Salt is one of the most important elements of our daily life and its known uses number beyond 14,000! Many of these relate to the chemical properties of the constituents of salt (chloride and sodium), related to human and animal nutrition, as well as many other daily issues.
Salt is free in nature as a mineral or as the result of evaporation of seawater. Salt also reaches Earth from outer space, via meteorites. The fact that salt was detected on Mars makes scientists believe that there may be signs of life.

History of salt
When we hear the word salt, we think of a white material that makes our food delicious. But salt is a lot more than something to simply enhance the taste of our food.
Salt is an essential component of the diet of humans, animals and some plants. It is perhaps the most effective and oldest food preservative. Its industrial uses are endless. Salt has always been an essential component of everyday life and has been the main theme in myths, legends and fairy tales. There are countless references to salt in stories, fairy tales and poetry worldwide.
Salt also served as currency in several parts of the world and has even been the cause of wars. To offer bread and salt to guests (or eat bread and salt as we say) was the custom in many cultures.
References to the preparation of salt can be found in both Chinese and Egyptian history. For the ancient Egyptians, salt was a necessary ingredient for embalming the dead (mummies). Salt has been an important economic factor, used as currency in ancient Greece, especially as an exchange (salt for slaves for example). The Romans built great infrastructure projects to mine and collect salt. There are also records telling us some Roman soldiers were paid in salt (as salary). Explorers from Europe venturing out into the new world, carried salt with them on every mission.
Also, salt has played an important role in many religious rituals throughout the centuries, mainly symbolizing purity. In the Bible there are more than 30 references to salt. In some religions, salt is used in sacred temples as a symbol of chastity.
Later, the importance of salt in the economy can be seen in the Venetian Empire. Having a monopoly of the salt market, Venice became an economic power. Salt mines around the world continue to provide income for countries and have become tourist resorts and attractions. In Salzburg, Austria has converted four mines salt into tourist resorts. In Bolivia, the area where salt is produced is a tourist attraction and even has an impressive hotel made entirely of salt.
Countless uses
The 14,000 uses of salt mentioned in the introduction may seem exaggerated. But these uses have been known for generations, helping for instance in countless household chores before the advent of modern chemical cleaners and preservatives. Many of these uses have disappeared, but are still very practical and economical.
1. Boiling water in the kitchen – we add salt to the water which makes the water boil at a higher temperature, thus reducing the cooking time.
2. Peeling eggs – if you boil the eggs in salted water they will peel easier.
3. Poached eggs – if we use the steam from boiling water, the whites will firm better.
4. Fresh eggs – Fill a bowl with water and add two teaspoons of salt, fresh eggs will go to the bottom while the old egg will float.
5. Preserving fruit and vegetables – cut apples, pears and potatoes if dipped in slightly salted cold water will not discolour.
6. Boiled potatoes – drain and put back into pot. Sprinkle them with salt with the element still on, with a spoon stir the potatoes or shake the pan. The salt will absorb all excess water from potatoes.
7. Washing spinach – wash the spinach in salted water: once is enough.
8. Salads – salt salads just before serving; never leave salads sitting around salted, as they will get soggy.

9. Cleaning Poultry – to easily remove the nerves of feathers from poultry, rub the skin with salt before you start to clean the fowl.
10. Icing – when making icing for cakes add a pinch of salt, you will avoid the sugar clogging.
11. Oiled pans – rub the pan with a paper towel and salt. The fat will disappear.
12. Stained mugs – rub with salt, stubborn stains from coffee or tea will disappear.
13. Cleaning the oven – salt and cinnamon remove unpleasant odours of burnt food from the oven. Mix salt and cinnamon in water and spray the oven while it is still warm (not hot). When dry, rub it with a brush or stiff fabric.
14. If your oil catches fire – throw a handful of salt. The flames will subside and you will be able to remove the burning pan.
15. Filter coffee – a little dose of salt in the coffee filter when making coffee, will improve the taste and remove the bitterness when its left in the coffee pot for any length of time.
16. Onion smell – rub your fingers with a mixture of salt and vinegar.
17. Closed containers – if you rarely use closed jugs / containers after washing, add a little salt before you close. The salt will prevent the containers from smelling “musty”. Remember to rinse the salt before reuse.
18. Polishing silverware – before washing, rub with salt.

19. Copper cleaning – to remove stains and discolouration on bronze objects, throw salt over the affected spot and rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
20. Cleaning the sink – pour a mixture of water and plenty of salt in your sink. Eliminates odours in the piping and prevents the concentration of fatty residue inside the tubes.
21. Chopping boards – wash them with soap and water; rub the wooden cutting surfaces with a damp cloth and salt. Will shine, will clear and become slightly lighter.
22. If the food is too salty, cut one or two potatoes in half and put into the saucepan. The potato will absorb the salt.
23. Avoiding cheese going stale or mouldy – wrap it with a cloth moistened with salted water (saline) before putting it in the fridge.
24. Tight meringue – with a minimal amount of salt in the egg the meringue will become firmer.
Household
1. Cleaning brass – make a cream by mixing equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar. Apply the cream to bronze object, leave it for an hour and then clean it by rubbing with a soft cloth.
2. Brooms – your new broom will last longer if you soak it in warm salt water before using it.
3. Stains of wine – dry with paper towels as much as possible from the wine poured and cover the stain with salt, lots of it. The salt will absorb the remaining wine. Then rinse with cold water or if it’s carpet, rub the salt and wipe dry with a vacuum cleaner.
4. Sponges – Renew them by soaking in salt water after use.
5. Soap – if your bath/sink drainpipes foam, pour some salt over the drainpipe.
6. Faded colours – Wash faded coloured fabrics (curtains, rugs) with saline to revitalize the colour.
6. Sweat stains – Dissolve 4 tablespoons of salt in 250 grams of hot water. Dampen a sponge and wipe with sponge cloth to get rid of the stains.
7. Yellowed linens – Boil the linen in a solution of salt water and baking soda for about 1 hour.
8. Blood stains – Soak the cotton and linen fabrics in cold saline and then wash with warm water and soap.
9. Mildew and rust – soak stains with mould and rust with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. If it is fabric lay in the sun and then wash with soap.
10. Pressing / Ironing – if anything is stuck to the iron plate, wipe salted paper over the hot iron to clean the plate.
Health and beauty
1. Gargling – If your throat hurts gargle with warm salted water (1 glass of water with half a tablespoon of salt).

2. Teeth and gums – Do oral rinses with a mixture of salt and baking soda (dissolved in equal parts of water), this solution strengthens the gums, whitens teeth and keeps your breath clean.
3. The eyes – A teaspoon of salt dissolved in water is first class cosmetic for the eyes. Use it to wash (exterior) tired eyes or make compresses for puffy eyes.
4. Footbaths – soak in salted water to soothe your feet, rinse with cool water.
5. Insect bites – dampen sting and pour salt on to relieve the pain.
6. In the tub – put enough salt in warm bath water and relax for at least 10 minutes. A super refresher!
7. Body scrub – after showering and while your skin is still damp, massage with salt. It removes dead skin cells and stimulates circulation.
8. Face mask – for a refreshing face mask mix equal parts of salt and olive oil and gently massage the face and neck. Leave the mask on for 5 minutes and rinse your face.

Other uses
1. Non dripping candles – Soak new candles in salted water for a few hours and let them dry thoroughly before lighting for the first time: they will not drip.
2. The fireplace – put a handful of salt in the fireplace while burning. It will help to remove the tar that collects inside the chimney.
3. Flower vases – to clean the traces left by the flowers rub with salt. If you cannot reach to scrub trouble spots, allow the stain to soak in salted water. Then wash with soap and water.
4. Flowers in a vase – a minimal amount of salt water in the jar will help to keep your flowers fresh longer.
5. Artificial plants – put salt into the bowl you intend to place the composition. Pour some cold water in the salt and make your composition. The salt will solidify as it dries and will keep the plants in position.
6. Weeds – if weeds grow between bricks and concrete, pour salt into the holes of the surfaces. Carefully pour over water to reach the salt at depth.
7. Windows – rub the windscreen of your car with salt, moisture will not freeze on the glass.
8. Shoes odourless – pour some salt into the sneakers, absorbs moisture and your shoes will not smell.
The above examples are only few of salt’s many and varied uses.