The Answer is Yes! You Can Put Epsom Salt in a Hot Tub
Now that the warm weather has arrived, more and more people are planning to spend time in their hot tubs. A hot tub can provide an excellent way to relax and de-stress at the end of the day after a long work week, or as an excuse to get together with friends on the weekends. One question that many people have regarding hot tub use, however, relates to whether or not you can put Epsom salt in your hot tub. The answer is yes! You can put Epsom salt in your hot tub, but you will want to do so carefully and with some additional considerations in mind.
What is Epsom Salt?
According to Wikipedia: Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt when in hydrated form, is a colorless crystalline mineral. It is named after a locality near Epsom in Surrey, England. Magnesium sulfate occurs naturally as an evaporite formed from seawater, brines from sulfur springs, and within coal seams.
Why Use it in a Hot Tub?
The main draw of Epsom salt in a hot tub is its soothing qualities. When you have sore muscles from working out or sore from sitting at your desk all day, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as adding some Epsom salt to your soak. It will penetrate deeply into your pores and help to alleviate any tightness that may be lingering. The high magnesium content also helps to relax you while being naturally detoxifying. In fact, it helps with so many things that we could devote an entire post just to exploring Epsom salt’s benefits alone!
How Much Should I Use?
The general recommendation for dissolving Epsom salts into your hot tub water (or any water, for that matter) is 1 lb. per 10 gallons of water. This can be adjusted based on personal preference. The higher you go with a concentration of salt, though, the more likely you are to experience scaling and other issues caused by high mineral content.
Where Do I Get It From?
If you want to add Epsom salt to your hot tub, you’re probably wondering where you can get it from. The easiest thing to do is head down to your local spa or swim supply shop and just buy some Epsom salt. While they may have a slightly higher markup on their product, it’s better than not being able to find any at all.
Why Add it to My Water?
Naturally occurring magnesium and sulfate are what give Epsom salt its beneficial qualities. But before you say no thanks, know that with only two cups of Epsom salt (roughly 1/2 cup) you can reap hundreds of dollars in health benefits. Not convinced? Here are ten reasons why you should add Epsom salt to your hot tub water now
Will Adding it Damage my Hot Tub?
No. While adding salt to a hot tub may sound crazy, it’s actually been done for quite some time and there are no negative side effects associated with adding Epsom salt to your hot tub. In fact, many people have been adding salt to their hot tubs for years as part of an effort to improve their overall wellness. So what can you expect from your spa if you decide to put Epsom salt into it? Well…
Does it Have Any Other Benefits?
There are lots of salts, but one thing you’re probably asking yourself right now is, What makes Epsom salt special? The answer to that question comes down to its magnesium content. Magnesium has many health benefits and can be found in foods like nuts and seeds. There’s also evidence that shows it may help improve sleep quality due to its ability to regulate melatonin production, which means your body will have an easier time falling asleep at night and sleeping more soundly when you do get your ZZZs. The amount of magnesium Epsom salt contains isn’t particularly high (about 8 percent by weight) but that’s enough for a few people to notice a difference.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About It?
Some hot tub users worry that adding Epsom salt to their tub will cause it to lose its sanitizing properties. While it’s true that many tub sanitizers use salts and chemicals, your water will remain safe for bathing even after you add Epsom salt. When added to hot water, it simply dissolves into magnesium and sulfate ions, both of which are already found naturally in your water supply.