Salt is an incredibly versatile substance with a multitude of uses beyond seasoning your food. You can use salt for cleaning, deodorizing, and even deicing sidewalks and driveways in the winter.
In this blog post, I’ll explore some of the many ways that salt can be used around the house to make life easier. From scrubbing away dirt and stains on carpets to removing rust from tools and metal surfaces, you’ll find plenty of practical tips for using salt in your everyday life.
It’s amazing just how versatile salt is, beyond just sprinkling it on your food “Salt Bae” style…I’m sure that’s a reference that will age well…it also has many practical applications around the home, including cleaning. So read on to learn more about all the amazing things that salt can do!
Can Salt Be Used As A Cleaning Agent
In general, salt can be used as an effective cleaning agent and can be used to help with several tasks around the house. You will want to use a coarse salt such as Kosher or sea salt as the larger granules aid in scouring and absorbing stains.
When combined with other ingredients, such as lemon juice, vinegar, essential oils, or baking soda, it can be used to scrub away dirt and grime from various surfaces and deodorize at the same time!
It’s also great for helping to remove stubborn stains from carpets which I’ll touch on below but have a whole article dedicated to right over here! For example, if you combine salt with white vinegar and a small amount of dish soap, you can make an effective cleaning solution that can be sprayed onto carpets to help get rid of stubborn stains.
Here Are Some Ways To Use Salt To Clean Various Household Items And Surfaces
- Scrubbing Away Dirt and Stains on Carpets
- Removing Ground-In Grime on Tile and Grout
- Deodorizing and Sanitizing Cutting Boards
- Brightening and Whitening Clothes in the Laundry
- Scouring Pots and Pans to Remove Stubborn Food Residue
- Unclogging and Deodorizing Drains
- Removing Rust From Tools and Metal Surfaces
- Polishing Silverware
- Cleaning the Oven With Salt
- Making Jewelry Look Pristine and Shiny
- Removing Stains From Marble and Granite Surfaces
- Deicing Sidewalks and Driveways in the Winter
Scrubbing Away Dirt and Stains On Carpets
Salt is a perfect natural cleaner for carpets! Its rough texture and abrasive properties work together to effectively scour away dirt, stains, and even the most ingrained grime. This makes salt an excellent choice when you want to clean your carpeting with something all-natural.
Vacuuming your carpets is an essential first step in utilizing salt for cleaning, as it removes any dirt or debris. Next, generously sprinkle the stained area with a generous amount of salt and vigorously scrub into the carpet fibers using a brush that has stiff bristles.
Let the salt sit for an absolute minimum of 30 minutes, although you may leave it overnight if there is a particularly stubborn stain. When finished, use your vacuum to suck up both the debris and salt that has been released from your carpet.
Removing Ground-In Grime on Tile and Grout
For a simple, natural way to tackle unsightly grime and stains on tile and grout, mix salt with lemon juice or white vinegar to form a paste.
This thick concoction should be applied directly onto the area in need of cleaning before scrubbing it away with a stiff-bristled brush. Finally, rinse off any remaining residue using water before allowing the surface to dry completely.
Deodorizing and Sanitizing Cutting Boards
Clean and deodorize your cutting board in an instant with salt! Generously sprinkle a layer of salt onto the surface, work it into the grains using a damp cloth or sponge, then rinse everything off with water. Repeat this process as necessary until the cutting board is completely clean and deodorized.
The salt will help to remove odors, as well as any bacteria or other contaminants that may have been left behind from food preparation.
Brightening and Whitening Clothes in the Laundry
Give your clothes a new life with the addition of a cup of salt to the wash cycle…it will brighten and whiten garments! Simply add a cup of salt to the washing machine before starting your cycle, and voila! The salt will help to remove any stains or grime that may be present on the fabric.
Salt is also great for removing sweat or body odor from clothes as well. For extra-stubborn odors, you can soak garments in a solution of 1 cup of salt to 4 cups of water before laundering.
If you find yourself dealing with stubborn stains, create a paste from water and salt, then rub gently into the stain for easy removal.
Scouring Pots and Pans to Remove Stubborn Food Residue
To erase pesky food particles from your cookware, grab some salt! Generously cover the area in question and use a moist towel or sponge to get the salt into all of those tough-to-reach places.
The salt will act as an abrasive, helping to break down stubborn food particles that may be present. After a few minutes of scrubbing, rinse off the cookware with water and let it dry, then enjoy its sparkling clean new look!
Unclogging and Deodorizing Drains
Salt is an effective way to rid your drain of clogs and odors. Start by pouring 1/2 cup down the pipe, then follow it up with boiling water.
- Toilets – you can use 1/4 cup of salt and a gallon of boiling water to unclog the toilet.
- Sinks – mix 1/2 cup of salt with a gallon of boiling water, then pour it down the drain.
- Tubs or Showers – mix 1/4 cup of salt with a gallon of boiling water and pour it down the drain.
Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before running heated water down your drains. This should clear up any potential blockages. The salt’s abrasive qualities will break apart anything clogging your pipe, while simultaneously neutralizing odors. Salt also helps to protect against future obstructions in the pipes by making it hard for grease and dirt to stick onto their walls!
To make your drains shine again, mix equal parts of baking soda and salt before pouring the concoction down with boiling water. This strategy will help break apart strong clogs while lifting any unpleasant smells from around the drain. If necessary, repeat until you have achieved desirable results!
Removing Rust From Tools and Metal Surfaces
Rid yourself of rust with a striking solution made from salt and the juice of one lemon. Start by forming a paste, then leave it on the rusty surface for several hours before brushing it away with a firm-bristled brush.
To help erase any rust, the salt will act as an abrasive while the acidity of lemon juice works to disintegrate it. After thoroughly scrubbing, rinse off with water and dry completely before putting back into use.
Transform old and rusty metal furniture with this simple technique! After wiping away the dirt, use water to rinse off the surface thoroughly. Then dry it off for long-lasting results that will make your outdoor décor look brand new again.
Polishing Silverware
Revitalize silverware with a salt-baking soda paste! Simply mix both ingredients together and add enough water to form a thick paste. Use a damp cloth or sponge covered in the mixture to scrub the silver, then rinse clean before drying for good measure. This age-old combination will clean any tarnish or oxidation off the silver in no time!
Additionally, salt helps to protect against future discoloration by creating a protective barrier over the metal’s surface.
For extra shine, dip a cloth in white vinegar before buffing away the silver with it. This will help to bring out the metal’s natural shine and leave it looking as good as new.
This only gives a high-level overview of using salt to clean silverware, for a full post with a ton more info, check out this article dedicated to Using Salt To Clean Silverware!
Making Jewelry Look Pristine and Shiny
To make your jewelry shimmer like new, try soaking it in a warm saltwater solution for several hours. This will help to draw out any dirt and bacteria that have accumulated in the crevices of the jewelry. Once finished, scrub off any residue with a soft-bristled brush before rinsing it off with warm water.
After drying your jewelry, polish it up with a soft cloth for an extra bit of shine! This technique can be applied to a variety of jewelry items, from necklaces and earrings to rings and bracelets.
Using salt to clean your jewelry is an effective way to get rid of any build-up without damaging the metal or gemstones. So put on some rubber gloves, mix up a solution of 1/2 cup salt and a gallon of warm water, and get to shine!
Cleaning the Oven With Salt
Dulled-down ovens can be brought back to life with the help of salt! To begin, start by removing any removable parts from the oven and cleaning them separately. Once finished, mix one cup of salt and one cup of warm water and apply the mixture to the interior surfaces.
Let it sit for an hour or two before wiping it away with a damp cloth. This should help lift off any stubborn dirt, grease, and grime without causing damage to your oven’s surface!
By using salt, you can get rid of tough stains and give your oven a sparkly new look in no time. Plus, this method is safe for the environment and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Removing Stains From Marble and Granite Surfaces
Salt is a great tool for removing stains from marble and granite surfaces. To maximize its efficacy, mix the salt with lemon juice to create a paste then coat the stain with it. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub the area with a damp cloth, rinse off and let dry afterward.
- Gather Materials: salt, lemon juice, and a damp cloth.
- Mix the salt with lemon juice to create a paste.
- Apply the paste on the stained area of marble or granite surface and let it sit for several minutes.
- Use a damp cloth to scrub off the stain and rinse off with cold water afterward.
- Let dry completely before using it again or putting back into place.
This combination of salt and lemon juice is perfect for getting rid of hard-to-remove stains like wine, ink, or oil. Plus, it won’t strip away any wax that’s been applied to your surface either!
Deicing Sidewalks and Driveways in the Winter
During the winter, salt is a great way to help deice your sidewalks and driveways. It works by lowering the freezing point of water so that it can no longer form into ice crystals on surfaces.
To use, simply scatter an even layer of salt over any icy areas and watch as it quickly begins to melt away! This method is perfect for helping to keep walkways and driveways clear of ice during the cold season.
This is another topic I’ve written several other articles on going into greater detail For instance, I’ve written about using Water Softener Salt To Melt Ice as well as a list of tips that will come in handy When Choosing The Right Type of Salt To Deice Your Driveway.
Final Thoughts
Salt is a powerful and versatile cleaning agent that can be used to clean silverware, jewelry, ovens, marble, and a whole host of other household items or surfaces. It’s an effective way to get rid of dirt without damaging the material or environment. Plus it won’t cost you much!
So next time you need to clean something, think about using salt for a quick and effective solution! You won’t regret it.