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Kitchen Hints
A dash of Salt improves the taste of coffee and prevents bitterness.
A pinch of Salt improves the flavour of cocoa.
A tiny pinch of Salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
Add a little Salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
Add a pinch of Salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
Add Salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
Adding a little Salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
Boiling eggs in salted water will make eggs peel easily.
Boiling Water - Salt added to water makes the water boil at a higher temperature, thus reducing cooking time.
Brightening cutting boards - After washing them with soap and water, rub bread and cutting boards with a damp cloth dipped in Salt: the boards will be lighter and brighter. There are antiseptic reasons to use Salt as well.
Chamois Care: Chamois leather stays soft if it is rinsed in lukewarm saltwater.
Clean greasy fry pans with a paper towel and Salt.
Clean your greens in Saltwater for easier removal of dirt.
Cleaning coffee pots - Remove bitterness from percolators and other coffee pots by filling with water, adding four tablespoons of salt and percolating or boiling as usual.
Cleaning copper pans - Remove stains on copper pans by salting area and scouring with a cloth soaked in Vvinegar.
Cleaning dried-on egg - Salt not only makes eggs taste better, but it makes egg dishes clean easier. Sprinkle salt on dishes right after breakfast; it makes them a whiz to clean when you have time.
Cleaning greasy pans - The greasiest iron pan will wash easily if you put a little Salt in it and wipe with paper.
Cleaning ovens - Salt and cinnamon take the "burned food" odour away from ovens and stove burners. Sprinkle spills while oven and burners are still hot; when dry, remove the salted spots with a stiff brush or cloth.
Cleaning refrigerators - Salt and soda water will clean and sweeten the inside of your refrigerator. It won't scratch enamel either.
Cleaning sink drains - Pour strong Salt brine down the kitchen sink drain regularly to eliminate odours and keep grease from building up.
Cleaning stained cups - Rubbing with Salt will remove stubborn tea or coffee stains from cups.
Cleaning tarnished silverware - Rub tarnish with Salt before washing.
Crisping salads - Salting salads, like lettuce, immediately before serving will keep them crisp. Cooking oil keeps longer: Cooking oil keeps longer, if you add some SALT to the bottle.
Extinguishing grease fires - Never use water; it will only spatter the burning grease. Keep a box of Salt handy at your stove and oven and if a grease fire flares up, cover the flames with salt. Also a handful of salt thrown on flames from meat dripping in barbecue grills will reduce the flames and deaden the smoke without cooling the coals as water does.
Fixing over salted soups - If soup has been over salted, cut up a raw potato or two and drop into the soup. The potato will absorb the salt.
Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolour.
Gelatine sets more quickly when a dash of Salt is added.
Hard cheese stays fresh longer if it is wrapped in cloth which has been soaked in saltwater.
If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of Salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.
Improving boiled potatoes - Boiled potatoes will be given a fine, mealy texture by sprinkling with salt after draining, then returning them to the pan and shaking them back and forth quickly to get rid of the excess moisture. Insect-free lettuce and vegetables: Rinse your lettuce and vegetables with lukewarm saltwater to make insects, snails and other small animals disappear.
Keeping milk fresh by adding a pinch of salt to milk will keep it fresh longer. Nicotine and tar stains on china: Dip a cork in salt and rub the stain with it – your china will be as good as new. More delicious coffee: A pinch of SALT is all it takes: If you add a pinch of SALT to your ground coffee before you brew it, it will become particularly aromatic.
No grease splatter: You can prevent annoying grease splatter on your stove by putting a little SALT in your frying pan, before you add the fat.
Poaching eggs over salted water helps set the egg whites.
Preventing browning of apples, pears and potatoes dropped in cold, lightly salted water as they are peeled will retain their colour.
Preventing food from sticking - Rub a pancake griddle with a small bag of Salt to prevent sticking and smoking.
Preventing mould - To prevent mould on cheese, wrap it in a cloth dampened with saltwater before refrigerating.
Preventing sugaring - A little Salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.
Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
Remove odours from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salted water.
Remove offensive odours from stove with Salt and cinnamon.
Removing onion odours from hands - Rub fingers withSalt moistened with Vinegar.
Removing pinfeathers easily from a chicken, rub the chicken skin with salt first.
Salt makes the cake yellow: To give your cake that delicious yellow colour even if you're not using many eggs, add some SALT when you beat the yolk.
Salt and soda will sweeten the odour of your refrigerator, in fact removes all bad odours.
Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
Setting gelatine - To set gelatine salads and desserts quickly, place over ice that has been sprinkled with Salt.
Shelling pecans - Soaking pecans in salt water for several hours before shelling will make nut meats easier to remove.
Soak enamel pans in Salt water overnight and boil salt water in the pots next day to remove burned-on stains.
Soak fish in salt water before de-scaling; the scales will come off easier. Put a few grains of rice in your Salt shaker for easier pouring.
Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
Soak your shelled nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
Soak discoloured glass in a Salt and Vinegar solution to remove stains.
Sprinkle a little Salt in the skillet before frying fish to prevent the fish from sticking.
Sprinkle sSalt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.
Sprinkle Salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
Sprinkle Salt on washed skillets, waffle iron plates or griddles, heat in a warm oven, dust off salt; when they are next used, foods will not stick.
SprinkleSalton your shelves to keep ants away.
Sweetening containers - Salt can "sweeten" and deodorise thermos bottles and jugs, decanters and other closed containers.
Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
To improve the flavour of poultry, rub the fowl inside and out with salt before roasting.
To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part Salt to four parts alcohol. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
Use a mixture of Salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
Use salt to clean your discoloured coffee pot.
Washing spinach - If spinach is washed in salted water, repeated cleanings will not be necessary.
Whipping cream and beating egg whites - By adding a pinch of salt, cream will whip better and egg whites will beat faster and higher.
Laundry and Cleaning Type Hints For Salt.
Brightening colours - Wash colour curtains or washable fibre rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colours. Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.
Brightening yellowed cottons or linens - Boil the yellowed items for one hour in a Saltand baking soda solution.
Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of Salt and Vinegar, thickened with flour.
Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
Cleaning brass - Mix equal parts of Salt, flour and vinegar to make a paste, rub the paste on the brass item, leave on for an hour or so, then clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.
Cleaning flower vases - To remove deposits caused by flowers and water, rub with Salt: If you cannot reach the deposits to rub them, put a strong salt solution in the vase and shake, then wash the vase with soap and water.
Cleaning grease spots on rugs - Some grease spots can be removed with a solution of one part salt and four parts alcohol and rubbing hard but carefully to avoid damage to the nap.
Cleaning wicker - To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow to dry in the sun.
Colour-matching nylons - Good nylons that don't have a match can be made the same colour by boiling them a few minutes in a pan of lightly salted water.
Cover wine-stained fabric with Salt: rinse in cool water later.
Extending broom life - New brooms will wear longer if soaked in hot saltwater before they are first used.
Fabric colours hold fast in salty water wash.
Fixing sticking iron - Sprinkle a little Salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.
Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
Polish your old kerosene lamp with Salt for a brighter look.
Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
Remove odours from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of Salt water.
Removing blood stains - Soak the stained clothing or other cloth item in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. (Use only on cotton, linen or other natural fibres that can take high heat.)
Removing mildew or rust stains - Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and Salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; and finally, rinse and dry.
Removing perspiration stains - Add four tablespoons of Salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.
Removing rings from tables - White rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and Salt on the spot with your fingers, letting it stand an hour or two, then wiping it off.
Removing wine stains - If wine is spilled on a tablecloth or rug, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with Salt, which will absorb the remaining wine. Later rinse the tablecloth with cold water; scrape up the salt from the rug and then vacuum the spot.
Restoring sponges - Give sponges new life by soaking them in cold saltwater after they are washed.
Rock Salt has small amounts of both of these salts imbedded in it. The problem comes with solubility. Patience and lots of rinse cycles are the key and sometimes calcium carbonate forms and this is fairly insoluble. Try to vacuum most of the dry residue off before using cool to warm water and a very small amount of carpet shampoo. Once the cleaning solution has been applied, allow time for it to dissolve the deposit. Blot, do not scrub, the spot. Sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temps than at higher ones. Then rinse with clear lukewarm water, blotting up the excess moisture and follow with another water rinse and blot dry. This should work. If not, try a cleaning mixture of ½ white Vinegar to ½ lukewarm water, allow to stand 15 minutes and rinse with clear water.
Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
Settling suds - If a washing machine bubbles over from too many suds, sprinkle Salt on the suds to reduce them.
Soak stained hankies in Salt water before washing.
To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part Salt to four parts rubbing alcohol.
Health & Beauty Tips
A dash of Salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage. Bathing eyes - Mix 1/2 teaspoon of Salt in a pint of water and use the solution to bathe tired eyes.
Dry Salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle
Rinse a sore eye with a little Salt water.
Applying facial - For a stimulating facial, mix equal parts of Salt and Olive Oil and gently massage the face and throat with long upward and inward strokes. Remove mixture after five minutes and wash face.
Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for a while.
Boil your wooden clothes pegs in Salt water before using them and they will last longer. Cleaning the beaker: If you rinse your toothbrush beaker with a warm saline solution once in a while, the inside won't get covered in grime.
Cleaning teeth - Mix one part Salt to two parts baking soda after pulverizing the salt in a blender or rolling it on a kitchen board with a tumbler before mixing. It whitens teeth, helps remove plaque and it is healthy for the gums.
Freshen sponges by soaking them in Salt water.
Cleaning baby dummies: Support the dummy with a spoon handle and rub it with table Salt. Rinse thoroughly with water, and your baby dummy will be clean and hygienic again.
Gargling - Stir 1/2 teaspoon s\Salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water for use as a gargle for sore throats.
Hiccups: A tried and tested remedy from Grandma: Let some Salt melt on your tongue and even the most adamant of hiccups will go away.
Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
Make your own peeling: Carefully rub your face with a mix of cream and Salt. Then rinse with lukewarm water – your skin will turn beautiful and smooth.
Reducing eye puffiness - Mix one teaspoon of Salt in a pint of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution on the puffy areas.
Relieving bee stings - If stung, immediately wet the spot and cover with Salt to relieve the pain.
Relieving fatigue - Soak relaxed for at least ten minutes in a tub of water into which several handfuls of Salt has been placed. Or try this recipe for "aches and itches"
A dash of Salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
Relieving tired feet - Soak aching feet in warm water to which a handful of Salt has been added. Rinse in cool water.
Removing dry skin - After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry Salt. It removes dead skin particles and aids the circulation.
Rinse a sore eye with a little Salt water.
Sore throat and hoarseness: If you've caught a nasty cold, it helps to gargle with warm SALT water. If your children are ill, let them inhale steam from hot SALT water through a reversed funnel.
Treating mosquito and chigger bites - Soak in Salt water, and then apply a mixture of lard and salt.
Treating poison ivy - Soaking the exposed part in hot Salt water helps hasten the end to poison ivy irritation.
Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
Washing mouth - Mix equal parts of Salt and baking soda as a mouth wash that sweetens the breath.
White teeth: Once a week, brush your teeth with Salt instead of toothpaste. They will become dazzlingly white.
Miscellaneous Uses For Salt
Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life. Add spark to your hearth and fireplace: A dwindling fire on the hearth or fireplace will soon crackle in a homey way again, if you throw a handful of SALT onto the embers.
A few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
Blood stains: Strew some water softener on the blood stains, then wash them in saltwater. Blood stains on upholstered furniture can be removed by mixing potato starch with some water and spreading the paste over the stain. Rub it in, put some more on and then rinse with saltwater.
Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
Cleaning the oven: Strew some salt in the oven and heat it until the salt is brown. Then remove the Salt with a piece of kitchen roll and clean the oven as usual.
Cleaning fish tanks - Rub the inside of fish tanks with salt to remove hard water deposits, then rinse well before returning the fish to the tank. Use only plain, not iodised Salt.
De-ice sidewalks and driveways - Lightly sprinkling rock salt on walks and driveways will keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easy removal. Don't overdo it; use the salt sensibly to avoid damage to grass and ornamentals.
Deodorizing shoes - Sprinkling a little salt in canvas shoes occasionally will take up the moisture and help remove odours.
Drip-proofing candles - Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well. When burned they will not drip.
Electric Iron: Rough spots on the iron can be cleaned with water and Salt.
Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
Salt gets rid of grease stains: Salt absorbs grease! The next time you get grease stains on your clothes, strew a generous amount of salt on them straight away.
Give old tubs a new shine: Old enamel bath tubs will shine again if you treat them with a turpentine and SALT solution. Afterwards, rinse well.
Holding artificial flowers - Artificial flowers can be held in an artistic arrangement by pouring salt into the container, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt will solidify as it dries and hold the flowers in place.
Invigorating goldfish - Occasionally add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of fresh water at room temperature and put your goldfish in for about 15 minutes. Then return them to their tank. The salt swim makes them healthier.
Keeping cut flowers fresh - A dash of Salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer.
Keeping patios weed-free - If weeds or unwanted grass come up between patio bricks or blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.
Keeping windows frost-free - Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and rub dry; the windows will not frost up in sub-freezing weather. Rubbing a small cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened on your car's windshield will keep snow and ice from collecting.
Killing poison ivy - Mix three pounds of Salt with a gallon of soapy water and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer.
Salt removes paint odours, by placing a bowl of Salt in the room.
Polishing brass: Your brass will become as good as new if you polish it with a mix of vinegar and SALT. Rinse again after a few minutes.
Polishing Silver: Add a little Salt T to a bowl of lukewarm water, place a sheet of aluminium foil in the bowl and the silver cutlery on top. Leave to soak for 20 minutes, then take the cutlery out, rinse it and polish it.
Red wine stains: Immediately strew table Salt on the stains. Rinse them slightly.
Removing soot - Occasionally throw a handful of Salt on the flames in your fireplace; it will help loosen soot from the chimney and Salt makes a bright yellow flame
Remove the lime scale on your immersion heater: If an immersion heater becomes covered with lime scale, it can't provide enough heat. Leave it in a boiling mix of 1 litre of Vinegar and 2 tablespoons of SALT, until the lime scale has dissolved.
Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use Salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
Sprinkle Salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
Stains from dripping taps: Stains from dripping water taps and yellow spots can be removed quicker if they are first treated with a Salt and Vinegar mush. You might have to leave it over night!
To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of Salt and Starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
