Salt of the earth

I wasn't sure where to post this, because the link contains uses for salt in cooking, cleaning, health & beauty...So many things. You just can't pigeonhole it...It's fascinating! http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_ConsumerTipsForSaltUse.asp

What do you use salt for?

I use it for, among other things, to clean our iron skillets after each use. The gargling advice for sore throats works wonders:)

Great link - Thanks a mil :)

I gargle with warm water & salt for sore throat too!

GREAT website Kimberly, thanks!

Years ago, when I worked in a restaurant, I learned that if you put ice cubes and salt together in a "burnt" coffee carafe (one that sat on the burner too long) and swirl it around, it loosens it up and voila - clean shiny coffee pot again. Of course, I'd be sure the glass carafe was cooled before adding the ice, so it doesn't break.

Vic - that salt water gargle works great, doesn't it!

You're welcome. I was trying to find sources for bulk purchases of Epsom salts, and that's one of the links I found.

gardenwife, great link, I printed it off to have in my kitchen. Thanks, Donna

This is a great list. I found many I didn't know about. Thanks for telling us about it.

Well, this old dog learned a couple of new tricks!

"eyes"

Thanks for the great link. I have one other use for salt not included in the list. After having two bad incidents with my Doxie, Rosey, biting a Bufo toad, my vet said that the only way to kill these toads(other than cutting in two) was to pour salt on them. It worked and now I always have a carton of salt by each door. It seems to have the same effect on them as it does on snails.

Ewww, dang - sounds like a really vile and tenacious toad!

They are vile and spreading rapidly. I was hoping that moving out of Miami I would be leaving them behind, but it seems that they are spreading north faster than anyone expected. I lost three dogs to their poison before we even knew what they were. There was a documentery on cable TV about toads, and sure enough Florida's "Cane Toad" led the pack! They say there will be thousands of animals die because of them. Sorry to be so long-winded, but seeing your dearest pets die such a terrible death makes you crazy. It has NO natural enemies...except me! Here's his picture and history:

www.jcu.edu.au/dept/PHTM/staff/rsbufo.htm
www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/canetoad.shtml

I read about them at another site and the vet suggested putting the toad in a container in the freezer (wear gloves!), then bury the body deeply.

I learned from a resturant working buddy to sprinkle salt on your drink napkin and it won't stick to the glass bottom! :)

It's good around the rim of a glass sometimes, too....Mmmmm.

Mmmmargaritas, Dos Amigos, the Mex restaurant 2 doors from my place, opens St. Paddys for the season. I can walk (stagger) home!

My tips:

After childbirth: sprinkle Epsom salts in warm water, and use in sitz bath or soak pads in solution & apply to "area" to reduce swelling of ... umm ... "tissues".
For swollen joints: use Epsom salt in warm water, apply by soaking towel in solution and place on swollen area for 20 minutes.
I also clean cast iron skillets/pans I find at auctions or yard sales that are rusty or grimy by adding 1/2 cup table salt and enough salad oil to make a paste. Scour pan and it will clean AND season at the same time ... rinse in warm water & put in slow oven for an hour or so.
Mix any table salt (read - *fine* salt) with any massage oil such as jojoba, olive, grapeseed, etc. Add essential oils or leave unscented. Rub the oily salt on body in the shower after first washing w/soap, then rinse & pat dry. Just watch out if you have any cuts (like from shaving - ouch!).

Eileen