Do you know what table salt can do? This seemingly ordinary kitchen staple has many uses around the house that you may not have known about.
From cleaning to pest control, table salt can be a handy tool to have on hand.
Today, I will cover 15 unique ways to use table salt in and around your home. So the next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up an extra bag of salt!
Test Your Eggs Freshness
Table salt can help you test whether your eggs are still good to eat or not.
To do this, fill a bowl with cold water and add a tablespoon of salt. Then, gently place your egg in the water.
If you see the egg sink to the bottom, it’s still fresh and safe to eat.
Excellent Ant Deterrent
One of the uses for table salt that many people are surprised to learn about is that it can help keep ants away.
To use salt as an ant deterrent, sprinkle it around the areas where you’ve seen ants crawling. The salt will kill them and discourage other ants from entering your home.
Improving Cooking Apples
One of the uses for table salt that not many people know about is that it can improve the taste of cooking apples.
When baking or cooking with apples, sprinkle a little salt on them before adding any other ingredients, this will help to bring out their sweetness and make them taste even better.
Cooking apples are known for its bitter taste, I think adding a bit of salt on them is essential.
Oven Cleaner
It’s a horrible job, but sadly ovens can get very dirty and in need of a good cleaning, don’t worry though, table salt can be a great natural cleaner!
Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the dirty areas of your oven, then use a damp cloth to scrub it clean. The salt will act as a gentle abrasive and help to remove any built-up grime.
Make sure to rinse the oven well with water before using it again.
Stops Food Discoloring
Salt can stop food from discoloring!
If you’re cooking something like potatoes or pasta and you don’t want them to turn brown, add a tablespoon of salt to the water before cooking. This will help to keep them their original color.
If you’re chopping up fruits or vegetables and you don’t want them to be brown, sprinkle them with a little bit of salt before cutting. This will help to prevent discoloration.
Clothing Anti-Freeze
If you’re the kind of person that hangs clothes out to dry all year round, you’ll love this one.
Salt can help to prevent your clothes from freezing in the winter. Just add a cup of salt to your wash water when you’re doing laundry in cold weather. This will help to keep your clothes from freezing on the line.
Shelling Nuts
If you’re having trouble getting the shells off of nuts, table salt can help.
Just add a tablespoon of salt to a bowl of water and stir to dissolve. Then, add your nuts and let them soak for an hour. The saltwater will help to soften the shells and make them easier to remove.
Artificial Flower Cleaner
If you have artificial flowers in your home, table salt can help to keep them looking fresh.
Just add a tablespoon of salt to a bowl of warm water and stir to dissolve. Then, use a soft brush to scrub your artificial flowers lightly. The salt will help to remove any dust or dirt build-up.
Don’t forget, you can NOT use table salt for fresh-cut flowers, only for artificial ones!
Boiling Water
Salt can help to make water boil faster!
Just add a tablespoon of salt to a pot of water before boiling. The salt will help to raise the boiling point of the water and make it come to a boil faster.
This is especially helpful when you’re cooking at high altitudes where water boils at a lower temperature.
Keeps Cheese Fresh
Table salt combined with a cheesecloth is a fantastic combination!
If you’re trying to keep cheese fresh for a longer period of time, wrap it tightly in a cheesecloth that has been soaked in saltwater. The salt will help to prevent mold and bacteria from growing on the cheese.
Just make sure to change the saltwater solution every few days to keep it fresh.
Oral Care
One of the uses for table salt that you may not know about is that it can be used for oral care.
If you have a toothache, mix a teaspoon of salt with a small cup of luke warm water and use it as a mouthwash. The salt will help to relieve pain and swelling.
You can also use salt to make your own toothpaste. Just mix a teaspoon of salt with a tablespoon of baking soda and add water to form a paste. This will help to clean your teeth and remove any plaque build-up.
Red Wine Stain Removals
Forget expensive products, if you like a natural way to remove red wine stains, table salt is the one.
Just sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the red wine stain and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. The salt will help to absorb the wine and make the stain less visible.
Then, wash the item as usual, and the stain should be gone.
Natural Air Freshener
If you’re looking for a natural air freshener, table salt can help.
Mix a tablespoon of salt with a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. Then, spritz the solution around your home whenever you need a fresh-smelling boost.
The salt will help to absorb any odors in the air and leave your home smelling clean and fresh (not salty!).
Removes Blood Stains
Now, I hope you never have to use this one, but salt is amazing at getting rid of blood stains.
Just mix a tablespoon of salt with a cup of cold water and use it to pre-treat any bloodstained clothing. Then, wash the item as usual, and the stain should be gone.
If you’re dealing with a fresh bloodstain, sprinkle salt on it and allow it to sit for a few minutes before washing. This will help to absorb the blood and make the stain less visible.
Excellent Silver Shiner
Lastly, and possibly one of my favorites. If you have tarnished silver, table salt can help to clean and polish it.
I like to make a paste out of salt and water and use it to scrub the silver. The salt will help to remove any tarnish and leave your silver looking shiny and new.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does table salt have healing properties?
Table salt does have some healing properties. It can help to soothe sore throats and ease congestion. Salt can also be used as a disinfectant to clean minor cuts and scrapes.
What happens when you put salt on wood?
When you put salt on wood, it will help to prevent rot and insect damage. Salt can also be used to clean wooden cutting boards and remove stains.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 15 uses for table salt that you may not have known about. Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab yourself some extra salt! Who knows, it might just come in handy.