10 Ways to Use Epsom Salt Around the Home

Epsom salt has a long history of use around the home, in health, beauty, cleaning and gardening. A magnesium-based salt, instead of sodium-based like table salt, natural Epsom is full of minerals and beneficial properties. So here are 10 ways you can use Epsom salt around the home.  

How to use Epsom salt around the home | Biome Eco Stores

1. Bath soak

Due to its high magnesium content, Epsom salt works to detox and relax your muscles. This is why Epsom soaks are especially effective for sore and strained muscles.

How much Epsom salt for a bath? It depends on your bathtub and the desired effect, but the general guideline is to use two cups of Epsom salt for a standard-size bath.  Pour Espom into the running warm water to dissolve. Soak for 20 minutes or up to an hour.  Rinse off with clean water.  You can also add essential oils such as lavender and eucalyptus to enhance the aromatherapy benefits.

This can also help you get to sleep and stay asleep for longer, which may relieve troubled sleep patterns.  Learn more with 7 Natural Sleep Aids To Help You Fall Asleep Faster

2. Remove splinters

Soak the skin with Epsom to make it softer, allowing you to get the splinter out easier. In a foot bath, mix one part warm water with 1/3 part Epsom salt. Soak the splintered skin for 10 minutes before trying to remove the splinter.

3. Exfoliate your skin

A coarse salt like Epsom can be used in a myriad of face, body and foot scrubs to buff away dead skin cells and improve blood circulation. A lot of our DIY recipes utilise this scrubbing property and contain other lovely ingredients to nourish newly-buffed skin.

Make a simple scrub by mixing Epsom salt with coconut oil and gently rub on your face and body.  For an easy foot scrub, simply mix a cup of Epsom with a carrier oil and castile soap

4. Clean tiles

Clean tiles with epsom salt

Because Epsom is abrasive with pressure, it can work wonders scrubbing surfaces in your home. A popular use is a tile and grout cleaner. Add equal parts Epsom salts to castile soap, and scrub away at the surface. Remember to wash away the soap afterwards as surfaces will be slippery.

 

5. Clean dirty pots and pans

Utilising its scrubbing properties, Epsom salt can be used on tough-to-clean pots and pans. If you've burnt something onto the base, left residue or neglected dirty dishes, scrubbing with Epsom will make your cleaning easier. Pour a small amount of Epsom into the pot after soaking it in hot, soapy water. Then, with a dish brush or scourer, scrub the Epsom against the metal base until residue comes off.

6. Soothe insect bites

The high magnesium content in Epsom salt can also help reduce itching, swelling and inflammation. It's effective on itchy skin in general, and works wonders on bug and mosquito bites, and itchy sunburns. Apply a paste of Epsom salt and water to insect bites or stings.

7. Fertilise indoor plants, veggie garden & lawn

As Epsom is magnesium-based and not sodium, it won't harm your plants and can actually keep them healthy. For house plants, sprinkle Epsom Salt onto the soil around the plant's base, or dissolve it in the watering can before watering the soil. Repeat every few months.  Avoid using Epsom on succulents, cacti, ferns and orchids.

Epsom can also help you to grow better food in your herb or veggie garden.  Sprinkle one tablespoon of Epsom salt onto the soil underneath veggie plants every few months, and you'll hopefully see bigger yields.

Dousing your lawn with some Epsom can not only help tired, dying grass, but make it look greener. Dissolve approximately 1 cup of Epsom salt into a 9L watering can and water the grass every few months.

8. Polish silverware

You can make a solution of 1/4 cup of Epsom salt and 2 cups of boiling water and soak your silverware for 5 minutes to remove tarnish.

9. Repel slugs & snails

Sprinkle a thin line of Epsom Salt around your garden perimeter, near slug-attracting plants, and even windowsills and doorways if slugs are coming inside. Just make sure no small children or pets can reach the Epsom salt to avoid risk of them ingesting it. Epsom salt can be a powerful laxative when taken orally and should only be taken with a doctor's supervision.

10. Boost laundry detergent

Add half a cup of Epsom salt to your laundry load along with your regular detergent to enhance its cleaning power and soften your clothes.

 

How Do You Use Epsom Salt at Home?

The list of Epsom salt uses are seemingly endless.  It is a versatile product that has many uses around the home. It can help improve your health, beauty, gardening, cleaning, and relaxation.

Buy our Natural Epsom Salt

MORE READING

What is the difference between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Salt and Which One Should You Choose?

 

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