50 Unusual Uses for Epsom Salt

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Epsom salt used to be one of the staples our grandparents kept around the house. It was their go-to for just about everything. What is this magical thing? Epsom salt is technically magnesium sulfate.

It has been widely used in health applications, but it can do so much more than that. It is very inexpensive and can be purchased in large quantities, which is almost always a better deal. Once you see the number of ways you can use it, you’ll want to have a lot on hand.

It’s important to know that the many health benefits of Epsom salt are anecdotal and should not be used without a doctor’s approval.

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Body Scrub – Make your own body scrub with Epsom salt, a carrier oil, like almond and add a few drops of essential oil.

Carpal Tunnel Relief – Soak your arms in warm water with Epsom salt to relieve the pain and stiffness.

Carpet Cleaner – Mix equal parts water and Epsom salt to create a cleaning solution. Pour a little on the area and let it sit for about thirty minutes. Wipe away with a clean cloth. Then vacuum. You can add some essential oil to your mix for a fresh scent.

Clean Fruits and Vegetables – Safely remove dirt and residue from fruits and vegetables by making an Epsom salt wash. Mix 1/4 cup of Epsom salt into a bowl of water, soak your produce for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. This not only cleans but can also help in removing bitter tastes from certain vegetables.

Cleaning Aquariums – Rub some Epsom salt on the sides of the tank to remove algae and water scum. It’s safe for fish and makes cleaning the tank quick and easy.

Cleaning Car Windshield – Add some Epsom salt to warm, soapy water to scrub off stubborn bug guts.

Cleaning Grills – A combination of Epsom salt and water will help get your oven or barbecue grills nice and clean. If possible, soak the grill in the solution for easier clean up.

Cleaning The Dishwasher – Sprinkle Epsom salt into the bottom of the dishwasher and run a cycle to clean and refresh your dishwasher.

Cleaning Washing Machines – Add Epsom salt directly to the washing machine tub and run it through a small cycle to deodorize.

Constipation Relief – The dosage should be advised by your doctor or you can do your own research. Add a little Epsom salt to a glass of water and drink. Things will be moving along fairly quickly.

Creating Homemade Bath Bombs – Add Epsom salt, baking soda and a little food coloring to create a bath bomb the kids will love. You can skip the food coloring and add some essential oil like peppermint or lavender for a relaxing bath.

Deodorizing The Garbage Disposal – Mix equal parts of Epsom salt and hot water and dump down the disposal. It will deodorize and help remove stuck particle. Let it sit for a few minutes and then run your disposal with hot water.

Diaper Rash Cure – If your baby has a diaper rash, putting them in a shallow bath with warm water and Epsom salt will help soothe and heal the rash.

Enhance Houseplant Growth – Give your indoor greens a boost by incorporating Epsom salt into your plant care routine. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water and use it to water your houseplants monthly. This magnesium-rich solution encourages chlorophyll production, leading to lusher, greener plants.

Fabric Softener – Add a quarter cup of Epsom salt to the washing machine to act as a safe fabric softener.

Facial Cleanser – If you have a favorite facial cleanser already, you can add a little Epsom salt to act as an exfoliant. If you don’t have a cleanser, rubbing a little Epsom salt onto the face and then gently washing will unclog pores and leave your skin feeling very clean.

Fire Ant Control – If you’ve got fire ants, a safe and effective way to get rid of them is mixing Epsom salt and hot water in a container and dumping directly on the mound.

Fire Extinguisher – Grease fires don’t like water. You should always have a container or bag of Epsom salt when you’re grilling. Dumping Epsom salt on the flames will put them out quickly.

Foot Scrub – Add Epsom salt to olive or coconut oil to create a paste and rub on your feet. Rinse with warm water to exfoliate and leave your feet nice and soft.

Foot Soak – Fill a shallow bucket or a big bowl with warm water and Epsom salt if you’re suffering from aching feet. It will help soothe and deodorize.

Fridge Deodorizer – Put a small bowl of Epsom salt in the back of your refrigerator to absorb odors.

Hair Clarifier – If you use a lot of product in your hair, it might be feeling a little heavy and gunky. Add a little Epsom salt to your shampoo to help clean out the product clinging to your hair.

Hair Volumizer – Adding Epsom salt to your shampoo will give your hair more volume by removing all those products mentioned above.

Homemade Air Freshener – Mix Epsom salt with your favorite essential oils to create a non-toxic, homemade air freshener. Fill a small jar with Epsom salt, add 10-15 drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus), and stir. Punch holes in the jar lid, and place it in any room to absorb odors and leave a refreshing scent.

Insect Bite Relief – Mosquito bites and other bug bites can get immediate relief with a solution of Epsom salt in water. Mix in a spray bottle and spray over the area or use a cloth or cotton ball to dab it on.

Itch Relief for Pets – If you have a dog prone to dry, itchy skin, you can get them relief by giving them a bath with some Epsom salt in the water. If you have an older dog, they will appreciate the bath to help ease sore muscles.

Itchy Scalp Relief – Dissolve Epsom salt in warm water and apply to your scalp after shampooing and conditioning your hair.

Laundry Detergent Booster – Epsom salt has stain removing power. Adding a little to your wash cycle will help get your clothes a little cleaner and softer.

Lip Scrub – Add a little Epsom salt to coconut oil with a drop of peppermint essential oil to create an exfoliating and moisturizing lip scrub that will help heal chapped lips.

Neutralize Smoke Odors – Any odors can be pulled from the air with bowls of Epsom salt placed around the house.

Oil Reducer In Hair – If you choose to go a few days between hair washings, use a little Epsom salt to absorb the oil on your scalp and in your hair. Sprinkle on and then brush through.

Pest Deterrent In The Garden – Sprinkle Epsom salt around your plants in the garden to combat snails and slugs. Ants aren’t going to like it either and will leave your plants alone. You’ll want to refresh the Epsom salt ring every few days.

Plant Fertilizer – Using Epsom salt in the garden as a pest deterrent is also acting as a fertilizer. The Epsom salt will be absorbed into the ground, feeding your plants at the same time.

Poison Oak or Poison Ivy Relief – Mix warm water and Epsom salt in a bowl. Dip a towel or other cloth in the solution and then apply to the affected area for instant relief from itching and inflammation.

Polishing Silverware – Create a paste with Epsom salt and water and rub on your silverware. Rinse and dry and it will be shiny once again.

Preventing Oily Skin – Add some Epsom salt to your facial cleansing solution and gently wash your face to absorb oil and prevent breakouts.

Remove Water Stains from Wood Furniture – Test your wood first! Mix a paste of Epsom salt and water and spread over the stain on the furniture. Allow to sit for a few hours before wiping away.

Removing Splinters – Create a water and Epsom salt mixture and soak the finger/hand or whatever for a few minutes. The solution will draw splinters to the top for easy removal.

Revitalize Tired Eyes – Gently soothe away eye strain and reduce puffiness by mixing a teaspoon of Epsom salt in a cup of warm water. Soak cotton pads in the solution and place them over closed eyelids for a relaxing 15-minute session. The magnesium in Epsom salt helps reduce inflammation and refresh tired eyes.

Seed Germination Booster – Before you plant your seeds, soak them in Epsom salt and water overnight. This promote quicker germination and they will be stronger.

Shoe Freshener – If you’ve got stinky shoes, dump some Epsom salt in them and shake it around. It will absorb odors and moisture. Make sure you dump out the salt before putting your shoes on to avoid irritation.

Skin Exfoliation – Make an exfoliating scrub with a little Epsom salt and coconut oil. Massage onto your skin and then wash away.

Soothe Post-Workout Swelling – Create an Epsom salt compress for targeted relief from muscle soreness and swelling after intense workouts. Dissolve a half-cup of Epsom salt in 2 cups of warm water, soak a towel in the solution, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area. The magnesium helps ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation.

Sore Muscle Relief – This is probably one of the most popular uses. Adding Epsom salt to the bath and then soaking for a while will help ease sore muscles.

Stain Remover for Pots and Pans – Create a paste with Epsom salt and a small amount of water. Rub onto the pots and pans and allow to sit for about thirty minutes. Gently scrub with a sponge. Repeat if necessary. This will remove stains and leave your pots and pans shiny.

Stain Remover – As mentioned earlier, Epsom salt is an excellent stain remover, even on oil and grease stains. Make a paste with Epsom salt and water and cover a stain. Let the clothes sit for a few hours before tossing in the wash.

Sunburn Relief – Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties which help ease the pain of a sunburn. Mix the Epsom salt in lukewarm water. Soak washcloths in the solution and cover the area. You can also add to a spray bottle to cover a large area.

Tile and Grout Cleaner – Mix equal parts baking soda and Epsom salt in a dish. Add to grout and then use a wet sponge or scrub brush to remove soap scum and mildew stains.

Treating Blackheads – Make a paste of Epsom salt and water and rub on the blackhead. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wash away.

Weed Killer – A natural weed killer made with Epsom salt, vinegar and dish soap can safely kill weeds in the garden and around the yard. Make sure you don’t let the solution get on your plants. You’ll need to do this a few times for larger weeds.

You can get large bags of Epsom salt online or at department stores such as Walmart.

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