9 Practical Household Uses For Salt

Salt can do so much more than just add flavor to your favorite dishes. Today I thought I’d share 9 of the best practical uses for salt both in the kitchen and well beyond it. I think you’ll be as impressed as I was!

9 Practical Household Uses For Salt

1. Clean Cast Iron Pans

Well-seasoned cast iron pans can usually be wiped clean with ease, but on those occasions when you need a little more scrubbing power, grab some coarse salt. Pour a handful of it into the pan while it’s still warm, add enough vegetable oil to the salt to form a gritty paste, then use a clean, dry dish rag to scrub the salt and oil paste around the inside of the pan.

The salt will provide the extra scouring power you need to remove those stuck-on food bits, while the oil soaks up the grime and helps to build up the seasoning on your pan. When you’re done scrubbing, dump the salt mixture out and wipe up any residual salt and oil with a paper towel or another clean rag.

2. Restore Crispness To Veggies

When crisp veggies like cucumbers, radishes, celery, or carrots turn soft while in your fridge, you can use a bit of salt to crisp them up again. Slice the veggies and place them in a colander along with a dozen or so ice cubes and a pinch of salt.

Use your hands to toss the veggies, salt, and ice together and set the colander inside a bowl. Place the bowl in your fridge for an hour or so, then pat your newly crisp veggies dry and use them up as soon as you can.

3. Clean Up Spilled Egg

Dropped a raw egg on the kitchen floor? Sprinkle salt over the top of the mess and leave it there for about 20 minutes. Then you’ll be able to wipe it right up.

4. Put Out A Grease Fire

Pour salt on top of a grease fire to smother it and put it out. (And remember, never pour water on a grease fire!)

5. Clean Artificial Flowers

Put dusty artificial flowers in a bag of salt and shake the bag. Take a look at the color of the salt afterward—yuck!

6. Erase Stains From Mugs

You can use salt to help you scrub out coffee and tea stains from mugs. Rub them with salt to remove the staining before washing them thoroughly with soap and water.

7. Absorb Food Stains

If you spill some of your food or drink on the table cloth or your shirt, rub some salt onto the area to help draw out the stain, then put the item in the wash. (This is especially helpful when you’re eating out or at home, because there’s usually salt close by.)

8. Deter Ants

Forget the harsh chemical pesticides; to keep ants at bay, one of the safest home remedies is to create a line of salt where you’ve spotted ants moving around. Salt dehydrates and kills most insects so they’ll do whatever they can to avoid it.