DIY Salt Hacks You Need to Try at Home

DIY Salt Hacks You Need to Try at Home

Salt has so many uses beyond making those potato chips so irresistible. It’s also an affordable and chemical-free solution to tackle many household tasks. With 8 kids, I’ve learned to be resourceful with both finances and everyday items. One of my biggest discoveries? The versatility of salt in DIY projects.

When we first moved into our new home, our stove didn’t work for an entire week! I spent countless hours online searching for ways to feed my family using just a crock pot and instant pot until it was fixed.

Since then, I’m always on the hunt for new DIY ideas to improve my home life, save money, and use what I already have. After testing out various remedies and hacks, I’ve found some incredible DIY salt uses that really work! Of course, not everything lived up to the hype, but here are my favorite DIY salt tricks—and a few that didn’t quite make the cut.

Top DIY Salt Hacks That Work

1. Laundry: Keep Colors Bright Fading colors in clothes can be frustrating, especially when it happens too soon. Instead of purchasing expensive color-fast products, try adding ¼ cup of salt to your colored laundry. It works wonders, even on dark denim!
2. Coffee Pot Cleaner A dirty coffee pot drives me crazy. While vinegar rinses can work, they often require scrubbing. Instead, try adding a few ice cubes and ¾ cup of salt to your coffee pot, then swirl for about 5 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how crystal clean it gets. For the outside, use a damp cloth with about 2 tablespoons of salt to wipe it down.
3. DIY Salt Weed Killer Store-bought weed killers like Round-Up are expensive. Instead, I make a DIY salt weed killer by mixing 3 cups of salt with hot water. Pour the mixture along your fence line or any area where you want to keep weeds at bay. Just be careful not to pour it near plants you want to keep alive, like flowers!
4. Oven Spills Cleaner Cleaning the oven is one of my least favorite chores. Thankfully, salt can make it easier. The next time something spills in your oven (looking at you, caramel apple pie), cover the spill with salt. After your baking is done, you can easily wipe up the mess without scrubbing.

DIY Salt Hacks That Didn’t Work

Now, not every salt hack is a winner. Here are a couple of DIY salt tricks that I wouldn’t recommend:

1. Pest Control I tried using salt as an ant deterrent in my windowsills, but it didn’t work at all. On the other hand, a little bowl of cinnamon and whole cloves kept the ants away—and it smelled nice too!
2. Frost-Free Car Windows After reading that salt could keep your car windows frost-free, I gave it a try. While it worked for the first night, it required reapplying daily for minimal benefits. It’s easier to just use a credit card to scrape the frost off in the morning!