4 Simple Ways to Clean With Salt

Did you know that the ancient Greeks and Romans used salt to clean their clothes and household surfaces? Or that during the Middle Ages, salt was used to clean and disinfect utensils? Salt has been used for centuries as a natural cleaning agent because of its impressive ability to act against certain kinds of bacteria by dehydrating them.

If you haven’t explored the purifying powers of this natural, versatile cleaner (that’s already in your pantry), there’s no better time! Grab some salt and get a head start on your cleaning with these salty cleaning solutions:

1- Freshen Up Your Fridge

Your fridge can get stinky and gross pretty easily. All it takes is one container of leftover chili that got buried in the back, an old bag of lettuce you forgot about in the bottom of the produce drawer, or a leaky syrup bottle on your condiment shelf. If you haven’t done a full cleanout in a while, now is the perfect time to give your old friend Mr. Fridge some love. To freshen up your fridge, mix a solution of salt and water (about one cup of salt per gallon of water, but feel free to use less if you don’t need that much) and use it to wipe down the shelves and walls. Salt not only helps clean and disinfect, but it also helps absorb odors.

2- Clean Carpets and Rugs

The vacuum alone can only do so much. Sometimes, you need an extra hand getting dirt, dust, debris, and stains out of your carpets and rugs. Enter, salt. Just sprinkle your carpets and rugs with salt, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it up. Salt has a brightening effect that should leave your carpets and rugs looking cleaner and feeling fresher.

3- Maintain Your Drains

Nothing’s worse than a clogged or smelly drain….except maybe the harsh, chemical cleaners used to fix them. The good news is, you don’t have to use unhealthy, chemical cleaners that leave you feeling woozy to tackle an unruly drain. Instead, pour a half cup of salt, a half cup of baking soda, and a half cup of hot water down the drain. Salt and baking soda are a powerfully abrasive combo that helps to break down any grease or buildup, while the hot water helps to flush it away.

4- Master Mildew and Mold

Is mildew or mold making an unwanted appearance in your bathroom or other areas of your home? Salt can help remove them. Mix one part salt and one part lemon juice into a paste and apply it to the affected areas. Let it sit for a few hours, then scrub it away with a damp cloth or sponge.

Feeling pumped about all the ways you can clean with salt? Then you’ll want to have plenty of it on hand! Our 10 lb. Real Salt Bag will keep you well-stocked for all your cleaning (and cooking!) needs.

Sources:

• Why Does Salt Have Antibacterial Properties?— BBC Science Focus.
• Clean Out Your Refrigerator With Salt And Water— HuffPost.
• 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Carpet Cleaning— Kids In The House.
• How to Clean Your Sink Drain With Hot Saltwater— SFGate.
• Tried and True: 18 Ways to Clean With Lemon & Salt— Organic Authority.