Do you put salt on everything? How about your rugs? Really—you’ll be amazed by what it can do.

According to How Stuff Works salt is “an extraordinary cleaning and deodorizing agent for your home.” You can use salt for:

• Sinks: Make a paste of turpentine mixed with salt to restore white enameled fixtures that have gone yellow. Use this on sinks, bathtubs, or toilets. Apply, let sit 15 minutes, then wipe with a damp sponge.

• Gravy: For a gravy stain on carpet, first remove as much liquid as possible by covering the spot with salt. This will prevent the greasy stain from spreading. Then follow the rug manufacturer's instructions. You may need a dry-cleaning solution or an enzyme detergent.

• Grease: Remove grease spots in a rug with a mixture of 1 part salt to 4 parts rubbing alcohol. Rub hard, going in the same direction as the nap of the carpet, then rinse with water.

• Red Wine: Immediately blot up all moisture from the spill, then sprinkle the area with salt. Let the stain sit for 15 minutes. The salt should absorb any remaining wine in the carpet (turning pink as a result). Then clean the entire area with a mixture of ? cup vinegar and ? cup water.