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Epsom salt is one of the recommended compounds that you can use in your bathtub. However, one of the burning questions on people’s lips is this “can Epsom salt damage the bathtub?”
Yes, Epsom salt can damage the bathtub. However, there are different factors to be considered, which we will explain in the subsequent sections.
Let’s get started!
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is a chemical compound of three elements; oxygen, magnesium, and sulfur. It is also known as magnesium sulfate. Epsom salt is different from normal table salt but is considered a salt due to its chemical structure.
Epsom salt is normally dissolved in baths, meaning “bath salt.” Epsom salt has a bitter taste and is unpalatable.
It is safe to say t t the benefits of Epsom salt are hinged on its magnesium– a rare mineral.
See Also: Is Epsom Salt Safe For Septic Systems?
How Does Epsom Salt Work?
Epsom salt is often used in baths. They are dissolved in bathwater to get rid of aches and muscle pains.
Epsom salt is dissolved in bathwater, and it gives out magnesium and sulfate ions.
It is presumed that these particles can be absorbed through your skin, providing you with magnesium and sulfates, which are very important for the body. It is also used in cosmetics but is not ideal for cooking considering its taste.
Can Epsom Salt Damage Bathtub?
As we answered earlier, Epsom salt can damage the bathtub if care is not taken. Some factors and conditions must be met to avoid damage to the bathtub.
In this section, we shall look at two of these factors. They are;
- The type of bathtub and
- The type of water.
1. The Type Of Bathtub
There are over five types of bathtubs, but the most popular ones are the jetted bathtub and the acrylic bathtub.
Epsom salt can damage any of these known bathtubs but differently.
Let’s examine each tub.
A Jetted bathtub is a type of bathtub that releases water or air from its jets. That is, it could be water or air jet. Again, this bathtub can also be designed for indoor and outdoor purposes. For those designed indoors, one can apply Epsom salt without fear of damage, provided there is no carrier oil therein.
For the outdoor styles, which are the most popular, it is advisable to apply a specially formulated Epsom salt. This is to avoid damage like rusting of the pipes, itchy skin, skin irritation, change in the water chemistry, and other related damages.
The next is the acrylic bathtub. To avoid damage to your acrylic bathtub, ensure no Epsom salt on the tub’s acrylic surface to avoid rusting.
This can be avoided by ensuring no residue of Epsom salt is left on the tub’s acrylic surface.
After dissolving your Epsom salt in water, wash the tub’s acrylic surface thoroughly with soap and water. This way, no salt residue will be left on the tub’s acrylic surface. Therefore, keep the tub surface clean always and flush your tub regularly.
See Also; Will Salt Damage PVC Pipes?
2. Type Of Water
Another fact to consider is the type of water used in the bathtub. This could be plain water (tap water) or chemical water.
You can dissolve Epsom salt in plain water, provided carrier oil does not exist.
Chemical water, on the other end, does not tolerate regular Epsom salt due to other additives; rather, formulated Epsom salt products are recommended.
The essence of this is to ensure that the chemistry of the water is not altered, which may lead to the corroding of pipes and skin irritation.
Damages Caused By Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is commonly in bath water. In addition, it is assumed to help in bodily functions and can be absorbed by the skin and also widely used for cosmetics because of its magnesium content.
However, if not properly handled, as we explained above, you may encounter the following damages;
- Clogs on pipes
- Corrosion of pipes
Avoid adding Epsom salt to a hot tub, whirlpools, or chemical water. In addition, ensure that the tub surface has no residue of Epsom salt left on it.
For bathtubs with regular water, ensure no carrier oil to avoid reactions.
How Much Epsom Salt Should I Add To Bathtub?
It is advisable to add about 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt to your bathtub. However, you can seek your doctor’s advice or follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Can Epsom Salt Clog Bathtub?
Yes, Epsom salt can clog the drain or bathtub ONLY if you don’t flush the tub regularly or if the Epsom salt does not dissolve properly.
How Long Should I Soak In Epsom Salt?
We advise that you do not stay more than fifteen minutes in Epsom salt. This is because the outcome may be the opposite of what you expected.