Many Uses For Salt

Practical Household Uses For Salt

 

Starting with……..How To SET The Color In New Clothes and Towels.

• Salt is used commonly in the textile industry, but works at home too. If a dye isn’t colorfast, soak the garment for an hour in 1/2 gallon of water to which you’ve added 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup salt, then rinse. If rinse water has any color in it, repeat. Use only on single-colored fabric or madras. If the item is multicolored, dry-clean it to avoid running all of the colors together.

In the Kitchen

• Boiling Water – Salt added to water makes the water boil at a higher temperature, thus reducing cooking time (it does not make the water boil faster).
• Peeling eggs – Eggs boiled in salted water peel more easily.
• Poaching eggs - Poaching eggs over salted water helps set the egg whites.
• Testing egg freshness – Place the egg in a cup of water to which two teaspoonfuls of salt has been added. A fresh egg sinks; a doubter will float.

• Prevent browning – Apples, pears and potatoes dropped in cold, lightly salted water as they are peeled will retain their color.

• Shelling nuts - Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
• Preventing sugaring – A little salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.

• Washing spinach – If spinach is washed in salted water, repeated cleanings will not be necessary.
• Crisping salads – Salting salads immediately before serving will keep them crisp. Lettuce and spinach can be prepped and stored in a salt water bath in your fridge. They will remain crisp and clean. Just rinse and serve!
• Improving boiled potatoes – Boiled potatoes will be given a fine, mealy texture by sprinkling with salt after draining, then returning them to the pan and shaking them back and forth quickly to get rid of the excess moisture.

• Crispier fried potatoes – Soak potatoes in salt water for several hours before you use them. This will help to “leech out” some of their starch content.
• Cleaning greasy pans – The greasiest iron pan will wash easily if you use a little salt in it and wipe with paper.
• Cleaning ovens – Salt and cinnamon take the “burned food” odor away from ovens and stove burners. Sprinkle spills while oven and burners are still hot; when dry, remove the salted spots with a stiff brush or cloth.

• Cleaning stained cups – Rubbing with salt will remove stubborn tea or coffee stains from cups.
• Cleaning refrigerators – Use salt and soda water to clean and sweeten the inside of your refrigerator. It won’t scratch enamel either.
• Prevent grease splatters and splashes - Before frying food, add a few dashes of salt to the pan before putting the food in. This helps prevent the grease from splattering and possibly burning you in the process.

• Extinguishing grease fires – Salt tossed on a grease fire on the stove or in the oven will smother flames. Never use water; it will only spatter the burning grease.

• Improving coffee and hot cocoa – A pinch of salt in coffee or cocoa will enhance the flavor and remove the bitterness of over-cooked coffee.
• Improving poultry – To improve the flavor of poultry, rub the fowl inside and out with salt before roasting.

• Cleaning tarnished silverware – Rub tarnish with salt before washing.
• Cleaning copper pans – Remove stains on copper pans by salting area and scouring with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
• Cleaning coffee pots – Remove bitterness from percolators and other coffee pots by filling with water, adding four tablespoons of salt and percolating or boiling as usual.

• Remove lipstick marks from glassware – Lipstick smudges on glassware can be hard to remove, even in the dishwasher. That’s because the emollients designed to help lipstick stay on your lips do a good job sticking to glassware too. Before washing your stemware, rocks glasses, or water tumblers, rub the edges with salt to erase lipstick stains.

• Removing onion odors from hands – Rub fingers with salt moistened with vinegar.
• “Sweetening” containers – Salt can “sweeten” and deodorize thermos bottles and jugs, decanters and other closed containers.

• Whipping cream and beating egg whites – By adding a pinch of salt, cream will whip better and egg whites will beat faster and higher.

• Keeping milk fresh – Adding a pinch of salt to milk will keep it fresh longer.
• Cleaning sink drains – Pour a strong salt brine down the kitchen sink drain regularly to eliminate odors and keep grease from building up.

• Preventing mold – To prevent mold on cheese, wrap it in a cloth dampened with saltwater before refrigerating.
• Brightening cutting boards – After washing them with soap and water, rub cutting boards with a damp cloth dipped in salt; the boards will be lighter and brighter.
• Clean dough off countertops - After rolling dough out on countertops, sprinkle salt on the countertop, and you will be able to wipe up the dough residue easily, without it forming sticky lumps.

• Burned-on Stains - Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
• Fixing over-salted soups – If soup has been oversalted, cut up a raw potato or two and drop into the soup. The potato will absorb the salt.

• Cleaning dried-on egg – Sprinkle salt on dishes right after breakfast; it makes them a whiz to clean when you have time.

• Setting gelatin – To set gelatin salads and desserts quickly, place over ice that has been sprinkled with salt. Also, gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added to the recipe.

• Preventing food from sticking – Rub a pancake griddle with a small bag of salt to prevent sticking and smoking. Sprinkle a little salt in the skillet before frying fish to prevent the fish from sticking. Sprinkle salt on washed skillets, waffle iron plates or griddles, heat in a warm oven, dust off salt; when they are next used, foods will not stick.

Cleaning

• Cleaning brass – Mix equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar to make a paste, rub the paste on the brass item, leave on for an hour or so, then clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.

• Cleaning wicker – To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow to dry in the sun.
• Cleaning grease spots on rugs – Some grease spots can be removed with a solution of one part salt and four parts alcohol and rubbing hard but carefully to avoid damage to the nap.

• Extending broom life – New brooms will wear longer if soaked in hot saltwater before they are first used.

• Pre-treatment for stains on clothing - Eating out and dropped sauce or dressing on your clothing? Quickly sprinkle a little salt on the still damp sauce or dressing to absorb it. When you arrive home, wash as normal.
• Removing wine stains – If wine is spilled on a tablecloth or rug, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with salt, which will absorb the remaining wine. Later rinse the tablecloth with cold water; scrape up the salt from the rug and then vacuum the spot.

• Restoring sponges – Give sponges new life by soaking them in cold saltwater after they are washed.
• Removing rings from tables – White rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot with your fingers, letting it stand an hour or two, then wiping it off.

• Piano Keys – Use a mixture of salt and  lemon juice to clean piano keys.

• Muddy footprints on carpet – Sprinkle salt on carpets to dry out muddy footprints before vacuuming.
• Stainless steel – Rub with a gritty paste of two tablespoons of salt mixed with lemon juice. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• Settling suds – If a washing machine bubbles over from too many suds, sprinkle salt on the suds to reduce them.

• Keep clothes from freezing on the line - Add a little salt to the rinse water when washing a load of laundry to keep the clothes from freezing stiff on the clothesline. Soaking the clothesline in salt water will also prevent clothes from sticking to it in cold weather.

• Brightening yellowed cottons or linens – Boil the yellowed items for one hour in a salt and baking soda solution
• Removing mildew or rust stains – Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; and finally, rinse and dry.

• Fix a sticking iron – Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.
• Color-matching nylons – Good nylons that don’t have a match can be made the same color by boiling them a few minutes in a pan of lightly salted water.
• Cleaning fish tanks – Rub the inside of fish tanks with salt to remove hard water deposits, then rinse well before returning the fish to the tank. Use only plain, not iodized, salt.

Health & Beauty

• Relief for canker sores, sore throats - A saltwater gargle will take the bite out of a toothache and ease the pain of canker sores and sore throats. Dissolve two teaspoons of salt in 1/4 cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for at least 20 seconds, gargling if you have a sore throat.

• Extend toothbrush life - Soak toothbrushes in salt water before your first use; they’ll last longer.
• Clean teeth - Use one part fine salt to two parts baking soda — dip your toothbrush in the mix and brush as usual. You can also use the same mix dissolved in water for orthodontic appliances.

• Fresh breath - Mix equal parts salt and baking soda in water for a fresh and deodorizing mouth rinse.
• Bathing eyes – Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a pint of water and use the solution to bathe tired eyes.

• Reducing eye puffiness – Mix one teaspoon of salt in a pint of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution on the puffy areas.

• Relieving tired feet – Soak aching feet in warm water and a handful of salt. Rinse in cool water.
• Relieving bee stings – If stung, immediately wet the spot and cover with salt to relieve the pain.
• Treating mosquito and chigger bites – Soak in saltwater, then apply a mixture of lard and salt.

• Removing dry skin – After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry salt. It removes dead skin particles and aids the circulation.
• Treating poison ivy – Soaking the exposed part in hot saltwater helps hasten the end to poison ivy irritation.
• Relieving fatigue – Soak for at least ten minutes in a tub of water with several handfuls of salt.

• Stimulating facial –  Mix equal parts of salt and olive oil and gently massage the face and throat with long upward and inward strokes. Remove mixture after five minutes and wash face.
• A pre-shampoo dandruff treatment - The abrasiveness of ordinary table salt works great for scrubbing out dandruff before you shampoo. Grab a salt shaker and shake some salt onto your dry scalp. Then work it through your hair, giving your scalp a massage. You’ll find you’ve worked out the dry, flaky skin and are ready for a shampoo.
• Removing tattoos – Called salabrasion, this technique involves rubbing salt on the tattoo and requires several treatments. Healing is required between sessions, but there is virtually no scarring. CAUTION: This is a medical procedure that can be done only by a physician.

Around The House

• Tame a wild barbecue - Toss a handful of salt on flames from meat dripping in barbecue grills to reduce the flames and calm the smoke without cooling the coals (like water does).
• Drip-proofing candles – Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well. When burned they will not drip.

• Removing soot – Occasionally throw a handful of salt on the flames in your fireplace; it will help loosen soot from the chimney and salt makes a bright yellow flame.
• Invigorating goldfish – Occasionally add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of fresh water at room temperature and put your goldfish in for about 15 minutes. Then return them to their tank. The salt swim makes them healthier.
• Cleaning flower vases – To remove deposits caused by flowers and water, rub with salt; if you cannot reach the deposits to rub them, put a strong salt solution in the vase and shake, then wash the vase with soap and water.

• Keeping cut flowers fresh - Mix a tablespoon of salt into the water of a vase of cut flowers to keep them fresh longer.
• Holding artificial flowers – Artificial flowers can be held in an artistic arrangement by pouring salt into the container, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt will solidify as it dries and hold the flowers in place. It’s cheaper than filling the vases with marbles or other small items. Salt is better than sand, too, because it provides a pure white color.
• Art Project – Paint with watercolor then sprinkle with salt. When it dries, brush the salt off to reveal a beautiful stippled effect.

• Clothespins – Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
• Rose air freshener – To make a rose air freshener try layering rose petals and salt in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid. Then just remove the lid to freshen the air.

• Keeping patios weed-free – If weeds or unwanted grass come up between patio bricks or blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.

• Deodorize your sneakers - Sneakers and other canvas shoes can get pretty smelly, especially if you wear them without socks in the summertime. Sprinkling a little salt in canvas shoes occasionally will absorb the moisture and help remove odors
• Keeping windows frost-free – Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and rub dry; the windows will not frost up in sub-freezing weather. Rubbing a small cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened on your car’s windshield will keep snow and ice from collecting.
• Killing poison ivy – Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer.

• Goodbye to fleas - If your dogs have fleas, simply wash their doghouse and blankets in salt water. If you’re worried your dogs may have brought fleas into your house, sprinkle your carpets lightly with salt and then brush it in. Leave it for 12 hours and vacuum thoroughly.
• Keep radishes safe in the garden – Salt worms (cutworms) will be repelled if you sprinkle seeds with table salt, then cover with dirt.
• De-icing sidewalks and driveways – Lightly sprinkling rock salt on walks and driveways will keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easy removal. Don’t overdo it; use the salt sensibly to avoid damage to grass and ornamentals.

• Make play dough – Use 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons cream of tartar. Stir together flour, cream of tartar, salt, and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until dough becomes stiff. Spread onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it reaches a good dough consistency.
• Deter ants - Sprinkle salt in doorways, on window sills and anywhere else ants use to sneak into your house. It’s a sure way to keep them out!
• Easy fireplace cleanup - When you’re ready to turn in for the night but the fire is still glowing in the hearth, douse the flames with salt. The fire will burn out more quickly, so you’ll wind up with less soot than if you let it smolder. Cleanup is easier, too, because the salt helps the ashes and residue gather into easy sweepings.

• Repair walls - To fill nail holes, fix chips or other small dings in white sheet-rock or plaster walls, mix 2 tablespoons salt and 2 tablespoons cornstarch, then add enough water (about 5 teaspoons) to make a thick paste. Use the paste to fill the holes.
• Removing rust – Use salt and a damp rag to remove rust from auto bumpers, bike handles and metals; rinse thoroughly.
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