Most of us keep salt in our spice racks, but did you know this humble mineral belongs in your cleaning cupboard too? As a natural disinfectant, deodorizer, and stain remover, salt is the ultimate eco-friendly cleaning hack. Here’s how to harness its power throughout your home:
1. Deep-Clean Floors Naturally
✔ Removes stubborn stains (mud, food spills)
✔ Neutralizes pet odors (great for homes with cats/dogs)
✔ Kills bacteria without harsh chemicals
How to use:
- Mix ½ cup salt with 1 gallon warm water
- Add 1 tbsp vinegar for extra disinfecting power
- Mop as usual – no rinsing needed!
2. Disinfect Your Mop Like a Pro
That mop head spreads more germs than it cleans unless properly sanitized.
Salt soak method:
- Wash mop with dish soap
- Soak in bucket with:
- 1 liter hot water
- 3 tbsp salt
- Wait 1 hour (salt kills bacteria)
- Air dry completely
Bonus: This also removes musty mop odors!
3. Tackle Tough Surface Stains
Salt’s abrasive crystals make it perfect for:
▸ Rust stains (mix salt + lemon juice into paste)
▸ Grease spills (sprinkle dry salt to absorb, then wipe)
▸ Wood furniture marks (salt + olive oil = gentle scrub)
4. Refresh Household Items
- Sponges: Soak overnight in saltwater to kill bacteria
- Cutting boards: Scrub with salt to remove odors
- Drains: Pour ½ cup salt + boiling water monthly to prevent clogs
Why Salt Works So Well
• Antibacterial properties inhibit mold/mildew
• Absorbs odors naturally (no synthetic fragrances)
• Non-toxic and safe around kids/pets
• Super affordable – pennies per cleaning session
Pro Tip: Use coarse sea salt for scrubbing and fine table salt for liquid solutions.
Next time you’re cleaning, skip the expensive sprays and reach for the salt shaker instead! Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.
Never Pick a Watermelon at Random: Here Are 6 Tips to Choose the Best One
I’ve already eaten two watermelons this spring, and both were awful. The kids and my husband (who seem to have less discerning taste buds than l do) eat the watermelon.
Although it’s a pain to lug a 10-pounder from the car and spend 15 minutes cutting it(then cleaning up the mess) only to discover the fruit is a little bland and dry.
Have you ever thumped 15 watermelons at the store, shrugged your shoulders and grabbed the one you thought just “might” be a good one?
Stop thumping and shrugging. These tips should help you find the perfect watermelon.
- Check out the bum
When you pull a watermelon off the vine, it’s done. lt won’t ripen anymore. Farmers plucksome watermelons a bit early to get them to the market. The bottom of the watermelonshould have a creamy patch without much tripe. The bigger and darker the patch, thebetter.
- Check out the color
Watermelons should be a darker green. Very light watermelons may not have had enough time to ripen. Watermelons should have contrasting dark and lighter stripes.
- Lift a few
Watermelon is primarily made of water. lf a watermelon feels light for its size, it is probably dry, which won’t taste good. A juicy, ripe watermelon will feel heavier than it appears. Try picking up a few to compare.
- Check the shape and shine
Watermelons should be oval and uniform. Skip the melon if it has bumps, lumps, and indentations. The melon’s coloring and shape are indicators that it got enough sun and water to grow and ripen properly. Ripe watermelons should not shine. The shine could bean indication that the melon is not quite ripe.
- Say no to stem
If the melon still has a stem on it, move along. The melon didn’t come off the vine easily,indicating that it wasn’t quite ripe. Look for a melon with a slightly indented end where the stem would be. The melon will have fallen off the vine on its own.
- What about knocking?
Knocking on watermelons is a surprisingly divisive topic. What About Watermelon explains that knocking is pointless. While you can knock and listen for a hollow sound,you’l get better results by examining the color, shape and yellow spot.White On Rice disagrees, saying that if you hold the watermelon like a baby and give it a good thwap, you’ll feel the vibrations in your bottom hand if the watermelon is right. Give it a whack, but look for the other signs as well.
