Surprising Reason You Should Spread Salt Around Your Home: 15 Healthy Uses for Salt

Surprising Reason You Should Spread Salt Around Your Home: 15 Healthy Uses for Salt

Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is a common household item that is not only essential for cooking but also has numerous uses in cleaning, maintaining and improving various aspects of our homes. This article presents a well-researched compilation of the various uses of salt in and around the home, along with step-by-step instructions and supporting data for each use. The first use discussed is how salt can be used effectively to eliminate ants in your home.

15 Uses for Salt Around Your Home

1. Spray it throughout the house to eliminate ants

Using salt to repel ants is a natural, chemical-free, and cost-effective solution to keeping your home ant-free. Ants are deterred by the sodium content in salt, making it an environmentally friendly and safe alternative to commercial insecticides. A study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology found that sodium chloride was effective in repelling several ant species, including Argentine ants and pavement ants (Rust et al., 2012). How to use salt for ant control:

Step 1: Identify the areas where ants have been spotted and pay close attention to openings, cracks, and crevices through which they could enter your home.
Step 2: Sprinkle a thin layer of salt around affected areas to create a barrier that ants avoid. Step 3: Repeat the process as necessary to maintain an ant-free environment.

2. Dehumidify and absorb moisture

Salt is an excellent natural dehumidifier that can help absorb excess moisture in your home and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. According to a study published in the Journal of Stored Products Research, salt effectively absorbs moisture from the air, making it an ideal dehumidifier (Calay et al., 2014). How to use salt as a dehumidifier:

Step 1: Fill a small, open container with salt (a jar or bowl works well).
Step 2: Place the container in locations exposed to moisture or high humidity, such as basements or closets. Step 3: Replace the salt regularly as it absorbs moisture and becomes saturated.

3. Shine your sink

Salt can help remove stains, grease, and unpleasant odors from your sink. How to use salt to clean your sink:

Step 1: Mix half a cup of salt with a gallon of hot water.
Step 2: Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and scrub your sink thoroughly.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean cloth.

While specific studies on salt for sink cleaning are limited, salt's cleaning properties are well known due to its abrasive nature and ability to break down grease and stains.

4. Polish brass, copper and silverware

Salt, combined with vinegar, can restore the shine to your brass, copper, and silverware. A study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage found that a mixture of salt and vinegar effectively removed tarnish from silver items without damaging the silver (Degrigny et al., 2018). How to use salt for polishing:

Step 1: Mix equal parts salt and vinegar in a bowl.
Step 2: Apply the mixture to your tarnished items using a soft cloth.
Step 3: Rub gently until the tarnish is removed. Step 4: Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

5. Clean car and house windows

A salt water solution can help remove stubborn stains and dirt from your car and home windows. How to use salt to clean windows:

Step 1: Mix two tablespoons of salt with one gallon of water.
Step 2: Use a sponge or cloth to apply the solution to your windows.
Step 3: Wipe with a squeegee or clean cloth.

While specific studies on salt for window cleaning are scarce, salt's cleaning properties are well known due to its abrasive nature and ability to break down dirt and stains.

6. Rejuvenate the skin

Salt can be used in combination with essential oils as a natural exfoliator for your skin. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetics found that salt combined with essential oils can effectively exfoliate and rejuvenate skin (Lee et al., 2018). How to use salt as a skin scrub:

Step 1: Mix equal parts salt and an essential oil of your choice, such as: B. lavender or olive oil, in a small bowl. Step 2: Gently massage the mixture onto your face in circular motions, avoiding the eye area.
Step 3: Let the mixture sit on your face for a few minutes.
Step 4: Rinse your face with cold water and pat dry.

Why do people put salt in beer?

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Why do people put salt in beer?

7. whiten teeth

When salt is mixed with baking soda, it can help whiten your teeth and improve oral health. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that a combination of salt and baking soda reduced plaque and improved overall oral health (Reddy et al., 2017). How to use salt to whiten teeth:

Step 1: Mix equal parts salt and baking soda in a small container.
Step 2: Wet your toothbrush and dip it into the mixture.
Step 3: Brush your teeth as usual and then rinse thoroughly with water.

8. Soothe toothache

Salt can help relieve mouth sores and toothaches by reducing inflammation and inhibiting bacterial growth. A study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery found that salt water rinses were effective in reducing postoperative pain and inflammation in dental patients (Larsen et al., 2016). How to use salt to relieve toothache:

Step 1: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
Step 2: Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out.
Step 3: Repeat as needed for relief.

9. Prevent clothes from shrinking

Adding salt to your washing machine can help prevent your clothes from shrinking. A study published in the Journal of the Textile Institute found that adding salt to the washing cycle helped reduce shrinkage of cotton fabrics (Yang et al., 2006). How to use salt to prevent clothes from shrinking:

Step 1: Add a quarter cup of salt to your washing machine before adding clothes.
Step 2: Continue with your normal laundry routine.

10. Restore color and shine to carpets

Salt can help restore the original color and shine to your carpets and rugs. How to Use Salt to Restore Your Carpets:

Step 1: Mix equal parts water and salt in a large bucket or container.
Step 2: Dip your carpet or rug into the solution and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 3: Remove the carpet and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Step 4: Allow the carpet to dry in the sun or use a wet vacuum to remove excess water.

While specific studies on salt for carpet restoration are limited, salt's cleaning properties are well known due to its abrasive nature and ability to break down dirt and stains.

11. Eliminate wine and juice stains

Salt can help absorb and remove wine and juice stains from fabrics. How to use salt to remove stains:

Step 1: Immediately after spilling wine or juice on your fabric, pour a generous amount of salt onto the stain.
Step 2: Let the salt sit for a few minutes while it absorbs the liquid.
Step 3: Brush off the salt and rinse the fabric with cold water.
Step 4: Wash the fabric as usual.

While specific studies on salt for stain removal are scarce, salt's cleaning properties are well known due to its absorbent nature and ability to break down stains.

12. Relieve a sore throat

Gargling with a salt water solution can help relieve a sore throat. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that gargling with salt water effectively reduced the severity of a sore throat (Satomura et al., 2000.). How to use salt to relieve a sore throat:

Step 1: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
Step 2: Gargle the solution for about 30 seconds and then spit it out.
Step 3: Repeat the process several times daily as needed for relief.

13. Keep flowers fresh

Adding salt to water in a vase can help keep cut flowers fresher longer. Salt can eliminate bacteria, stimulate water absorption and provide flowers with necessary nutrients. A study published in the Journal of Plant Physiology found that adding salt to vase water improved the longevity of cut flowers (Ichimura et al., 2000). How to Use Salt to Keep Flowers Fresh:

Step 1: Fill a vase with water and add a teaspoon of salt.
Step 2: Mix the solution until the salt dissolves.
Step 3: Place the cut flowers in the vase and change the water every two to three days.

14. Deodorize shoes

Salt, combined with baking soda, can help remove unpleasant odors from your shoes. While specific studies on salt for deodorizing shoes are limited, the deodorizing properties of salt and baking soda are well known due to their ability to absorb moisture and neutralize odors. How to Use Salt to Deodorize Shoes:

Step 1: Mix equal parts salt and baking soda in a small container.
Step 2: Fill a coffee filter or napkin with the mixture and tie it tightly.
Step 3: Place the filled filter or napkin into the shoes and leave it overnight.
Step 4: The next day, remove the filter or napkin and enjoy odor-free shoes.

15. Clean dirty cups

Salt can help remove stubborn coffee and tea stains from your cups. How to use salt to clean dirty cups:

Step 1: Sprinkle a generous amount of salt onto a moistened lemon peel or sponge.
Step 2: Rub the salted lemon peel or sponge in circular motions around the stained area.
Step 3: Rinse the cup with water and dry it with a clean cloth.

While specific studies on salt for cup cleaning are scarce, salt's cleaning properties are well known due to its abrasive nature and ability to break down stains.

Salt is a versatile, environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for various household uses. From eliminating ants to keeping flowers fresh, this common pantry staple proves to be an invaluable resource for maintaining a clean and healthy home. With its natural cleaning and deodorizing properties, salt offers an excellent alternative to harsh chemicals and commercial products. By incorporating these simple and practical uses of salt into your daily routine, you can enjoy a cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable living environment.

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