Salt is a kitchen essential, but its usefulness extends far beyond seasoning. It’s a versatile household helper, and we’ve identified more than two dozen ways to use salt outside of cooking.
Of course, salt enhances flavor. But did you realize it’s also excellent for cleaning because of its absorbent and abrasive properties? Salt can tackle many household cleaning tasks and even be incorporated into personal care routines. How about a salt scrub?
Instead of buying pricey specialty cleaners, pick up extra salt at the grocery store. Below are 26 practical salt uses that may surprise you.
Which Kind of Salt Works Best?
When you picture salt, you probably think of fine table salt, but some projects call for sea salt, kosher salt or Epsom salt.
Iodized table salt is the most economical choice — for example, a 26-ounce store-brand container at Walmart can cost as little as $0.54 — and is likely already in your pantry. Its fine grains make it suitable for many tasks.
Sea salt and kosher salt have coarser crystals. You’ll pay a bit more for kosher salt (around $3 for 3 pounds at Walmart) and sea salt (similar pricing for 26 ounces), but when you need extra abrasion the cost is still less than many specialty cleaners.
Epsom salt is technically magnesium sulfate rather than true salt. You can find it in pharmacy or beauty aisles for under $5 for a 4-pound bag.
26 Uses for Salt Beyond the Kitchen
Here are ways to use salt as a cleaning aid, a beauty and wellness booster, pet care trick, outdoor solution and other household hacks.
Salt as a Cleaner
1. Scrub a cutting board.
If your cutting board is stained, use salt with a lemon to lift discoloration. Wipe the board with a damp cloth, then sprinkle coarse salt over it. Cut a lemon in half and rub it into the salt to scour the surface. Let it sit for several minutes, then rinse and dry upright to remove moisture.
2. Clean the refrigerator.
Salt is useful for fridge cleaning. Dissolve a cup of salt in a gallon of hot water for a simple cleaning solution. Add the remaining half of the lemon for a fresh scent if you’d like.
3. Refresh sponges.
Give a tired kitchen sponge new life by soaking it overnight in a mixture of 1/4 cup salt and 2 cups water to help clean and deodorize it.
4. Clean a glass coffee pot.
Remove coffee stains with 4 teaspoons of salt, 1 cup of crushed ice and 1 tablespoon of water. Ensure the pot is at room temperature, combine the ingredients, swirl until clean and rinse thoroughly.
5. Remove coffee and tea stains from mugs.
Wet the inside of a stained mug, add 1 tablespoon of salt and scrub with a microfiber cloth. Rinse well to restore the mug’s appearance.
6. Extend a new broom’s life.
Soak a new broom in a 1:1 solution of salt and vinegar for 30 minutes before first use, then let it dry upside down. This helps prevent the bristles from splaying.
7. Take water spots off wooden tables.
Make a paste with salt and a little water, then rub it onto water rings until they fade. Wipe clean afterward.
8. Remove wine stains from fabrics and carpets.
Blot excess liquid, then sprinkle kosher salt over the spot and let it sit for two to three minutes before rinsing with cold water. On carpet, vacuum the salt afterward.
9. Brighten brass and copper.
Polish brass or copper by mixing 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon flour with enough vinegar to make a paste. Rub it on, allow it to dry, then wash with warm soapy water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
10. Clean tarnished coins.
Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish and soak pennies for 15 minutes without letting them touch. Use a toothbrush to scrub stubborn areas, rinse, and lay flat to dry.
Only try this if coin collecting value isn’t a concern — the abrasive effect can reduce a coin’s collectible worth.
11. Brighten rugs and curtains.
Refresh rugs by rubbing them with a cloth dampened in salt water. Smaller rugs, curtains and clothing can be soaked in salt water before washing to enhance colors. Short on time? Toss some salt into the washing machine.
12. Clean an iron’s soleplate.
Sprinkle sea salt onto paper and run a warm iron over it several times; the dirt will transfer to the salt. Once cool, wipe the plate with a damp cloth.
13. Deodorize shoes.
Eliminate shoe odors by sprinkling table salt inside and letting it sit overnight to absorb moisture. If you prefer not to pour salt directly in, fill two coffee filters with salt, tie them off, and place them inside the shoes.
Salt in Personal Care
14. Make a body scrub.
Use sea salt, kosher salt, Epsom salt or table salt with an oil like coconut or olive to create a revitalizing body scrub. You can enhance it with essential oils, honey or coffee grounds. Apply to damp skin in the shower to exfoliate.
Reserve salt scrubs for the body — the coarser crystals may be too harsh for delicate facial skin; sugar is a gentler option for face scrubs.
15. Help combat dandruff.
Add a tablespoon of salt to your regular shampoo to exfoliate the scalp as you wash. Alternatively, massage Epsom salt into wet hair, then follow with your usual shampoo and conditioner.
16. Soak in a sea salt bath.
Toss sea salt into your bath to soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema and to relieve muscle soreness. Keep the water only slightly warmer than your skin and add about 1/4 cup of salt, soaking for 20 minutes. You can increase the amount up to 2 cups if desired.
17. Soothe insect stings.
Epsom salt can reduce swelling from bee stings and help remove lingering stinger parts. For mosquito bites, a paste of table salt and water can ease irritation.
18. Ease a sore throat.
Gargling warm salt water can relieve sore throats and some allergy symptoms. Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt into 8 ounces of warm water and gargle as needed. Salt rinses can also help with canker sores and oral health.
Salt Uses for Pets
19. Combat fleas.
For a flea problem, use finely ground table salt (blend it into powder) on carpets, upholstery or pet bedding. Let it sit for 12 to 48 hours so it penetrates fibers and dehydrates flea eggs and adults, then vacuum thoroughly.
Keep pets away from treated areas — salt can irritate skin and is harmful if ingested.
Salt in the Yard
20. Kill weeds in cracks.
To remove weeds sprouting in sidewalk or patio cracks, spray a saltwater solution. Use a mild mix of 3 parts water to 1 part table salt when nearby plants could be affected. For weeds growing alone, a stronger solution works. You can add dish soap and white vinegar for extra potency and reapply every few days.
21. Eliminate poison ivy.
Mix 3 cups salt, 1/4 cup dish soap and 2 cups hot water and spray the mixture on poison ivy every few days until it dies back.
22. Remove rust.
Scrub rusty garden tools with salt, then squeeze lemon juice onto the salted area. Let it sit for two hours and scrub away the rust.
Other Practical Household Uses
23. Prevent fruit from browning.
Keep apple or pear slices from discoloring by soaking them for five minutes in salt water made with 1/2 teaspoon salt per cup of water. Drain and store for lunchboxes.
24. Test egg freshness.
Check eggs by placing them in cold saltwater. Fresh eggs will sink; spoiled eggs will float.
25. Prolong cut flowers.
Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to vase water to help cut flowers take up nutrients; the magnesium helps plant health.
26. Extinguish a grease fire.
If a grease fire starts, pour salt generously over the flames, aiming slightly above them to avoid flare-ups. Salt can also help smother embers in an outdoor bonfire.
For more household tips and frugal living ideas, check out fancy salt worth cost cooking home and practical cleaning tricks like uses for baking soda.
Contributor Maria Hale writes about money-saving habits and lifestyle topics for Savinly from her home in Colorado.
