A simple trick with salt under your bed could make a big problem vanish
The method is trending — and helping households fight humidity. It’s simple, affordable, and anyone can do it.
In a world overflowing with high-tech gadgets and chemical solutions, an ancient method has quietly made a comeback in European homes: placing salt under the bed. While it might sound like superstition or an old wives’ tale, more and more people claim this simple practice has noticeably improved their quality of life — especially when it comes to reducing indoor humidity and its side effects.
Excess moisture is a common problem in many homes, particularly in older buildings or poorly ventilated spaces. High humidity levels can lead to mold, dust mites, and bacteria, all of which can damage your home and negatively impact your health.
Salt — that humble staple found in every kitchen — has a key property: it’s hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs moisture from the air. This quality has been used for centuries not only to preserve food, but also to protect enclosed spaces from dampness.
How it works
The method is simple: place 500 to 1000 grams (about 1 to 2 pounds) of coarse salt in a container lined with plastic wrap and put it under the bed or in key corners of the bedroom. In just 48 hours, you’ll notice the salt change color or become damp — a clear sign it’s pulling excess moisture from the air.
Though it’s currently making the rounds on wellness blogs and social media, the practice has deep roots. In Eastern Europe, for example, it was common to place salt in closets, shoes, and room corners to keep spaces dry and odor-free.
Salt is also used for a wide variety of household hacks: from cleaning refrigerators with a salt-and-water solution, to preserving cheese wrapped in saltwater-soaked cloth, to removing tough stains from cotton tablecloths or freshening up smelly shoes after a long day.
Science or superstition?
While there are no definitive scientific studies confirming salt’s effectiveness as a dehumidifier in large spaces, experts agree it can work in small, enclosed environments.
On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, videos demonstrating this home remedy are racking up millions of views. Under hashtags like #HomeHacks and #SaltUnderTheBed, thousands of people are sharing their experiences and results. What started as a quirky tip has become a viral trend — and it looks like it’s here to stay.
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