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20+ Household Uses for Salt Around the House

Close-up of salt on a black table, with a full wooden spoon
Image Credit:
Pixabay
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Salt does more than make food flavorful—it can also be a surprisingly useful household helper. From removing stains and freshening smelly shoes to cleaning brass and tackling everyday spills, there are plenty of clever ways to use salt around the house.

We’ve gathered some of our favorite household uses for salt, including cleaning tricks, stain-removal tips, and other practical uses. Before you reach for a specialty product, see what this simple pantry staple can do!

When windows won’t open, and salt clogs the shaker, the weather will favor the umbrella maker.
–Weather folklore

household uses for salt, salt shaker, using salt around the house

Best Household Uses for Salt

1. Remove Fruit Stains With Salt

Fruit stains are easier to tackle while they’re still fresh. Rub salt into the stained fabric while it is still wet, then launder as usual.

2. Help Remove Mildew Spots

For mildew spots, rub the area with a mixture of salt and buttermilk. Let the fabric dry in the sun, then wash as usual.

3. Absorb Wine and Fruit Juice Spills

Spilled wine or fruit juice on your tablecloth? Sprinkle salt over the spot immediately. The salt can help absorb the liquid before you launder the fabric.

4. Remove Heat Rings From Wood Furniture

For those ugly heat rings left on a table, make a paste with salt and olive oil. Apply it to the mark, let it sit for about an hour, then wipe it away with a soft cloth.

5. Clean a Sticky Clothing Iron With Salt

Sprinkle salt onto a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it several times. The salt can help loosen residue stuck to the iron’s surface. Use caution when handling a hot iron.

6. Refresh Faded Fabric With Salt

To help restore some color to faded fabric, soak it in a strong solution of salt and water before washing.

7. Clean Brass With Salt and Vinegar

Give dull brass a fresh shine with a simple mixture of salt and vinegar. Rub the mixture gently onto the brass, then rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

8. Improve Your Grip When Cleaning Meat or Fish

Salt can help provide extra grip when you’re handling slippery meat or fish. Sprinkle a small amount of salt onto your fingers before cleaning.

9. Discourage Weeds With Saltwater

Salt has traditionally been used to discourage unwanted weeds growing in driveways or between bricks and stones. Pouring boiling salted water over weeds can help dry them out—but take care around desirable plants, since salt can damage soil and vegetation.

10. Remove Perspiration Stains

For perspiration stains, make a paste with salt and water. Rub it into the stained area, let it sit for about an hour, then launder as usual.

11. Clean Up Spilled Raw Eggs

Spilled a raw egg? Cover it with salt and let it sit briefly before wiping it up with a paper towel. The salt can help make the slippery mess easier to clean.

12. Freshen Smelly Shoes With Salt

Freshen smelly sneakers or canvas shoes by sprinkling salt inside. Let the salt sit for about 24 hours to absorb odors, then shake it out before wearing the shoes.

13. Absorb a Grease Spill With Salt

For a fresh grease spill, sprinkle salt directly over the mess and let it sit. Once the salt has had time to absorb some of the grease, clean the area as appropriate for the surface.

14. Make a New Broom Last Longer

Before using a new broom for the first time, soak its bristles in hot saltwater. This traditional household tip may help keep the bristles in good shape.

15. Clean Stainless Steel With Salt and Lemon

Make a gritty cleaning paste with 2 tablespoons of salt and lemon juice. Rub it gently onto stainless steel, then rinse well and pat dry with a soft cloth.

16. Clean Glass Vases With Salt

Remove stubborn stains inside glass vases by sprinkling 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt into the vase. Add a little water and scrub with a damp-bristle brush, then rinse thoroughly.

17. Dry Muddy Carpet Spots With Salt

Sprinkle salt over muddy footprints on a carpet and allow it to dry before vacuuming. Always check your carpet manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations first.

18. Dust Silk Flowers With Salt

Give dusty silk flowers a gentle cleaning by placing them in a paper bag with several tablespoons of salt. Close the bag and shake gently for about 2 minutes, then remove the flowers and shake off any remaining salt.

19. Refresh Household Sponges With Saltwater

Help freshen household sponges by soaking them in cold saltwater for about 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward.

20. Try a Traditional Saltwater Gargle

Saltwater has long been used as a traditional home remedy for a sore throat. To make a gargle, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Do not swallow the solution.

Have we missed any great household uses for salt? Let us know below!

Household Tips

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Robertm</span> Sun, 08/12/2018 - 09:34
Salt is a necessary ingredient in making salt-preserved cannings, preserving meats, making sauerkraut, etc. Can't do without it. BTW, we make our sauerkraut right in the jars, no stone crocks needed. If anyone wants the recipe, please e-mail me at dejudge1 (at) md.metrocast.net Stay well and enjoy life. .
<span>Rhonda Ann Godwin</span> Wed, 08/09/2017 - 14:27
For almost a decade I struggled with toenail fungus - trying everything and finally after praying with my whole heart I came to a NZ site where a fellow told of how his old Jewish mother told him, as he was awaiting another horrendously expensive on-line treatment from Mexico to arrive, when he finally mentioned to her his struggle with the same fungus I had, "Fungus? That's easy! Soak your feet in a strong salt (Kosher preferred!) solution twice a day for two weeks and it will be gone." I got a knowing and after the most incredibly disapointing, expensive and sometimes outright dangerous battle with these critters, I won. The household salt killed it. Bless that Momma!
<span>Fran</span> Wed, 08/09/2017 - 14:02
I was given a small cast iron skillet that had not been cleaned well. After scrapping much of the build up out of the interior I have used salt and vegetable to clean each time I use it. A teaspoon of salt with a teaspoon of oil rubbed around pan removes any cooking debris and prepares for next use after salt is discarded. Over time this has done much to reduce pitting and smooth cooking surface.
<span>Theresa G. Chi…</span> Tue, 03/07/2023 - 09:28
I use the oil/salt combo to clean bits of stuck-on foods, also. After the pan cools to just "warm", I use a few drops cooking oil and half a teaspoon of salt to scrub the pan with a small piece of paper towel. Really does a great job of maintaining the pans' "seasoning".
<span>Giovanni</span> Sun, 08/13/2017 - 18:37
Once you are satisfied with the condition of your pot, I suggest future cleaning be done with hot water while the pot is still hot and use a bamboo brush (available at Amazon & other stores). As you may already know never use soap to clean the pot as that tends to remove the patina. . . but, if that happens, you can ALWAYS treat it & "cook" it in the oven to re-establish a patina. I treat my cast iron cookware with either bacon grease or olive oil after cleaning them. They do not need this treatment after every use, however. Enjoy your cast iron and healthier cooking.
<span>Gene Thompson</span> Tue, 04/25/2017 - 00:00
Make a paste of salt and warm water. Apply in oven and leave paste in oven for a half hour. Using a sponge and pail of hot to touch water wipe salt paste from oven. You will have a clean oven and not have to smell commercial cleaning products. My sister always tells people my oven is so clean she does not think Inuse it.
<span>Renee</span> Sun, 08/21/2016 - 22:13
I've heard it kills fleas. I unfortunately have to test this theory now.
<span>Diana</span> Sun, 08/21/2016 - 19:25
Itchy mosquito bite? Wet the tip of your finger and dip it in salt. Rub the salt on the bite. It will relieve the itching immediately and permanently.
<span>Sandi Lewis</span> Sun, 05/22/2016 - 22:40
sprinkle salt on wood floors before sweeping. Salt makes the dust roll up into balls for easier sweeping.
<span>Samantha Bowker</span> Sun, 05/22/2016 - 19:19
Add just enough water to make a paste, apply the salt paste to cavity/pain in tooth. I keep my mouth open n drool in sink until I cannot handle the taste. Spit n rinse. Anti inflammatory properties. Can also add pepper... found this online when a tooth broke n nothing else worked....