15 surprising ways to use table salt

 

🧂 15 Surprising Ways to Use Table Salt You Probably Didn’t Know

Table salt is a kitchen staple that most of us use to season food without giving it a second thought. But did you know this humble ingredient has a wide range of surprising uses beyond the dinner plate? From cleaning hacks to beauty tips, table salt is a versatile, inexpensive powerhouse that can make your daily life easier and more efficient.

Here are 15 surprising ways to use table salt that you might want to try today!

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1. Clean Stains on Clothes

Salt can help lift fresh stains, especially red wine or sweat marks. Sprinkle salt on the stain immediately, let it sit, then wash as usual.

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2. Remove Grease from Pans

Before washing, sprinkle salt on greasy pans and scrub with a sponge. The abrasive texture helps cut through grease without harsh chemicals.

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3. Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer

Add a pinch of salt to the water in your flower vase. It helps nourish the flowers and prevent bacterial growth.

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4. Deodorize Cutting Boards

Sprinkle salt on your cutting board, rub with half a lemon, and rinse. This neutralizes odors and disinfects naturally.

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5. Prevent Potatoes from Sprouting

Store potatoes with a little salt sprinkled around them to extend their shelf life and prevent sprouting.

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6. Relieve Sore Throat

Gargle warm salt water to soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation.

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7. Clean Coffee Makers

Run a mixture of salt and ice cubes through your coffee grinder to clean residual oils and coffee dust.

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8. Freshen Up Smelly Shoes

Sprinkle salt inside shoes to absorb moisture and odors overnight.

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9. Natural Weed Killer

Mix salt with vinegar and a little dish soap, then spray on unwanted weeds. Use carefully to avoid harming desired plants.

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10. Unclog Drains

Pour a mixture of salt, baking soda, and hot water down your drain to help clear minor clogs and eliminate odors.

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11. Polish Brass and Copper

Make a paste with salt, vinegar, and flour, apply it to tarnished brass or copper items, let sit, then rinse for a brilliant shine.

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12. Keep Avocado Fresh

Sprinkle cut avocado with salt to prevent browning and keep it looking fresh longer.

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13. Extinguish Grease Fires

If a small grease fire starts in your kitchen, pour salt (not water!) on it to smother the flames safely.

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14. Exfoliate Your Skin

Mix salt with olive oil or honey to create a natural exfoliating scrub that removes dead skin cells and leaves skin soft.

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15. Make Ice Cream Without a Machine

Salt lowers the freezing point of ice, so mixing salt and ice in a bag around your ice cream mixture helps it freeze quickly—perfect for a fun DIY treat.

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🧂 Why Table Salt Is a Household Hero

Affordable and widely available, table salt offers eco-friendly alternatives to many chemical cleaners and beauty products. Its natural abrasive, antibacterial, and odor-absorbing properties make it an essential multitasker in any home.

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💡 Tips When Using Salt for Household Hacks

• Use non-iodized salt for cleaning and beauty recipes for best results.

• Avoid using salt on delicate fabrics or metals without testing first.

• Don’t overuse salt outdoors as it can affect soil and plants.

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✨ Final Thoughts

Next time you reach for the salt shaker, remember—it’s much more than just a seasoning! From freshening your home to enhancing your beauty routine, table salt is a simple ingredient with surprisingly powerful uses.

Give some of these hacks a try and see how this everyday kitchen staple can transform your life!