The word “deodorant” comes from the French des, “removal,” and the Latin odor, “odor.” Substances that weaken or eliminate unpleasant odors are used as deodorants. Activated carbon, being an adsorbent, also belongs to deodorants, since it absorbs substances that carry unpleasant odors. It is convenient to use for hygienic purposes. For example, activated carbon tablets or granules can be placed in gauze bags or small boxes with holes and then placed in the toilet, bathroom, closet and even refrigerator. Activated carbon has a long-term adsorbing effect for 2-3 weeks. After this time, it must be replaced with a new portion or subjected to regeneration (restoration). To do this, the spent activated carbon must be poured onto a baking sheet and placed in the oven for 3-4 hours at a temperature of 250-300° C.
Small perforated boxes of activated carbon can be placed in a sideboard or desk drawer to remove musty odors.
From activated carbon you can prepare an aromatic mixture that will not only absorb unpleasant odors, but also emit pleasant-smelling smoke when burned. To prepare such a drug, you need to take 300 g of activated carbon and crush it into powder. Then you need to mix it with a 7-8% aqueous solution of potassium nitrate. The mixture should be as thick as hard-kneaded dough. Then add 1-5 g of aromatic substance (cinnamon, clove or lavender oil, pine needles, mint, vanillin, etc.). You can form small cones from the prepared mixture and dry them. When burned, they will smolder, emitting a thin aromatic smoke.
.
