Salt is one of the most frequently used items in my kitchen. It’s in practically every recipe, and is so ubiquitous that it’s on virtually every restaurant table in the world.
However, there are all sorts of unconventional uses for this nifty seasoning that have nothing to do with food. Here are some ways you can use salt around your apartment:
1. CLEAN GRAPES
Get rid of your grapes’ waxy coating with salt and baking soda.
First, give your grapes a quick rinse with water. Then, put them in a bowl and sprinkle in 1 tablespoon each of table salt and baking soda. Shake the bowl vigorously for about one minute, then thoroughly rinse the grapes.
2. KILL FLEAS
If your pet has tracked fleas into the house, use salt to kill the bugs before they set up camp in your carpet or rug.
Sprinkle salt (the more finely ground, the better) into your carpet and let it sit for 24 to 48 hours. Then, vacuum the salt up and kiss the fleas goodbye. (I do not recommend actually kissing a flea.)
3. DEFEAT DANDRUFF
Part your hair in a few different places and sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of salt directly onto your scalp.
Use wet fingers to massage your scalp for about 10 minutes. Salt can be abrasive, so rub gently. Wash and condition your hair as normal, and enjoy being flake-free.
4. MAKE A SKIN SCRUB
Make yourself a DIY salt scrub to exfoliate your skin and get rid of any dead, dry cells hanging out on the surface.
Mix 1/2 cup of salt with 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice, 1/4 cup of coconut oil and 10 drops of a scented oil of your choice. This scrub will probably be too rough for your face or other sensitive areas, so stick to hardier body parts,like the soles of your feet.
5. SAVE SHIRTS
If you get blood on a shirt, dunk it in a tub of salt water as quickly as possible.
Let it sit for an hour or so, and once the stain is gone (or lighter), run it through a regular load of laundry. This is also an effective way to remove sweat stains from clothing.
6. CLEAN CARPET
Save the day when a glass of red wine tips over by blotting up as much of the wine as you can with a cloth or paper towel, and then generously sprinkle salt over the spill.
The salt will soak up the liquid and leave your carpet stain-free, giving you the freedom to drink wine wherever you please around the house.
7. SHINE GLASS
To get rid of soap scum on a glass shower door, cut a lemon in half and dip it in a bowl of salt. Gently scrub the door and the scum will come right off.
This is also a great way to remove mineral buildup on glass vases or clean a fish tank. If you use this method to brighten your aquarium, be sure to thoroughly rinse the tank afterwards to ensure your fish’s safety.
8. KILL BUBBLES
If you went a little overboard when adding detergent to the laundry machine or dishwasher, you can use salt to prevent a disaster.
Sprinkle table salt directly on bubbles to deflate the sudsy foam instantly.
9. SOOTHE A STING
You can use the power of science to make a bee sting feel better quickly.
Make a paste comprised of salt and a little bit of water and place it directly on top of the bee sting. This process uses osmosis to draw the venom towards the salt (and away from your tissue).
10. PUT OUT A GREASE FIRE
Always keep a generous amount of salt on hand when cooking with grease in case you end up with a fire. Water won’t put out a grease fire, and will actually make it much worse.
Instead of attempting to douse the fire, you should use salt to smother it. You’ll need a lot of salt all at once, so make sure whatever container you’re using has a wide spout.
