Versatile Salt: 10 Household Uses

If you think table salt can only be used to season your food, think again; salt is actually an incredibly versatile material to keep around your home for everything from cleaning to home repair. Since it’s also quite natural and inexpensive, learning how to utilize salt in a variety of ways can be great for both convenience and saving money.

Photo: Karyn Christner

Here are some suggestions for utilizing salt around your house:

1. Pesticide spray. If you have kids in the house and want to avoid spraying harmful chemicals to prevent bugs, try this natural pesticide. Mix 2 tablespoons of salt with 1 ½ gallons of warm water and allow the solution to cool to room temperature. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and squirt around potential problem areas.

2. Fire extinguisher. If you have a grease fire in your kitchen, try throwing a bit of salt onto the blaze. While it’s not a replacement for a working fire extinguisher, it will keep the fire under control until you can attack it more aggressively.

3. Clean oil and raw eggs. If you spill oil, grease, or raw eggs around your kitchen, it can be a bear to clean up with just water and paper towels. As an alternative, sprinkle salt generously over the spill, wait for it to dry, and then sweep it up easily. While it’s not good to let the salt set for too long, a few minutes worth of soaking will do wonders for the spill.

4. Weed killer. In a spray bottle, combine 1 part salt with 2 parts water and spray directly on weeds. Since salt can also damage healthy soil or surrounding plants, use this mixture only in areas where you are trying to prevent all plant growth (driveway cracks, patios, etc.).

5. Remove bloodstains. If a garment gets a bloodstain, mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 2 ½ cups of water and soak the piece of clothing overnight. When you wash it as usual, the bloodstain will come out substantially better.

6. Sore throats. If you or your children are coming down with a sore throat, mix a cup of warm salt water and gargle with it. The salt water will help reduce the inflammation and cleanse the infected areas.

7. Test for rotten eggs. Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with 1 cup of water and place an egg in the solution. A fresh egg will sink, and a bad egg will float.

8. Remove tea and coffee stains. If you have stubborn coffee or tea stains on cups, clothing, or countertops, simple sprinkle salt on a sponge and rub the area firmly.

9. Extend cheese life. Finding moldy, hardened cheese in your refrigerator can be frustrating, so if you’ve already opened a package, wrap it in a towel moistened with salt water. The cheese will stay fresher for longer.

10. Repair walls. To fill up nail holes, create the following homemade mixture:

• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 5 teaspoons water

Mix the above ingredients together to form a thick paste and fill holes in wall.

Amazingly, this list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to utilizing salt around your home. It truly is one of the most versatile materials to keep around, and with a little research you’ll realize that its uses are almost endless.

Did you try any of the ideas above? Share your feedback here or give tips for how you use salt around your house!

Category: Frugal Living