Most people keep salt in the kitchen for cooking, but this everyday pantry staple has plenty of other uses. It can scrub cookware, tackle certain stains, freshen cutting boards, and handle small household messes. Here are 17 household uses for salt that are worth knowing.
1. Ease a Sore Throat
A warm saltwater gargle is a familiar home remedy for a scratchy or irritated throat. Mix about ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, and spit it out.
It won’t cure an infection, but gargling may temporarily relieve throat discomfort. Avoid swallowing the mixture.
2. Check If Your Eggs Are Fresh
If you’re unsure how long eggs have been in your refrigerator, a saltwater test can give you a rough idea of their age. Mix two teaspoons of salt into a cup of water, then place an egg in the solution to see whether it sinks or floats.
Fresh eggs usually sink, while older eggs are more likely to float because their internal air pocket grows over time. This test doesn’t tell you whether an egg is safe to eat, so check for unusual odors, cracks, and other signs of spoilage.
3. Take the Edge Off Bitter Coffee
A bitter cup of coffee doesn’t always need sugar or cream to taste better. Try adding a tiny pinch of salt to your coffee grounds or finished cup to soften some of the bitterness.
Start with a very small amount because too much salt can make your coffee unpleasantly salty. This trick works best with just a pinch.
4. Clean a Cast Iron Pan
Stuck-on food can be difficult to remove from cast iron cookware, but coarse salt makes a handy scrub. Sprinkle some into a slightly warm pan and use a cloth or paper towel to rub away the leftover food.
Wipe out the salt, dry the pan thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of cooking oil before storing it. For more tips, see How to Season Cast Iron Pans.
5. Soothe Puffy Eyes
Puffy eyes after a poor night’s sleep or a long crying session can make you look more tired than you feel. A cool, clean compress is a better option than applying homemade saltwater mixtures near your eyes.
Soak a clean washcloth in cool water, wring it out, and rest it gently over your closed eyelids for several minutes. Avoid putting salt or saltwater directly on your eyelids or in your eyes because it can cause irritation.
6. Get Rid of Poison Ivy
Salt has been used as a homemade weed killer because concentrated saltwater can dry out plant tissue. Some people try it on poison ivy, but it can also damage surrounding vegetation and leave excess salt in the soil.
A targeted weed treatment labeled for poison ivy is a better choice. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and protective clothing when dealing with the plant, and avoid burning it because its smoke can cause serious reactions.
7. Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
Wooden cutting boards can hold onto food odors, especially after chopping garlic, onions, or other strong-smelling ingredients. Sprinkle salt over the board and scrub it with half a lemon or a damp cloth.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with a damp cloth and dry the board thoroughly. Avoid soaking wooden boards in water, since prolonged moisture can cause warping and cracking.
8. Help Keep Milk Fresh
Some older household tips recommend adding a tiny pinch of salt to milk to slow spoilage. There isn’t reliable evidence that this keeps milk fresh, so it’s better not to depend on the trick.
Keep milk refrigerated at the temperature recommended on its packaging and follow the storage instructions. Throw it away if it smells sour or shows other signs of spoilage.
9. Remove Water Marks From Wood
White water rings from drinking glasses can leave wooden tables looking worn. A salt-and-water paste is sometimes suggested as a home remedy, but rubbing salt against a wood finish can cause scratches.
Try a method recommended by the furniture manufacturer first. For some finished wood surfaces, a suitable furniture polish or finish-specific cleaner may help with minor marks.
10. Polish Copper and Brass
You can mix salt with lemon juice or vinegar to make a paste for cleaning certain copper and brass items. Apply a small amount, rub gently with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry the metal thoroughly.
Avoid this mixture on lacquered, plated, antique, or delicate finishes because the acid and abrasive grains may cause damage. Test an inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire item.
11. Make a Simple Body Scrub
Mix fine salt with a little coconut or olive oil to make a basic body scrub. Gently massage the mixture over damp skin, then rinse it off with warm water.
Skip this treatment on your face, cuts, sunburned areas, or freshly shaved skin. Salt grains can scratch or irritate sensitive skin.
12. De-Ice a Driveway or Walkway
Salt can help melt ice by lowering water’s freezing point. Spread a modest amount over icy sections of a driveway or walkway and give it time to loosen the ice before shoveling.
Regular table salt works best in milder freezing conditions and becomes less useful as temperatures drop. Use it sparingly because it can damage nearby plants, corrode metal, and contribute to concrete deterioration.
13. Remove Coffee Stains From Mugs
Coffee and tea can leave brown marks inside mugs, thermoses, and other drink containers. Sprinkle a little salt inside, add a few drops of water, and scrub the stains with a sponge or soft cloth.
Rinse thoroughly before using the container again. Avoid abrasive scrubbing on delicate finishes or coated travel mugs.
14. Lift Red Wine From Carpet
A red wine spill can leave a stubborn mark if it soaks into carpet fibers. Blot the fresh spill with a clean cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible without rubbing it further into the carpet.
Some traditional cleaning tips recommend covering the damp area with salt to absorb moisture, but salt won’t reliably remove the wine pigment. Use a carpet cleaner approved for your flooring and follow its instructions, testing it on a hidden area first.
15. Reduce Excess Suds
Too much foam in a sink can make cleaning more difficult, and a small amount of salt may help break up some surface bubbles. Sprinkle a little over the suds and see whether the foam settles.
For excessive suds in a dishwasher, don’t rely on salt to fix the problem. Stop the cycle if needed, check the detergent used, and follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
16. Care for a Bee Sting
Some old home remedies recommend putting salt on a bee sting, but it isn’t a proven treatment for pain or swelling. Wash the affected area with soap and water, scrape out any remaining stinger, and apply a cold compress.
Seek emergency medical care if you experience difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, dizziness, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction. Don’t rely on a home remedy if symptoms suggest an allergic reaction.
17. Get Rid of Weeds
Salt can kill weeds by drawing moisture out of plant tissue, which explains its long history as a homemade weed treatment. It may seem useful for weeds growing between patio stones or in driveway cracks.
Use caution because salt can spread into nearby soil and damage grass, flowers, trees, and vegetables. Repeated applications can also make the ground unsuitable for future planting, so a hand weeder or a labeled weed-control product is often a better choice.
