Useful hacks using salt to keep your home clean during the coronavirus outbreak

Whether it is to safe money from buying cleaning products or if you're adopting the eco-friendly lifestyle, here are some ways to use salt or incorporate it as part of your cleaning routine.

Most household will have salt in their kitchen, and it can easily be turned into a paste to scrub away grime and dirt or combined into a mixture to use as a powerful natural cleaning agent.

Salt also has antibacterial properties, and with the recent Covid-19 virus outbreak, it's always good to have a few cleaning hacks up your sleeves to keep your home and surroundings sterile. 

USING SALT TO REMOVE STAINS

WATER STAINS

Water stains on wooden surfaces are such an eyesore, but you don't need to throw your wooden furniture out just because of that, or spend a lot to hire a professional to fix it. 

Salt and vegetable oil or vinegar will do the job of removing the water stains. Simply mix equal parts salt and vegetable oil or vinegar into a paste and rub it on the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes before cleaning it off and the wood will be as good as new. 

ARMPIT SWEAT STAINS 

Singapore's weather is constantly humid and we'll definitely sweat when we're out and about under the hot sun, causing inevitable yellow sweat stains on white shirts and uniforms. 

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Sure, there are sweat stain removal detergents available in the market but why shell out extra money when you can make your own. 

Mix four tablespoons of salt to four litres of water and continuously dab the saltwater solution on the yellow stain until it's completely gone. 

BRIGHTEN CLOTHES

Preserve the colours of your clothes or prevent them from fading by adding two tablespoons to the wash. The chloride in salt will brighten up your wardrobe and make your clothes last longer. 

BLOOD OR WINE STAINS

As salt can effectively absorb moisture, you'll want blot out as much of the spilt wine from the tablecloth or carpet before sprinkling a generous amount of salt to cover the stain. Leave the salt overnight or soak the cloth in cold water to remove the stain entirely.

For bloodstains, rinse the stained portion under cold water. Then, mix salt with cold water into a paste, apply it on the stain and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse the remaining stain off with cold water.

UNCLOG BATHROOM SINK

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You can easily remedy a slow-moving drain without calling for a plumber by using salt, baking soda, vinegar and hot water.

Mix 1/4 cup salt to half a cup of baking soda, then pour it down the drain and leave it for about an hour or more if it's badly clogged.

Warm a cup of vinegar in the microwave or simmer it over the stove before pouring it down the drain, be careful with the ratio of the ingredients as it will bubble and froth due to the chemical reaction. After 15 to 30 minutes, rinse the drain with two cups of boiling water.   

CLEANING BURNT PANS AND RUST

Burnt pans are the hardest to clean and you'll probably have to stand by the sink to scrub for minutes on end. Even so, the grime would not come off completely. 

For effortless cleaning of burnt pans or pots, cover the surface with salt and add a little water. Leave the pan aside for about 10 minutes and watch the burnt crust come off the pot easily. For stubborn burns that won't budge, bring the saltwater in the pan to a boil, or rub-down the pot with salt and lemon. 

To remove rust, mix water, salt and cream of tartar to form a paste. Rub the paste on rusty parts and let it dry completely, then use a soft cloth to clean it off. 

DETER ANTS AND COCKROACHES

Combat an ant invasion without using pesticides, which using it, in the long run, is toxic and harmful to humans. 

Add a large amount of salt to boiling water until it dissolves, then let it cool. Transfer the saltwater into a spray bottle and start spritzing the areas that are infested with ants, this will deter them. Or spray the solution directly on the ants as home experts say salt dries out the ants' exoskeletons, thereby killing them.

As for cockroaches, besides spraying saltwater, you can also sprinkle salt on areas to deter the cockroaches from coming back. Salt won't kill them, it'll just temporarily keep the pest away. 

ALSO READ: DIY home solutions to get rid of ants

CLEAN THE METAL PLATE OF AN IRON

The metal plate of an iron can sometimes get sticky with residue from the buildup of starch spray or melted materials, leaving you with black spots that can dirty your clothes.

To clean it, pour salt over a piece of paper and run the iron over it a couple of times. Once the iron is cooled, wipe the metal plate with a dry cloth and it'll be restored back to its former state. 

USING SALT FOR PERSONAL CARE

ALLEVIATE SORE THROAT

If you're having a sore throat, mix half a teaspoon of salt and warm water to gargle. Salt helps to kill bacteria in the throat and reduce swelling, which will soothe the throat. 

SALINE WASH 

A saline solution is essentially combining water and salt, which can be used to treat wounds and clear sinus, but it can only be stored for a short period of time. 

You could add salt to distilled water and use it directly, or add one teaspoon of salt to two cups of boiling water and let cool before using it. 

Are there other uses for salt? Let us know!

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

melissagoh@asiaone.com