16 Alternative Uses for Epsom Salt

We usually have a carton of epsom salt in our house. We will throw them in the bath when we’re not feeling well. Epsom salts do great at soothing sore muscle whether you have the flu or just an achy body, it is our go-to fix. Did you know there are tons of other uses for epsom salt? I was quite amazed at how many alternative uses I was able to find with just a little bit of research.

Credit: couponcloset.net

Beauty uses

1. Rejuvenating Bath

This is probably one of the most common uses for epsom salt. We have a large tub, so we add 3-4 cups of epsom salt to a very warm bath (1-2 cups would be enough for a small tub). Soak for as long as you’d like, but at least 15 minutes to get the nice effects of epsom salt.

2. Foot Soak

If you have sore, achy feet, try an epsom salt soak. Add about 1/2 cup epsom salt per 1 gallon of hot water. Let you feet soak for at least 20 minutes. If you have some rough patches on your feet, you can rub your feet with a pumice stone after the soak for nice smooth skin. This little soak does great at getting rid of that stinky foot smell, too.

3. Hair Nourishment

Heat up equal parts conditioner and epsom salt in a small sauce pan. (Heating these two up ensures they are combined thoroughly.) Once combined and warm to the touch, massage into your hair. Let sit for about 20 minutes. This will remove excess oils from your hair and give it some great volume.

4. Skin Exfoliate

Mix about 1/4 cup epsom salt with your favorite bath oil and rub all over your skin while in the shower. This will help loosen and remove any dead skin. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

5. Fresh Face

Mix a pinch or two of epsom salt with your favorite facial cleanser for a nice exfoliating face wash. This will leave your face feeling fresh and smooth.

6. Ditch those Blackheads

In a small bowl, mix about 1 tablespoon of epsom salt with a little hot water (just enough to dissolve the salt). Add 2-3 drops of iodine and mix well. Dab a cotton ball into the mixture and apply to the problem areas. Let dry and then rinse with cool water.

Health uses

1. Ease a Sunburn

There is nothing pleasant about a sunburn. Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a lukewarm bath and soak. The anti-inflammatory properties of the epsom salt will help ease the discomfort of a minor sunburn.

2. Constipation Remedy

Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of epsom salt in 1 cup of water. Drink this for immediate constipation relief. Warning – this does NOT taste great, but it does do the trick. To prevent constipation issues, try sprinkling 1/4-1/2 teaspoon into a glass of water and drinking this daily.

3. Splinter Removal

If you have a splinter that you know is going to be tricky to remove, soak in an epsom salt bath first. Simply add a little epsom salt into a bowl and soak hand for a few minutes. This will make removing the splinter a lot easier and less painful. This is great for kids to do, too.

4. Reduce Swelling and Bruising

The next time you injure yourself and you start to swell up, or know there is going to be some serious bruising involved, soak in an epsom salt bath. Whether just soaking your foot in a bucket or soaking your entire body in the tub, you’ll notice a significant reduction in swelling and the bruising will be gone in a much shorter period of time.

5. Ease that Bite

My family and I get bit by mosquitos in the summer. It is inevitable. We are definitely going to try this bug bite remedy this year! Dissolve 2-4 tablespoons epsom salt into 1 cup of warm water. Add this to a spray bottle on soak a wash cloth in it and apply to affected area. You should feel some pretty immediate relief from the itching and swelling.

Home & Garden

1. Bathroom Cleaner

Mix equal parts epsom salt with dish soap to create a great tile cleaner! This work great in the shower on grout that you can never seem to get clean. Just mix together and scrub away. Rinse with warm water and you’ll have sparkling clean tile and grout.

2. Washing Machine Cleaner

If you’ve notice build up in your washing machine, try running a hot water cycle with some epsom salt (1-2 cups). This works great without any scrubbing.

3. Promote Seed Germination

Have you been thinking about starting your garden? Sometime starting from seed can seem daunting, but it really isn’t. One easy way to promote seed germination is to add a little epsom salt to your soil. Just sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons on epsom salt in the bottom of the hole before you toss in your seed. This will encourage more and stronger seedlings.

4. Healthier Plants

If you notice yellowing in your plants or curling of leaves, a little epsom salt can really turn things around. Add a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the base of the offending plants and then water as usual. You will see healthier looking plants in no time. This works great in the garden and in flower beds – even trees will love this “special” treatment.

5. Bugs be Gone

Do you have a problem with slugs or other creatures in your garden? Epsom salt diluted in water makes an excellent pest deterrent! Dissolve a couple tablespoons of epsom salt in water in a spray bottle. Spray on plants to keep those pests at bay. If you have a larger garden, you can use a tank sprayer. Use about 1 cup epsom salt per gallon of water. Do make sure the salt is completely dissolve before you start spraying.