Most people wouldn’t think to keep salt in the car. I didn’t—until a police officer handed me the idea on a frozen morning. My tires had skidded on ice, and while checking on me, he leaned in and said, “Keep a glass of salt in your car. Sounds old-fashioned, but it works.” He explained: when your wheels spin on ice, sprinkle a handful of salt under the tires. It melts just enough for the rubber to grip—like a scaled-down version of road crews salting highways. No tow truck, no trenches.

That wasn’t all. “Mix a little salt in water and wipe your windshield the night before a hard frost,” he added. “Next morning you’ll scrape a film instead of a sheet.” Salt works inside the car too. An open jar absorbs odors and moisture from spills, wet mats, or gym bags. Sprinkle it on fresh spills, and it pulls liquid up before it sets. The key is storage: keep it sealed in a jar or tumbler so it doesn’t scatter, and stash it within reach.

A sand-salt mix adds grit for traction, and a quick splash can thaw frozen locks or seals. Since then, I’ve relied on it countless times—freeing myself from icy parking spots, clearing frosty windshields faster than my neighbors, even scrubbing sticky cup holders.

Salt is cheap, simple, and surprisingly versatile. It won’t replace snow tires, but in those small, frustrating winter moments, it works like quiet magic. Next time you stock your trunk, slip in a jar of salt. You may be grateful you did.