Epsom Salt Is Good For More Than A Relaxing Bath, Just Ask Your Grout
Epsom salt, which is widely used as a health and beauty product, is a type of mineral salt made of magnesium sulfate. Named after the town of Epsom, the salt was discovered in an underground spring in Southeast England during the 1600s, according to the Epsom Salt Council. Since then, it has become popular around the world for its many benefits. Not only does the salt come in handy for treating aches and pains while taking a bath, but it also has uses in the garden, craft-making, and more.
Recently, people have discovered that it can be good for cleaning as well. When it's used in tandem with water and common cleaning supplies such as dish soap, the salt's texture can help remove mucky residue while its composition kills germs. On the right sort of surfaces, Epsom salt is a valuable exfoliating scrub to use as a cleaner. However, you should keep in mind that it can scratch and ruin softer finishes, like those that have been painted.
How to clean your grout with Epsom salt
In general, no matter what you're trying to get clean, your Epsom salt solution will only require one or two other products. Most often, people mix the salt with liquid dish soap or vinegar before getting to work. Yet, when you're in a pinch, adding only tap water can do the trick as well. Using a moist rag, you can work some Epsom salt over your grout. With this method, it's best to let the salt sit overnight to pull out the impurities before wiping it clean in the morning.
If you need a quicker option, try mixing your Epsom salt with an equal amount of dish soap. Like with plain water, you'll want to rub it onto your grout and let it sit for as long as you can, but not overnight. After at least a few minutes have passed, you'll simply scrub it once more using a damp rag or sponge and finally wipe up the leftover solution. If you are unsure how a surface will react to this mixture, it's best to do a test in a small and somewhat hidden area to see if the Epsom salt and dish-washing liquid will scratch, discolor, or otherwise warp the tile and grout you're aiming to clean.
The many uses of Epsom salt in and out of the home
In the home, Epsom salt is a powerful cleaner for glass and metal cookware, washing machines, toilets, some floors, and more. As we know, its abrasive texture helps to remove stuck-on grime and stubborn stains on tile and grout. But, it can also be mixed with soapy water to scrub dishes or polish silverware. Or, add half a cup to your washing machine with your clothes and detergent to get them extra soft. Besides cleaning, where else can you use Epsom salt?
In addition to comforting minor aches and pains in the bath, Epsom salt is useful for relieving irritation from poison ivy, sunburns, and insect bites, making it a summer staple in many homes. In the garden, it has also shown promise in controlling weeds and bringing healthy color back into the leaves of many indoor and outdoor plants with suspected magnesium deficiencies. By adding 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to the water you feed your plants, you may see a dramatic difference in the color of their foliage. Don't overdo it, though, as ornamental plants only need this supplement about once per month. See how your plants react to the added magnesium sulfate before trying again or increasing the dosage. Too much Epsom salt can cause leaves to become reddish in color and eventually fall off the plant.