10 surprising uses for salt

One of the main ingredients used in cooking, salt can become a villain when added to recipes in excess. To avoid health problems, it is important to know the different types of salt that exist. Plus, salt can have surprising uses outside of cooking.

What is the difference between the types of salt?

Refined salt is the most used in everyday life. Due to the refinement process it undergoes, this variety of salt is poor in nutrients. Sea salt, on the other hand, conserves minerals, because it is whole salt.

For those who suffer from hypertension and other health problems, the most suitable type is light salt. It contains only 50% potassium and 50% sodium chloride and, because it is weaker, the tendency is that a greater amount of the product is needed. Already iodized salt is enriched with mineral iodine and, therefore, is indicated for those who suffer from iodine insufficiency in the body.

Check out 10 very different ways to use table salt

1. Dark circles

Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then soak a clean washcloth in the mixture and apply over your eyes to soothe dark circles.

2. Exfoliating

Rubbing salt into areas of dead skin on your body is a good way to exfoliate without spending on expensive creams and treatments.

3. Teeth whitening

Mix one part salt and two parts baking soda to brush your teeth. The combination whitens teeth and removes plaque, improving gum health. However, because it is very strong, its use should be sporadic.

4. Dandruff

Massaging your scalp with salt before washing your hair is a way to remove dead cells and thus help fight dandruff.

5. Remove grease

Mix one cup of salt and four cups of rubbing alcohol to remove grease stains from carpets and rugs.

6. Remove wine stains

Sprinkle salt over the freshly spilled wine on your garments. When the salt is dry, wash the piece with cold water.

7. Clean aquariums

Non-iodized salt is an excellent option for cleaning the inside of aquariums, but be careful: it is essential to use only non-iodized salt, in addition to washing the aquarium well before filling it again.

8. Remove fat from pans

Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle it with salt. Then rub on those pans that are greasy.

9. Remove odor from the refrigerator

When cleaning the inside of the refrigerator, use a mixture of water and salt. In this way, the characteristic odor of the refrigerator will be removed.

10. Clean silver objects

Jewelry and silverware can get shiny again if you rub them with salt and a dry cloth.

Alert: ANVISA Resolution on iodized salt

The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) regulated the amount of iodine in salt. Resolution RDC 23/2013 determines that the addition of iodine in the salt is between 15 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg. Previously, the amount should be between 20 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg.

Iodine began to be incorporated into salt in the 1950s, because it helped to fight goiter, a disease caused by the lack of salt in the human body. However, as excess iodine can also be harmful to health, ANVISA started to limit the amount used by the industry.