30 amazing uses for salt that you never expected

You might not be using your salt to its full potential. Learn in what special ways salt could make your everyday life easier.

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Who knew such a powerful and versatile ingredient was hiding in our pantry. It was there all this time and yet we were not using it to its full potential. In turns out that salt can do a lot more than turning bland foods into tasty meals. Here are 30 ways in which this mineral can make your life easier on the regular.

30. Remove red wine stains

 

Some people might tell you to pour some white wine over red wine stains. It will dilute the color, but it’s not going to clean it. To get rid of the stain, wipe down the area with a sponge and cold water. Then, sprinkle some salt and wait around 10-15 minutes before vacuuming the area.

29. Help heal stings and bites

Covering a bee sting with salt should reduce the swelling and reduce the pain. FOr an insect bite, soak the area in saltwater before coating it in vegetable oil.

28. Keep your windows frost-free

Anyone who lives in a cold weather area knows that we use salt to melt the ice on the streets. So why not use the same trick to save yourself the difficult task of scraping your windshield. Wash your windows with a sponge that has been dipped in saltwater or fill a small cloth bag full of salt and wipe these over your wet windows to stop them from freezing over when it gets too cold.

27. Repel ants

Salt is an ant’s kryptonite. If you sprinkle some salt on the problematic areas in your home, they’ll do anything to avoid it! You can also use salt to prevent them from coming inside by sprinkling it along door frames.

26. Clean lipstick stains

Sometimes, even the dishwasher can’t get rid of tough lipstick stains. But don’t worry, the solution is extremely simple and cheap: just rub the edges of your glasses with salt before you put them in the dishwasher or hand wash them.

25. Speed up your cooking

Salt will not speed up the water boiling process, but it will make your food cook more quickly once you add it to the pot. Just add a pinch or two before heating the water.

24. Chill your drinks

Salt is the perfect unsuspected addition to your cooler. Chill bottles in no time. All you need to do is add some salt to a bucket full of water and some ice. Stir the drinks around and they turn icy cold in less than a minute.

23. Make your own dishwasher soap

Save money by skipping dishwasher soap and tablets at the supermarket and making your own with simple and cheap ingredients. Mix three or four drops of regular dish soap, a large spoonful of baking soda, and a sprinkling of salt and voilà!

22. Get rid of grease

We all hate trying to scrub off grease. So why not use a little help to make the task as easy as possible… Just sprinkle whatever greasy object you have at home with salt until it soaks up all the grease, then wash as usual.

21. Keep your sponges as new

Don’t throw away your sponge just yet just because it is looking a bit grubby. Instead, soak it overnight in saltwater to extend its life.

20. Clear out drains

Drains cleaners sold in-store can sometimes be very harsh and damaging to the pipes. Instead, make your own at home to deal with hair and grease clogging the drain. Just mix equal parts of white vinegar, baking soda, and salt and leave for about ten minutes before tipping some boiling water down.

19. Keep salad crisp

Nobody likes a soggy salad. Keep yours crisp by sprinkling some salt on top as soon as it’s prepared. After all, salt has been used to preserve food for years!

18. Test eggs for freshness

 

All you need to assess the freshness of your eggs is salt and water. Add two tablespoons of salt to a cup of water and then pop your egg in. The fresher the egg, the more it will sink right to the bottom.

17. Make perfect poached eggs

Making poached eggs can be tricky. The secret? Salt, of course. Sprinkle about half a teaspoon into the water just before you drop the eggs in there. It will help keep the whites together. SImple, but have to know it.

16. Stop your fruit from going brown

The contact with oxygen makes cut apples turn brown. However, you can prevent or rather delay this reaction with saltwater. Soak any cut fruit in a bowl of saltwater for a short period of time, to help them retain their color.

15. Clean your iron

Put salt over a newspaper on your ironing board, set your iron to high and run it over it to get rid of any material that could have melted and stuck to the plate.

14. Keep your towels looking new

Keep your towels brighter for longer by adding a cup of salt to the wash load first few times you wash them.

13. Get rid of slugs and snails

Slugs and snails feel the same way about salt as ants do. Actually, their relationship with salt is even worse as they will actually explode if they get on contact with it.

12. Salt out the weeds

Another way that salt can be useful in your garden is by getting rid of weeds. Forget about harsh pesticides, just pour salt over the undesired plants and wait for the rain.

11. Dandruff treatment

Pricey products aren’t the only answer to dandruff. Add some salt to your hair, then give it a really good massage into the scalp before washing it. This will help exfoliate and remove dead skin.

10. Keep your sneakers stink-free

Sneakers and canvas shoes when worn without socks, can get stinky. Get them smelling fresh again by leaving salt in them all through the night.

9. Keep your dairy fresh

This might sound weird, but a pinch of salt in milk or cream can help keep it fresher for longer. The quantity is so small that it will not affect the taste and it will help preserve your dairy products from getting moldy too quickly. Do the same with cheese by wrapping it in a napkin soaked in saltwater.

8. Clean up egg spills

Dropping an egg makes a mess. Save yourself the pain of trying to clean up the sticky, viscous disaster by covering it in salt. It will soak up all the moisture from the egg and make it hard.

7. Say goodbye to mildew

Use water, salt and vinegar to scrub any mold or mildew on your bathroom tiles or anywhere really.

6. Make your flowers last longer

A saline solution is the secret to longer-lasting fresh cut flowers. Add a little bit of salt into your vase and enjoy!

5. Deal with poison ivy

Applying salt to your poison ivy reaction will help with the swelling as well as the itch. Even better, mix water and salt and put in a spray bottle to cover the plant and get rid of it.

4. Fireplace extinguisher

Go to bed with peace of mind by pouring salt over your fire to extinguish it quicker. This will also ease the cleaning process.

3. Stop candles dripping

Some people love their candles dripping wax, but if you are not a fan of the look, saltwater is your answer. Soak the candlesticks in saturated saltwater for a few hours. Don’t forget to let your candles dry before you use them again.

2. Fresh breath

Out of mouthwash? Make your own at home. All you’ll need is a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda, mixed into half a cup of water.

1. Save bitter coffee

Save bitter coffee by adding a pinch of salt. And if the problem is your percolator, try cleaning it with saltwater.


Source: TeddyFeed