How to use salt to defrost your freezer in minutes

Salt is much more than just a cooking seasoning. Since ancient times, it has been valued not only for its ability to enhance flavors but also for its many household uses. Today, many people are rediscovering its power as a natural, economical, and effective cleaning product.

Thanks to its crystalline structure and disinfectant properties, salt can become a great ally for keeping the home clean and fresh, without the need to resort to expensive or aggressive chemical products.

Below, we show you the most practical ways to use it and some additional tips that can make a difference in your daily cleaning routine.

1. Clean surfaces with stuck-on residue

Coarse salt is ideal for removing stuck-on food or grime from pots, pans, or countertops. Sprinkle a thin layer onto the wet area and scrub with a sponge or soft abrasive cloth. The natural abrasiveness of the salt helps lift encrusted residue without damaging the material.

Additional tips:

• For pans with old grease, boil water with a generous tablespoon of salt before scrubbing; it helps to soften the residue.
• Mix salt with baking soda for extra abrasive power (especially useful on stainless steel pots).

2. Disinfect and deodorize surfaces

Mixing salt with hot water and using it to mop floors or clean surfaces helps disinfect and neutralize odors. It’s a traditional and inexpensive way to keep bathrooms and kitchens fresh.

Additional tips:

• Add a few drops of vinegar when mopping with salt to enhance its disinfecting action and eliminate lingering odors.
• To deodorize cutting boards: sprinkle salt, let it sit for a few minutes and rub with half a lemon.

3. Polish metals and remove stains

Salt combined with lemon or vinegar works very well for polishing metal utensils (copper, brass, steel) and removing rust stains or burn marks.

Additional tips:

• Prepare a paste of salt and lemon juice; apply it to the affected area, leave it on for 10–15 minutes and rub with a cloth.
• Use fine salt to avoid scratching delicate surfaces.

4. Stain removers for clothes and fabrics

Salt dissolved in hot water helps set colors and remove fresh stains (like red wine or fruit). It can also be used as a pre-treatment for soiled laundry.

Additional tips:

• For red wine, pour salt directly onto the cold stain; vacuum or rinse then with warm water and wash as usual.
• For sweat stains, mix salt with hydrogen peroxide and apply with a soft brush.

More additional uses based on tradition and experience:

5. Avoid odors in plastic containers

Plastic containers retain food odors. To eliminate them, fill the container with a solution of hot water and salt (or baking soda) and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing.

Additional tip:

• Drying in the sun intensifies the neutralizing effect.

6. Clean ceramic or tile grout

Salt combined with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar can make a paste that, when applied to stained or blackened joints and left to act for a few minutes, facilitates rinsing and recovery of the original color.

7. Clean up pet excrement

The salt and vinegar mixture can also be used on pet stains on floors; let it sit and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It helps deodorize without resorting to harsh chemicals.

8. Keep shelves and cupboards clean

Sprinkling a little salt on boxes of dry food (such as rice, legumes, or coffee) can prevent moisture and mold; especially useful in humid climates.