Uses for Salt: Cleaning Your Kitchen

Cleaning Appliances and Cookware with Salt

<!-- dtl_id=216241 //--> [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]From cleaning house to preserving food to helping soothe your aches and pains, salt can tackle even the toughest jobs. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Most people find that the kitchen is the most difficult room in their home to keep clean. With its endless supply of spills, drips, greasy pans, dirty dishes, and foot traffic, kitchen cleanup can certainly feel like an endless series of tasks. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]In this article, you will see how salt can be a weapon in the battle to keep the kitchen clean. Once you start testing the solutions, you will be amazed by the power of salt. Let's start with how salt helps keep appliances clean.

Coffeemakers and Coffee Mugs: Remove coffee and mineral stains from the glass pot of an automatic drip coffeemaker by adding 1 cup crushed ice, 1 tablespoon water, and 4 teaspoons salt to the pot when it is at room temperature. Gently swirl [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]mixture, rinse, and then wash as usual.

Remove tea or coffee stains from light-colored cups and mugs by rubbing [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]stained areas with salt and a little water. Then wash the mug as usual.

Ovens: If a pie or similar sugary item boils over in your oven, sprinkle the sticky spill with salt. Let it sit until spilled area becomes crisp, then lift it off with a spatula when the oven cools.

Refrigerators: To clean and refresh the inside of your refrigerator, sprinkle equal amounts salt and baking soda on a damp sponge, and wipe the refrigerator surfaces.

Stoves: Any spill on your stovetop can be cleaned up more easily if they are sprinkled with salt first. The mildly abrasive quality of salt removes stuck-on food, but it won't mar the surface.

Clean burned-on food from a stovetop burner by sprinkling it with a mixture of salt and cinnamon, then wipe away immediately. The mixture will give off a pleasant smell and cover up any burnt odor the next time you turn on the burner.

Soak up a liquid spill on a stovetop burner by sprinkling it with a mixture of salt and cinnamon. Leave it on [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]spill for 5 minutes to absorb excess liquid, then wipe away

Cleaning Cookware Couldn't Be Easier

Cookware can get some unbelievable stains. Salt can make help return your cookware to its shiny state.
Casserole dishes: When you're faced with stubborn, baked-on food in a casserole dish, add boiling water and 3 tablespoons salt to [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]dish. Let the dish stand u[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]ntil [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]water cools, then wash it as usual.

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Pots and pans: Get rid of excess grease in a roasting pan by first sprinkling it with salt. Then wipe [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]pan with a damp sponge or paper towel, and wash as usual.

There are many more uses for salt around your kitchen. In our next section, we will explore some more surprising applications for everyone's favorite seasoning.

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]<center>[SIZE=+1]Salt Makes Copper as Shiny as a New Penny

[/SIZE]</center>[SIZE=-1]Make your copper-bottom pans worthy of display.

First, sprinkle the tarnished bottoms with salt, then scour the stains away with a cloth dampened with vinegar. Rinse the pan, and then wash it as usual.

Another tarnish-fighting trick for copper pans: Use a spray bottle to apply undiluted vinegar to the bottom of the pan. Leave the vinegar on the pan until you can see the tarnish evaporating. Next sprinkle vinegar with salt, and scrub the entire surface with a scrubbing sponge. Rinse the pan, and repeat if necessary.

[/SIZE][/FONT]Cleaning Kitchen Items with Salt

<!-- dtl_id=216261 //--> [FONT=&quot][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]In addition to working wonders on appliances and cookware, salt can be used all around the kitchen. Let's start with the sink area.[/FONT]

[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Clogs: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]A mixture of equal parts of salt, vinegar, and baking soda may help open up a slow-draining sink. Pour the solution down the drain; let it sit 1 hour, then pour boiling or very hot tap water down the drain.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]A sink clog made up of greasy foods may be dislodged with 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda. Sprinkle this solution into [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]drain, then flush with hot tap water.

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Odors: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Pour a solution of 1 cup salt and 2 cups hot water down [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]kitchen drain to eliminate drain odors and break up grease deposits.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Pour 1/4 cup each of salt, baking soda, and dishwasher detergent into your garbage disposal. Turn on [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]hot water, then run [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]garbage disposal for a few seconds to clean out any debris and clear odors. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Spiff Up Kitchen Items

[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Don't ignore items on the countertop when using salt in the kitchen.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Wood: [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Clean a wood cutting board with soap and a little water. Follow[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]cleaning by wiping [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]board with a damp cloth dipped in salt until the salt is gone. The salt treatment will leave the board looking and feeling fresh. (Never cut meat, poultry, or fish on a wood cutting board.)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Wood breadboxes tend to become sticky with fingerprints and food. You can freshen one easily by wiping [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]surface with vinegar on a sponge or cloth. Do this periodically to prevent grime buildup. A heavy buildup may require repeated wipes with a sponge dampened with vinegar and sprinkled with salt.

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Silverware: [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The tarnish on silverware can be removed by gently rubbing [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]pieces with salt and a soft cloth and then washing them by hand with dish soap and warm water.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]To clean sterling silver pieces and bring back their shine, rub them with a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1/2 cup vinegar. Dip a[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] clean, soft cloth in the paste, then gently rub [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]silver pieces in a circular motion. Rinse the silverware, and then dry it with another soft cloth.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Dishes: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]When you can't wash the breakfast dishes immediately, sprinkle [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]plates with salt to prevent any egg from sticking. This will make [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]dishes easier to clean when you do have [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]time.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Plastic: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Sprinkle some salt into a thermos or any closed container prone to developing odors. Leave overnight, then rinse. The smells should disappear, but you can repeat the steps if necessary.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]As you can see, salt does wonders in the kitchen. It's already in your cupboards. Bring it out and use it!

Hope this helps

Sere

PS: For more info about the article, you can visit: Howstuffworks "Uses for Salt: Guidelines for Cleaning Your Kitchen"

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