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Salt is one of those kitchen staples most of us reach for without thinking twice. It seasons dinner, helps with baking, and seems to find its way into just about every pantry.
But that little container of salt can also come in handy for plenty of jobs around the house. It can help scrub stubborn messes, deal with stains, clean certain surfaces, and even make a few everyday chores easier.
Here are 17 practical ways to use salt beyond seasoning your food.
Ease a Sore Throat
A warm saltwater gargle is an old home remedy for an irritated or sore throat. Mix salt with warm water, gargle for a few seconds, and spit it out.
It won’t cure an infection, but the warm saltwater can provide temporary relief from throat irritation and discomfort.
Check If Your Eggs Are Fresh
Not sure how long those eggs have been sitting in the refrigerator? A saltwater test can give you a quick indication of their age.
Mix two teaspoons of salt into a cup of water and stir until it dissolves. Place the egg in the water. A fresh egg will usually sink, while an older egg may float because the air pocket inside it has grown larger.
Keep in mind that the float test tells you more about the egg’s age than whether it is safe to eat. Check for cracks, unusual smells, or other signs of spoilage before using it.
Take the Edge Off Bitter Coffee
If your coffee tastes more bitter than you like, try adding a tiny pinch of salt instead of reaching for the sugar.
You don’t need much. A small pinch can soften some of the bitter taste without making your coffee taste salty.
Clean a Cast Iron Pan
Cast iron cookware needs a little different care than other pans. Salt makes a handy scrubber for removing stuck-on bits of food without relying on harsh cleaners.
Sprinkle coarse salt into the pan while it’s still slightly warm, then use a cloth or paper towel to scrub away the residue. Wipe the pan clean and dry it well before applying a thin layer of oil.
Related: How to Season Cast Iron Pans
Soothe Puffy Eyes
After a rough night’s sleep or a good cry, it’s common for the skin around your eyes to look puffy. A mild saltwater compress may help reduce some of that swelling.
Mix a small amount of salt into warm water, soak a clean cloth in the mixture, wring it out, and gently place it over your closed eyes for a few minutes.
Keep the solution mild and avoid getting saltwater directly into your eyes, since it can cause irritation.
Related: Pamper Yourself with this DIY Chamomile Bath Salts
Get Rid of Poison Ivy
Saltwater has long been used as a homemade weed treatment, including for unwanted plants such as poison ivy. A concentrated solution can dry out plant leaves and may kill the plant over time.
Use care with this method, though. Salt can also damage the soil and nearby plants, so spraying it around garden beds or other plants can create a bigger problem.
If you’re dealing with poison ivy, wear gloves and protective clothing and avoid touching the plant directly.
Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
Wooden cutting boards can pick up food smells and stains after regular use. Salt makes a simple scrub for freshening them up.
Sprinkle salt over the board, then scrub it with half a lemon or a damp cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing and drying the board completely.
Related: How to Clean a Wood Cutting Board
Help Keep Milk Fresh
Some old-fashioned household tips recommend adding a tiny pinch of salt to milk to slow spoilage.
This is one of those tricks that should be treated with caution. Salt isn’t a substitute for refrigeration, and it doesn’t make spoiled milk safe to drink. Keep milk properly refrigerated and follow the date and storage instructions on the package.
Remove Water Marks From Wood
A white water ring on a wooden table can be frustrating, especially when it comes from a cold glass sitting on the surface.
Salt can sometimes help with minor marks. Mix a small amount of salt with a few drops of water to make a soft paste. Gently rub it over the mark, then wipe the area clean and apply a little furniture polish or wood conditioner if appropriate.
Test the method on a hidden spot first, since finishes can react differently.
Polish Copper and Brass
Salt can be combined with household ingredients to make a simple scrub for dull copper and brass.
Try mixing salt with lemon juice or vinegar to form a paste. Rub it gently onto the metal, rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid using abrasive scrubbing on delicate or lacquered finishes, since it can leave scratches.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Salt can work as a body scrub because the grains help remove dry, flaky skin.
Mix fine salt with a little oil, such as coconut or olive oil, and gently massage it over damp skin. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Skip salt scrubs on your face, cuts, irritated skin, or freshly shaved areas. Salt can sting and make irritation worse.
De-Ice a Driveway or Walkway
If winter weather leaves ice on your driveway or walkway, salt can help lower the freezing point of water and loosen the ice.
Scatter a modest amount over icy areas, then give it some time to work. Once the ice starts breaking up, shovel or sweep it away.
Salt can damage plants and may also affect concrete and metal over time, so don’t use more than you need.
Remove Coffee Stains
Coffee can leave stubborn brown stains inside mugs, thermoses, and coffee pots. Salt can provide enough gentle abrasion to help scrub them away.
Sprinkle some salt into the stained container, add a little water, and scrub with a sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Lift Red Wine From Carpet
A fresh wine spill needs quick attention. Blot up as much liquid as possible without rubbing the stain deeper into the carpet.
Then cover the damp area with salt and let it sit for a while. The salt can absorb some of the remaining moisture. Once the area is dry, vacuum up the salt and treat the stain with a carpet cleaner suitable for your flooring.
Test any cleaning solution on a hidden area first.
Reduce Excess Suds
Too many suds in a sink or bathtub can make a mess, and salt can sometimes help knock down excessive foam.
Sprinkling a small amount of salt over the suds can help reduce them. If your dishwasher is producing too many suds, though, it’s better to stop the cycle and check the detergent and dishwasher instructions rather than relying on salt as a fix.
Soothe a Bee Sting
Some traditional home remedies recommend using salt on a bee sting. If you’re stung, the first step is to move away from the area where the bee is present and remove the stinger if one remains.
Wash the area with soap and water, then use a cold compress to help with pain and swelling. Salt isn’t a proven treatment for bee stings, so don’t rely on it if you have a reaction.
Seek emergency medical help if you develop trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Get Rid of Weeds
Salt can kill weeds by drawing moisture from plant tissue, which makes it useful for weeds growing through cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
Sprinkle a small amount directly onto unwanted weeds, or dissolve salt in water and apply it to the plant.
Use this method sparingly. Salt doesn’t know the difference between a weed and a plant you want to keep, and repeated use can leave soil unsuitable for growing plants.
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