Thought that salt shaker on your table was only good for seasoning an otherwise bland dish? Or perhaps something to throw down on the pavement to prevent a lawsuit during icy weather? Turns out salt actually has a number of innovative – albeit strange – uses related to health, cooking and food preparation.

1. Got Milk?

Add a pinch of salt (and seriously, keep it to a very small pinch!) to a carton of milk to help preserve its freshness.

2. Egg-scellent:

Eat a lot of eggs? Then be sure to keep salt at hand! Not sure if those eggs at the bottom of the fridge are any good? Drop ‘em in a glass of water with 2 tbsp of salt – if they sink to the bottom, they’re still fresh, but if they rise to the top, you should probably give them a pass! Need a use for that salt water (and those good eggs)? Try boiling them in salt water – it’ll make them easier to peel! Dropped an egg on the floor? Cover with salt and let sit for 20 minutes – it’ll make clean up a snap!

3. Genie in a Bottle:

If that water bottle you’ve been toting to the gym is beginning to smell a little less than