Salt is a chemical compound of sodium and chlorine, and is one of the most basic, plentiful molecules on earth. This simple compound is essential to life itself, as our bodies require salt to function correctly and to regulate our fluid levels.
Salt is present in our vast expanse of oceans and seas. It can be found on the surface of the ocean as brine and below the skin of the earth in the form of salt licks. The salt forms in white veins and is often mined from shafts over half a mile deep.
We are all aware of the significance of salt in cooking, but this resourceful compound is widely employed in over 14,000 commercial applications, from paper production to road safety. This makes it an important and essential mineral for humankind. For centuries, it has played a key role in economic, religious, social and political practices and it is a common topic in many stories, fables and fairy tales.
Today, salt occupies a momentous role in our daily lives with its ability to season and preserve food. It transforms our dependence on seasonal availability, and enables us to store and ship consumables around the world without them spoiling. Salt is inexpensive, easy to obtain and a commodity that we often take for granted. However, in ancient times, it was highly valued and its production was legally restricted, hence its historical use as a method of trade and currency. In fact, the word ‘salary’ derives from salt, and in Roman times it was common practice to pay soldiers wages with this highly prized mineral.
There are many forms of salt produced today: unrefined salt such as Celtic, Himalayan, kosher, and sea salt; as well as refined, iodised table salt. All these salts can be used to deal with the toughest jobs around the house.
One of the most common, inexpensive household products, salt is an extraordinary cleaning and deodorising agent that can be used as an abrasive for scrubbing and eliminating mould and mildew, or diluted and dissolved into various cleaning solutions. It quickly absorbs foul odours and prevents grease and grime build-up as its granular texture acts as a gentle yet effective scourer.
Salt is extremely versatile and can tackle a wide range of household cleaning tasks. It can be used alone, or mixed with other natural agents; for example, lemon, vinegar and baking soda to boost their cleansing and deodorising powers.