Happy Sunday folks! I hope the weekend has been kind to you! Tonight’s post will be the second part of a series for health, wellness and cleaning tips using an often overlooked item: SALT!
Blood stains. Salt and water can make an efficient and budget-friendly way to remove blood stains from fabrics. You can either take dry salt and rub it onto the stain first and then soak the clothing in cold water. Or you can soak the whole garment in a saltwater bath. Then follow this with a soap and water wash and then rinse with warm but not hot water. Extra tip: To make cleaning blood stains out of clothing more effective, substitute the water with seltzer!
One of my favorite salt tips has to do with cleaning the refrigerator, a common gathering spot for many stains: spilled drinks, butter, jam, to name a few. To clean the fridge shelves and drawers after emptying it out or cleaning up a quick spill, you can use a mixture of salt and seltzer water. Mix together in a small bucket and dip a rag into the solution and scrub the spill or stain with the solution. Then wipe dry. The salt helps scrub off stubborn stains and deodorize at the same time!
Another way I use salt is for cleaning spills and stains from my stovetop. I have a flat stovetop that has no conventional burners. For food that has spilled over during cooking, I use the following cleaning tip. After the stovetop has cooled down, I wipe the top with a very damp cloth. Then I pour a generous amount of salt onto the spill or stain. I leave it there for about 15 minutes to allow it the clump on the stain. Then I wipe the stovetop down with a different damp cloth. This leaves not harmful fumes!
Relieve muscle and joint pain. A saltwater bath is a great way to help relive the pain and stiffness in aching joints and muscles. This can help soothe physical injuries, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, or even simply sore feet after a long day of work. To get the best results in terms of pain relief in muscles and joints, use Epsom salt or a mix of Epsom salt with another coarse salt (such as Dead Sea salt or Himalayan Pink salt – my favorite). Add two cups Epsom salt or another coarse salt to a full bathtub and soak for 15-45 minutes. If using a smaller or less full tub for just your feet and ankles, use 1/2 cup salt. ***Tip: when I soak my feet in saltwater, I love to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil for added relief.
Treat dehydration. Your body loses a lot of salt and water when you are sick or when you physically exert yourself. Whether you are recovering from a bout of food poisoning or you’re an athlete coming to the end of some intense training, salt is vital to recovering a healthy balance of electrolytes in your body. A recipe I found that I use a lot when I have been out doing yardwork is to dissolve 6 teaspoons of sugar of your choice and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt in 4 cups of water.
Treat insect bites. If you have been stung or bitten by an insect, salt can help provide immediate relief. Soaking the infected area in salt water (Epsom salts work great) will help reduce pain, swelling, and itchiness caused by anything from a mosquito bite to a bee sting.
Here’s to a great week for everyone joining in tonight! I hope you have gleaned some new and useful ideas.
My next post will share some great household uses for baking soda!!! One of my favorite all-purpose items!!
Motivational Post for Monday:
“A SHIP IS ALWAYS SAFE AT SHORE, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT IT’S BUILT FOR.” Albert Einstein
Lemon and Rosemary 