One social media home hack expert has a natural solution that costs just 65p to banish spiders from homes
Spiders are a common nuisance in many homes this autumn, turning up in ceiling corners and on windowsills. Whilst many homeowners will quickly reach for chemical sprays, a social media home hack expert has revealed a natural solution that costs just 65p.
By mixing this single ingredient with water, you can create a simple spray that spiders despise. Home hack guru Chantel Mila (@mama_mila_au) took to Instagram to share her cheap yet effective trick. Starting her video, she said: “Who else is terrified of spiders?
“I once stopped on the side of the road for nearly an hour after I saw one in my car. Here are five natural tips to keep them away from your home. I recently learnt that spiders hate salt. So mix salt and water to create an all-natural spider spray.”
Does it actually work?
According to House Digest, table salt can help discourage spiders by damaging their exoskeleton, causing dehydration and eventually leading to their death. Whilst sprinkling dry salt around your home may sound like a straightforward solution, it won’t actually stop spiders, as most will walk over it.
Salt becomes effective only when dissolved in water, as the liquid carries the salt directly onto the spider’s body or into areas they frequent. “In simple terms, the water acts as the carrier, delivering salt where it can do the damage and keep spiders from invading your home,” said the expert.
“The idea of using something as simple as salt to handle spiders highlights a larger shift toward low-cost, low-impact fixes. It shows how everyday household items can double as problem-solvers when used correctly.”
The expert went on to caution that salt spray can leave a slight residue once it dries, so be ready to wipe down surfaces afterwards. It’s a minor trade-off for an affordable, chemical-free method to keep spiders at bay.
How to do it
- Mix one tablespoon of salt with one cup of warm water, allowing it to fully dissolve.
- Pour the solution into a clean spray bottle.
- Spray directly on spiders or along baseboards, corners, windowsills, and door frames.
- Reapply weekly to keep spiders from returning.
Other tips
Chantel also suggests rubbing “lemons around your drains to deter spiders and other bugs that can enter through them.”
She also maintains that adding citrus oil or citrus peels to your mop water can help repel crawling insects.
Pest UK notes that spiders detest powerful scents. Another common household product that proves equally effective is vinegar.
Apply or spray around window ledges and doorways to help stop spiders from getting in.