Rock salt, also known as halite, is a mineral salt composed primarily of sodium chloride. It has various practical and industrial uses, as well as some common household applications. Here are some of the most common uses of rock salt:

1. Deicing and Snow Removal: Rock salt is widely used for deicing roads, sidewalks, and driveways during winter. It helps melt ice and snow by lowering the freezing point of water. Rock salt is often spread on icy surfaces to improve traction and enhance safety in winter weather.

2. Water Softening: Rock salt is used in water softeners to remove hardness ions like calcium and magnesium from water. Water softeners exchange these ions for sodium ions, preventing the buildup of scale in pipes and appliances.

3. Cooking and Seasoning: Rock salt can be ground and used as a cooking and seasoning salt. It is sometimes preferred for certain culinary applications, such as for salt-crusted dishes or for lining cooking surfaces for baking.

4. Curing Meat and Fish: In food preservation, rock salt is used to cure meat and fish. It draws out moisture from the food, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and extending the shelf life. This process is commonly used for making products like salted codfish or salt-cured hams.

5. Homemade Ice Cream: Rock salt is used in homemade ice cream makers. When it's mixed with ice in the ice cream maker, it lowers the temperature of the ice and creates a freezing environment for making ice cream.

6. Tanning Leather: Rock salt is used in the leather industry during the tanning process to help remove moisture and preserve the hides.

7. Industrial Processes: Rock salt is used in various industrial applications, such as in the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). It's also used in the manufacturing of detergents and soaps.

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