6 Creative Ways to Use Salt in the Home

The sodium-packed table flavoring we all take for granted has far more uses than adding taste to food and (in excess) causing hypertension.  You may not have given much mind to a bag of salt outside of adding some punch to a dry chicken, but salt has much more to offer than an afterthought to bad cooking. Lot's poor wife probably didn't appreciate it quite so much, but a big bag of salt goes a long way through the house.

1. In the Garden
As it turns out, most ugly garden beasties don't care much for salt. Get rid of poison ivy by spraying leaves and roots with salty water.  You can also keep fleas away from the doghouse by washing it with it.  The next time you get a bee sting, rinse it with water and cover it with salt to soothe away the pinch.  Use salt and hot water to kill grass and weeds growing in between the concrete on your sidewalk or driveway.   

2. In the Kitchen
Sure salt, as vinegar, can cover a multitude of cooking sins, but did you know it can also put out a fire?  Keep a bag nearby while cooking to serve as an extinguisher to grease fires.  Not sure about those expired eggs? Add two teaspoons of salt to some water and crack an egg in the bowl.  An edible egg will sink whereas a bad egg floats.  When your food boils over, there's no need to dread cleaning it afterward.  Sprinkle some salt on the stovetop and it will be a breeze to wipe down after cooling.

3. As a Preservative
One of the most ancient uses of salt was to keep meats edible over a long period of time.  It prevents the growth of bacteria, which causes food spoilage.  But did you also know you can prevent browned cut potatoes and apples by soaking them in cold salt water?  Make sure you buy Kosher salt or pickling salt when you use it as a preservative.   

4. As a Beauty Tool
Sore throats cry out for a saltwater gargle!  Repeat throughout the day to reduce inflammation.  Add salt and baking soda to your toothpaste to whiten teeth and give a fresh clean feeling.  Ease the day's stress on your tired feet with a salt and water soak.  To ditch those tired, puffy eyes mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one pint of hot water, soak pads in the solution, and lay over eyes.  Even make your own sea salt scrub without dishing out a small fortune!

5. Add Pizzazz to Food
By adding a bit of salt to, salads, poultry, whipping cream, milk, gelatin, baked goods, and even coffee you'll increase flavor and prevent rapid spoiling.  Always boil food in salted water to increase the boiling temperature, thus reducing cooking time and improving flavor in starchy goods like potatoes and noodles.  

6. It's a Miracle!
After spending big chunks of change on highly specialize products that have one function, sometimes it's best to just break out some simple ingredients.  Forget the fancy preservative packets sold at the florist--toss some salt in the water to keep your cut flowers looking great for longer.  If your feet are as stinky as my husband's, sprinkle some salt in the soles every now and again to soak up the odors.  Put new candles in a vat of salt for several hours and you'll be amazed when they don't drip!

Check out The Salt Institute for more great ways to utilize salt in creative ways.