How to Make Pure Sodium From Salt Water

Salt has been a staple in many households for thousands of years. You can buy it in the store, in many different varieties from table salt to kosher to rock and even sea salt. Of all these salts, the one you can make yourself at home is sea salt. Following the instructions, you can have your very own sea salt in a matter of days, and for free.

Things You'll Need

• 4 empty gallon jugs
• Salt water wource
• Foot basin (at least 5 gallons)
• Black garbage bag
• Duct tape
• Coffee filter
• Stock pot
• Sun lamp (Optional)
• Mason jar

Instructions

1. Go to the nearest source of salt water (bay, ocean, Salt Lake) and fill the four gallon jugs with water. Bring the gallon jugs home.

2. Set up your foot basin somewhere you can be assured that many contaminants won't reach it. If setting up outside, make sure it is in an area that will get plenty of sun. If setting up in winter, I suggest setting the basin up indoors underneath a sun lamp.

3. Cut a black garbage bag open and use it to line the basin. Secure garbage bag on edges of basin with duct tape.

4. Pour the salt water into the basin through a coffee filter to catch any contaminants that may be in the water.

5. Leave the basin in sun or under a sun lamp for several days so that water will slowly evaporate. Check daily for anything that may have fallen into basin accidentally. If outside and it is going to rain, cover basin so no additional water can get in.

6. Check when all the water is evaporated and you will see a layer of salt on the bottom of the bag. Check through the salt to make sure there are no contaminents in it (rocks, pieces of seaweed). Let it sit an additional day to ensure salt is completely dry. Scoop salt out into mason jar.

Tips & Warnings

• A greenhouse is a perfect place to set up your basin.

References

• Documenting American South
• One Block Salt