Salt

Unfortunately, there is a lot of negative hype about a common mineral found here on earth--sodium chloride (AKA . . .salt).

In an effort to give my little friend, salt, some positive PR, here are some household uses for this friendly little compound. I cannot take credit, nor have I tried everything suggested, in the following information. A gal in the food co-op I belong to posted this in a helpful email.

• Clean your kitchen garbage disposal: Pour 1 cup of salt into the drain, run cold water and start the motor.
• Prevent grease from splashing: If you throw a few pinches of salt into the frying pan before frying fatty foods, you won't have to clean all the grease off the stove.
• Washing your Greens: It can be tough to wash greens with curly leaves. Wash the leaves in a sink half full of cold water and 1/2 cup of salt.
• Mold prevention: Keep cheese from going moldy by wrapping it in a napkin that has been soaked in salt-water.
• Mouthwash: Do it the old-fashioned way by mixing 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp of baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water.
• Pick up broken eggs: Have you ever tried to scoop up an uncooked egg that has broken everywhere? Cover the spill with salt as it will draw the egg together and wipe up with a wash cloth.
• Remove baked-on food: When you are facing the awful task of scrubbing out a pan, dampen the pan and sprinkle salt all over.
• Spruce up your mop: Don't go buy a replacement mop head, soak your mop in a bucket of water with 1 cup of salt overnight.

And if you want to avoid the Swine Flu, head on over to Green Kiddos for some more salt tips!