Epsom Salts for Health, Home, and Garden

This versatile household staple can be used in the home, around the garden and to support wellness.

Epsom salts are not actually a salt, but a mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate that has a shape resembling salt. Find out why you need to keep a bag on hand and how easy it is to use them.

Support Wellbeing

Epsom salts can be used to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing when used in a bath or foot soak. Soak in an Epsom salt bath after playing sports, exercising or gardening to soothe muscles. Relax in a warm bath after a long day or when feeling a bit under the weather. Simply add 1-2 cups of Epsom salts when running the bath water and soak for 20 minutes.

An Epsom salt bath may help with the following:

Soothe coughs and congestion
Relax the nerves and ease stress for a good night’s sleep
Relieve tension headaches
Support the healing process for cuts, scrapes and wounds
Ease muscle aches due to strain or overuse
Speed up recovery time for sprains and bruises
Soak at the first sign of a cold
Draw out infection or help remove splinters (Use a local soak, i.e. use a small bowl for a cut on your hand)

Epsom salts can also be added to your beauty regime.

Use it as a natural face cleanser
Sprinkle onto your washcloth or luffa to exfoliate your skin
Use as a hair rinse to add volume

Simple, Relaxing Bath Soak

Try this simple bath soak for a bit of ‘me time’.

2 cups Chantal Organics Epsom Salts
1/2 cup baking soda
5-10 drops of essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus
1 Tbsp Chantal Organics Coconut Oil, as a carrier oil

Place the jar of coconut oil in a bowl of warm water to gently melt it.
In a small bowl, add the melted coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
Mix the Epsom salts and baking soda together and pour it under the running bath water.
Add the oil mixture to the bath. Stir the water with your hand.
Make space to relax, without devices or being required to help anyone.
Soak for 20 minutes.

Around the Home

Epsom salts can be used to help keep your home clean and bright. The texture of Epsom salts creates a gentle but abrasive cleaner.

Dish washing: Pour a small amount of Epsom salts into dirty pots and pans before scrubbing them. The abrasive texture of the salt crystals will help to remove stubborn food.
Washing machine: Follow these simple instructions to remove laundry detergent and other contaminant build-up in washing machines. Fill the empty washing machine with hot water, add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of Epsom salts, let the machine agitate for about a minute. Stop the cycle and let the solution soak for about an hour before finishing the cycle.
Tile cleaner: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup Epsom salts, ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup liquid dish soap to form a paste. Apply to tiles, let sit for 10 minutes and scrub. Use this to scrub bathroom tiles, benchtops or even the stove top.
Stain hack: This combo is also great for getting oil stains out of tablecloths or clothes. Use an old toothbrush to apply paste to stain, let sit for 5 minutes and gently scrub.
Banish bacteria in the Waste Disposal: Add ¼ cup of Epsom salts to running cold water and turn on the disposal for five seconds. The salt texture scrubs the blades and helps kill off bacteria and eliminate odours.

In the Garden

Rejuvenate the garden with Epsom salts.

Support your plants with a boost of minerals. Sprinkle Epsom salts around seedlings and vegetable plants to support nutrient absorption.
Mix Epsom salts into potting soil to improve seed germination.
Sprinkle around the plant stem to support green foliage. Plants and bushes utilize magnesium to produce chlorophyll. Do the same for house plants.
Sprinkle around the edge of the vegetable garden to deter pests. The texture prevents slugs from making their way into the garden bed.
Tomatoes require a higher mineral requirement. Sprinkle around the stem to support healthy plants and avoid rotting stems.
Give a boost to your rose bushes, sprinkle around the base in early spring and when in full bloom.
Sustainability hack: Reuse your Epsom salt bath water to water your plants.

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