Cost of living: 3 household hacks using salt that can save you up to £2,200

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These three genius hacks could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds using plain old salt, which can be bought for as little as 55p at supermarkets.

With the cost of living crisis ongoing and a variety of major financial changes set to hit the UK that will further affect costs in April, many are still on the lookout for ways to save money.

The last thing anyone needs at the moment is a household issue that costs hundreds or even thousands of pounds to fix, such as blocked drains or a nasty stint of mould.

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With this in mind, experts at PureSalt have devised three money-saving solutions that the average UK family can benefit from using salt. Any kind of salt will work, but even plain old table salt will do - which you can pick up for as low as 55p in supermarkets.

Unblocking sink drains - save up to £150

Over time, food particles will naturally accumulate in the kitchen sink drains, clogging parts of the plumbing system, and causing drainage issues and foul odours. Unblocking a drain can cost on average an estimated £75 to £150 depending on the severity.

But by pouring a mixture of salt and hot water down your kitchen sink now and again, you can eliminate unpleasant smells from your sink and dissolve grease and food remnants that could clog your drain.

Instructions:

  1. Boil at least two litres of water using the kettle
  2. Once the boiling water has simmered, carefully pour the water into a pot
  3. Mix ½ a cup of salt into the hot water
  4. Slowly pour the mixture into the drain
  5. Allow the solution to sit in the drain for 15 minutes as the mixture works to dissolve the clogs and deodorise the drains
  6. Afterwards, run hot water from the tap to flush out any remaining debris down the drain

Prevent coloured clothes from bleeding in the wash - save up to £123

The average family in the UK does between 8-10 loads of laundry a week, often separating colours and whites and leaving only half of the drum empty, which is not very cost-effective. Last year, the washing machine cost £222.77 to run (47p a load).

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By applying a salt solution to your clothes beforehand, you can prevent your colours from bleeding into your whites in the washing machine, cutting your loads between 4-7 washes, potentially saving you between £66.01 and £123.76 annually.

Experts have devised three money-saving solutions that the average UK family can benefit from using salt.Experts have devised three money-saving solutions that the average UK family can benefit from using salt.
Experts have devised three money-saving solutions that the average UK family can benefit from using salt. | Pixabay

Instructions:

  1. Fill a tub with one gallon of water & one cup of salt
  2. Mix the salt to make sure it dissolves completely into the solution
  3. Submerge the clothing in the solution and leave it to soak for up to two hours
  4. After waiting, place the clothes into the washing machine
  5. Add ½ cup of salt to the wash cycle for added protection against bleeding colours and wash as normal 

Tackling mould and mildew - save up to £2,200

Damp and mould is a prevalent issue in the UK, affecting a fifth of homes in Britain. If untreated, mould can develop into mildew, a form of fungus which can cause allergy symptoms.

Mould and mildew removal services costs vary, ranging from £12 to £2,200, depending on the severity and spread. Many people know about placing a bowl of salt next to the window to prevent mould growth by absorbing moisture and condensation, but you can tackle mildew specifically with a combination of lemon juice and salt.

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, combine 1 cup of warm water, ¼ cup of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of salt and shake the solution until it is completely mixed
  2. Directly spray the areas affected by mildew or mould, covering the area completely
  3. Let the solution sit for at least 2-3 hours to allow it to penetrate the mildew effectively
  4. After waiting, wipe away the mildew with a clean cloth, making sure to frequently clean the cloth between wipes to avoid accidentally spreading mildew
  5. Repeat as necessary
  6. You can also prevent the development of mould and mildew in the first place by spraying the solution in areas where it is most prevalent, including the walls of showers, bathrooms and basements
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