Four Ways Salt Can Replace Your Cleaning Chemicals

Commercial oven cleaners will clean the outside of cast-iron cookware, but make sure not to use them on the inside. To clean the inside, instead of washing after each use with soap and water, try shaking salt on the cookware and wiping clean. It keeps food from sticking when frying and needs only to be washed every other use (a light coating of cooking oil won't hurt either, and prevents rust). Pancakes won't stick if you rub the griddle with salt first.

Add enough water to salt to make a paste, then rub into the cloth. Wait an hour, then launder as usual. Also works on fruit- or wine-stained clothes or tablecloths — pour salt on the spot immediately to absorb the stain, but it has to be fresh; it won't work nearly as well once the stain has set.

A little salt and vinegar will clean copper bottoms on pots and pans. Just sprinkle on, rub lightly and wash as usual. Or rub with a lemon dipped in salt. Also works on stainless steel and brass.

When spills occur, sprinkle with table salt. When the oven is cool, wipe up the salt — it will absorb the drippings.