“SALT OF THE EARTH” – 13 NON TOXIC CLEANING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME:
Salt is one of the most common, readily available and versatile minerals in the world today and according to the Salt Institute it can be utilised in over 14,000 different ways! Now that is a claim to fame !
Besides it’s exhaustible possibilities in the kitchen, salt (sodium chloride) has been used extensively since medieval times by ensuing generations to tackle numerous tasks around the home. Before the modern days of the easy fix from toxic chemical solutions, salt was used for cleaning, sanitising and beautifying.
There are a number of forms of salt, unrefined such as sea salt and himalayan salt, refined table salt, and iodised salt. The unrefined salts are the best for consuming but for cleaning purposes you can use any of the above.
Salt works as an effective yet gentle scouring agent and and can be used on its own or combined with other ingredients, such as vinegar, lemon, oil and baking soda to further boost it’s cleaning and deodorising properties. So lets get to work around the house and concentrate on just a few of the endless possibilities we have just using “Simply Salt”. Oh and maybe a little fresh lemon juice here and there!
1/ Cast Iron, Ceramic & Stainless Steel Pots & Pans
Salt acts as a mild abrasive without damaging the cooking surface. To remove difficult burnt-on food from pots and pans, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of salt immediately to the area and rub with a damp microfibre cloth. Then let it soak in a little hot water for 5 to 10 minutes before washing away with soapy water. Rinse and dry before rubbing with a light coating of oil, to stop food from sticking to your pots and pans as easily in the future.
Note: This method is not suitable for non-stick surfaces.
2/ Remove Spillage & Grease From Stove Tops & Ovens
Salt is particularly effective at absorbing grease and oil spills, so as soon as you spot your pans boiling over on the stove and casseroles bubbling over in the oven, carefully sprinkle the area with salt immediately; this will absorb the liquid and help to lift it from the surface. Leave the salt to work its magic and once the surface has fully cooled, scrape the dried mixture off with a spatula before wiping clean with a damp microfibre cloth, to remove any leftover salt and spillage.
Note: If you have a gas cooker, be careful to remove all of the salt as salt residues can cause your gas burners to flare up with a yellowish flame when you next ignite them.
3/ Remove Soap Scum & Grease From Kitchen Sinks
Place the plug in the sink and pour ½ cup of salt into the sink. With a clean, damp microfibre cloth, rub the salt around the inside and up the sides of the sink. Pour in a kettle of boiling water and scrub the sink with the salt solution using a long-handled brush. Unplug the sink and let the hot salty water run away. Repeat every two to three weeks to stop scum and grease from building up.
4/ Clean Sink drains
To prevent grease and unpleasant odours in sink drains, pour a handful of salt down the kitchen sink plug hole and flush with hot water. Do this weekly to keep drains clear and deodorised.
5/ Washing Up
Salt can be used in place of washing up liquid to wash the dishes. Simply sprinkle a handful of salt into hot water and wash as usual. Rinse the dishes well in warm water.
6/ Glassware
To remove stubborn stains such as red wine from your glassware, add a little salt to a damp microfibre cloth for extra abrasive power and rub gently in a circular motion. Although the salt is abrasive, it is gentle enough not to scratch the delicate glass.
7/ Clean & Brighten Wooden Chopping Boards
Just sprinkle wooden boards with a coarse salt such as sea salt and rub with a damp microfibre cloth, leave for 5 minutes then rinse with warm water. The salt will lift tough stains and odours.
8/ Drying Clothes In Winter
Use a handful of salt in the final laundry rinse to prevent clothes from freezing if you use an outdoor clothes line in the winter.
9/ Clean The Iron Base Plate
Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots, repeat as necessary.
10/ Clean & Freshen Artificial Flowers
To breathe life back into artificial flowers, place the flowers in a paper bag with ¼ to ½ cup of salt, depending on the size and quantity, and vigorously shake the bag. The salt will dislodge any accumulated dust, dirt and stale odours, leaving your flowers as good as new.
11/ Clean Refrigerators
Use a mixture of salt and soda water to wipe out and deodorise the inside of your refrigerator.
12/ Shine Copper & Brass
To restore the glisten to tarnished copper and brass, squeeze the juice from half a lemon or lime and fill the half with a teaspoon of salt. Rub the salted lemon or lime all over the brass/copper, leave for a minute, then rinse thoroughly with warm water and buff to a shine.
13/ Remove Water Marks & Rings
To make unsightly water marks caused by beverage glasses and hot dishes, disappear, mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. With a soft microfibre cloth, gently rub the paste onto the ring or mark using a circular motion and wipe away any residue with a clean, damp cloth.
For ring marks on wooden surfaces or furniture, use olive oil with the salt instead of water.
JUST LIKE NONNA USED TO MAKE!
