Yes, most of us use salt in the kitchen to season our foods according to our likes and tastes. However, besides that, salt also has some other incredible uses that will surely blow your mind. Some of the most common and listed below!
1. Clear Vases from Flower Residue
Although the beautiful bouquet in your vase is a sight for sore eyes, once it is gone, the souvenir left behind is rather nasty. To remove the deposits of minerals from the inside of the vase, rub the surface with salt and then wash with soapy water. If you can’t reach the offending ring of deposits, fill the vase with water and salt. Brush gently and wash (you can use a bottle brush!).
Tip #1: You can also freshen up artificial flowers that way. Be it silk or nylon, place them in a paper bag that you have filled with less than half a cup salt. Gently shake the bag and watch your flowers emerge like brand new! Oh, you may want to consider using salt when you need to keep artificial flowers in the arrangement you desire. Just fill the vase (or any other container you wish to put your flowers in) with salt and add a little water. Arrange them and you will see that they stay put, thanks to the solidified salt!
Tip #2: Do the same to remove mineral deposits from your fish tank. Just rinse well before you reinstall the fish and use only iodized salt.
2. Maintain the Good Looks of Wicker Furniture
If you have wicker furniture, then you know that exposure to the elements and sun turns them yellow over time. To keep your pieces as naturally-looking as possible for many years, dip a stiff brush in warm salt water and scrub them. Let them dry in the sun. If you make this an annual habit (or bi-annual), then you have nothing to worry about.
3. Prologue your Brooms’ Life
Your new straw broom will have a longer life if you fill a bucket with hot, salty water and soak its bristles in it. Leave for 20 minutes, remove, and let it air dry.
4. Clean the Fireplace up
So, you had a romantic evening, and it is time to go to bed. The fire is still sparking in the hearth. What can you do? Douse the flames with some salt. This should allow the fire to burn faster, leaving you less worried than if you had let it smolder. Also, this trick will make clean up a piece of cake, considering that you will have nothing but easy sweepings when you try to gather residue and ashes.
5. Polish your Copper and Brass
Expose copper or brass items to the elements and you will quickly see them dull. Instead of buying costly cleaning products, try to bring back that shine and remove green tarnish from candlesticks and copper pots with a paste made by mixing salt, vinegar, and flour (equal parts of them all). With a soft cloth, rub the paste over the item and rinse well with warm water (preferably soapy).
6. Remove Wine Stains from the Rug
Spilling red white on a white carpet is the worst case scenario. Before trying expensive treatments or rug cleaning services, pour some red wine on the still wet stain. Then dilute the color by pouring some white wine on the stain and clean with a sponge and water (cold). Sprinkle some salt in the area and let it sit for 10 minutes. Finally, vacuum up everything.
7. Get Rid of Grease Stains from Carpets
Mix up 4 parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part salt and rub it hard on the stain. The only thing you should be careful with is when rubbing the dirty area. Make sure you rub in the direction of the carpet’s natural nap.
8. Make Watermarks Disappear from Wood
Wood tables are like stain magnets. Leave a bottle or glass on it and, if it leaves watermarks, they will surely stand out. Remove them by forming a paste from 1 teaspoon salt and enough drops of water to make a paste. Rub the paste (gently) on the spot with a sponge or soft cloth. Work it over the ring until it is completely gone. At this point, you can use furniture polish to restore the luster of the wood.
9. Relieve Poison Ivy, Bites, and Stings
If poison ivy erupts in an extended part of the body, immerse in a tub with salt water, and you will feel less itchy. Generally speaking, soaking a poisonous ivy-infected area in hot salt water will relieve the itching.
In cases of mosquito and chigger bites, soaking the infected area in salt water will help reduce itchiness and relief from the nasty feeling. Don’t forget to apply a coating of vegetable oil afterwards.
If you are stung by a bee, wet the sting immediately and cover it with salt. This should reduce swelling and significantly lessen the pain. Unless you are allergic to bee stings, which means you will need urgent medical care, this should cut for it.
10. Keep Frost Away from Windshields & Windows
Salt is widely known for reducing the temperature at which ice freezes. This is why in cases of heavy snowfall, snowblowers blow salt on the road to keep drivers safe. With that in mind, dip a sponge in salt water and wipe your windows. Let them dry. Also, always keep a small amount of salt in your car (you can store it in a cloth bag) to use when the windows or windshield are wet. Rub them with the bag with salt and you will notice that next time you drive someplace, the windows won’t be covered with snow or ice.
11. Knock down the Odor from your Sneakers
Canvas shoes can get quite smelly. If you have worn your sneakers without socks, then you have a pretty good idea. Deodorize your sneakers by sprinkling a little salt in them to soak up the moisture.
12. Put an End to the Ant Parade
Have ants made your home their favorite hotspot? Sprinkle salt either directly on their paths or across the door frame and you will seriously make them reconsider crossing that barrier!