We all have certain staple ingredients that we keep around our house and salt is usually one of them. Some homes even have several different kinds of salt. You might see table salt, black salt, pink Himalayan salt, and many more.

Salt is essential for our health and is a staple in food preparation. But there are a few other creative tasks that you might not have ever thought of using salt for. After reading this you might want to consider buying your salt in bulk.

1. Clear Odor From Stinky Shoes – Even some people with the cleanest feet can still have stinky feet. This can make your shoes smell less than desirable. To get rid of the smell, just sprinkle a few dashes of salt into your shoes and let them sit over night. You’ll be amazed at how nice and clean your smelly shoes will be in the morning. For an added boost, sprinkle in a bit of baking soda too.

2. Unclog a Drain – Instead of using an expensive drain cleaner that is chalk full of chemicals to clean out your drain, try using salt instead. Clean the drain as much as possible then pour 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of table salt into a bowl and mix it up. Pour the salt and baking soda mixture down the clogged drain. Next, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the sink. You’ll see it bubble which means its working. Let the mixture do its thing for 30 minutes then rinse it with hot water.

3. Get Rid of Soap Bubbles – If you’re tired of having a sink full of bubbles while you do the dishes, just sprinkle a bit of salt across the bubbles. You’ll be seeing a sink clear of bubbles in no time.

4. Stop a Fire – Salt can help put out a fire that erupts in your kitchen. If the fire is a big one, you’ll still need to grab a fire extinguisher. However, for a small, non-threatening fire salt can smother it. Pour a generous amount of salt over the flames and watch them disappear.

5. Rid Your Home of Ants – No one likes having a kitchen full of ants. Salt can help you keep the little pests from taking over. Simply sprinkle salt over the ants favorite hangouts and it will keep them away. You can also make a spray solution of one part salt to three parts water and spray it wherever ants like to enter your home to keep them at bay.

6. Cut Through Pan Grease – Baked on grease can be a pain to get rid of. Layer it with salt instead of scrubbing and watch the salt absorb the residue. Then use a dry sponge to rub the salt around and move the grease completely.

7. Clean Your Tub – If your bathtub is in dire need of a good cleaning, salt is your miracle fix. Combine salt with vinegar, grapefruit, or lemon. Spray down your tub with the mixture and scrub. The grime will be gone before you know it.

Which of these salty hacks is your favorite? Be sure to share all of these handy salt uses with your friends.