Most American homes have some salt in their cupboard or cabinets. It gives a little flavor to food when it’s lacking. And when we think of salt, most people probably think that salt’s uses end with food.
But that’s not the case. Salt comes in handy for plenty of things around the house. It can even solve a lot of your household problems.
You can remove stains and create chemical-free household cleaners. You can also chill wine a lot faster or clear up a clogged drain. So, you might want to start stocking a lot more salt in your house.
Here Are 40 Amazing Things You Never Knew Salt Could Do:
Your iron can get pretty dirty. To clean it, sprinkle a generous amount of salt on wax paper. Run your iron back and forth over the salt. This will wipe the gunk right off.
Need to chill those bottles of wine quick? Place the bottle of wine in a bucket with ice, some water, and a handful of salt. Stir it around. The salt will super chill the bottle in no time.
Did you drop an egg? Pour salt over the mess and wait about 10 to 15 minutes. The salt will turn the mess into a sand-like substance that you can easily wipe up.
Cover your pan with a layer of salt. Add some water and let it sit for 10 minutes. This will dissolve all the grease away so you can easily wipe away the caked on grease.
Did you spill some red wine on your carpet? Well, you better act quick. Pour salt over the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes. Splash it with cold water and rub until the stain goes away.
Put two cups of water in a container with a quarter cup of salt. Leave the greasy blackened sponge in the solution overnight. The grime will come right off when you take it out.
Wood cutting boards shouldn’t be put in the dishwater. The way to disinfect them is to soak it in hot water. Rub the board down with salt and lemon juice then rinse clean.
You can make an all natural Drano cleaner with salt. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of salt. Try to pull out as much hair as you can with gloves before you pour this mixture down the drain. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes before you chase this with a pot of boiling water.
Got mildew stains and smells on clothing or towels? Mix salt and lemon juice together and rub it over your stains. Let the paste dry. Drying it in the sun is best. Afterward, toss your clothes in the washing machine. The stains and smells should be gone when your load is done.
11) Clean a Coffee Pot
Get rid of those coffee pot stains with some salt. Pour crushed ice and a tablespoon of water into your coffee pot along with a few tablespoons of coarse salt. Swirl the contents around. This will scrub the stains away.
Your refrigerator can get pretty gross with caked on food, crumbs, and spills. But no one wants to use chemicals in the refrigerator. Make an all-natural abrasive cleaner with salt and soda water.
You can prevent cut fruit from going brown with salt. Just soak your peeled apples and pears in salt water for a few minutes then rinse. Dry and store in an airtight container.
Our ovens can get pretty gross over time. Prevent this by cleaning up spills asap. Pour salt over the spill and let it sit until your oven is cooled. The mess will crust up and be a lot easier to clean when it’s cooled.
You can brighten up the colors in your rugs and curtains with some salt and water. Dip a washcloth in a strong solution of salt water. Briskly rub your faded rugs and curtains down to renew them.
Get rid of rust with an all natural cleaner. Mix water, salt, and cream of tartar until you get a paste. Place this mixture over the rust and let dry before your brush off and buff with a soft, dry cloth.
You can make an all natural brass and copper cleaner with salt. Mix equal parts flour, vinegar, and salt into a paste. Rub it on your metal and let it sit for an hour. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.
Get rid of stubborn water rings with salt paste. Mix salt with vegetable oil to create a thin paste. Use this to buff out rings on wooden tables. Be sure to do a test on a hidden part of the table before you start on the tabletop.
Is poison ivy lurking in your yard? Get three pounds of salt and mix it with one gallon of soapy water. Pour in a spray bottle and spray the leaves and stems to kill the plant.
Wicker makes for some gorgeous furniture. But it can yellow over time. You can prevent this by gently scrubbing it every six to 12 months with a stiff brush dipped in salt water. Let it air dry afterward.
Fish tanks can get pretty gnarly if you don’t clean them often. Those built up mineral deposits can be hard to scrape off. Try using some non-iodized salt. Rub it into the glass with a sponge and rinse well with warm water.
Are you a candle lover that hates the drippy mess they make? You can prevent a waxy mess from tapered candles by soaking them in a strong salt solution for a few hours. Make sure you dry them off well.
You can make a DIY mouthwash with salt. It won’t be minty but it will naturally freshen your breath. Mix a teaspoon of salt with a teaspoon of baking soda and half a cup of water. Stir your mixture and gargle it.
Try salt for getting rid of dandruff. Sprinkle some on your head and massage it into your scalp for about five minutes. Rinse the salt out and shampoo your hair as you normally would.
Want your lips to look nice and smooth when you wear that new lipstick? Pour some salt onto a toothbrush. You can mix it with a little bit of petroleum jelly too. Brush your lips in a circular motion to remove the dead skin and smooth out your lips.
Flush our irritants and bacteria with a salt rinse. Pour some salt in a glass with water and gargle for 30 seconds. It will help to reduce swelling and loosen mucus.
Tea and coffee stains on mugs can be a real pain to get rid of. Pour some salt on a sponge and rub the stains in circular motions until they go away. You can add a teaspoon of white vinegar to your more stubborn stains.
Brooms can get pretty nasty. You should clean yours every once in a while by placing them in a bucket of hot salty water for 30 minutes. Let it dry and wipe it with a cloth to get rid of excess dirt.
Want your salad to stay fresh longer? Sprinkle a little salt on it. This will keep it from perishing before your guests arrive. It will help it last for 4 hours.
Does that fish you cooked or onions you peeled have your hands stinking? Remove the smell with salt. Wash your hands and rub your fingers with some salt and rinse.
Are weeds springing up through the cracks in your patio? Boil two cups of water with one cup of salt. Pour the solution over your weeds and pull them up an hour later.