How to Build Ionic Air Purifiers

Ionizing your air not only kills bacteria in your home, it can also increase alertness by cleansing the air of harmful chemicals. Negative ions rid the air of formaldehyde and increase oxygen absorption when breathed, meaning a home ionizer can be a valuable asset. Though ionizers can run on the high side of your budget, Himalayan rock salt lamps emit negative ions naturally. You can make these luminous, organic lamps at home.

Rock salt block
Chisel
Rubber mallet
Protective eyewear
Ceramic or metal mesh container
Light socket extension cord
50- to 75-watt light bulb

Instructions

- 1
  Place your block of rock salt on a sturdy surface. You can purchase such blocks at specialty food stores or New Age stores, both in person and online.
- 2
  Put on your protective eyewear. Position your chisel in the center of the block and rap it sharply with a rubber mallet. This should crack the block. Continue cracking the block until it's in pieces the size of a small child's fist.
- 3
  Examine your container. Terracotta pots with holes in the sides for potting herbs work well, as do decorative rod iron baskets. Make sure your container has a hole in the side. A hole in the bottom will only create a crooked lamp.
- 4
  Lay the socket end of your extension cord in the bottom of your container. Feed the plug through the lowest hole you can find, but not the one in the bottom of the container. Screw your light bulb into place.
- 5
  Stack the rock chunks gently on top of the light bulb, filling the container to the top. Plug in your new ionizing lamp. It should glow a peachy orange-pink color.

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