools, clean it with water.
The charcoal in your pot will be hot for a while.Give it time to cool down.When it is cool to the touch, transfer the carbon to a clean container and rinse it with cool water to remove ash and any remaining debris, then drain the water.
Step 5: You have to grind up the charcoal.
You can grind the cleaned charcoal into a fine powder by transferring it to a mortar and pestle.You could crush the carbon in a bag and use a mallet or hammer to make a fine powder.
Step 6: The charcoal powder should be allowed to dry completely.
If you used a plastic bag, transfer the powder to a clean bowl.The powder should be dry in 24 hours.The powder should be completely dry before you move on.
Step 7: In a 1:3 ratio, combine calcium chloride and water.
The solution will get very hot if you mix these substances.Enough solution is needed to cover the charcoal completely.For normal-sized batches of charcoal, 100 g of chloride mixed with 1.3 cups of water should be enough.Most hardware stores, home centers, and general retailers sell calcium chloride.
Step 8: Lemon juice or bleach can be used as an alternative to calcium chloride.
You can use bleach or lemon juice if you can't find calcium chloride.You can use either bleach or lemon juice instead of the calcium chloride solution.
Step 9: Add the calcium chloride solution to the charcoal powder.
The charcoal powder should be put in a mixing bowl.You can add the calcium chloride solution to the powder in small amounts by stirring it with a spoon.Stop adding the solution when the mixture becomes paste consistency.
Step 10: Let the charcoal sit in the bowl for 24 hours.
Allow the bowl to sit without being touched.The bowl should be drained as much as possible after that.The charcoal should be wet at this point.
Step 11: The charcoal should be activated for another 3 hours.
Return the charcoal to the pot and set it on fire.The fire needs to be hot enough for the water to boil.The charcoal will be activated after 3 hours of cooking.
Step 12: Understand how activated charcoal works.
Activated charcoal can be used to remove pollutants from air and water.It works by trapping odors, toxins,bacteria, pollutants, allergens, and chemicals into the tiny pores within the charcoal.
Step 13: The air in your home is polluted.
Place the charcoal wherever it is needed by wrapping it in a linen sheet or cloth.If you don't have linen, choose a tight-weave fabric.Don't use fabric with a detergent or bleach smell.The smells will be absorbed by the charcoal, decreasing its effectiveness.If you want to improve air purification, position a fan so it blows air over the charcoal.The air passing over the charcoal will purify it.
Step 14: A charcoal water filter can be made.
Store bought water filters can be expensive, but you can achieve the same water purity by making your own.If you want to clean water, you can put activated charcoal in a clean sock and pour it through it.
Step 15: A clay-charcoal facial masque can be made.
In a small mixing bowl, make a mixture of bentonite clay, activated charcoal, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, and honey.Water should be added a little at a time to the mixture.This masque is known for removing toxins.Natural ingredients will be safe for all skin types.For 10 minutes, apply the masque to your face, then rinse it away.
Step 16: Inflammation and gas can be treated with activated charcoal.
500 milligrams of powdered activated charcoal can be added to 12 fluid ounces of water.Drink this mixture before you start feeling bloated or gassy.Taking charcoal with non-acidic juice will be more pleasant than taking it plain.The charcoal will be less effective if you drink acidic juices.
Step 17: A mask from a plastic bottle.
Use scissors to remove the bottle's bottom.There is a panel on one side of the bottle.The neck of the bottle will curve toward its spout as the panel extends from the cut off bottom.There is a chance that the plastic was cut with scissors.The cut edges of the bottle should be covered with medical tape.
Step 18: A can is used to create a filter chamber.
There are breathing holes in the bottom of the can.The kitchen can-opener can be used to cut off the top of the aluminum can.The cut metal of the can should be handled with care.It can easily cause cuts.A layer of duct or medical tape can be used as padding.
Step 19: The gas mask needs to be loaded with activated charcoal.
There is a layer of cotton in the can.Add a layer of activated charcoal on top of the cotton, then sandwich it with another layer.Cut a small hole in the cotton by taping it over the cut top of the can.If you decided not to tape the edges of the aluminum can, use caution when loading it with charcoal.
Step 20: When necessary, tape together the gas mask.
The cotton at the top of the can has a hole in it.To complete the mask, tape the aluminum can to the bottle.The air you breathe will be polluted by the charcoal in the can.