Epsom salt is a well-known treatment for a variety of diseases. It’s also inexpensive, simple to use, and completely safe when used correctly. Reduced magnesium levels can have a detrimental impact on sleep and anxiety. But Can you put Epsom salt in a hot tub?
Some believe that Epsom salt bath can help you overcome these problems by allowing your body to absorb magnesium through your skin. The calming benefits of Epsom salt hot tubs are more than likely because of the tranquility generated by taking hot baths. Epsom salt is suitable to use in a hot tub filled with regular water.
Only add the proper amount to avoid overdoing it and risking corrosion to your tub’s machinery. Adding too many Epsom or Bath Salts to your bath will change the composition of your water, elevate your Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and can be extremely abrasive, corroding your heater and pumping elements.
Why You shouldn’t Put Epsom Salt in Chlorinated Water?
Epsom salt should never be mixed with chlorinated water. When combined with chlorine, Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, an alkaline chemical molecule, becomes toxic. Rapid burns can arise as a result of the interaction between magnesium sulfate and chlorine.
Putting this element in a bath comprising chlorinated water can induce corrosion, lowering the product’s lifespan. Because salts are acidic, they can substantially alter the pH of the water, causing corrosion and shortening the hot tub’s lifespan.
As a result, if you aren’t familiar with these chemicals, you should either use plain water or avoid using Epsom Salt in your hot tub altogether.
Can You Put Epsom Salt in a Hot Tub(Plain Water)?
Epsom salts can be added to hot water. Before you put Epsom to your bath, make sure you read the instructions on the packet. Only use the amount of Epsom salts the manufacturer recommends. Bathtubs and pipelines might corrode if you use too much Epsom.
The water should be quite warm — not hot, but warm enough to feel relaxed in. To help the Epsom salts settle, add them while the water is flowing. Use the amount advised on the package, which is usually 1 to 2 tablespoons, or the amount prescribed by your physician for a standard-sized tub. Stay in the water for a minimum of 12 minutes with the portion of your body that aches.
Consult your physician to determine how long and how often you should bathe. If you have an ingrown toenail, you may only require it occasionally, but if you have arthritis discomfort, you will need to do it daily.
Now there are best hot tubs and worst hot tubs, a quality hot tub can’t go bad if you are using the recommended amount of salt, given the factor you are not using chlorinated water.
Will Epsom Salt Ruin a Hot Tub?
If you leave Epsom salt on the wall of your bathtub for an extended amount of time, it will corrode it. Rinse the tub with hot water and soap to ensure that no Epsom salt trace remains on the acrylic exterior.
Magnesium sulfate, or pure Epsom salts, is an alkaline substance. Epsom salts’ slightly acid qualities can quickly destabilize the total alkalinity and pH equilibrium of your hot tub’s water.
Unbalanced water can create a slew of other issues, such as sanitizer failure and corrosion of your hot tub’s components. The entire system must be cleansed and then pumped into the interior to eliminate Epsom salt from pipes.
You may find useful: How to Clean a Hot Tub
Salt can persist in your drainage system if it is not flushed properly, slowly corroding the metal. Here’s how to have an Epsom salt soak in your hot tub if you honestly want to. You must first dispose of the chemically contaminated water. Refill your hot tub with fresh water after that. Do not use chlorine or bromine as a cleanser!
Epsom Salt Bath Advantages and Disadvantages
Bathing in hot water is highly calming and can help you refresh. Also beneficial to your nervous system is relaxing in a bathtub full of water. It can, for example, soothe your mind after a stressful day. It also helps to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down. The same can be said for Epsom salt baths.
The main difference is that your body obtains its magnesium. Stretching and moving into a bath filled with water will help to relieve muscle tension. Because of the resistance provided by the water, the workout has a low impact on your body.
Epsom baths may be more beneficial because of the therapeutic characteristics of it. More effective than a hot water bath but also acts quicker. You can feel relaxed in no time when you soak yourself in an Epsom bath.
Advantages of Putting Epsom Salt in a Hot Tub
Relaxes the physique and relieves tension
Stress depletes magnesium and raises adrenaline concentrations in the body. Epsom salt, when mixed in warm water, is taken through the skin and restores magnesium levels in the body.
Magnesium aids in the production of serotonin, a mood-enhancing neurotransmitter that induces a feeling of calmness and tranquility in the brain. Magnesium enhances endurance and stamina by boosting the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the power units produced by cells, according to research.
Pain and muscular cramps are relieved
Painful muscles, respiratory disease, and migraine headaches can all benefit from an Epsom salt bath, which is proven to reduce pain and inflammation. It has also been shown to aid in the healing of cuts and the reduction of postpartum discomfort.
It aids in the correct functioning of muscles and nerves
Epsom salt has been shown in studies to assist in regulating electrolytes in the body, maintaining optimal muscle, neuron, and enzyme function. Magnesium is also recognized to be important for the proper usage of calcium, which acts as the body’s principal transmitter of electric impulses.
Aids in the prevention of artery stiffening and blood clots
Epsom salt is thought to help enhance heart function and minimize heart disease and strokes by enhancing blood flow, maintaining artery flexibility, reducing blood clots, and lowering the chance of sudden heart attack mortality.
Improves the efficiency of insulin
Magnesium and sulfate concentrations in the body can assist to enhance the efficacy of insulin and reduce the risk or intensity of diabetes.
Disadvantages of Putting Epsom Salts in a Hot Tub
Ruins your bathtub
If your hot tub has chlorinated water, adding Epsom salt to it might cause harm to the tub and injury to the users. This shows that magnesium sulfate should be avoided in the hot tub.
Harmful to persons who are struggling from low Blood pressure
While this is wonderful news for persons with high blood pressure, it is bad news for individuals with low blood pressure. Epsom has magnesium which can dilate your blood vessels and can lower your blood pressure.
Overdosing
Nausea, headaches, dizziness, and hot skin are all signs of overdosing. Magnesium toxicity can cause heart issues, coma, immobility, and death in extreme circumstances. This is improbable if you take it in the recommended dosage by your doctor or as directed on the carton.
If you see symptoms of an allergic event or other negative side effects, contact your doctor right once.
What are the Alternatives
There are many substitutes to Epsom salt for your baths and feet resting, such as ordinary or sea salt, essential oils, clay, oats, and so on. These alternatives can be mixed and matched to provide a variety of benefits.
Table salt or sea salt
Rather than Epsom salt, you can use sea salt or table salt as a foot dip and bath salt. Fine sea or table salt granules exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize the skin. Psoriasis causes uneven and scaly skin, which can be effectively treated with sea salt. It aids in the skin’s rejuvenation.
Essential oils
Lavender, orange, mint, and white pines essential oils can be utilized instead of Epsom salt in foot treatment. They aid in the relief of stress and the relaxation of fatigued feet muscles.
vinegar made from apple cider
A hot tub filled with apple cider vinegar helps to relax hurting muscles. Its cleaning properties are exceptional. You can dilute it with water and use it to rinse your hair at the end of the bath. This sanitizes the scalp and leaves hair lustrous and silky.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has a modest exfoliating effect. It can be used in your bathtubs instead of Epsom salt for mild washing and exfoliating. To form a paste, combine some oatmeal and water and gently scrub your skin.
Baking soda
Fill your bath with borax and baking soda. Baking soda is a good exfoliant and helps to cleanse the skin. It is well-known for its healing effects in the treatment of sunburned and irritated skin. When these two are combined in a bath, the water becomes medicinal and helps to soothe hurting muscles.
Conclusion
This article deals with the healing properties of Epsom salt and its side effects. Epsom salt in general is good therapeutic medicine. But, once used in excess amounts, it can be fatal, both for you and your bathtub.
We also have listed the pros and cons of normal hot water baths and Epsom salt baths. Though Epsom salts have their advantages over hot water baths, daily, Epsom baths aren’t recommended.