All natural cleansers are available to help you get through your weekly tasks. Some of the most popular are distilled white vinegar and baking soda. It’s more than enough when used on its own, but combine them for a chemical reaction that has uses around the house. this What makes baking soda and vinegar so good at cleaning?. But, did you know that salt can help clean, too?
That’s right, table salt can be used for more than just seasoning your meals. With its abrasive nature, it is an ideal cleaning material. In addition, it also acts as a deodorant and has excellent absorbent tendencies, which is useful when dealing with stains.
Moreover, it works well in conjunction with the cleaners mentioned above, so it can only improve your cleaning power.
Keen to know more about it? Here are 9 clever ways you can clean with salt.
1. Remove rust from your cast iron skillet
We all love to cook with our cast iron skillets. The problem is, even The best cast iron skillets Rust can develop. This is easily done – all it takes is prolonged exposure to moisture. Maybe you simply stored the pan damp, or maybe someone accidentally ran it through the dishwasher.
Either way, rust can take hold quickly. But, don’t go throwing your frying pan in now. Salt can remove rust from a cast iron skillet. Note – This method is for exposed cast iron, not enameled.
All you have to do is cut a large raw potato in half and, while holding it flat side up, rub a little coarse salt into the pan. Use a circular motion and feel free to add a little more water if the potatoes aren’t getting enough moisture. If the skillet has grill lines, rub it in the direction of those lines and angle the potatoes so you can reach between the slits. Soon the salt will turn brown and peel off the rust. Remember to re-season the pan once you’re done. For full details see How to clean a cast iron skillet And How to season a cast iron skillet.
Salt can help transfer burnt residue from cast iron skillets, too. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of coarse kosher salt with 1 tablespoon of water and start scrubbing.
2. Red wine stain removal
When red wine is spilled, it’s always likely to cause panic. This is because this is known to be one of the most difficult stains to remove, but salt can be a lifesaver here as well.
Depending on where the spill occurred, the directions are slightly different. For carpets and upholstery, the first thing you want to do is gently blot as much of the stain as possible, being careful not to spread it or transfer the stain from the cloth to the carpet. Next, make sure they don’t dry out by spraying them with water, just keep them damp, not soaking wet.
Next, cover the stain with a small amount of salt and let it sit for 2-3 minutes for it to absorb. Clean up the salt with one of the best vacuum cleaners afterwards and check your progress. If the stain still appears, you can repeat the above steps until it fades. Just remember not to give the stain a chance to completely dry or set. For more details on this, and details on how to remove this stain from clothes, see How to remove red wine stains.
3. Remove tea and coffee stains
Many people don’t realize how difficult it is to remove tea and coffee stains until they try it for themselves. Because of the tannins these drinks contain, they can easily stain the surface – even porcelain cups can develop tea stains with continued use, which The best dishwashers You will struggle to transform. Don’t worry, salt can help you here too.
If you’re dealing with a tea-stained cup, add a little distilled white vinegar and a teaspoon of table salt to the cup, then scrub the stain with a microfiber cloth—the stain will soon come off thanks to its abrasiveness. Salt and acidity of vinegar. Just remember to wash your mug before using it again!
If such a stain occurred on your upholstery or perhaps your mattress, salt can help here as well. The directions are pretty much the same as they are for red wine stains. Wipe up as much of the excess as possible before splashing cold water on the stain to keep it damp. Then put a layer of salt on the stain to soak for 2-3 minutes – you can gently rub the salt into the stain, but you shouldn’t rub it in. Then wipe again to pick up any excess.
Finally, dump out what’s left, and repeat if necessary. be seen How to clean a mattress If you are dealing with the toughest stains.
4. Remove water stains on wood
There is nothing more annoying than discovering an unsightly water stain on your favorite wooden side table. This is easily done if you forget to use a coaster! Fortunately, salt can clear this up.
All you have to do is mix a paste of one tablespoon of salt with one teaspoon of water. Then apply it to the surface in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth. Be careful not to add more water than that, or it will only make the situation worse. You should see the stain starting to fade. Once it’s gone, let it dry and apply a wood polish to make it shine, such as Old English Furniture Polish with Lemon Oil ($13.89, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)). Baking soda is interchangeable with this hack, too. For alternative methods, see How to remove water stains from wood and walls.
5. Remove bad odors from the refrigerator
When preparing your meals, the last thing you want to deal with is a smelly fridge. This can happen when you store foods for longer than they should, and stains and spills can also contribute. Given that the refrigerator is a mostly closed environment, it can be difficult to get rid of the odor, even when things are clean. Fortunately, salt can provide an answer here as well.
Much like baking soda, salt acts as a natural deodorizer. This means that as soon as you put a small amount of salt in the fridge, it will get to work. You can add the salt directly to a small bowl or egg cup and place it in the back of the refrigerator. It should have an effect within a few days. If you want to leave a pleasant aroma, you can always add salt to hollow citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, or grapefruits. Just make sure it doesn’t roll around and spill everywhere!
6. Unclog the drain
If you are dealing with a clogged drain, salt can be used here. All you have to do is dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of salt in the water. Then pour this solution straight down the drain and let it work its magic for 30-40 minutes. At this time he should break up any suet that he encounters.
Once the time is up, boil one of the best electric kettles and carefully pour the hot water directly over it. This should rinse out what’s left. For alternative methods, such as using laundry detergent or baking soda and vinegar, see How to unclog a drain.
7. Clean the garbage disposal
The usefulness of salt in drainage doesn’t stop here either. You can also use it to update your garbage disposal. Making sure your hands don’t reach the garbage disposal at any time and with the power turned off and unplugged, fill it with ice to the brim, then add a cup of kosher salt to the mix. Replace the baffle, then with cold water flowing through it, turn on your unit and let the ice and salt rub the blades as you process them.
If the smell seems unpleasant, throw some citrus peels in there, too. If you suspect a blockage, be sure to check out our full guide How to clean a garbage disposal.
8. Remove sweat stains
Changing sweat stains can be difficult, even if you use one of the best washing machines. If your clothes often show sweat stains, salt can help here too. Simply dissolve four tablespoons of salt in four cups of hot water. Then, using a microfiber cloth, apply the solution directly to the fresh sweat stains.
Don’t be too abrasive, or you may damage the material. Just keep drying and be persistent. Once you notice the stain removal, you can add the item to the washer as you normally would.
9. Steam iron cleaning
If you use a steam iron regularly, you will know that a plate can appear unsightly stains very quickly. Don’t worry though, salt can keep these things at bay.
All you need to do is sprinkle some salt on the baking sheet, while placing it on the ironing board, and then pass the warm iron over it, moving in different directions. The salt should remove hard water marks as well as other unsightly stains. Wait for the iron to cool completely before wiping the salt away and enjoying your craft.
If you want to know more cleaning hacks, check out these 9 things you didn’t know you could clean with lemonand check this out TikTok hack to remove limescale from taps For more tips and tricks. Finally, always remember that even your cleaning products need scrubbing, so it’s worth learning how to clean a microfiber cloth.
[ad_2]