10 Uses for Salt

10 Uses for Salt

We all have salt in our kitchens and we have MANY uses for Salt besides just adding flavor to our food.  Growing up I recall my mother having us rinse our mouths with salt when we had a sore throat. I always thought it was bizarre but it always seemed to cure me, ha ha. After she explained that salt had other uses I was quick to understand the concept that maybe food items could be used for other uses besides what they are marketed for. When I entered my first job I learned that salt could be used to clean a stained and hard water built up coffee pot. The next time you pull the salt shaker out consider using that salt for these other 10 uses for salt.

1. Cleaning Greasy Pans: If you have grease caked onto a stubborn pan, salt will help take it right off. Just rub a little salt into the mess and wipe away with a paper towel or sponge.

2. Cleaning Wicker: Yellowing wicker furniture can be taken care of and prevented by taking a stiff brush moistened in warm saltwater, scrubbing it down, and leaving it to dry in the sun.

3. Sore Throat Relief: If you’re having a bad sore throat, mixing some salt into a warm glass of water and gargling will relieve the pain for a short while.

4. Smelly Shoes: Occasionally sprinkling salt into your shoes will take care of excess moisture and help remove odors.

5. Preventing Mold: Dampen a cloth in saltwater and wrap it around your cheese before refrigerating. The salt helps to prevent mold from growing.

6. Wine Stains: When you have a wine spill, immediately blot as much as possible and cover the wine in salt. Later after the salt has absorbed the remaining wine, rinse with cold water and scrape off the salt.

7. Bug Bite Treatment:If nothing will relieve your itchy bug bites, soak them in salt water then cover with salt.

8. Poison Ivy: If you have a sprayer, some salt, and some soap, you can take care of any poison ivy. Just mix 3 pounds of salt to a gallon of soapy water and spray the steams and leaves of the poison ivy.

9. Prevent Browning: Any fruits or vegetables dropped in cold, lightly salted water as they are peeled will retain their color for longer.

10. Restore Sponges: After you wash your sponges, soak them in cold salt water to give them new life.