Why are drivers putting a glass of salt in their car? It may sound like an odd thing to do, but once you understand the reason behind it, you’ll see why so many people are giving this hack a try. Whether you’re dealing with foggy windows, musty smells, or damp car seats, salt might just be the kitchen staple you never knew you needed to keep your car comfortable and fresh.
Drivers everywhere are discovering that salt, the same stuff you sprinkle on your fries or use to de-ice your driveway, is a secret weapon against car humidity. It turns out, this common mineral has a unique ability to absorb moisture from the air, thanks to a scientific property called hygroscopy. In simple terms, salt attracts water. So when you place a glass filled with salt inside your vehicle, it begins soaking up excess humidity almost immediately. This helps lower the moisture level inside your car, which can prevent condensation from forming on windows and seats—something every driver knows can be frustrating and even dangerous when it impairs visibility.
The beauty of using salt is how easy, safe, and budget-friendly it is. You don’t need special tools or expensive products. Just grab a glass or cup, fill it with regular table salt or rock salt, and set it in your car’s cup holder, on the dashboard, or under a seat. There’s no mess, no complicated setup, and the results can be surprisingly effective. But salt doesn’t stop at just drying the air. One of the biggest annoyances in a car, especially during rainy or humid seasons, is the stale, musty smell that seems to settle in and linger.
That unpleasant odor often comes from mold, mildew, or bacteria thriving in the damp conditions inside your car. Salt helps solve that problem too—not by masking the smell like an air freshener would, but by removing the excess moisture that allows those odors to develop in the first place. You might worry that placing salt in your car will leave it smelling like the ocean or a bag of potato chips, but that’s not the case. Salt is odorless, and rather than adding a scent, it improves the overall air quality by creating a drier, less hospitable environment for unwanted smells. It’s a subtle improvement you’ll start to notice after a day or two.
If for some reason you don’t want to use salt, there are other low-cost alternatives that can help control moisture in your car. Crumpled newspaper, for example, is an old-school trick that works surprisingly well. Just roll up a few sheets and tuck them around the seats or footwells, and they’ll start absorbing moisture overnight. Another great option is silica gel—the tiny packets you often find in shoeboxes or packaging. These are essentially miniature dehumidifiers. Toss a few under your car seats or in the glove compartment, and they’ll quietly go to work capturing moisture. Whichever method you choose, the important thing is to take action before excess humidity starts causing bigger problems.
High moisture levels can lead to permanent damage in your car’s upholstery, electronic systems, and even promote rust in certain areas. Plus, the discomfort of sitting in a damp car or constantly wiping fog from your windows gets old fast. By using a simple glass of salt—or one of the other affordable alternatives—you can prevent all that hassle. It’s a small, proactive step that can make a big difference in your driving experience. This easy hack not only improves comfort but helps preserve the condition of your car, all without spending a lot of money. So the next time your windows start to fog or the interior feels damp, don’t rush out to buy expensive dehumidifiers or odor sprays. Head to your kitchen, grab some salt, and give this clever trick a try. You might just be surprised at how effective this simple solution can be.
