Cleaning with Salt

As you know, I have been on a quest to use natural ingredients to clean. I am doing so primarily to save money (salt / vinegar / baking soda in bulk is much cheaper per ounce than cleaning supplies), but the whole "green" side and "its better for your family's health" aspect are nice perks.

I read an article a while back about using Kosher Salt as an abrasive cleaner. You can actually use a lemon dipped in salt to clean, but I didn't have a lemon handy, and NEEDED to get my French oven clean. I figured I had nothing to lose, I had just stocked up on two pounds of salt for 54 cents.

I first washed the pot as much as I could, to loosen the stuff that I could. I then sprinkled on the salt and used my handy dandy non-abrasive sponge to move it all around. And...it WORKED! I was pleasantly surprised. (Note: If you have cuts on your hand, wear rubber gloves...they help protect your newest manicure when doing dishes anyway!)

Rinse and smile!

After finished, I took the salt out and used it to clean up my sink too (I usually use baking soda). Hooray for new (thrifty but effective) cleaning methods!