I’ve been hoarding quirky uses for salt and baking soda forever, and these pantry MVPs are straight-up magic! Some tips are old-school treasures, others had me giggling with a “No way!”—but they’re too fun to keep to myself. I haven’t tried ‘em all, so grab a coffee, dive in, and let’s play with these hacks to spark your Leading Lady glow!

Tip: For internal use or personal care, go for quality sea salt and food-grade baking soda to keep it natural and holistic—The Wise & Wild Way.

Tried a trick? Spill the tea! Leave me a voice message or find me on X—I’m all ears!

Salt Uses

Household & Cleaning

• Stain Soaker: Soak stained hankies in salt water to lift grime.
• Ant Repeller: Sprinkle salt on shelves to shoo ants away.
• Coffee Pot Cleaner: Scrub discolored coffee pots with salt for a fresh shine.
• Brass & Copper Polish: Mix salt, vinegar, and flour into a paste to clean brass, copper, or pewter.
• Carpet Ink Zapper: Pour a mound of salt on ink stains to soak them up.
• Clothesline Hack: Soak clotheslines in salt water to prevent clothes from freezing.
• Sponge Reviver: Soak sponges in salt water to freshen them up.
• Oven Spill Trick: Sprinkle salt on pie spills in the oven for a dry, easy-to-clean crust.
• Mildew Scrub: Mix salt and lemon juice to zap mildew stains.
• Plaster Patch*: Mix equal parts salt and starch with water for wall hole putty (anecdotal, test carefully).
• New Glass Soak*: Soak new glasses in warm salty water for durability (anecdotal, worth a shot).
• Hose Matcher*: Boil mismatched hose in salty water to color-match (anecdotal, have fun).

Cooking & Food Prep

• Fish Prep: Soak fish in salt water for easier descaling.
• Egg Tricks: Add salt to boiling water to keep cracked eggs intact; a pinch with egg whites makes them fluffier.
• Salt Shaker Fix: Toss a few rice grains in your shaker for smooth pouring.
• Flavor Booster: Add a dash of salt to tea, coffee, cocoa, or cooking apples for a tastier kick.
• Egg Freshness Test*: Check eggs in salt water—fresh ones sink, bad ones float (results may vary).
• Wrinkled Apple Perk*: Soak apples in mildly salted water to revive texture (anecdotal, test it out).
• Pancake Griddle*: Rub salt on your griddle to prevent sticking (anecdotal, try it).
• Nut Cracker*: Soak nuts in salt brine overnight for easier shell removal (anecdotal, give it a go).
• Fruit Protector*: Soak peeled fruit in mildly salted water to slow discoloration (anecdotal, test it).

Gardening

• Flower Freshener: Add a pinch of salt to vase water to keep cut flowers vibrant longer.
• Weed Killer: Sprinkle salt on lawn weeds to dehydrate them.

Personal Care

• Toothbrush TLC: Soak new toothbrushes in salt water to extend their life.
• Mouthwash & Tooth Polish: Use mildly salted water as a mouthwash or dry salt on a toothbrush to polish teeth.

Baking Soda Uses

Household & Cleaning

• Fire Fighter: Scatter baking soda on small grease or electrical fires to smother them safely.
• Veggie & Can Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda in water to clean produce or garbage cans.
• Deodorizer: Place an open box in fridges, freezers, or kitty litter to absorb odors; replace every 2 months.
• Laundry Boost: Add ½ cup baking soda to wash loads to soften water and lift stains.
• Silver Shine: Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth or use a foil-baking soda boil for intricate pieces.
• Drain & Dishwasher Refresh: Run 4 tbsp baking soda through drains weekly or a dishwasher cycle to clean.
• Surface Scrub: Clean Formica, marble, stainless steel, or porcelain with baking soda on a damp sponge.
• Baby Bottle Wash: Clean bottles with baking soda and hot water for a fresh start.
• Grill & Garage Cleaner: Soak grills or scrub garage floors with baking soda, then rinse.
• Burned Pan Fix: Soak or scrub pans with baking soda paste to remove burned-on food.
• Canvas Cleaner: Scrub canvas handbags with dry soda on a small brush.
• Play Clay Craft*: Mix 1¼ cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch for fun clay (untested, have fun).

Cooking & Food Prep

• Baking Powder DIY: Mix 2 parts cream of tartar, 1 part baking soda, 1 part cornstarch for homemade leavening.

Personal Care

• Underarm Deodorant: Apply baking soda as a natural deodorant (test for skin sensitivity).
• Bee Sting Relief*: Apply a baking soda-water poultice to soothe stings (anecdotal, try it).
• Windburn Soother*: Moisten baking soda and apply to windburned skin (anecdotal, test it).
• Baby Spit-Up Odor*: Dab baking soda on spit-up stains to neutralize odor (anecdotal, give it a go).
• Chicken Scalding*: Add 1 tsp baking soda to boiling water for easier feather removal (anecdotal, try it).
• Windshield Rain Repel*: Wipe windows with baking soda to repel rain (anecdotal, test it).

Note on Asterisked Uses (*): Some tips are anecdotal and untested—try them out and let me know how they work! Always test on a small area or consult a professional for health-related uses.

Want more?

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For more household hacks, check out my vinegar tips at here