Reading Time: 15 minutes 25 Salt Hacks That Will Save Time and Money Around the House (With Video)
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You might think salt is just for sprinkling on your food, but this common kitchen item can do so much more! In fact, salt is a secret weapon for tackling all sorts of household tasks. It’s cheap, easy to find, and surprisingly effective at solving everyday problems.
In this article, we’ll show you 25 clever ways to use salt all around your house. You’ll learn how to clean, deodorize, and even fix things using nothing more than this simple ingredient.
These tips will save you money on expensive cleaning products and help you get things done faster and easier. Get ready to see salt in a whole new light!
We’ll go room by room, showing you how this humble seasoning can make your life easier in ways you never imagined.
We also included a video at the end of this article. Be sure to check it out.
Let’s start our salty adventure in the kitchen and work our way through the whole house!
Table of Contents
Say Goodbye to Smelly Drains
Is your kitchen sink starting to smell funky? Don’t worry, salt can help! Just pour a cup of salt down the drain, then follow it up with hot water. The salt works to break down any greasy buildup that’s causing the smell.
It also helps kill bacteria that might be lurking in your pipes. This easy trick will leave your sink smelling fresh and clean in no time. Try doing this once a month to keep bad odors at bay.
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Make Greasy Pans Sparkle
We’ve all faced the challenge of cleaning greasy pans after cooking. Instead of scrubbing until your arms hurt, try using salt! Sprinkle a generous amount of salt into the still-warm pan.
The salt acts like tiny scrubbers, helping to lift off stubborn grease and food bits. Use a sponge or cloth to gently rub the salt around the pan. You’ll be amazed at how easily the grime comes off. Rinse with hot water, and your pan will look good as new!
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Keep Fruit Fresh and Pretty
Have you ever sliced an apple for a snack, only to come back later and find it’s turned brown? Salt can help prevent this! After cutting your apples or pears, soak them in a bowl of cold, salted water for a few minutes.
The salt stops the fruit oxidizing, which is what causes that unappealing brown color. After soaking, just rinse the fruit and enjoy. Your sliced fruit will stay fresh-looking much longer, perfect for packing in lunches or serving at parties.
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Fresh-Smelling Cutting Boards
Wooden cutting boards are great, but they can hold onto strong food smells. Salt comes to the rescue again! After washing your cutting board, sprinkle it generously with salt. Use a damp cloth to rub the salt all over the surface.
The salt helps remove lingering odors and even acts as a natural disinfectant. Leave the salt on for a few minutes, then rinse it off. Your cutting board will smell fresh and be ready for its next use.
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Make Your Tiles Shine
Want to brighten up your bathroom tiles without harsh chemicals? Salt can help! Mix equal parts salt and warm water to make a paste. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub this mixture onto your tiles.
The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, removing soap scum and water stains. It can even help get rid of mildew. Rinse well with clean water, and your tiles will look sparkling clean. This method is safe for most types of tile and grout.
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DIY Body Scrub
You don’t need expensive products to get soft, smooth skin. Make your own body scrub using salt! Mix 1/2 cup of fine salt (sea salt or table salt work well) with 1/4 cup of olive oil or coconut oil. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice scent.
Use this mixture to gently scrub your skin in the shower. The salt exfoliates dead skin cells while the oil moisturizes. Rinse off, and your skin will feel incredibly soft and smooth.
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Crystal Clear Shower Doors
Soap scum and hard water stains can make glass shower doors look cloudy and dirty. Salt can help you get them crystal clear again! Mix equal parts salt and baking soda, then add a little water to make a paste. Use a damp sponge to scrub this mixture onto your shower doors.
The salt and baking soda work together to break down soap scum and mineral deposits. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then dry with a clean cloth. Your shower doors will be sparkling clean and streak-free.
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Freshen Up Your Mattress
Over time, mattresses can absorb sweat and odors. Salt can help freshen them up! Strip the sheets off your bed and sprinkle a thin layer of salt all over the mattress. Let it sit for at least an hour, longer if possible.
The salt will absorb moisture and odors. After the salt has done its job, vacuum it up thoroughly. Your mattress will smell fresher and feel cleaner. This is especially helpful during hot, humid weather.
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Bid Farewell to Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny pests that live in bedding and upholstery. They can trigger allergies in some people. Salt can help reduce these pesky critters! Sprinkle salt on your carpets, upholstered furniture, and even your mattress.
Let it sit for a few hours or overnight if possible. The salt helps dehydrate and kill dust mites. Vacuum everything thoroughly afterwards. Repeat this process every few weeks to keep dust mites under control.
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No More Sweat Stains
Yellow sweat stains on pillowcases and sheets are unsightly and hard to remove. Salt can make this job easier! Dissolve 1/4 cup of salt in a quart of hot water. Soak the stained areas in this saltwater solution for about an hour before washing.
The salt helps break down the proteins in sweat that cause those stubborn stains. After soaking, wash the items as usual. You’ll find those yellow stains come out much more easily.
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Carpet Stain Remover
Spills on carpets can be a nightmare, but salt can come to your rescue! As soon as a spill happens, blot up as much liquid as you can with a clean cloth. Then, cover the stain generously with salt.
The salt will start absorbing the remaining liquid and lifting the stain out of the carpet fibers. Let it sit for several minutes, then vacuum it up. For tougher stains, you might need to repeat the process.
This works especially well for red wine and other colorful liquids.
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Polish Silver and Metal Decor
Is your silverware or metal decor looking dull? Salt can bring back its shine! Make a paste mixing salt with a bit of white vinegar or lemon juice. Use a soft cloth to rub this paste gently on your tarnished items.
The salt acts as a mild abrasive while the acid in the vinegar or lemon juice helps dissolve tarnish. After polishing, rinse the items with warm water and dry them thoroughly.
Your metal pieces will look bright and shiny again, without the need for harsh chemical polishes.
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Refresh Artificial Flowers
Fake flowers can add a nice touch to your decor, but they tend to collect dust over time. Here’s a neat trick to clean them using salt! Put your artificial flowers in a paper bag with about 1/4 cup of salt. Close the bag and shake it gently for a minute or two.
The salt will act like tiny scrubbers, knocking off dust and dirt. Take the flowers out and give them a light brush to remove any remaining salt. Your artificial flowers will look fresh and vibrant again, ready to brighten up your room.
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Whiter Whites
Want to keep your white clothes looking bright without using bleach? Try adding salt to your laundry! Pour 1/2 cup of salt into the wash cycle along with your regular detergent.
The salt boosts the cleaning power of the detergent, helping to remove dirt and stains more effectively. It also helps prevent color bleeding, keeping your whites white.
This natural method is gentler on fabrics than harsh bleaches and works wonders on dingy-looking whites.
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Mildew Stain Buster
Mildew stains on clothes can be tough to remove, but salt comes to the rescue again! Make a paste using equal parts salt and lemon juice. Apply this directly to the mildew stains and gently rub it in. Let it sit in the sun for a couple of hours if possible.
The salt and lemon juice work together to break down the mildew, while sunlight helps bleach the stain naturally. After treatment, wash the item as usual. Those pesky mildew marks should disappear, leaving your clothes fresh and clean.
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Drip-Free Candles
Tired of candle wax dripping all over your nice tablecloths? Here’s a cool salt trick to prevent that! Soak new candles in a strong salt solution (1 cup salt per 2 cups of water) for a few hours, then let them dry completely before using.
The salt changes the composition of the wax slightly, making it burn more slowly and evenly. This results in less dripping and longer-lasting candles. Your dinner parties will look elegant with drip-free candles lighting up the table.
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Clean Computer Screens
Computer screens collect dust and fingerprints, making them hard to read. Salt can help you clean them safely! Mix a small pinch of salt with a cup of warm water. Dip a soft, lint-free cloth into this solution and wring it out until it’s just slightly damp.
Gently wipe your computer screen with this cloth. The tiny salt particles act as mild abrasives, helping to remove smudges without scratching. Finish by wiping with a dry part of the cloth.
Your screen will be crystal clear, making work much easier on your eyes.
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Refresh Leather Furniture
Is your leather office chair looking a bit worn? Salt can help spruce it up! Mix equal parts salt and lemon juice to form a paste. Use a soft cloth to gently rub this mixture onto any stains or dull areas of the leather. The salt gently exfoliates while the lemon juice helps clean and brighten.
After rubbing, wipe off the paste with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Your leather furniture will look refreshed and feel softer. Remember to test this on a small, hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t affect the leather’s color.
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Natural Weed Killer
Looking for a way to kill weeds without harsh chemicals? Salt can do the job! Sprinkle salt directly on weeds growing in cracks in your driveway or between patio stones. The salt dehydrates the weeds, killing them off at the roots.
Be careful not to get salt on plants you want to keep, as it will kill those too. This method works best for areas where you don’t want anything to grow, like walkways or driveways.
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Keep Ants at Bay
Ants in your house or garden can be a real nuisance. Salt can help keep them away! Sprinkle a line of salt along window sills, doorways, and any cracks where ants might enter your home. You can also create a salt barrier around plants in your garden that ants like to climb.
The ants don’t like to cross the salt line, so it acts as a natural deterrent. This safe, non-toxic method can help control ant problems without putting your family or pets at risk.
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Whiten Teeth Naturally
Want a brighter smile without expensive treatments? Salt can help! Mix equal parts salt and baking soda to make a natural toothpaste. Wet your toothbrush, dip it in the mixture, and brush gently for about two minutes. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, helping to remove surface stains on your teeth.
The baking soda helps neutralize acids that can discolor teeth. Use this method once or twice a week for best results. Remember, it’s always a good idea to check with your dentist before trying new dental care routines.
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Revive Stale Coffee
Love your morning coffee but hate when the grounds go stale? Salt can save the day! Add a pinch of salt to your coffee grounds before brewing. This works especially well with older coffee that’s lost some of its flavor.
The salt helps cut down on the bitterness that develops in stale coffee, bringing out more of the natural flavors. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the salt in your cup. Just a small pinch can make a big difference in improving the taste of your morning brew.
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Keep Flowers Fresh Longer
Want to enjoy your beautiful bouquet for a few extra days? Salt can help extend the life of your cut flowers! When you put flowers in a vase, add a pinch of salt to the water along with the flower food packet.
The salt helps the flowers absorb water more easily and prevents the growth of bacteria that can shorten the life of your blooms. Change the water every couple of days, adding a fresh pinch of salt each time.
Your flowers will stay fresh and vibrant longer, letting you enjoy their beauty for an extended period.
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Eliminate Odors from Shoes
Stinky shoes can make your whole closet smell bad. Salt can help freshen them up! Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt inside each shoe at the end of the day. The salt will absorb moisture and help neutralize odors overnight. In the morning, simply shake out the salt before wearing your shoes.
For extra-smelly shoes, you can leave the salt in for a day or two. This simple trick keeps your shoes (and your closet) smelling fresh without harsh chemicals or expensive deodorizers.
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Melt Ice on Driveways and Walkways
Winter ice can make walkways dangerous. Salt comes to the rescue again! Sprinkle salt on icy patches on your driveway, sidewalks, or steps. The salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt even when temperatures are below freezing. This makes walking and driving much safer during icy weather.
For best results, spread the salt before ice forms or right after clearing snow. Remember to use salt sparingly, as it can damage plants and concrete over time. Sand or kitty litter can be mixed with salt to provide extra traction while using less salt.
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Shake Things Up with Salt!
Who knew that little shaker on your table could do so much? These 25 salt solutions show how this kitchen staple can replace many expensive cleaning products and solve common household problems.
🙋♀️We also created this video about Salt Solutions That Will Help You Save Time and Money Around the House👈
Next time you face a tricky cleaning job or a stubborn stain, remember your new secret weapon. Salt is cheap, safe, and surprisingly effective. It’s a natural way to keep your home clean and fresh without harsh chemicals.
Remember, when life gives you lemons, reach for the salt too, you might just create the perfect cleaning solution!
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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.