Put out a grease fire

Put out a grease fire
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A bucket of water is not necessarily the first thing you should grab in a fire; if you are dealing with a grease fire, water can actually cause the flames to spread. Instead, douse them in salt or baking soda, or quickly cover with a metal lid instead.

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Use as a natural mouthwash

Use as a natural mouthwash
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Store-bought mouthwash can contain toxic chemicals and other artificial ingredients. The all-natural alternative? Salt. Stir 1 tsp of cooking salt with 1 tsp of baking soda into half a cup of water, then gargle the mixture. The salt behaves like a disinfectant, killing off bacteria that causes bad breath.

Does bad breath bother you? Here’s how to say goodbye to bad breath for good.

Keep cheese from moulding

Keep cheese from moulding
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Salt’s dehydrating powers can actually help slow the growth of mould on cheese. To reduce food waste (and save money on groceries), dip a paper towel in a mixture of 2 tbsp salt and 3 cups of water, and then wrap it loosely around your cheese before refrigerating.

Chill beverages fast

Chill beverages fast
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Warm soft drink, beer, and wine can spell disaster for any party host. But if you have salt on hand, chilling those beverages won’t take long. Place the bottles and cans in a bucket of ice water and mix in a handful of salt. Once the salt works its magic, the beverages will be cold in no time.

Give your lawn a boost

Give your lawn a boost
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Perhaps the grass on your lawn has seen better (read: greener) days. For an inexpensive fertiliser, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt and three litres of water in a spray bottle, and apply it to the grass. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which boosts a plant’s production of chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for their green hue.

Hoping for an impressive winter garden? This is what you should plant.

Relieve a sore throat

Relieve a sore throat
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The next time you wake up that tell-tale tickle, mix some table salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds to ease the pain. It’s not just an old wives’ tale – salt can actually flush out mucus and other irritants that cause a sore throat.

Here’s the real reasons your cold and flu symptoms linger.

Prevent dye from bleeding

Prevent dye from bleeding
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A new item of clothing won’t run in the wash if you soak it in salt water first. Combine two litres of water with 1/3 cup vinegar and ½ cup salt, and then leave your garment in the solution for one hour. Rinse it off until the water runs clear.

Test for rotten eggs

Test for rotten eggs
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Not sure about that weeks-old egg carton sitting in the back of the fridge? Place an egg in a bowl of saltwater. If it sinks, your batch is fresh. An egg that is rotten, on the other hand, will float.

Don’t throw away your eggshells, here are some fascinating reasons why.

Protect your garden from pests

Protect your garden from pests
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While chemical-filled pesticides can protect your garden from snails and slugs, they also pose a danger to animals and young children. For an all-natural repellent, roll the seeds in table salt before covering them with dirt. The pests will steer clear long enough to give your seedlings a fighting chance.

Ward off fleas

Ward off fleas
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Like snails and slugs, fleas are not fans of salt. If your pup is scratching up a storm, bathe them in a salty solution instead of water and soap. And it can’t hurt to wash the doghouse or pet bedding with saltwater, too. Salt will dehydrate the pests, protecting your four-legged friend from itchy bites.

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