Salt

Long before the advent of modern chemicals and cleaners salt has been used through the ages for cleaning around the home. A lot of these uses have withstood the test of time and have been handed down over the years. Salt is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the new sophisticated products that “we cannot live without”.

For cleaning purposes buy the cheapest salt possible, save the good stuff for your table.

• To clean tarnished silverware rub the affected area with salt before washing.
• Remove the odour of onion or garlic from your hand by rubbing fingers with salt and a little vinegar.
• Clean and deoderize containers, thermos bottles and jugs by soaking in salted water.
• Pour salt solution down sink drains regularly to eliminate odours and prevent grease build up.
• Rub cutting boards with salt on a damp cloth after washing to brighten them up.
• Remove wine stains from a tablecloth by blotting it up and then sprinkle salt on the stains immediately. Later rinse tablecloth with cold water.
• Wash coloured curtains or washable rugs in a salt water solution to brighten coloures.
• Extinguish a grease fire on your cooker by covering flames with salt. Never use water it will spread the grease.
• A dash of salt added to the water in your vase will keep flowers fresh for longer.
• Soak your toothbrush in lukewarm salt water for 15 minutes every week to get rid of bacteria.
• To remove blood stains from clothes soak the stain in cold salt water then wash in warm water.