Amazing Uses for Epsom Salt

Comprised of the minerals magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammation remedy that can be used to treat dry skin, sore muscles, small wounds and even to fight illness.

Bath Salt & Bathing FAQ

I've started taking baths more often, but a friend told me that when you soak, you're "bathing" in your own dirt. Is this true?

When you add high-quality bath salts, toxins are pulled out and drawn from your pores.

Bathing is a "fountain of youth". Why wouldn't taking a shower have the same effect?

Showers tend to be rushed and you're not in a "relaxed" position when you take a shower - you're standing. Bathing actually effects the elasticity and overall health of your skin - bathing in bath salts has been shown, over time, to diminish the appearance of fine lines and even cellulite. Besides the numerous cosmetic benefits, bathing greatly lowers your stress level.

Is it safe to take sea salt baths everyday?

Yes, taking sea salt baths everyday is actually beneficial to you. 10-20 minutes is enough each day to maintain soft & beautiful vibrant skin.

Do I have to bathe with bath salts, or can I just use bath and shower gel?

Bath and shower gels can be nice - they smell good and can soften your skin. Bath salts, however, are a must if you want a truly therapeutic bath. Raw bath salts can be combined with scents, essential oils, and herbs - and they contain a vast array of minerals and nutrients.

How do I know which type of bath salt is right for me, and is one better than the other?

Natural, high-quality bath salts are the best choice regardless of where they come from. Bath salts from both the Pacific Ocean and the Dead Sea are filled with minerals and nutrients. Pacific Bath salts carry elements from the sea off the coast of California and are wonderful for your skin. Dead Sea salts are harvested from the ancient waters of the Dead Sea, packed with a high mineral content and with therapeutic benefits that have been enjoyed for centuries.

Is there such a thing as bubble bath salt?

Foaming Bath Salts are bath salts that produce bubbles, available in different colors and scents.

How long before bath salts expire?

Salt does not expire. However Bath salt with colors and fragrances may fade over time. Shelf life for colored bath salts is typically 1-2 years.

How can I store my bulk bath salts?

You can store bath salts in an airtight container. Keep the bath salts from direct sunlight. 

Can I use bath salts during pregnancy?

We recommend consulting your doctor first before using bath salts while pregnant. 

What are the basic benefits of bath salts?

Bath salts help heal cuts, burns, wounds, and insect bites, also flush out harmful toxins from the body and is a good stress reliever.

Homemade Bath Bomb Recipe

Make your own bath bombs as gifts for friends with this too-easy recipe. You'll need:

·         1 1/2 cups bicarbonate of soda.

·         1/2 cup citric acid powder.

·         Sieve.

·         Potpourri.

·         An essential oil such as peppermint, lavender, geranium.

·         Sweet almond oil.

·         Food colouring.

·         Rubber gloves.

·         Moulds from craft shops.

Instructions:

1.      To make the base mix: sieve the bicarb soda and citric acid powder into a large dry mixing bowl. This will make enough for four bath bombs.

2.      To make one bath bomb, transfer 1/2 cup of the base mix into a medium bowl and stir in the contents of a herbal teabag or other dry ingredient such as potpourri.

3.      In a small bowl, combine 6 drops of essential oil of your choice, 1/2 teaspoon of sweet almond oil and 8 to 12 drops of food colouring. Pour this mixture into the bowl containing the 1/2 cup of base mix and stir quickly with a teaspoon so things don't start fizzing!

4.      Wearing rubber gloves, continue to combine the ingredients with your fingertips until it starts to clump together when compressed in your hand.

5.      Wipe a little sweet almond oil inside the mould. Fill the mould with the mixture, packing it in firmly. Make the other bath bombs with the remaining mixture, working with 1/2 cup at a time. Leave the bath bombs in their moulds to set for at least 24 hours. After they have set, turn each mould over and bang it firmly once on a flat surface, then gently ease out the bath bombs.

Wrap individual bath bombs in clear cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon to give as gifts. Remember, hot water activates the fizz in the bombs - cold water doesn't work.

Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits

Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and unlike other salts, Epsom salt has beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind and soul. Some of the magical benefits of Epsom salt include:

1.       Eases stress and relaxes the body. When dissolved in warm water, Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body.

2.      Relieves pain and muscle cramps. Mix a thick paste of Epsom salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort. Try soaking your aching, tired feet in a tub of water with half a cup of Ultra Epsom Salt. Epsom salt softens skin and will even neutralize foot odor.

3.      Helps muscles and nerves function properly. Studies show that Epsom salt can help regulate electrolytes in your body, ensuring proper functioning of the muscles, nerves and enzymes.

4.      Relieves constipation. Numerous studies have revealed that Epsom salt can be used to treat constipation.

5.      Eliminates toxins from the body. The sulfates in Epsom salt help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. 

To experience the numerous health benefits of Epsom salt, take relaxing, stress-relieving Epsom salt baths three times weekly by adding 2 cups Ultra Epsom Salt to a warm bath and soaking for at least 12 minutes. As a foot bath, pamper weary feet by adding 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

Epsom salt uses:

1.       Health:

a.      Athlete’s Foot - Soak feet in an Epsom salt bath to help relieve the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot.

2. Remove splinters - Soak affected skin area in an Epsom salt bath to draw out the splinter.
3. Treat toenail fungus - Soak your affected toes in hot water mixed with a handful of Epsom salt three times a day.
4. Soothe sprains and bruises - Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak to reduce the pain and swelling of sprains and bruises.

2.      Beauty:

a.      Dislodge blackheads - Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine into a half cup of boiling water. Apply this mixture to the blackheads with a cotton ball.

2. Remove foot odor - Mix a half cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes to remove bad odor, sooth achy feet, and soften rough skin.
3. Remove hairspray - Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup Epsom salt.
4. Hair volumizer - Combine equal parts deep conditioner and Epsom salt and warm in a pan.

3.      Household:

a.      Prevent slugs - Sprinkle Epsom salt on or near interior entry points to prevent slugs.

2. As a hand wash - Mix Epsom salt with baby oil and keep by the sink for an effective hand wash.

4.      Gardening: sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly to help nourish your houseplants, flowers and vegetables.

How to Get Rid of Slime Growing in a Bathroom Sink Pipe

Slime in a bathroom sink pipe is mold growth and should be removed. You can remove sink pipe slime by first removing the sink plug, then scrubbing and applying a chemical to clean the drain. Things you'll need:

1.       Bucket.

2.       Liquid dish detergent.

3.       Pliers.

4.       Rubber gloves.

5.       Scrub brush.

6.       Paper towels or cloth towel.

7.       All-purpose cleaning spray.

8.       1 cup baking soda.

9.       Wire hanger.

10.    Drain or bottle brush.

11.    Drain-cleaning chemicals.

12.    Water.

13.    Sponge.

Instructions:

1.       Fill a bucket with hot tap water mixed with liquid dish detergent to create suds.

2.       Go beneath the sink and locate the metal arm connected to the drain plug through the pipe's u-bend. This is often a bracket with vertical holes with a thinner metal bar running through a hole. According to Blocked Drains website, you can unscrew the nut connecting the arm to the plug with your fingers or pliers. Pull the arm or metal bar away, freeing the drain plug.

3.       Put the drain plug into the bucket of suds to soak for about 15 minutes.

4.       Pull the drain plug up and out of the drain. Scrub the plug with a scrub brush to remove slime.

5.       Spray the pipe and surrounding rim with all-purpose cleaner. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. Allow the cleaner and soda to soak for about 10 minutes.

6.       Bend a wire hanger straight. Bend the hook portion so that it is straight with a slight hook at the end; use pliers if you need to. Insert the hook into the drain and fish out any debris. Cleaning the drain of hair and debris helps a lot to unblock pipes.

7.       Rinse the pipe with hot tap water. Pour the manufacturer's recommended amount of drain-cleaning chemicals into the sink pipe and allow the chemicals to dissolve the mold and slime in the pipe. Rinse the drain with tap water. Clean the sink with all-purpose cleaner and a sponge. Reinstall the drain plug beneath the sink, screwing the nut back into place on the metal arm or bracket.

A drain or bottle brush inserted into the faucet cleans mold growth well.

Water Quality Q & A

Below are the some of the most frequently asked water quality questions and answers.

Why is my drinking water discolored?

1.        White or cloudy water: The cloudiness in your water may be caused by tiny air bubbles.

2.        Blue water: If you use a blue disinfectant in your toilet, this may cause discoloration of your tap water. If the water supply to your home was recently turned off, a condition may have been created in which water from the toilet tank was siphoned into the plumbing of your house. Do not drink this water. Flush your plumbing by opening each tap until the water runs clear.

3.        Green water: Standing water sometimes has a greenish cast to it. Greenish water is most commonly associated with seasonal blooms of algae in the water supply, a condition that in most cases poses no health hazard.

4.        Brown or yellow water from either tap on the FIRST DRAW: The internal plumbing of your house may be the culprit if discolored water only appears for a minute or two after your tap is turned on. After running your tap for a few minutes, clean water from your water heater or water main will replace the discolored water. If the discoloration bothers you, however, flush the tap until the water becomes clear, saving the water for iron-loving plants.

5.        Brown or yellow water from either tap, CONSTANTLY: Sediments in water mains sometimes get stirred up when fire hydrants are used and when the flow of water in mains is changed. These sediments may cause your water to turn brown or yellow. Wait 30 to 40 minutes after you notice the discolored water, and try turning on the cold water in your bathtub for a minute or two. Discolored water due to sediments such as these poses no health threat, but for aesthetic reasons you should avoid doing laundry until the water clears up.

6.        Brown or yellow water from hot tap only: If the discoloration is detected only in your hot water supply, it is likely an indication of an issue with your hot water heater. It is recommended that you turn off your hot water heater and allow it to cool.

7.        Crystals: The crystals or sediment left behind after water evaporates may be calcium carbonate.

My drinking water often looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it clears. Why is that?

The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in soda.

Why do I get blue-green stains on sink and tub fixtures?

The stain will form when there is copper content in the water and water is able to stand and evaporate. The water supplied to New Jersey American Water customers does not contain any measurable amount of copper. But the water can pick up copper from the copper pipes and fixtures of the household plumbing.

What is the rust stain?

High iron levels in the water will leave rust stains behind as the water evaporates and the iron oxidizes, leaving the red iron tinge.

Why does water sometimes taste/smell funny?

If you recently moved from an area where the water contained very few naturally occurring minerals, or you are accustomed to certain type of source water, such as a well or surface water supply, your new water may taste different due to the minerals it contains. The taste of domestic drinking water varies with its source. It is important to note that the taste of the water from a surface water source may change with the seasons.

How can I improve the taste of my water?

The taste of water can be improved simply by refrigerating your drinking water in a pitcher.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

It is natural to associate these odors with the water because they are observed only when the water is turned on. In this case, the odor is not in the water, it is simply the water pushing the gas out of the drain. This can be verified by taking a glass of water from the tap and walking away to another area to smell the glass of water. Run the cold water for about 15 seconds into the drain that is to be disinfected, then turn the water off. If the odor is detected only in your hot water supply, it may be an indication that there is an issue with your hot water heater. A sulfurous or rotten egg-like odor in the hot water is caused by bacteria growing in the water heater. You should consult your owner's manual.

What are those white flaky particles in my water?

Customers often call to report white particles clogging their shower heads, faucet aerators or floating in the bath tub or water glasses. Most residential water heaters contain a "dip tube" that is commonly made of plastic. The particles are non toxic and do not make the water toxic. First, confirm that the problem is limited to the hot water.

What is the difference between "hard" and "soft" water?

Hardness is a term used to describe the high level of calcium and magnesium in the water. The use of water softeners adds sodium to the water, which acts as a softening agent. Soft water is either water that is low in calcium or magnesium, or water that has been treated in a softener. 

Why does my dishwasher leave spots on my glasses?

Commercial products are available that allow the water to drain from the glassware more completely. Phosphate softens the water, allowing the soap to be more effective in removing food residue. If a particular area has hard water, it is most likely a result of the mineral deposits which form when the water evaporates.

Should I get a home water softener?

A water softener can improve the aesthetic qualities of your household water. For example, soap products perform better in softer water. But a water softener does not improve the safety of water as it relates to health. Most water softeners exchange sodium for existing calcium and magnesium in the water and therefore, increase the sodium content of the water. The sodium increase in softened water may be a concern to you. According to Consumer Reports, water softeners can consume from 15 to 120 gallons of water for every 1,000 gallons of water processed. The decision to purchase a home water softener is therefore one of personal preference. 

Is there lead in my water?

The water supplied by New Jersey American Water contains no detectable lead. To eliminate the risk of lead exposure from faucets, take these simple precautions:

1.      Flush Your Tap: When water stands in lead soldered pipes or brass fixtures for several hours, lead may dissolve into drinking water. Conserve water whenever possible by using the first flush to wash the dishes.

2.      Use Cold Water for Cooking: Avoid cooking with water from the hot water tap. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. If hot water is needed, water can be drawn from the cold tap and heated on the stove.

3.      Check Home Wiring: Have an electrician check the house wiring. If grounding wires from electrical systems are attached to household plumbing, corrosion and lead exposure may be greater.

Will a home treatment device improve the safety of my water?

The tap water provided by New Jersey American Water meets all federal and state drinking water standards set for public health. Before purchasing a home water treatment unit, consider local water quality, cost and maintenance of the unit, product performance and certifications to make sure the unit will meet your needs.

Why are their aerators on home water faucets?

When mixed with water, tiny air bubbles from the aerator prevent the water from splashing too much. Because the water flow is less, often half the regular flow, aerators also help to conserve water.

Why do ice cubes bulge from the top of the ice-cube trays?

Water expands when it freezes. Because frozen water is expanded, it is lighter than water. Therefore, in the winter, ice floats on the surface while the water underneath stays liquid.

Where can I obtain additional information about my water quality?

View the Water Quality Report for your water system.