Between the state of the economy and the drive to go green, cleaning with expensive products that are loaded with potentially dangerous chemicals is becoming a thing of the past. Instead, people are looking for healthier, and less expensive, ways to clean. One of the best ways to do this is with simple salt. That right, table salt – it is useful for a lot more than just flavoring your French fries! So, grab your salt, a bucket and a few other household ingredients and be prepared to clean everything from red wine to rust stains!
Red Wine
Everyone knows how hard red wine can be to remove from carpeting. In fact, it is often considered the hardest stain to get out. Not anymore. Simply blot up as much of the spilled wine as you can and then sprinkle generously with salt. Allow the salt for sit for fifteen minutes. It will soak up any remaining wine. Your carpet will appear slightly pink in color. Rinse the area thoroughly with a mixture of 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup water. The stain will be gone!
Water Rings on Wood
Anyone who has ever set a wet glass done on a favorite piece of wood furniture knows the horror of the dreaded water ring. No amount of furniture polish or elbow grease ever seems to erase them. Mix up a thick paste from salad oil and salt. Rub the paste into the stain and then remove it by gently buffing. This process will also work for rings left by hot plate or pots.
Grease
Grease stains on a rug or carpet sometimes seem impossible to remove. Salt and rubbing alcohol can remove the grease in a snap. Mix 1 part salt to 4 parts rubbing alcohol. Apply the mixture to the stain and rub hard, being sure to rub in the direction of the nap. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. No more grease stains!
Tarnished Cooper and Brass
Brass and cooper accents pieces can look beautiful in a home, but ugly tarnish can ruin the effect. Make a simple paste out of flour, vinegar and salt in equal parts. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste on. Wait one hour. Wipe the paste off and then buff with a clean and soft cloth. Your cooper and brass will be tarnish free and gleaming.
Rust Stains on Clothing
Any handyman can tell you that rust stains are really hard to get out of clothing. Mix up a paste of lemon juice and salt and apply it to the rust stain. Wash as usual, and the rust will be gone.
In The Garden
You can even use salt in your garden. It can be used to kill the poison ivy. Simply spray the plant with a mixture of salt and water. Just be sure not to spray any plants you want to keep. The phrase ‘salting the earth’ actually refers to the inability of salted ground to produce anything! You can also use salt to remove the itch of a mosquito bite. Wet the affected area and rub with salt – no more itch!
