Epsom salt, or magnesium sulphate, is not your regular table salt because it’s so much more than that. It can ease your aches and pains. It can even relieve constipation. Though, did you know it can also work as an insecticide or exfoliant? Epsom salts can go beyond just an addition to your shower.
In the previous articles, you learned what it is and what it does in your bath. In this article, we’ll show you so many other ways you can utilise this versatile material. Here are 33 more ways you can use Epsom salt.
The 33 Ways to Use Epsom Salt
For the Garden
1. Ward off Pesky Insects
Ever get tired of pests around your lovely daffodils? How about when they keep eating your crops? Some of the leading pesticides can be quite harmful to your plants and their surrounding soil. Fellow gardeners use an Epsom salt solution to keep the bugs away safely.
2. Brighten Your Yard
Keeping things natural is possibly the best way to maintain any lawn. Do you want to make your grass and plants greener? Use magnesium and sulfur, which are both present in organic magnesium sulphate. If your foliage is wilting or getting yellow, scatter some Epsom salt in the soil.
3. Fertilize Your Plants
Plants need certain nutrients to survive in any environment. Help make nutrient-dense soil by adding a sprinkle of Epsom salt once a week. As a magnesium supplement, it boosts the other nutrients they need from the soil, like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
4. Avoid Transport Shock
Moving a plant from one vessel or place to the next might disturb your plant’s growth. It may lead to transport shock, stressing the plant because of the new environment. Bath salts can counteract the damage by improving chlorophyll production, giving it the extra fuel it needs.
5. Aid Seed Germination
Seedlings need all the help they can have to keep them strong during the first few days of life. Encourage seed growth by adding some Epsom salt in the mix. The sulfur enriches the soil while the magnesium toughens the seeds’ cell walls. Either mix it in the soil or spray a solution.
6. Yield Better Produce
The added support from magnesium sulphate provides elevated chlorophyll levels. In turn, the plants get enough for proper photosynthesis to happen. This means, not only are your plants getting stronger, they can grow the best fruits and vegetables they can offer. Get ready for the juiciest tomatoes next harvest season.
7. Protect Your Poultry
Your feathery friends might carry something rather unfriendly in their legs and feet. Scaly leg mites irritate the birds’ legs, making them appear lumpy with gaps between their scales. Soak the feet of your turkeys, pheasants, and chickens in warm water with Epsom salt to help loosen their scales. Don’t forget to rub a thick layer of Vaseline after soaking to suffocate the mites.
For the House
8. Clear Out Washing Machine Build-up
Your washing machine is such a handy appliance to have in the house. It cleans your laundry, but it also needs a little cleaning sometimes. To remove any build-up from your previous washes, cycle in a cup of magnesium sulphate and white vinegar. The machine will be well-maintained.
9. Use as a Handwash
If you want an inexpensive way to clean your hands properly, here’s what you could do. For this handwash, you’ll also need some baby oil (which is mostly based on paraffin oil). Mix equal amounts of bath salts and baby oil. Store your new moisturising handwash near your sink for easy access.
10. Prevent Roaming Slugs
Spring and fall might be your favourite seasons. Unfortunately, so do slugs. When these pesky things decide to go inside your house, Epsom salt is here to the rescue. Lay down some of the salt by your doors and windows or use a solution to spray over the slugs.
11. Scrub Grout and Tiles
Are you having trouble with that stain on your bathroom wall or window? Get your stash of dish soap and Epsom salts. Apply the mixture on the tiles and the grout in between them. Soaking them for a few minutes will scrub the grime in no time.
12. Clean Pans and Pots
Stop scrubbing on your pots and pans so hard. The food stuck on them is going to need more than just some elbow grease. Put a handful of Epsom salt on any part of your cookware that needs that extra care. The salt is coarse enough to get any of the food out for you.
For Beauty Purposes
13. Give Volume to Your Hair
Flat hair won’t be a problem anymore. You’ll need more than just your regular hair care routine. Whenever your hair needs a little bounce, mix the same amount of Epsom salt with your conditioner. In a pan, heat the mixture a bit. Massage it in your hair and let it sit for around 20 minutes before rinsing it.
14. Deodorize Your Feet
Are your feet starting to stink? It’s time to soak your tootsies in some bath salts. Pour enough warm water into a basin to cover your feet. Dissolve half a cup of the salt in the water. After soaking your feet for 10 minutes, you’re good to go.
15. Uproot Stubborn Blackheads
Blackheads are a nightmare to have and to remove. Instead of trying to squeeze them out with your fingers, make this Epsom salt solution for it. With half a cup of hot water, stir in a teaspoon of bath salts and maybe four drops of iodine. When the mixture is cool enough, apply it to your face. Once it’s dry completely, rinse with warm water.
16. Treat Your Acne
Moreover, magnesium sulphate can be used as a face wash as well. It’s a rather effective way to clear acne in just a pinch. Using your regular face cream or cleanser, mix in some Epsom salt. Half a teaspoon should be enough. Clean your face as usual. After, use cold water to rinse the mixed cleanser.
17. Exfoliate Dead Tissue
Some skin care like luxury exfoliants can be a bit expensive. Make a low-cost version right at home. You can use Epsom salt as is to exfoliate your skin. For a more indulgent take, combine enough of the salts with olive oil. Rub all over your wet skin. Don’t forget to rinse off.
18. Apply as a Face Mask
Another face care product you can make at home is your facial mask. Rather than adding the salt to another mask, make use of avocados. It’s a great base for a moisturising face mask. Mash some Epsom salt in a ripe avocado. Spread the mask on your face. Wait 20-30 minutes before washing it out with warm water.
19. Clear Away the Hairspray
Unlike the previous beauty tips, you can prep this solution a day in advance. Prepare a gallon of water. You’ll need a cup of Epsom salt and lemon juice. Put the solution aside and wait 24 hours before using it on your hair. Pour it into your dry hair, wait 20 minutes, then shampoo.
For Health Purposes
20. Help Expel Splinters
Trying to pick out a splinter can be painful. Don’t damage your skin any further. Make a soaking solution with warm water and 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. The pressure from the solution will push the splinter closer to the surface. You can either pop it out with no problem, or it can do it by itself.
21. Treat Bug Bites
Irritating bug bites might as well disappear on their own with this solution. Half a cup of warm water should be enough per half a cup of Epsom salt. Either as a compress or as a spray, place or spray it on the bite itself. It’ll stop itching after a few minutes.
22. Alleviate Cold and Flu Symptoms
Having the flu is never a pleasant ride. Be kind to yourself by drawing a warm Epsom salt bath. A bath like this does more than clean you off. Adding Epsom salts can relax your body and help encourage your immune system to fight off the virus.
23. Cure Poison Ivy
Get rid of poison ivy rash with a compress. Instead of hot water, use cold water this time. Use 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per 1 cup of water. Submerge the cloth in the solution. Draw as much of the water out of the cloth as possible. When ready, wrap the fabric on the affected area.
24. Dress Sunburns
Being a good anti-inflammatory, Epsom salt works wonders on sunburns. Get your spray bottle ready. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of the salts in 1 cup of water. Shake it in the bottle to make sure. Spray away, and feel relief soon after.
25. Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
The fungi on your feet can be very unpleasant to have. Toenail fungus is even more difficult to get rid of. Fret no more, since bath salts can do that for you. The 1-2 cups of the salt, along with the apple cider vinegar, dries out the infection. It kills the spores, leaving you fungi-free.
26. Relieve Bruises and Sprains
Whether as a bath or a compress, magnesium sulphate can reduce swelling, including bruises and bumps. If you want a warm bath, add around 2 cups of salt to the mix. It will greatly cut down any soreness or pain you feel. For faster relief, the instant hot packs available on our website have Epsom salt in them for this purpose.
27. Heal Swimmer’s Itch
Also known as cercarial dermatitis, swimmer’s itch is a very itchy rash that can occur almost after your swim. It’s generally an allergic reaction from parasites in the water. A good Epsom salt soak can help relieve the itchiness while it heals.
28. Lessen Gout Pain
Do you have gout? Fear not, for bath salts will relieve any discomfort. As you might have expected, you’ll need a basin or bucket for this. Hot water, warm enough for you to handle, works best. Mix in 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Soak your joints or feet for 30 minutes at a time.
29. Soothe Athlete’s Foot
A good foot bath helps ease athlete’s foot as well. Fill a basin with enough water to submerge both of your feet. Hot or warm water with half a cup of Epsom salt is your solution for burning feet.
30. Get Yourself a Good Night’s Sleep
Magnesium is essential in your system. When you have enough, your serotonin levels soar. It improves your overall mood and helps you sleep better. A nice warm bath with Epsom salt will do the trick. Get the right temperature for optimal relaxation, not too cold or hot.
For Fun, and Miscellaneous
33. Test Golf Balls
For an avid golf player, a balanced ball could mean the difference between a duff or a hole-in-one. Professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau tests his golf balls in an Epsom salt solution to check their balance before a match. You can use this trick for yourself too!
32. Create New Crafts and Decorations
Epsom salt is a relatively safe substance. So much so that you can incorporate the salts as is in any easy craft. Add food colouring to make DIY-coloured sand for the kids. Use the crystals for paintings and easy wall decorations. With a little glitter and glue, the possibilities are endless.
33. Make Cool Science Experiments
With a little Epsom salt, turn your everyday objects into amazing projects at home. Amaze anybody in the room with a little show. Also use hot water, and a few drops of food colouring for this experiment. You can make your own fast-growing magnesium sulphate crystals.
In Conclusion
In any part of your house or your life, Epsom salt can make things a little easier for you. Let’s start things off in your garden. It can ward off those tedious pests. It can easily brighten your yard, fertilizing your lawn and houseplants. Magnesium helps your plants grow better, even when they’re just seedlings. Transporting them is a breeze as well.
Epsom salt can clean the tiles and the pans in your household. Slugs stay clear of your house when you use the stuff. If you forgot to clear out your washing machine (again), a solution of magnesium sulphate will do it for you. After all that cleaning, wash your hands with the solution too.
Bath salts can be a miracle for your acne and flat hair. Exfoliate your skin and make a moisturising mask with a handful of that stuff. Get the hairspray out of your hair in a pinch. And then rejuvenate your tootsies with a soak.
Any bite, burn, or scrape will be gone with just a 10-minute soak. It can even propel splinters out of your skin. A nice warm bath with bath salts will help you heal faster from a cold and sleep better. As for soreness in your feet, soak them in that magnesium goodness.
You can also use Epsom salt for kid-friendly crafts and at-home science experiments. The possibilities are endless, as long as you keep an open mind and a creative spirit. Be inventive. You might end up finding other new ways for yourself as well.
