There are many types of salt, each with specific uses and benefits. We are most familiar with the ones used for culinary purposes; sea salt, table salt, and Kosher salt. But there are other salts that are commonly used, like Epsom salt, or the salt that is used to salt the icy streets during winter. Between the various kinds of salt there are about 14,000 known uses.
Industry claims about 40% of the salt that is used each year worldwide. This is because salt is the raw ingredient which chemical plants transform into chloride and soda ash. These chemicals have many industrial purposes, from glass making to taxidermy.
Salt is also used to soften water, protecting the pipes and appliances in your home. Many pool owners use pool salt to treat their pools, instead of chlorine, because it is much milder a chemical and less harsh on the skin.
Salt is important to both domestic and wild animals. Animals show a greater need for salt than they do for any other consumable, besides water. Both the sodium and the chloride in salt are essential to them maintaining optimal health. Salt supplementation an important part of the nutrition for domestically raised animals. Because it is palatable to these animals, farmers and other animal caretakers use salt as a delivery mechanism for other nutrients and medications that their animals would not voluntarily ingest.
In countries located along the world’s Snowbelt, keeping winter roads safe and passable is a major concern. Salt has consistently outdone other products, and is the most effective snow deicer used today. In the U.S. approximately 40% of the nation’s annual salt consumption comes from their snow fighting efforts.
Around the home salt has many time tested uses as well. In the days before chemical cleaning products were abundant around a household, salt was often called to the task. Either on its own, or mixed with some other simple household staple, such as turpentine, vinegar or water, it has been used to clean everything from your toilet to your copper.
It was also staple in the medicine cabinet. A mild solution of salt and water was used as a mouthwash, eyewash or throat gargle. Epson salt has been used for bathing and treating skin problems or muscle aches.
Of course, mention must be made of salt’s uses in the kitchen. Humans need salt in order to maintain optimum health. It is the oldest food additive known to man, and still the most popular. Not only does it bring flavour to savoury dishes, but it enhances sweet tastes as well. Extensive research on the consumer palate shows that salt the most sought after taste.