Salt is one of nature's most versatile elements, serving purposes far beyond seasoning your food. From cleaning to preservation, this humble mineral can do it all. As part of being prepared, it's crucial to maximize the use of items you already have—salt included! Below, explore 10 incredible ways to use salt in your daily life.
1. Clean Up a Dropped Egg
Accidentally dropped an egg on the floor? Sprinkle some salt over the mess and wait for 20 minutes. The salt will absorb the liquid, making cleanup much easier.
2. Soothe Bee or Poison Ivy Stings
For bee stings, wet the area immediately and cover it with salt to reduce irritation. To kill poison ivy around your home, mix 3 pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water and spray it on the leaves and stems.
3. Test for Rotten Eggs
Wondering if an egg is fresh? Add 2 teaspoons of salt to a cup of water. Fresh eggs sink, while rotten ones float.
4. Clean Your Clothes Iron
To clean a non-stick clothes iron, sprinkle salt on wax paper, slide the iron across it, and rub it with silver polish for a fresh finish.
5. Kill Grass Growing in Patio Cracks
Grass sprouting through your patio cracks? Sprinkle salt on the affected areas, wait a few days, and pour hot water over them for effective removal.
6. Keep Windows Frost-Free
Prevent frost buildup by rubbing saltwater on your windows with a sponge. For car windshields, use a cheesecloth bag filled with saltwater.
7. Clean a Cutting Board
Mix bleach with salt and scrub your cutting board using a stiff brush. Rinse with hot water and repeat if necessary for a clean surface.
8. Clean Fake Flowers
Place artificial flowers in a bag with salt and shake vigorously. The salt will absorb dust and dirt, leaving your flowers looking fresh.
9. Remove Watermarks from Wood
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to create a paste. Gently rub it onto watermarks with a soft cloth, then polish the wood for a restored shine.
10. Remove Baked-On Messes
For stubborn baked-on food, sprinkle salt on the affected area, dampen it with water, and let it sit. The salt will loosen the residue for easy cleaning.
