When I think of salt, french fries usually come to mind.
For the most part, salt is kept in the kitchen and has been associated with the cooking realm. As a (fairly) young adult, I never thought to do much with these magical, white rocks aside from sprinkling them on my food. Interestingly, though, it turns out that this common household item has practical uses that go beyond simply making your food taste great.
Clean Your Iron
Irons are helpful, but they don’t always stay as clean as we’d like. Ironing accidents like melted buttons or gross stains can leave build-up on the burner that can transfer onto other articles of clothes. To easily clean off your iron, just lay a piece of wax paper down and sprinkle it generously with salt. Turn the iron on and run it over the salt, which will help remove any gross residue or buildup. Unplug the iron, and once it has cooled, wipe it down with a soft cloth. It should now look as good as new.
Remove Sweat Stains
Nothing is worse than a bright white shirt with stained, yellow armpits. To get rid of pesky sweat stains, all you need to do is dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt into 1 quart of hot water. Then, simply use a sponge to wipe the stained area until the yellow disappears.
Clean Dropped Egg Messes
Dropping an egg can be a messy experience— but, luckily, salt can make the cleaning process easier. Next time you have an egg that’s gone rogue, simply pour a generous amount of salt on to the mess and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes. The salt will act as a coagulant, bunching the goop together, making it easier to scoop up and clean.
Put Out Grease Fires
A grease fire can go from dangerous to deadly if you use water to try and put it out. In the case of these explosive situations, salt is your best friend. Sodium chloride is reportedly great for its ability to absorb heat. In addition to smothering a grease fire, it can also pull heat out of the grease to the point that it cannot support combustion anymore.
Preserve Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is notorious for yellowing and lightening with age and sun. A quick way to slow down the yellowing and preserve your the wicker is by scrubbing it with a stiff brush dipped in warm salt water. Once finished, allow it to dry in the sun. This only needs to be done about once a year, but it really helps brighten and extend the furniture’s age.
Clean Burnt Food Off A Pan
Having to clean a pan full of burnt, hard grime isn’t very fun. To make it a bit easier, simply pour enough salt to cover the bottom of the pan, then fill it up with water, and mix. The salt will help pull all the burnt bits off the bottom. After about 10 minutes, give it a rinse and wipe.
Remove Watermarks From Wood
Watermarks can make table go from great to gross— but luckily, it’s easy to make them disappear with this little trick. Simply mix one teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to create a paste. Then rub the paste into the ring with a cloth or sponge until the mark is gone. If the wood is looking a bit bland, give it a quick coat of furniture polish to help brighten it back up.
Deter Ants
Now, I’m not going to lie. There’s some debate about this one, but you hear it preached a lot. If you have a problem with ants coming into your home, spreading a line of salt in their path can act as a deterrent to keep them away.
Another option is to dissolve a large amount of salt into boiling water. Then, pour it in a spray bottle to easily spray ant-prone areas. This can also be done with cayenne and black pepper.
Clean Gross Sponges
As with burnt pans, salt can also be used to clean gross, greasy sponges. If you find yourself with a nasty dish sponge, simply leave it in a mixture of salt and water overnight. The salt will help separate the grime, and by morning, it will look fresh as new.
Relieve Bee Stings, Bug Bites, And Poison Ivy
It’s not the most intuitive remedy, but interestingly, salt can act to lessen the pain of a variety of things. If you’re ever stung by a bee, simply wet the stinger and cover it with salt to lessen pain and reduce swelling. For itchy bug bites, simply soak the area with salt water, then cover with thin layer of vegetable or lard. And if you ever come across poison ivy, a hot bath full of salt water will help relieve the itch.
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