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
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!
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