America's first salt factory opened in 1630. Today, America is the world's largest producer of salt, turning out 45 million tons of the stuff a year. Of that, only 10 percent goes into food and only 3 percent becomes table salt. The rest is used for chemicals and household products like bleach, soap and paint. It's also used in glass, plastics and concrete. And there are many more uses, too, as in water-softening. Table salt sprinkled on a cutting board and rubbed with lemon removes stains, and a half-cup in the wash softens new denim. Got black soot on your carpet? Cover it with salt, wait an hour and vacuum it. Rock salt melts snow and ice. Ice cream salt dissolved in water kills weeds. If you're not on septic, flushing salt down the drain prevents tree roots from clogging lines. While too much salt isn't good for you, there are lots of things around the house it is very good for. And that's the On The House tip for today.