We all use salt in our food. These little white grains enhance the taste of our dishes. However, salt is not limited to just cooking. It can be used outside the kitchen as well, whether it be in the bathroom, in the garden, or even in your cosmetics. It is truly a miraculous ingredient and we cannot live without it. Here are some of the ways that you can use kitchen salt that will change your life.
Deodorize the refrigerator
With a mixture of salt and sparkling water, you can clean and deodorize the inside of your refrigerator. Go for this natural trick to prevent your food from getting infected with chemicals. Even if you take care, all food eventually goes off. In fact, as you store your food in the refrigerator over several months, even if it isn’t off, mold, fungus or bacteria can develop inside the fridge.
However, gone-off food is not the only thing responsible for bad odors generated by the refrigerator: when the temperature is badly regulated, when the ventilation works badly, or when the refrigerator is badly maintained, bad odors can easily set in. Until you sort out your fridge worries, this salt tip can help you get rid of bad smells.
Clean brass or copper
Prepare equal parts salt, flour, and vinegar. Mix them to obtain a paste with which you will rub the metal. After letting it sit for an hour, clean it with a soft cloth or brush and finish with a dry cloth. This trick is effective for kitchen utensils, decorative objects, and brass or copper jewelry.
Brass and copper have a reputation for killing bacteria and it is for this reason, among others, that they are found a lot in the kitchen these days. Now you won’t need to buy specific cleaning and maintenance products for your brass and copper items.
Extend the life of your brushes
Have you just bought a new broom? If you want it to last longer, soak its hair in a bucket of hot, salted water. After about 20 minutes, remove the mop and let it dry. Really easy! With this method, you will be able to keep your broom over time and you will save money. However, you will still need to apply the trick once a week to achieve lasting results.
According to some specialists, the same results are obtained using a solution of soapy water and ammonia, but ammonia is a dangerous product. Also, whether you have children or not, go for the maintenance trick of the salt broom. To disinfect the broom, you can even rinse it with vinegar water before allowing it to air dry.
Hold artificial flowers in place
Salt is a great way to keep artificial flowers looking lively. Fill a vase or other container with salt, add a little cold water and organize your artificial flowers. The salt will solidify and the flowers will hold up! This little trick works with all artificial flowers. However, in order for your fabric artificial flowers to last over time, you will need to use a blow dryer to get rid of various dust and dirt before spraying saltwater on them.
As for artificial plastic flowers that last over time, you can apply the same maintenance tips. In any case, avoid vigorously rubbing the artificial flowers so as not to damage them. In addition, for your own good, prioritize lukewarm saltwater for cleaning artificial flowers, other products can seriously harm your health!
For brand new wicker furniture
Wicker furniture can turn yellow with age and exposure to the sun. To keep your wicker natural, just scrub it with a stiff brush submerged in hot saltwater. Let the furniture dry in the sun and repeat this process annually or every two years. Some people add a little vinegar to the saline solution, but if the smell bothers you, you can do without the vinegar. Also, if you want to add a bit of shine to your wicker furniture, prepare half a glass of bleach and a quart of cold water and mix in a sprayer.
Spray the solution all over the wicker furniture, let the solution sit for 2 hours, then rinse the wicker furniture with plenty of water and cold water. In order to avoid squeaking of wicker furniture, induce the joints with paraffin oil. Finally, if your wicker furniture has blackened over time, mix 1/2 liter of cold water, the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of baking soda in a bucket. and apply the solution to all of the furniture with a sponge. You will see, that your wicker furniture will regain its shine after rinsing.
Remove a red wine stain
There is nothing worse than red wine spilled on a white carpet! While the red wine is still wet, pour in white wine to dilute the color. Then clean the area with a sponge and cold water. Sprinkle the area with salt and wait about 10 minutes before vacuuming. If you don’t have white wine, simply cover the fresh stain with a generous coating of kitchen salt.
Leave the salt on for 2 hours before gently removing it with a soft bristle brush or vacuum. Also, if you have no salt, but a soft drink without coloring, pour a glass of soft drink over and around the red wine stain and then sprinkle the entire liquid part with a generous amount of salt. It is essential that everything you see is spread salt; wait 1 hour and remove the salt, the stain should disappear.
Remove watermarks from your wooden furniture
Watermarks left by glasses or bottles on a wooden table are difficult to remove. The good news is that salt can help you get rid of those watermarks quickly and effectively. All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste over the watermark until it comes off. Restore your furniture with a little varnish!
Besides salt, you can also use bleach to treat wood that contains salt stains. To do this, you will need a used toothbrush that you soak in bleach before scrubbing the problematic surface with the toothbrush. You will then have to sponge the bleach with a sponge and cover the stain with a little varnish so that the wood regains its shine.
Bring your sponge back to life
Sponges usually become depleted after they have been used for a long time. To restore sponges, soak them overnight in about 1/4 cup saline solution per 1/4 liter of water. Although this trick with salt is really effective, to revive a used sponge, you can also use lemon juice. To do this, soak the sponge in lemon juice before putting it in the microwave for 40 seconds.
Let the sponge cool and rinse it, you will have an almost new sponge afterward. You can also use 250 ml of hot water to which you will add a tablespoon of baking soda. Prepare the solution then immerse the sponge in it for 2 hours and finish by rinsing the sponge. Of all these tips, it is the one involving salt that remains the simplest.
Prevent fruits and vegetables from turning brown
In a bowl filled with salted water, dip your slices of fresh fruit and vegetables to prevent their color from turning brown. An ideal tip if you want to put off your preparation for later. Also, it is good for you to know that while peeled fruits and vegetables often turn black, it is for the simple reason that some of them contain an enzyme that turns black when in contact with oxygen.
Although the darkening of these foods does not affect their taste in any way, it is still a rather annoying phenomenon. It is also possible to spray the peeled fruits and vegetables with lemon juice to prevent them from turning black, but the solution involving salt is the simplest and it is just as effective. In any case, don’t forget to rinse these foods before eating or cooking them.
Make children’s paint
With a few simple ingredients, prepare an inexpensive homemade paint for your children. In a bowl, mix a cup of flour with a cup of salt. Then add a cup of water and a few drops of food coloring. This will give you healthy paint for your children! To have paint in a simple and inexpensive way, you can also use a tablespoon of powdered juice without sugar and a tablespoon of lukewarm water.
The color obtained will depend on the color of the instant juice used. In order to obtain healthy paint for children, jell-O can also be used. You just need to mix water and jell-O until you get the texture you want for kid’s paint. These paints are also easier to clean. Even if the child consumes it, his health will not be in danger!
Get rid of ants
To get rid of ants, mix salt and water in a bottle. Spray this solution in the various places where ants congregate, or simply sprinkle these areas with salt. If you are looking for other natural methods to effectively get rid of ants, note that you can also use chalk. The trick is simple: draw a thick line with chalk on the edges of windows and doors or mark out the space that you want to keep ants out.
You can also use lavender – quite simply by placing lavender branches in places frequented by ants; the essential oil works just as well. Finally, if you have animals in your home, use cornmeal to get rid of the ants. You just have to sprinkle this flour on the places where the ants pass and voila!
Get rid of bad smell from shoes
Salt can help remove bad odors from those smelly shoes. By putting cloth bags filled with salt in your shoes, you will find that they will smell better after a few hours. Besides, you can also sprinkle salt in your shoes and shake them afterward, this trick works just as well. While salt works particularly well on bad shoe odors, you can also use baking soda to neutralize them.
All you need to do is sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda on the soles of the shoes and leave the product to act overnight. Not only does baking soda absorb moisture and neutralize fungus, it also effectively eliminates bad odors. If you don’t have the salt or baking soda, try baby powder.
For sparkling windows and mirrors
In a bucket containing a liter of lukewarm water, add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a large handful of coarse salt. With this mixture, gently rub your windows then leave to act for 30 minutes. Finally, rinse them with clean water. To properly clean your mirrors, you can also use lemon. You will only have to extract the juice of a lemon before dampening a dry cloth with it and cleaning your mirror afterward. You will need to finish cleaning with a dry cloth so as not to leave any traces.
As for the windows, to clean them, in addition to the solution with salt, you can also use a solution composed of 2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar. Finally, to prevent the appearance of fog on windows and mirrors, spray WD-40 on these surfaces when they are well cleaned. With these tips, your windows and mirrors will be impeccable!
For candles that do not flow
To prolong the life of your candles and prevent them from leaking, it is enough to soak them for a few hours in saline solution. Dry them well before using them, then they won’t drip as much when you light them. Also, if you want your candles to last a long time and not to sink when lit, all you have to do is have grains of coarse salt around the lit wick.
With this trick, your candle will not sink on the surface you place it on, and then it will burn longer. If you don’t have time to immerse your candles in salted water, place them for 2 hours in the refrigerator before using them. The fridge trick doesn’t work as well as the saltwater trick, but it does keep the candles from leaking and burning too quickly.
Relieve mosquito bites
To relieve itching from mosquito bites, simply moisten the tip of your finger with water, soak in salt, and then rub the mixture on the affected area. In case you’re particularly susceptible to mosquito bites and the first tip doesn’t work, there is another one that might work for you. In a glass, place 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 4 tablespoons of water, mix well and make a compress.
Apply the compress to the bite and if possible, isolate the bite well. It is good that you note that the salt helps to disinfect the small wound, but also soothes the itching. Note that this trick may work on the bites of other insects. However, consider ridding your home of these insects for your health.
Clean the aquarium
To remove mineral deposits from your aquarium, scrub the inside of the tank with salt, then rinse the tank well before putting your fish back in. Use only regular salt. In addition, to clean the tank of the aquarium, you will need to be careful since it is important that you leave a third of what it contains.
Indeed, it is important that you preserve the ecosystem of your fish and therefore, quite simply empty a third of the tank and then use a clean cloth or sponge to clean the walls of the tank. Use only the trick with the salt for periodic deep cleaning. To clean the filter, you will also have to be very careful not to endanger the bacteria that are useful to your fish. Use lukewarm water to clean the filter.
For a toothbrush that lasts
Would you like to improve the life of your toothbrush? Here’s the trick: Soak your toothbrushes in salt water before using them for the first time. They will last longer! You already know the trick to making your toothbrush last, but it also helps if you learn how to disinfect this tool. You can use your mouthwash or baking soda for this.
For the first tip, place your toothbrush in a glass and then cover the head of the tool with mouthwash; let it sit for 30 minutes then rinse your toothbrush. For the second trick, you will need to dilute a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of lukewarm water and then leave your toothbrush there overnight. Obviously, you will need to rinse your toothbrush well before using it.
Brush your teeth
Combine fine salt with baking soda. Then dip your toothbrush in the mixture and brush your teeth as usual. You can also use the same mixture dissolved in water to clean your orthodontic appliances. It’s true that brushing your teeth with salt and baking soda is quite unusual, but it’s an eco-friendly, natural solution that works.
Also, if you want to whiten your teeth in a natural way, you can also use coconut oil and salt. You will only have to make a paste with coconut oil and salt before you rub your teeth with the paste. Then rinse your mouth with warm water. Finally, to cleanse your throat, you can also gargle with hot salt water for 30 seconds. Note that according to researchers, salt can protect teeth from plaque!
Avoid splashing oil
Before adding meat or fish to your pan, sprinkle a little salt on it to prevent the hot oil from splashing and burning you. A tip for all cooking enthusiasts. While salt works well in preventing oil splash, some people claim that flour works just as well. The steps to follow remain the same: heat the oil, and add a little flour to it before frying your food.
Salt and flour have a reputation for retaining fat in the pan, which is why this trick is particularly effective. In addition, to protect your walls, you can also acquire a splash guard in addition to the trick involving salt or flour. In any case, with these tips, you can regain a taste for cooking.
Testing the freshness of an egg
Do you have any doubts about the freshness of your eggs? Take a test: add two teaspoons of salt to a cup of water and gently place the egg in the cup. If the egg sinks, it is very fresh! To find out if your eggs are still good, you can also refer to their expiry date. Also, if you shake your egg and you don’t hear any sloshing noise inside, then the egg is still good; otherwise, throw it away immediately.
Either way, it is good that you know that an egg can be stored between 8 °C to 18 °C and if you leave your eggs in a cool place you will be able to keep them for 1 month. Also, as long as your eggs do not float when you test with the water, you will be able to use them but it is essential that they are well cooked.
Speed up cooking time
You’re in a rush? Add a pinch or two of salt to the water in which you are boiling food. Salt does not boil water faster, it only increases the temperature, so cooking takes less time. Also, to save more time when cooking pulses, you can use baking soda at the rate of one teaspoon of baking soda per liter of the cooking water.
Not only will this save you time, but in addition, this product will give more flavor to your pulses. On the other hand, people with cardiovascular health concerns should avoid over-salting their food. On the other hand, if no one has health problems at home, you can safely adopt these tips to speed up the cooking of food.
Clean the cutting board
After washing your cutting board with soap and water, scrub it with a damp cloth dipped in salt. An easy trick to eliminate all the bacteria that has accumulated since for a cutting board like new! Also, if your cutting board has stains, whether it’s plastic or wood, you’ll need to use baking soda to clean it.
To do this, make a paste with 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid then rub the stains with the paste made. You will need to leave the paste on the problem areas for an hour or overnight, depending on the tenacity of the stains. Rinse the board with plenty of water and then disinfect it using the initial trick. Clean your cutting board once a week.
Wash spinach more easily
Do you often find it difficult to remove the dirt that collects from the spinach leaves? Try this trick: wash the spinach leaves in salted water. Then rinse with clear water, and you will get beautiful fresh leaves! It is important to consume spinach regularly since it is rich in iron, vitamins, and especially fiber. In general, the leaves are eaten and preferably, when they are still young, very green and tender.
In order to keep the spinach, wash it with the trick indicated and then put it in the fridge vegetable drawer. Be careful, spinach leaves can only be stored for two days. In addition, to preserve it for the long term, it is best to blanch it in boiling salted water. You can then cook the spinach as you see fit!
Collect spilled eggs
If you’ve ever dropped a raw egg, you know what a mess it is to clean up. By covering it with salt, you can easily wipe it off with a sponge or paper towel. Clever, right? This tip is especially useful on smooth floors. On the other hand, if you drop an egg on the carpet, you will need to act right away by scooping up what you can with the abrasive side of a sponge.
Next, dip a dry cloth in white vinegar and then rub the stained area. Finish cleaning with clean water before drying with a hairdryer. Also, if the egg fell on a wooden surface, after extracting it, you will need to clean the stain with a paste made with dish soap and salt. It is necessary that you act quickly so as not to let the egg stain do more damage.
Clean the soleplate of your iron
No matter how careful you are when ironing, there is always that rough surface that creates itself on the sole of the metal. To overcome it, sprinkle salt on a newspaper. By ironing the newspaper, the sole will become as smooth as before! If the salt does not work, although it is rare, you can also use Marseille soap. You will need to apply soapy water with a soft sponge and then rub the surface of the sole with a soft, damp cloth.
If the sole of your iron has turned yellow, cut a lemon in half and then rub half of the fruit on the problematic sole; remember to dry with a soft, dry cloth afterward. For a sticky iron sole, there’s nothing like nail polish remover to get rid of it. Be careful, however, it will apply the solvent without acetone on a cold sole then it will be necessary to clean with a damp cloth afterward.
Keep the color of the new towels
The first two or three times you wash new colored towels, add a cup of salt to the wash. The salt will retain the colors so your towels will stay new for longer. Salt has been recognized for centuries as a very effective color fixative. Salt not only helps fix napkin colors, it can also brighten them up. So, if you find that your towels are losing their color, do not hesitate to immerse them in a saline solution to bring them back to their beautiful colors.
The advantage of salt is that there are no bad odors to deal with after applying the trick. On the other hand, white vinegar can also do the trick, but you will need to deal with the smell afterward and it could take your time and energy.
Remove sweat stains
To get rid of those yellowish tints of sweat on shirts, you need to dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt in 1 liter of hot water. Then just blot the garment with the solution until the stain disappears. You can also use baking soda to remove this kind of stain. You just need to fill a bucket halfway and add two tablespoons of baking soda to the water before dipping the stained garment in.
Let the garment sit in the solution for at least 2 hours before rinsing it. It is also possible to use white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon to get rid of sweat stains. In addition, to avoid this kind of problem, do not hesitate to change your deodorant or adopt a practical trick to fight against perspiration.
For an exfoliating massage
It’s an understatement to say, these salt crystals work miracles! Have you just had a swim and your body is still wet? Treat yourself to a dry salt massage. It refreshes the skin and increases circulation. From time to time, it is important to exfoliate your skin. Not only does the scrub rid your body of dead cells, but it also smoothes and softens the skin as well as activates blood circulation.
Also, if your body is not wet, it is okay if you want to do a body scrub. You just need to mix 3 tablespoons of coarse salt with two tablespoons of sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. Then exfoliate your skin with this mixture using circular motions. If the amount you prepare is not enough, you can always do more so that your whole body benefits from this scrub.
A natural weedkiller
If weeds are growing between bricks or pavers on your patio, sidewalk, or driveway, distribute the salt carefully between the cracks, then add water or wait for the rain to fall. You will easily get rid of these wild herbs. For a fairly large garden, use 100 g of salt, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 3 liters of white vinegar. Place everything in a sprayer, mix well and spray the solution on the parts that contain weeds.
You can also mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1/2 liter of white vinegar in a sprayer then, spray the solution on unwanted plants. Moreover, if you want to use these natural weedkillers, and prefer sunny days, the products will be more effective in this way!
Remove the smell of onion or garlic on the hands
Often, we have a hard time removing the stubborn smell of garlic and onion on our hands after peeling them. However, the solution is quite simple: wet your hands, rub them with salt, then rinse. Nothing easier! Of course, if you have the time, patience, and energy, you can use soap to remove the onion and garlic odor. In addition, you can also rub your hands with a stainless steel cover since the stainless steel neutralizes bad odors.
If you drink coffee, collect the coffee grounds then rub your hands with them before washing them with warm water and soap. These tips are also effective on cigarette smells and other stubborn food odors.
A natural deodorant
For this tip, you will need a cup of salt and 20-30 drops of essential oil or rose petals. Just mix all your ingredients in a bowl or pot and enjoy the freshness of your home. You can also use the peel of half an orange as a natural bowl. For a good smell to diffuse in your home, heat woody spices in your kitchen if you have time. You can also cook lemon in water to which you have added a few drops of vanilla essence.
Don’t forget that potpourris are mainly used to perfume the interior of the house, so don’t hesitate to make some! Of course, you can also acquire scented candles and an essential oil burner if you want the interior of your home to smell good.
Clean the sink
A paste made from lemon juice and salt can be used to clean stainless steel sinks and accessories. This natural blend works even better than these popular chemicals. To restore your sink to its former glory, you can also use baking soda. You will simply need to wet the surface of the sink and then sprinkle it with baking soda.
Leave the product to act for a few hours then scrub the sink with a sponge before rinsing with plenty of water. Instead of using baking soda, you can use baking powder or Meudon white, the result will be the same. These tips work really well on stainless steel sinks, but if your sink is made of other material, simply let the product sit for 1 hour for a spotless sink.
For impeccable tile joints
Thanks to the virtues of salt, you can easily clean your tiles that have accumulated grime in the joints over time. Sprinkle all your tiles with coarse salt, then using a brush and a little vinegar water, rub vigorously. Both on the wall and on the floor, the tile joints are exposed to dirt and the risk of impact; not to mention the mold that can develop there due to residual moisture.
To clean them, there are natural solutions just as effective as most “classic” household products. Like baking soda for example: economical and ecological, it is known for its whitening, disinfecting, and cleaning properties. To get rid of unsightly joints, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of water, pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray it on the dirty joints. Leave on for 24 hours then rub and finally rinse with clear water.
Anti-dandruff treatment
Did you know that table salt works great for removing dandruff? Sprinkle salt on your dry scalp then massage thoroughly. Let sit for a few minutes before using your shampoo. Besides this salt tip, you can also massage honey!
For this, take a cup of hot water and simply dilute a teaspoon of honey then massage your scalp before applying your shampoo. You can also adopt lemon essential oil and for that, add 7 drops of lemon essential oil to natural yogurt. Apply this natural treatment before your shampoo, and massage for ten minutes. Rinse well, taking care not to get in your eyes, and finish with your classic shampoo.
For fresh breath
Mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of water. Rinse and gargle, you will be surprised at the results you will get with this tip. Mouthwash may contain food coloring, alcohol, and sweeteners. Not to mention the cost! Use this grandma’s recipe and your breath will be just as fresh. In addition, to stop bad breath, you can also drink lemon juice once a day or chew parsley after a meal.
However, to always have good breath, pay attention to your diet and eat green vegetables and crunchy fruits. Do not neglect your hydration either and if possible reduce your coffee consumption. Of course, you will also need to clean your tongue and not just your teeth!
Remove stains from the enamel of the tub
Yellow stains on your tub can be reduced by mixing a 50/50 solution of salt and turpentine. Using rubber gloves, rub off the discoloration and rinse thoroughly. Remember to ventilate the bathroom when performing this task. Instead of using salt, you can also use white vinegar since it is able to get rid of lime and is a good disinfectant.
Pour white vinegar into a sprayer then spray its contents over the entire surface of the tub. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and then scrub the entire tub with a sponge. Then rinse the tub with hot water and repeat this operation once a month. You can reproduce the same trick, but replace the white vinegar with 1/2 liter of water and the juice of a lemon. For cleaning joints, it is the most effective baking soda.
Clean your flower pots
Need to clean a flowerpot to be able to reuse it? Instead of washing it with water, sprinkle it with a little salt and brush off the residue on the bottom. An interesting method for those who are disgusted by mud. In addition, you can also use white vinegar to clean your flower stands and for that, you just need to soak the pot in water containing a generous amount of vinegar.
Of course, classic bleach can also be used for this purpose, but you must mix the product with water and wear gloves. If you don’t like handling bleach, use hot water and dish soap to thoroughly clean your flower pots. Also, don’t forget to spray WD-40 on your flowerpots to make them waterproof and to protect them from various dirt.
Eliminate snails and slugs
These little creatures are not good for your plants. But there is a simple solution. Take a container, fill it with salt and place it in the garden. These little invaders won’t want to come back. If because of these little mollusks you are afraid for your plants, you can also install a bead of crushed eggshells around your plants. It is also said that a rhubarb leaf maceration spray is effective against them.
To take your slug and snail fight a step further, you can purchase slug traps so that your plants can breathe. However that may be, it is the salt that remains the most effective and the most radical against slugs and snails; why deprive yourself of it?
Refresh the waste disposal system
Is there an unpleasant odor coming from your grinder? Refresh it with salt. Just pour in 1/2 cup of salt, run cold water over it and start removing it. The salt dislodges blocked waste and neutralizes odors. It is true that salt is really effective in getting rid of bad odors. However, you can also try baking soda to get rid of bad odors and disinfect the entire system that makes up your household garbage disposal.
To do this, pour a cup of baking soda into the grinder and let the product act for 30 minutes before running hot water. For best results, you can even mix baking soda and salt in equal parts!
Prevent mold on cheese
Since cheese is expensive, it would be sad to throw it away because it has become moldy. To remedy this, wrap the cheese in a towel soaked in salted water before putting it in the refrigerator. If the idea of placing a towel in the refrigerator bothers you, you can also place your cheese in an airtight box in which you will place a single piece of sugar.
When it comes to mold on cheese, it all depends on the nature of the cheese! In fact, soft cheeses are no longer suitable for consumption when they harden and turn yellow. In addition, if you notice mold on your firm cheeses, remove the moldy part and if the inside is intact, you can continue to consume the cheese in question. In addition, if you have any doubts about mold on your cheeses, do not eat them at all.
