In fact, salt is a very adequate preservative, as demonstrated not only by mummies but by the quantity of salt contained in modern packaged foods. However, today, the user of salt tends to have only one of those goals in mind at a time it seems that the Egyptians had a conception of receiving multiple benefits simultaneously. This, in fact, corresponds to the way salt is used today: as a preservative, as a magical product, to provide beauty and cleanliness. It is as common an ingredient in the magical papyri as it is in formulae devoted to cosmetics and cleanliness. Alongside its ability to bestow physical cleanliness, natron also seems to have provided spiritual purification.

In the holistic world-view so typical of ancient Egypt, natron cleansed many levels simultaneously. It was also used to cleanse the body, teeth and prevent unattractive body odors. Formulae featuring natron were used to rid the home of vermin. It was used for household cleansing as well as to cleanse the body. Natron was ancient Egypt's supreme cleansing product.

Based upon the records left to posterity, natron was a fairly ubiquitous product for the living as well. The use of natron, however, was not reserved for the dead.

Natron mummification process