It has been damp and chilly outside for a week now, the cloudy sky evokes the autumn blues, nature has frozen in anticipation of the first frosts and snow - it’s time to open the bathing season and light up the bathhouse to warm up in it after a chilly day. And this is also the time to remember the basic rules for using stoves so that they serve you trouble-free for years and decades.
Let's start with one of the key rules: never, under any circumstances, place salt directly on your heater. Why? In short, you will void your warranty and your oven will break down quickly. And now - the details.
Use Cases
It is most convenient to use salt in the bath in the form of briquettes or pebbles. They are not destroyed by temperatures. When heated, negatively charged ions are released from them, which disinfect the air in the bathhouse and create a microclimate in it close to the sea.
Types of bath salts, benefits and harms
The most popular and expensive type of salt from which bath stones are made is Himalayan. It is mined in the Himalayas, which have a reputation for being an ecologically clean place. Salt is mined there in the form of lumps, which are subsequently given different shapes. They are black or pink in color. Slabs or blocks made from mineral are used in finishing. They are used to create salt rooms.
Real Himalayan salt is expensive. On sale you can come across a fake of it, which does not have the properties of a natural material.
Since ancient times, Himalayan salt has been used in alternative medicine to treat various diseases. With its help, Eastern healers struggled with various problems of the skin, respiratory organs, dysfunction of the heart muscle, nervous disorders, joint diseases and even allergies.
It is believed that Himalayan salt vapors can cope with metabolic disorders. Blocks and slabs made from it in baths are used to line walls, ceilings and floors. Special adhesives are used to attach them. You can walk on salt floors without slippers. They have antiseptic properties.
This type of finishing material has a unique pattern and textured surface. Decorating rooms from it is an expensive pleasure. Rooms lined with Himalayan salt slabs should not have an air humidity of more than 55%. Excess moisture destroys their structure.
To obtain a healing effect, you can be content with little. For example, cover only the heater with salt slabs or throw Himalayan salt pebbles onto the heater grate. A good healing effect can be achieved by hanging a small amount of minerals in a decorative bowl in the bathhouse. In addition to its beneficial properties, Himalayan salt also has its contraindications.
People who have:
- malignant tumors;
- tuberculosis;
- acute stages of blood diseases and glaucoma;
- mineral intolerance.
In addition to Himalayan salt, stones made from other types of minerals are used in the baths. These include salt:
- stone;
- marine;
- Altai
Stone
Bath stones made from this type of minerals can be ordered from specialized online stores or made independently from ordinary table salt. To do this, place it in a canvas bag, moisten it well and hang it in the sun to dry.
The stones obtained in this way are placed on the stove grate. The vapors they emit soften the air in the bathhouse.
It is useful for them to breathe when:
- sore throat;
- bronchitis;
- sinusitis;
- otitis;
- conjunctivitis, etc.
Moist salty air rejuvenates the skin, calms the nervous system and promotes sleep. In such a bath, all wounds and pustular skin lesions are disinfected.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
Since ancient times, rock salt has been used for massage. Despite all its beneficial properties, ordinary rock salt has the least healing effect.
Marine
The composition of this type of mineral contains significantly more useful substances than rock salt. It contains: iodine, magnesium, bromine and calcium. They increase skin elasticity, strengthen hair and nails. For baths, sea salt is produced in the form of briquettes. Their composition can be additionally enriched with various ether compounds.
It is convenient to place briquettes on the stove grate. The vapors they emit when heated are useful to inhale to prevent respiratory diseases and improve immunity. They cleanse the body of toxins and have a general strengthening effect.
Altai
Minerals are mined in lakes of the Altai region. They are considered one of the most useful natural materials on the planet. Altai salt contains bacteria and microorganisms. It is used to treat psoriasis and eczema and has hypoallergenic properties. Using Altai salt stones in a bath helps improve the appearance of the skin. Salt vapors balance the nervous system and solve the problem of insomnia.
What bath salt do you use?
HimalayanOther species
Various herbs are often added to the composition of Altai salt bath stones. When they are heated on the grill of the heater, the process of salt releasing negatively charged ions starts. They have an antiseptic effect on the human body, normalize blood circulation and cleanse the respiratory organs. In the trade you can buy Altai bath salt in the form of briquettes.
How to use it correctly
The easiest way to use salt stones in a sauna is to place them on a heater. For these purposes, it is better to use small stones such as pebbles. It has a size of 2-3 cm and can withstand temperatures up to 550 degrees. The special bath product has a number of significant differences from table salt.
The most common bath salt stones are halite. They are made from Himalayan salt. Their main component is sodium chloride.
In total, halites contain more than 80 components. When exposed to high temperatures, salt rocks begin to release mineral compounds into the atmosphere, which enter the human body during respiration. Some of the mineral compounds settle on the skin and penetrate through the pores, which expand under the influence of heated air.
The composition of the air in the steam room, equipped with salt stones, is identical to that of the sea and ocean.
Steam room air saturated with microelements has a positive effect on the human body:
- relaxes and relieves nervous tension;
- heals small wounds and cracks on the skin, restoring its structure;
- enriches the body's cells with oxygen and stimulates blood circulation processes;
- relieves joint pain;
- removes toxins and waste from the body with sweat;
- kills fungal microorganisms;
- eliminates foci of inflammation in the respiratory system.
An additional healing effect can be achieved by combining salt stones with herbal infusions in a bath.
The duration of inhalation of salt stone vapors to obtain the maximum therapeutic effect should be at least 25 minutes.
Regular visits to such a bath can help solve many skin problems, as well as chronic diseases of the respiratory system. Baths with salt stones should be well ventilated. High air humidity should not be allowed in them.
Features of care
It is noteworthy that different combinations and powers of sodium chloride sources (slabs or salt spraying) provide equally different dosages of negatively charged air ions. According to this theory, there are different durations of stay in a room with a salt wall:
- If the concentration of negative chlorine ions is 5 thousand/1 cm3, then the effect is identical to a walk in a pine forest or near the seashore during a small storm.
- If the concentration is 8 thousand/1 cm3, the effect is identical to a walk in the mountains.
- At 30-35 thousand/1 cm3 the effect is equal to the therapeutic effect, which is controlled by a doctor. But, with a strong desire, it is impossible to recreate such a climate at home.
In order for a room with a salt wall not only to please the eye, but also to serve for a long period of time, it is recommended to monitor the humidity in the room, not drink hot drinks or alcohol in the room, and also limit the number of visitors to 3 people per room of approximately 30 square meters. meters.
A visit to the salt room stabilizes blood pressure, helps relieve stress, increase stress resistance, overcome insomnia and spring fatigue syndrome, and strengthen the immune system. But, in order for the salt wall to serve for a long time, it is necessary to follow the rules of work at all stages, as well as monitor the humidity in the room. For connoisseurs of natural space design, such a salt wall will be a universal way to express themselves.
Production technology
Natural mineral deposits contain undesirable components. They are removed during the production of bath stones using special cleaning technologies. Crystal clear salt mass is formed into pieces or monolithic materials under high pressure.
Only Himalayan salt is not purified. The value of this mineral is due to the high content of iron in its composition. Altai and sea salt are removed from excess moisture by evaporation.
How to decorate a bathhouse with it
It is best to use Himalayan salt blocks for these purposes. The mineral is enriched in magma. The finishing material is obtained from it using special technology. It has a high degree of strength and can withstand significant loads.
To reduce the cost of decorating a bathhouse with Himalayan salt slabs, you can limit yourself to fragmentary wall decoration. It is best to use this material in finishing dressing rooms, not steam rooms. It is much easier to maintain the humidity necessary to maintain the integrity of the material.
The plates are attached to the surfaces with a special two-component glue, which is made on the basis of magnesite. It is mixed with magnesium chloride in a ratio of 3:5. First, magnesium chloride is dissolved in warm water, and then magnesite is added to it. The average consumption of such glue is 1 kg per 1 sq. m.
Laying slabs on such adhesive must be done extremely carefully, because the texture of the fastening material has an unattractive appearance. You can replace this glue with liquid glass. Its binder composition is less durable, but will serve for some time. You can also find special glue for Himalayan salt on sale. Its composition is non-toxic.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
You can attach salt tiles to a wooden surface only after treating it with coarse sandpaper.
Glass surfaces are pre-degreased and treated with fine-grained sandpaper. The adhesive layer during finishing must be at least 1 cm. It must dry without drafts.
The best adhesives for laying salt
If you decide to fix salt with glue, then you need to approach the choice of composition responsibly. The glue must have several important qualities:
- be environmentally friendly, safe for health;
- the composition should not damage the decorative effect of the finishing material;
- the material must withstand temperature influences and a humid environment;
- have good adhesion to substrates;
- have a service life no less than that of salt.
Question answer
How long does 1 salt briquette last?
One salt briquette weighing 750 g is designed for 4 baths.
Are there any benefits to lamps made from Himalayan salt and can they be installed in bathhouses?
Lamps made from Himalayan salt can be installed both in the steam room and in the dressing room. They have the same healing effect as bath stones. The best place to install them is in the corners of rooms.
Where is the best place in the bathhouse to hang a bowl of salt stones?
Bowls with salt stones should be hung from the ceiling or on the wall as close to the heat source as possible.
What's the best way to use salt bricks?
Salt bricks can be used to line a heater or install a floor. This material consists of 100% Himalayan salt and has unique antiseptic properties.
Is it possible to spray water on salt rocks?
Water is sprinkled onto the salt stones after they have warmed up well. Short-term exposure to moisture does not destroy their structure.
Salt stones have healing properties. They are heat resistant and have high strength. Stones have their contraindications. You can use them in a bath after consulting a doctor.
Scrubbing
Salt is perfect for scrubbing. It is especially good in combination with honey, which has a protective, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, nourishing, rejuvenating and anti-cellulite effect.
Honey sweetness
To prepare a simple but incredibly effective scrub, you need to stock up on:
- medium or coarse salt – 2–4 tbsp. l.;
- homemade honey - ½ tbsp.;
- cinnamon essential oil – 3 drops.
Place all the ingredients in a container, mix and fill a jar or plastic container with the mixture.
We come to the bathhouse, take a steam bath, and whip ourselves with a broom. We leave the steam room and rub the skin with a viscous mass, wait 5 minutes, rinse off. Apply a nourishing mask and cream.
A scrub made from honey and salt fights cellulite and excess weight. It also has softening, exfoliating, cleansing, nourishing, restorative, and protective properties.
Coffee vivacity
To prepare the scrub you will need:
- sea, table or Himalayan salt - 3 tbsp. l.;
- ground coffee – 3 tbsp. l.;
- honey – 3 tbsp. l.
Place all the ingredients in a container, mix and fill the jar with the mixture.
After leaving the steam room, we wipe the body and apply the scrub with light movements. We massage for 3-5 minutes and wash off the mass. Then we cover the skin with a nourishing cream.
This scrub tones, invigorates, calms inflammatory processes, effectively fights “orange peel”, makes the skin soft, soft and smooth.
Oily bliss
To prepare an effective remedy, you need to arm yourself with:
- salt – 3 tbsp. l.;
- honey - 3 tbsp. l.;
- olive oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
- burdock oil - 1 tbsp. l.;
- castor oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
- linseed oil 1 tbsp. l.;
- ginger essential oil – 1 drop;
- cinnamon essential oil – 1 drop.
Place all the ingredients in a container, beat the mixture until creamy, and fill the plastic container.
Apply the substance to the steamed body, rub with light massage movements, wait 5 minutes and rinse.
Honey with salt and oils is a miraculous remedy that has not only a cosmetic effect, but also a healing one. It won’t be difficult to prepare such simple products, but your body, face and hair will say: “Thank you so much!”
