60 clever uses for salt, without cooking (2023)

From soothing breakouts to removing stains and restoring household items to their original shine, salt can flavor more than just food.

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Solutions worth your money

From organic household cleaners and stain removal hacks to beauty scrubs and throat gargles, there are many practical uses for salt. Salt also makes food very tasty. Because of this, salt was once so valuable that, according to them, it was used as currency.Amazing facts about salt. Read on for some of the best home uses for salt that you've probably never heard of.

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Remove wine stains from carpet

When it comes to red wine stains, it pays to act quickly. First, while the stain is still wet, pour some white wine over it to dilute the color of the stain. Then dry the area with a sponge and cold water. Then sprinkle salt on the spot, wait about 10 minutes and absorb all the dirt. here are morehomemade carpet cleaners you already have at home.

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Makes the coffee taste less bitter

Stir it up with sweet lattes. If you drink your coffee without sugar, but prefer a less bitter drink, try adding a pinch of salt to your cup. The spice contains sodium ions that neutralize or eliminate the bitter taste of coffee,searchit found.kitchen light recommendsAdd about 1/8 teaspoon of salt to the ground coffee beans before turning on the coffee maker. Salt is just one of them.10 surprising things to add to your coffee.

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clean your fridge

You should clean your fridge every three to six months to keep it looking (and smelling) good, but elbow grease alone isn't always enough. To remove stubborn food stains and odors, scrub shelves with 1/2 cup of salt mixed with 2 gallons of warm water.

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Disinfect chopping boards

countlessstudiesfound that plastic and wood cutting boards harbor germs deep in the grooves of your knife. Fortunately, you can keep bacteria at bay by adding a simple salt scrub step to your washing routine. For plastic cutting boards that you use to handle meat, sprinkle bleach and salt on the cutting board, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse with hot water. Wooden boards can be disinfected with salt, rubbed with a slice of lemon and then rinsed. LearnWhich is better, plastic or wood??

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Remove watermark from wood

Jars or bottles can leave water stains on the wood that really stand out. Make them disappear by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste into the ring with a soft cloth or sponge and work over the area until it disappears. Then, restore your wood's shine with furniture polish.

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restore a sponge

Hand sponges and scouring pads often get dirty long before they actually wear out. To restore your sponges to their original condition, soak them in a solution of about 1/4 cup of salt per gallon of water overnight. try this one95 Home Uses for Vinegar You Never Knew About, for.

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relieve bee stings

If you are stung by a bee, salt is a natural ointment. Immediately wet the bite and cover with salt to relieve pain and reduce swelling.Most insect bites and stings can be treated at home.but here is whenIts sting requires immediate medical attention..

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Deodorize your sneakers

Sneakers and other canvas shoes can smell, especially if you wear them barefoot in the summer. Eliminate the smell and remove moisture by occasionally sprinkling some salt inside your canvas shoes.

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Desinfetar piercings

To speed up the healing process and prevent infection, soak new piercing jewelry in salt water. Just make sure you use the right ratio:The Piercing Biblerecommends ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized salt to each cup of warm water. You can get too much out of a good thing; Water with high levels of salt can irritate the skin, according to the website. these are thethe most (and least) painful parts of your body to tattoo.

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put out the fat fire

A bucket of water isn't necessarily the first thing to grab in a fire; If it's a grease fire, the water can actually cause the flames to spread. Instead, drizzle them with salt or baking soda, or quickly cover them with a metal lid, profood network. never combinethese everyday household itemsor you can make a fire.

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Use as a natural mouthwash

Store-bought mouthwashes can contain toxic chemicals and other artificial ingredients. The all-natural alternative? Salt. Mix 1 teaspoon of table salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of water and gargle with the mixture. Salt acts as a disinfectant, killing the bacteria that cause bad breath. at least there is12 things your bad breath might be trying to tell you.

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Prevents the cheese from molding

The dehydrating powers of salt can actually help slow the growth of mold on cheese. To reduce food waste (and save money on groceries), soak a paper towel in 2 Tbsp. Salt and 3 cups of water, then loosely wrap the cheese before placing it in the refrigerator. Now avoid this other onesneaky ingredient hiding in your shredded cheese.

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Cool drinks quickly

Hot soda, beer and wine can spell disaster for any party host. But if you have salt on hand, chilling these drinks doesn't take long. Place the bottles and cans in a bucket of ice water and stir in a handful of salt. Once the salt takes effect, drinks are ice cold in no time. Here are some additional optionsQuickly chill a bottle of white wine.

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Give your lawn a boost

Perhaps the grass on your lawn has seen better (read: greener) days. For an inexpensive fertilizer, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salts and a gallon of water in a spray bottle and apply to the grass. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which increases the plant's production of chlorophyll - the pigment responsible for its green hue.

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relieve sore throat

The next time you feel a tickle, mix some table salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds to ease the pain. It's not just an old wives' tale - salt can actually flush out mucus and other irritants that cause sore throats, researchshows.

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Prevents ink from bleeding

A new garment will not shrink in the wash if you soak it in salt water first. Combine ½ gallon of water with 1/3 cup of vinegar and ½ cup of salt and leave your clothing in the solution for an hour. Rinse until the water runs clear. now learn how toBleach your clothes without using bleach.

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test for rotten eggs

Not sure about that week-old carton of eggs in the back of the fridge? Place an egg in a bowl of salted water. If it sinks, your batch is fresh. A rotten egg, on the other hand, floats. And the next time you cook eggs, try this trick.Perfect scrub every time.

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Protect your garden from pests

While chemical-laden pesticides can protect your garden from snails and snails, they also pose a danger to animals and small children. For an all-natural repellent, roll the seeds in table salt before covering them with soil. The pests go away long enough to give your seedlings a chance. For thriving mature plants,Make one of those non-toxic pesticides yourself.

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repel fleas

Like snails and snails, fleas are not fans of salt. If your dog is vomiting a lot, bathe him with a saline solution instead of soap and water. And there's no harm in washing the pet's kennel or litter with salt water, either. Salt dehydrates pests and protects your four-legged friend from itchy bites.

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Make a cloudy vase shine again

Uh oh - your pretty bouquet has wilted, leaving a cloudy deposit of minerals inside the vase. Reach into the vase, rub the plaque ring with salt, then wash with soap and water. If your hand doesn't fit, fill the vase with a strong salt and water solution, shake it or gently brush it with a bottle brush. then wash. That should clean up the residue. find out whyWashing dishes by hand is not so eco-friendly.

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Soothe Poison Ivy Breakouts

When poison ivy breaks out, salt helps! Soothe itchiness caused by poison ivy by soaking it in a bath of warm salt water. If that doesn't work, try one of these add-onshome remedies for poison ivy.

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Keep the pasture like new

Wicker furniture yellows with age and exposure to the sun and elements. To maintain the wicker's natural appearance, scrub it with a stiff brush dipped in warm salt water. Let the piece dry in the sun. Repeat this process every year or two for best results. Find out moreEasy ways to clean your lawn and patio furniture.

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Make a DIY Face Scrub

This homemade face mask only requires two basic ingredients: salt and olive oil. Make a paste of 1/4 cup of salt and ½ cup of olive oil and gently apply to the skin in a circular motion. Leave the mask on for five minutes before washing it off. Moisturizing olive oil and exfoliating salt leave your face, hands and even lips feeling soft and refreshed. just stay safeAvoid These 10 Exfoliating Habits That Could Hurt You.

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Create drip-free candles

Nothing distracts from a beautiful candle display like messy wax drips. To keep them from dripping, form a "sleeve" around the wax and catch the drops inside with this salt water trick. Place the candles in a large, shallow dish and soak them in a saline solution (2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of salt) for 24 hours, then dry thoroughly. Now, when you light the candles, they won't be as messy.

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Remove grass stains

Some detergents are a waste of money. Before buying expensive stain removers, try treating stubborn grass stains with lemon and salt first. Squeeze lemon juice over the stain, sprinkle a thick layer of salt over it, then rub the stain with a lemon peel and watch it disappear.

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facilitate chimney cleaning

Stacking firewood in a fireplace is a combination of art and science. But how do you safely delete one? Put out the flames with salt. Fire burns faster, so you end up with less soot than if you let it burn. It also makes cleanup the next day easier, as the salt helps collect the ash and debris in light sweeps.

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strengthen your nails

No time for the beauty salon? No problems. At home, mix 1 teaspoon of salt, baking soda, and lemon juice in 1/2 cup of hot water and dip your fingertips in the mixture for 10 minutes. Then rub your nails to rinse them. The treatment softens the cuticles and strengthens the nails. Bonus: Dig your nails in lemon zest and your nails will be shinier and healthier too. read aboutMore tips that the manicurist won't tell you.

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clean your aquarium

To remove mineral deposits in an aquarium caused by hard water, scrub the inside of the aquarium with salt and then rinse the aquarium thoroughly. Your tank is now ready to be reused. Pay attention to the type of fish you stock your aquarium with;Some pet combos just don't work. And when choosing a type of salt, be sure to use pure, non-iodized salt to protect the health of the fish that will inhabit the aquarium.

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Destroy weeds in cement cracks

Cracks in cement leave enough room for unsightly, unattractive grass or weeds to grow - and are difficult to treat with your regular herbicide. Instead, try sprinkling salt and pouring hot water over the area. Weeds wither, leaving a sidewalk or driveway untouched.

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clean a fallen egg

You might not cry over spilled milk, but a sticky broken egg on the floor might be worth a few tears. Sprinkle some salt over the mess and leave for 20 minutes. Coming back to that, you can clean the egg right away - no scrubbing required.

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Remove lipstick marks from glasses

Glasses with leftover lipstick stains can be very deterrent to guests. To get rid of stains quickly, rub the edges with salt and throw the glasses in the dishwasher. They'll shine like new in no time, guaranteed.

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Keep artificial flowers in place

Salt is a great medium for keeping artificial flowers in the arrangement you want. Fill a vase or other container with salt, add some cold water and arrange your artificial flowers. The salt will solidify and help the flowers stay in place. Not a fan of artificial flowers? don't miss thesePro tips on how fresh flowers last longer.

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Prevent clothes from freezing on the clothesline

When it comes to washing clothes, some things should never be put in the dryer. If you're clothesline drying the old-fashioned way, try sprinkling some salt on your next load. The added sodium boost keeps your clothes from freezing on the line in cold weather. You can also prevent clothing from sticking to the collar by soaking the rope itself in salt.

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Complete the Parade of Ants

Strange but true, if ants get into your home, you can catch them by sprinkling salt over your doorframe or directly in their paths. Ants are prevented from crossing this barrier.

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whiten teeth

There isFoods that whiten teeth and those that discolor them. But brushing your teeth with salt once a week can brighten your smile. Yes really! Salt is a mild, all-natural abrasive that helps remove stains from teeth. Additionally, "sea salt can temporarily raise the pH of your mouth, making it harder for bacteria to grow" and protecting your gums from injury and disease, said William Graves, DMDSELBST.com.

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Make your own brass and copper polish

Be careful when cleaning silver household items. existTricks for polishing silver. To make your candlesticks sparkle or remove the green stain from copper items, make a paste by mixing equal parts salt, flour, and vinegar. Use a soft cloth to rub over the item, then rinse with warm soapy water and buff it back to its original shine.

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Prevent sliced ​​fruit from turning brown

Keep fruit slices fresh by soaking them in a saline solution -- 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of water -- for a few minutes. Do not forget to quickly rinse them with fresh water, otherwise you will eat salty fruits.

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Refresh a dirty broom

An old-fashioned broom can still be a homeowner's best friend — Witness8 things you should never clean with a mop. But the bristles of a broomI canbe magnets for dirt and dust. Soak them in a bucket of hot salt water for 30 minutes to loosen the dirt. Then just pass an old cloth and let it dry.

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Clean spills from the oven

Chefs value salt as an ingredient that can enhance the flavor of almost any dish. Well, it can also be used to fix a home cook's worst nightmare - oven spills. Covering spills with salt immediately not only prevents smoke and odors from building up, but also makes cleanup easier after the stove has cooled. If the dirt is already burned off, just use some dishwasher tablets.

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block a drain

Fixing a clogged drain doesn't necessarily require a plumber. Try this quick homemade solution: combine 1 cup of salt with 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar and pour it down the drain. Leave for 10 minutes before pouring about two liters of boiling water down the drain. Finally, open the hot water faucet and let it run; After a few seconds, water should flow freely down the drain. If your problem is a stopped toilet, don't miss ithow to unclog toilet without plunger.

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Extend the life of your toothbrush

Your toothbrush bristles can last much longer with a simple trick. Place a new brush in a small bowl or mug of hot salted water – making sure the bristles are completely submerged – and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse well with clean water and your toothbrush will last for months. Experts advise replacing your toothbrush every six months, unlike these5 everyday things that should last a lifetime.

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Light clothes with sweat stains

Believe it or not, a white T-shirt with yellow sweat stains might not be a lost cause. Sweat-stained clothes can be revived by plunging them into a pot of boiling water seasoned with a few tablespoons of salt and baking soda.

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rub the dandruff

If salt can be an effective dandruff treatment, why spend so much money on expensive shampoos? Simply sprinkle some salt on your scalp, massage your head for five minutes, rinse and then wash as usual. The salt will exfoliate the dry skin on the scalp, and the hair will be clean after washing. read about10 more natural treatments for dandruff.

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clean your iron

Minerals from hard water can build up on the iron's metal plate, which can stain your freshly washed and ironed clothes. To get the iron squeaky clean, turn it on full blast, sprinkle a pinch of table salt on the ironing board, and press the iron onto it. This trick should remove any dirt.

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Keep windows free of ice

You probably know that salt lowers the temperature at which ice freezes. However, this isn't just useful on icy roads and sidewalks; It can also keep your home windows frost-free. Just wipe them with a sponge dipped in salt water and then let them dry. But if you're out of salt, find out howa mixture of soap and alcohol might work.

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refresh artificial flowers

Artificial flowers - whether real silk flowers or the more common nylon type - can get dusty and fade over time. But you can freshen them up by placing them in a paper bag with 1/4 cup of salt. Gently shake the bag a few times and your flowers will come out as clean as the day you bought them. You can alsoUse some vacuum cleaner tips to freshen up fake flowersand plants.

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treat puffy eyes

Eating too much salt can make you bloated, so it may seem counterintuitive that applying salt could be a remedy for puffy eyelids. Pour ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of hot water and stir well, then dip a few cotton balls in the mixture and gently press against your eyes.Voila!— Bloat issue resolved. read about12 more tips to avoid puffy eyes.

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Extend the shelf life of your milk

If your milk or semi-milk is close to its expiration date on the box, you can keep it fresh for a few more days by sprinkling a little salt in the box and shaking it gently. Some foods expire faster than others.Never use these foods after the expiration date..

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remove blood stains

Blood stains are notoriously difficult to remove from bedding. life hackerrecommendsSoak the garment in salt water followed by a wash in hot soapy water, but a cold salt water soak is recommended. Here they are11 additional ways to remove blood stains from everyday objects.

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Remove leftover food from pots and pans

If your pots and pans are covered with stubborn food stains, soak them in salt water overnight. Salt softens and removes almost any type of residue, making it much easier to clean dishes in the morning.

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remove grease stains

To say goodbye to dirty grease stains on your rugs and sofas, mix one part salt with four parts rubbing alcohol and vigorously rub the area. For rugs, rub in the direction of the natural pile. The stain should disappear slightly. Here they are13 additional tips for removing grease stains from other household items.

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Remove soot from the chimney

If soot builds up in the chimney, sprinkle a liberal amount of salt on the coals after the next fire to promote air circulation, prevent chimney fires, and give the flames a yellow glow.

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remove rust

Rusty knives make kitchen prep daunting. Fear not: you can remove rust stains from knives with just 6 tablespoons of salt and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Combine the two ingredients into a paste and gently rub onto the rusted area with a soft, dry cloth. Rinse well and then dry and your knives will be like new.

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Relieve insect bites

To relieve itchiness caused by mosquito and chigger bites, soak the area in salt water and apply a layer of lard or vegetable oil. Most bites are just annoying, but here they are.Insect Bites You Should Never Ignore.

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Defog your windshield

Rub a bag of salt on your car windshield and windows every winter. Salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes and keeps your car windows free of ice or snow.

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Revitalize faded sheets

Did your favorite shirt fade in the wash? Try this: soak a cloth in a strong salt water solution, wring it out, and rub the garment. This should lighten your colors. This also works on faded rugs and curtains. If your clothes are constantly fading, it could be a sign that you areuse too much detergent.

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stop spilling soap

Don't panic about an overflowing washing machine or dishwasher. Prevent suds from spreading by sprinkling salt over the mess until you can get some extra towels. Constantly fueling your machine is just one of your options.shorten the life of your washing machine.

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Give your new broom a longer life

A new straw broom will last longer if you dip its bristles in a bucket of hot, salty water. After about 20 minutes, remove the broom and let it dry.

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Remove coffee and tea stains from cups

A little salt makes china mugs and cups shine like new again; Simply give each piece a quick salt scrub, then rinse in hot water.

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soothe sunburn

Soothe a painful sunburn by sprinkling a mixture of Epsom salts and water on the burned area. The salt won't heal the burn, but it will ease the irritation and redness.

Brooke is a technology and consumer products writer, covering the latest digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other news and resources for RD.com.

Lauren Cahn is a New York-based author whose work has appeared regularly in Reader's Digest, The Huffington Post and a variety of other publications since 2008. She covers life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertainment and entertainment. Lauren is also a crime fiction writer; Her first full-length manuscript, The Trust Game, was shortlisted for the 2017 CLUE Awards for emerging talent in the thriller fiction genre.