Certain household staples are truly indispensable. If you're a regular reader of sites like comment-economiser.fr, you already know favorites like white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, hydrogen peroxide, black soap, and cider vinegar.
But one multitasker often overlooked is Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate.
We've curated 13 practical ways to use Epsom salt around the home, drawing from years of hands-on experience in natural cleaning and self-care.
These tips make home maintenance and personal care effortless and effective. You'll wonder how you managed without it!
Explore all the uses below:
A simple way to store makeup brushes is in a container filled with sand, gravel, coffee beans, or rice. But from experience, Epsom salt is superior—it's easier to clean and pet-safe.
For a deep splinter, skip the painful tweezers. Apply Epsom salt around the wound and cover with a bandage. It draws the splinter to the surface quickly—ideal for kids. See the full trick here.
Avoid chemical-laden sprays. Mix Epsom salt with water and citrus essential oil (like lemon), pour into a spray bottle, and refresh your home naturally. It fills the air with a fresh, lasting scent.
Epsom salt shines in DIY beauty routines. Add 250 g to a hot bath and soak for 20 minutes for ultimate relaxation. Or mix 125 g with 60 ml olive oil for a phthalate-free body scrub. Try effervescent bath pebbles too—tutorial here.
Combine 200 g Epsom salt with 10 drops of lavender or lemon essential oil. Use 50 g per load for soft, fresh laundry without harsh chemicals.
Keep your machine residue-free: Add Epsom salt and run a hot cycle. Your clothes will come out cleaner every time.
Blend Epsom salt with baking soda, citric acid, white vinegar, and essential oils for effective, budget-friendly tablets that rival store-bought ones. Recipe here.
Enhance your skincare: Add a pinch of Epsom salt to your cleanser or cream, massage in, and rinse. It exfoliates while hydrating—two benefits in one.
Mix 5 g Epsom salt with a drop of iodine in 100 ml boiling water. Apply with a cotton ball to blackheads and acne for clear skin.
Mix 2 tablespoons Epsom salt with water, soak a compress, and apply to bruises. It reduces pain and fading time effectively.
For headaches, hangovers, or stomach issues, dissolve 5 g in water and drink. It replenishes magnesium, cleanses, and has a laxative effect—use cautiously.
The classic use: Add 500 g to a hot bath or 250 g to a foot soak for 20 minutes. Absorbed magnesium eases muscle tension, softens skin, and promotes better sleep.
For oily hair, mix into shampoo. For frizz, blend equal parts conditioner and salt, warm gently, apply from roots to tips, leave 20 minutes, and rinse. Volume without the frizz. See tip #9 here.
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate—a natural compound of magnesium, sulfur, oxygen, and water, packed with benefits unlike table salt.
I keep Epsom salt stocked at home for its versatility. Find it affordably at organic stores or online.
