Despite the use of the word “salt,” Epsom salts are not the same as ordinary table salt. Magnesium sulfate is a frequent name for the chemical. Bath salts and skin exfoliants typically include this chemical. Epsom salts are broken down into magnesium and sulfate when dissolved in water.
You can only add pure Epsom salts to a pure-water jetted tub. The Epsom salts should not have carrier oils, and the water shouldn’t have chemicals. Otherwise, use specially formulated Epsom salts for jetted tubs. Epsom salts calm the body, eliminate bodily wastes and enhance our moods.
These components can produce a therapeutic atmosphere in a tub of heated water. Epsom salts have been shown to help with ailments such as arthritis, bruises, psoriasis, sunburn, insomnia, stiff joint, and fibromyalgia based on anecdotal evidence. Epsom salts can, however, can cause such damage that you may need to repaint your tub.
Can you use Epsom salt in a jacuzzi tub?
While you can use Epsom salt in the bathtub, Epsom salt and hot tubs aren’t a good match.
Pure Epsom salt contains acidic qualities that can cause your hot tub’s pH balance and total alkalinity to be disrupted, causing your tub equipment to corrode.
It can also wreak havoc on the sanitizer. Epsom salt can cause flash burns on your skin in addition to causing damage to your tub. Mixing chlorine and magnesium is not advised.
A bathtub contains roughly 80 gallons of water on average. On the other hand, the ordinary hot tub carries roughly 400-500 gallons. It would take 10-12 cups of pure Epsom salts to get the same concentration level in your hot tub. That’s a significant amount of solids in the water!
If you want to put Epsom salt in your hot tub, you’ll need to drain it thoroughly and scrub it clean. To say the least, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive operation.
Unlike spa heaters, water pipes, jets, pool pumps, and tub surfaces may collect scale if the correct water balance is not maintained.
How to add Epsom salts in a jetted tub without damaging the tub
Here’s how to have a relaxing Epsom salt jetted tub soak without risking your health and equipment:
- Fill the jetted tub halfway with hot to warm water.
- Pour 2 cups of fine Epsom salt into the region closest to the hot water input in an 80-100 gallon tub. The Epsom salt will dissolve better in this part of the jet tub since the temperature is the hottest.
- Do not turn on the jets just yet.
- Allow enough time for the Epsom salt to dissolve in the hot, flowing water.
- The magnesium sulfate will have entirely dissolved into the water when you can’t see any Epsom salt grains on the bottom of the tub.
- Turn on the bath jets and allow the water to circulate more to dissolve any remaining mineral particles.
- Soak for 20-30 minutes in the jetted tub, allowing the Epsom salt to work its magic on your muscles and skin.
- Turn the jets off and exit the jetted tub.
- Wrap a towel or robe over your body to keep your warmed muscles from becoming cold.
- Shower for 5-10 minutes in warm water, washing away any Epsom salt deposits. Unlike bath bombs, Epsom salts need showering after use.
- To avoid dry skin, use an in-shower moisturizer or towel dry and apply a moisturizing lotion. Because Epsom salts can dehydrate your skin, it’s important to moisturize after your Epsom salt bath and shower.
It’s crucial to clean the jetted tub after an Epsom salt soak to avoid mineral deposits that might corrode the tub’s walls. Epsom salt buildup can corrode the jets’ and drain area’s mechanisms.
Can you use Epsom salts in chlorinated water?
In general, you should avoid mixing chemicals in water with additions like Epsom salts. The reason for this is that the salts might change the chemistry of the water and generate a burning feeling on the skin. Furthermore, the salts have the potential to damage your plumbing system.
You CAN, however, use Epsom salts specifically made for jetted baths. These products will not change the chemistry of the water and will not include carrier oils that might clog the jets.
Can you use Epsom salts in plain water?
Epsom salts are an almost miraculous ingredient that can safely be used in a jetted bathtub with plain water. It shouldn’t harm your bathtub’s mechanism if you use it appropriately and flush the plumbing on a regular basis. However, this doesn’t imply you should fill your Jacuzzi tub with Epsom salts in any quantity.
If you use it frequently or every time you bathe without cleaning the system, it may leave a residue inside the jet system, which can harden. On the other hand, it dissolves rapidly in ordinary water and should not clog the system’s parts. But be cautious. Many Epsom salts include perfumes and oils that might harm your plumbing.
Benefits of using Epsom salts in a jetted tub
Epsom salts have the following benefits:
- In a plain-water jetted bathtub, using pure Epsom salts without any added oils or scents can increase the calming impact of the water massage. This is achieved by adding extra therapeutic characteristics.
- Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, a mineral that many bodily fluids require. It supports the body’s enzyme processes and aids in the removal of pollutants.
- It also clears congestion from our lymph nodes and is said to help our bodies produce more serotonin, a mood-enhancing neurotransmitter.
Used properly, Epsom salts have many benefits for the body.
Items you shouldn’t use with jetted tubs
Knowing what is safe to use in a jetted tub – whether filled with plain or chemically changed water – can be the difference between a comfortable jetted bath and an unnecessary expenditure.
Below are some of the items you shouldn’t use in your jetted tub:
1. Carrier Oils
These include almond oil, castor oil, and lanolin oil, frequently used with essential oils to help them disperse in water. The problem is that they leave an oily residue on the inside of your pipes, which will cause them to clog.
Although you may not see the clogging effect immediately, the carrier oil film will thicken with regular application. The water flow will be disrupted, which can diminish the efficacy of the water jets or cause the pipes to stop working.
2. Rose Petals
Avoid putting anything in your jetted tub’s engine or blocking the filters. While rose petals, citrus peels, mint, and rosemary are wonderful additions to still baths, avoid using anything that won’t totally dissolve in your jetted tub.
3. Bubble bath
A bubble bath offers a new dimension when added to an ordinary bath. However, the velocity of water in a jetted bath, on the other hand, can cause a sudsy bath frenzy, which isn’t fun – especially when you have to clean up later.
A bubble bath can penetrate your system and leave a difficult-to-get-rid-of residue. When cleaning your Jacuzzi, dropping a bubble bath may seem like a good idea, but don’t! In general, don’t use bubble baths in tubs.
4. Colorants
While using Epsom salts to make your bath salts may be a lot of fun, colorants should not be added to Epsom salts or any other DIY bath products you want to use in your jetted tub. The reason for this is that they stain.
Jetted tubs have more nooks and crannies than normal bathtubs, so keep that in mind. Because you used a difficult-to-remove colorant, the last thing you want to do is wind up scouring around each jet nozzle with an old toothbrush.
Final Thoughts
Epsom salt baths still require further study to verify their health advantages and purifying properties. On the other hand, people who take Epsom salt baths for detoxification swear by their advantages, which include relaxation, pain reduction, and skin softening. Warm baths might help you sleep better and reduce stress. Epsom salt may be used in a healthy, relaxing program.