You’d be forgiven for thinking of Epsom salt as nothing more than a soothing bath additive. But did you know that there are many other uses for this versatile mineral?
In fact, Epsom salt can be used to cleanse your body, beautify your skin, and much more!
I’m going to cover 15 excellent alternative uses for Epsom salt. So the next time you have some extra Epsom salt lying around, don’t forget about these fun and useful ideas!
Eliminating Toxins From Your Body
One of the primary uses of Epsom salt is to help eliminate toxins from your body. This is because Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, which is a key mineral needed for detoxification.
All you need to do to gain the benefits of Epsom salt is add two cups of Epsom salt to the water in your bathtub and lay in it for at least 10 minutes!
Amazing Skin Exfoliator
If you’re searching for a natural way to exfoliate your skin, look no further than Epsom salt!
Epsom salt is amazing at removing dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking and feeling softer and smoother. Plus, the magnesium in Epsom salt can also help to reduce inflammation and soothe painful skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
To use Epsom salt as an exfoliator, mix together 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and around a 1/4 cup of olive oil or coconut oil. Gently massage the mixture into your skin, and then rinse it with warm water.
Skin Soother
If you mix a small amount of hot water with Epsom salt, you can create a paste. Apply that paste to any aches and pains on your skin, and the salt will ease the pain.
You can even use Epsom salt paste as after sun treatment! Just mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salt with a cup of aloe vera gel, and apply it to any sunburned skin.
Stress-Relieving Sleep Aid
Another one of the uses for Epsom salt is as a sleep aid. If you find it difficult sometimes to fall asleep at night, try adding some Epsom salt to your bathtub before bed.
The magnesium in Epsom salt can help to relax your body and ease you into restful sleep. If your body lacks magnesium, your serotonin levels will also decrease, which is a surefire way to feel down.
Add two cups of Epsom salt to your bathwater and soak in it for at least 10 minutes before bed.
If you don’t have time to sit in the bath, you can also mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salt with 1/4 cup of hot water and drink it before bedtime.
Hand Wash
If you mix Epsom salt with baby oil, you’ll stumble across a fantastic hand wash!
The Epsom salt will help cleanse and exfoliate your hands, while the baby oil will add moisture to your skin.
To use this hand wash, mix together 1/4 cup of Epsom salt with 1/8 cup of baby oil. Rub it onto your hands and then rinse.
If you’re feeling experimental, you can add lavender or any other scent you like to give it that extra zing!
Athletes Foot
Athletes’ foot isn’t the nicest of problems you can have with your feet, but luckily Epsom salt can help!
Epsom salt’s antifungal and antibacterial properties can help kill the fungus that causes athletes’ foot. It can also help to soothe the itchiness and irritation that comes with it.
Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin or bucket of warm water and soak your feet in it for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process every day until your athlete’s foot has cleared up.
Treats Toenail Fungus
While we’re on the topic of foot fungus, let’s not neglect any toenail fungus issues you may be dealing with at the moment!
Like athletes’ foot, Epsom salt’s antifungal properties can help kill toenail fungus.
To treat toenail fungus with Epsom salt:
- Mix together 1/2 cup of Epsom salt with 1/4 cup of olive oil or vinegar.
- Soak a cotton ball in the mixture, you can then place the cotton ball in your affected nails.
- Repeat this process until the fungus has gone.
It Removes Foot Odour
This is the last foot-related tip for Epsom salt, I promise!
If you’re dealing with stinky feet, then Epsom salt can help. The salt helps to remove sweat and bacteria from your feet, leaving them smelling fresh and clean.
Epsom salt is genuinely excellent for feet, it can help clear up all kinds of fungal infections, and it will generally help you relax, I recommend giving it a try.
Relieving Constipation
If you’re struggling with constipation, it’d be worthwhile giving the magic of Epsom salt a go.
The magnesium in Epsom salt helps to draw water into your intestines, this will then soften up your stools and make it much easier to go to the toilet!
To use Epsom salt as a natural laxative, mix 1/2 cup of the salt with 1/4 cup of warm water. Drink the mixture and then wait for 30 minutes before going to the toilet.
I’d always recommend consulting a physician before you take anything internally, to be safe.
Bathroom Tile Cleaner
Epsom salt isn’t just beneficial for your health, it can also be used around the home!
The abrasive nature of Epsom salt makes it the perfect cleaner for bathroom tiles. All you need to do is mix together 1/4 cup of Epsom salt with 1/8 cup of dish soap. Rub the mixture onto your tiles and then rinse it off.
Your bathroom tiles will look spotless, after you use a bit of elbow grease, that is.
Cleaning Your Pots & Pans
If you’ve got some pots and pans that need a good scrub, Epsom salt can help with that too.
Epsom salt is the perfect texture to be able to get into even the toughest of food stuck onto your pots and pans; it can even make its way through burnt-on food!
You will, of course, need to give them a good scrubbing.
To use Epsom salt as a cleaning agent, mix together 1/2 cup of salt with 1/4 cup of water. Rub it into your pots and pans with a sponge, then rinse it.
Lawn Fertilizer
This is such a great tip if you need to fertilize your lawn!
The magnesium in the salt helps the grass to grow green and lush, while the sulfur improves the absorption of other nutrients.
To use Epsom salt as fertilizer, mix 1 cup of salt with 2 gallons of water. You can spray it directly onto your lawn or water it with this mixture.
If you’re dealing with a large lawn, you’ll need to increase the amount of salt and water you use for good coverage.
Keeps Your Houseplants Healthy
Similarly to helping fertilize your lawn, Epsom salt is excellent for the health of your houseplants.
The minerals in Epsom salt allow your houseplants to absorb the other nutrients available, and the key to any healthy plant is the frequent absorption of nutrients to help them thrive.
To give your houseplants a nutrient-rich Epsom salt treatment, mix together 1 tablespoon of salt with 1 gallon of water. Water your plants as usual with this mixture once a month, and you should see a difference in their health.
Slug Repellent
If you’re tired of finding slugs in your garden, then Epsom salt can help to keep them at bay.
The sharp edges of the salt crystals will cut through the slug’s slimy exterior and ultimately kill them.
To use Epsom salt as a slug repellent, sprinkle it around the edges of your garden or wherever you tend to find them.
You can also mix together 1/4 cup of salt with 1/2 gallon of water and spray it directly onto the slugs.
Not quite a slug repellent, more of a slug destroyer.
Car Battery Regenartion
If you have a car battery that’s starting to show signs of wear, then Epsom salt can help to regenerate it; I’m being deadly serious!
The magnesium sulfate in the salt helps to break down the lead oxide on the battery plates, and this process will ultimately extend the life of your car battery.
To use Epsom salt for car battery regeneration, mix together 1/2 pound of salt with 1/2 gallon of water. Pour the mixture into the battery cells and then top them up with distilled water.
Leave the battery to soak for 12 hours before recharging it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens when you soak in Epsom salt?
When you soak in Epsom salt, the magnesium sulfate is absorbed through your skin and into your body. This can help to relieve muscle pain, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.
Will Epsom salt help you lose weight?
No scientific evidence suggests that Epsom salt can help you lose weight. However, some people believe that the magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt can help to detoxify the body and boost metabolism.
Conclusion
Epsom salt has endless uses, both around the home and for your health. So next time you see a big tub of it on sale, be sure to snap it up!
Do you have any unusual uses for Epsom salt that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!