Salt is an incredibly versatile substance. Besides flavoring the food we eat, it may also be used as a non-toxic housecleaning agent. You might just be surprised at the number of things you can clean with it.
Remove Stains On Your Clothing
Salt is an excellent staple in your laundry. It can help remove certain types of stains from your clothing.
If you’ve ever experienced unsightly perspiration stains under the arms of your shirts and tops, know that this spice can come to your rescue. Simply add four tablespoons of salt to a quart of hot water—either in your sink or a basin. Sponge the perspiration stains with this mixture until they fade.
If you’ve gotten blood on your clothing, this spice is your new best friend. Do note, however, that this is only recommended on natural fiber fabrics like cotton. Fill a sink or basin with cold salt water. Soak the affected garment for a couple of hours. Remove, then launder the garment as usual.
If your laundry needs brightening, this is the perfect remedy. Add a cup of salt to your washing machine, along with detergent, and launder as usual. Items like rugs may be brightened by sponging them with a cleaning rag dipped in salt water.
You can even use salt to set the color in a fabric that hasn’t yet been laundered. Soak the item in a ½ gallon of water mixed with ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of vinegar. Proceed to launder per fabric instructions.
Salt All Around Your Home
Many housecleaning chores become even easier when salt is used. If you have a glass coffee pot or carafe, it can remove the coffee stains with ease. Add a half-cup and a handful of ice cubes to the pot, then swirl them around. Rinse thoroughly. You’ll love how sparkling clean your coffee pot is following this simple process.
If the inside of your refrigerator is laden with sticky spills and sports a nasty smell, it’s salt to the rescue there. Mix it with soda water in a small bowl and sponge away the mess and odor. This also prevents using a harsh chemical cleaner so close to your food.
Clean your greasiest cast iron skillet with this ingredient. Scrub it using a paper towel or two. Remember to wipe applying pressure against the skillet and toss the soiled paper towel in the trash.
Remove stains from the bottoms of coffee mugs or teacups with salt and a drop of dishwashing soap. This makes a soft cleaning scrub that will eliminate the stain without damaging your favorite coffee mug.
If you mix equal parts salt, vinegar, and flour into a paste, it’s perfect for making brass or copper shine. Apply the paste and allow it to set for one hour. Clean and buff the paste away with a soft cloth until the metal shines.
Mildew and rust stains are both easily cleaned away with a mixture of salt and lemon juice. Moisten the affected area with this mixture, and place the item in the sun to dry. The combination of the sun and the salt-lemon mixture will help bleach the stain. Brush off the remnants before rinsing and drying the item.
If your sink drains too slowly and doesn’t smell particularly good, a half-cup of the granulated spice followed by lots of hot water should do the trick. Repeat this process frequently as part of your weekly housecleaning regimen.
Do you have unsightly water rings on your wood furniture from beverage glasses? These are easily removed with a thin paste of salt and vegetable or olive oil. Gently rub the paste over the stain and watch the marks disappear. This also works on marks made by hot dishes on wooden surfaces.
You could make a fairly lengthy list of the many harsh cleaning solutions you don’t have to buy when you use it for cleaning purposes instead. Not only are you keeping chemical cleaners out of your home, you’re saving a bundle of money, too.