10 Surprising Uses for Epsom Salt
We love multipurpose wonders like aloe vera and coconut oil for all our beauty and kitchen needs. When it comes to Epsom salt, we're just as jazzed to share how you can use the mineral everywhere from your living room to your garden!
Just make sure to check the label before you buy - it should have drug facts or the United States Pharmacopeia's USP label certifying it's safe for human use
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IN THE HOUSE
• Make a Tile Cleaner: Skip pricey tile cleaner and combine equal parts dish soap and Epsom salt to form a scrub you can use in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Soak Up Stains: Wine spill on the tablecloth? Wet stain with cold water. Sprinkle salt over stain and let sit for 10 minutes. When salt has absorbed most of the liquid, launder as usual.
• DIY Handsoap: For a light exfoliating hand wash, combine Epsom salt with baby oil.
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ON YOUR BODY
• Make a Lip Scrub: Apply a mixture of 3 tablespoons Epsom salt and 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly and gently rub for super smooth lips.
• Clean Up Your Feet: Mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes to remove odor, soothe achy feet and sluff off dead skin.
• Volumize Hair: Combine equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner and apply to dry hair. After 20 minutes rinse and style as usual. The salt prevents flat hair by soaking up excess oil.
• Soothe Skin: Relieve burns and itchy skin by adding 2 tablespoons Epsom salt to 1 cup water. Dab with a cotton ball or spray on affected area.
IN YOUR BACKYARD
• Fertilize Your Plants: Sprinkle near the roots once a week to give your plants a growth boost. The magnesium and sulfate make the prime nutrients (nitrogen and potassium) in plant food more effective.
• Keep the Slugs at Bay: Pour a thin trail along the edge of your garden to keep slugs away. Add a little near your garbage can, too - raccoons don't like the taste, either!
• Keep Your Lawn Green: Add 2 tablespoons to a gallon of water and sprinkle on your lawn. The magnesium provides essential nutrients and prevents yellowing and the loss of green color.
Find more useful ideas for Epsom Salt at the Epsom Salt Council and Saltworks. What's your favorite way to use the mighty mineral?
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