13 Surprising Ways to Use Epsom Salt to Clean Your Home, According to Experts

Clear Drains

Sink drains can get musty (or worse) without regular cleaning. Luckily, Epsom salt is great at ridding your kitchen or bathroom of unpleasant odors while cleaning your pipes in the process.

Owner of Alpine Maids, Chris Willatt, recommends pouring a half cup of Epsom salt down the drain, followed by a lengthy flow of hot water. “The salt will help break away the filth from the pipes and neutralize any odors emanating from the drain,” he explains.

Descale Shower Heads

One of Epsom salt’s many attributes is its ability to soften water. "Paired with citric acid or lemon juice, it can effectively break down mineral buildup," says cleaning professional Trish Duarte.

Follow her method below to successfully descale your shower head with Epsom salt:

1. Dissolve 1 tablespoon Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon citric acid (or ¾ cup lemon juice) in 1 cup warm water.
2. Carefully remove the shower head from the shower arm. (Do not use on brass or nickel faucets, as the acidic solution may damage them.)
3. Soak your shower head for 1-2 hours in the cleaning solution, then rinse well.

Freshen Sponges

When all the suds have been washed down the drain, sponges are the perfect nesting place for mildew and germs. To keep yours fresh, Elizabeth Shields, operations manager at Super Cleaning Service Louisville, recommends soaking it for 15 minutes in warm water with a few tablespoons of Epsom salt, then rinsing and drying it in a well-ventilated spot.

Use on Tile and Grout

Bathroom tile and grout will frequently collect a film of mildew. Epsom salt can help, according to Willatt. “The abrasive action and chemical reaction will break down the dirt and mildew, leaving you with bright and shining walls and floors.”

Follow this handy cleaning method to get the job done:

1. Combine 1 cup Epsom salt, ½ cup baking soda, and ¼ cup liquid dish soap, forming a paste.
2. Apply the mixture to dirty tiles and grout using an old toothbrush or cleaning scrub brush.
3. Let the mixture sit on top of the area for up to 10 minutes. (For stubborn spots, give the paste a little extra time to work its magic.)
4. Scrub with your cleaning brush, removing grime and mildew.
5. Rinse thoroughly.

Clean Your Washing Machine

"Over time, washing machines build up residue from dirty clothes and the detergents that you use," explains Willatt. To clean your washing machine, he suggests adding 1 cup Epsom salt and 1 quart vinegar to an empty cycle with hot water. Let it run its full cycle to clean it out. Then, run an additional cycle with only hot water to flush out the vinegar.

Deodorize Laundry

According to Duarte, Epsom salt “enhances the power of your detergent and banishes odors naturally.” She recommends tossing a half cup of Epsom salt into your washing machine along with your detergent to rid towels and clothing of any stubborn or musty odors.

Freshen Trash Cans

After the trash has been taken out, the smell often lingers. According to Duarte, you can scrub the grime and neutralize odors naturally using Epsom salt.

Simply add a few drops of essential oil to ¼ cup Epsom salt, sprinkle in an empty garbage bin, and let sit for about an hour. Then scrub and rinse. Your trash cans will stand refreshed.

Clean a Garbage Disposal

Another home waste receptacle that can be a hotbed for bacteria and germs, garbage disposals must be tended to regularly. Shields recommends tossing in a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salt, running cold water, and turning on the disposal for a few seconds. “The gritty texture scrubs the blades, and the salt helps kill off the bacteria causing the odd smells,” she explains.

Cut Stovetop Grease

When all is scrubbed clean after dinner, those stubborn grease stains on your stovetop may persist in mocking indifference. Epsom salt has got you covered. "When teamed up with dish soap, Epsom salt slices through grease like a dream, leaving your stove top sparkling without any harsh chemicals," says Duarte.

To degrease stovetops, mix ½ cup Epsom salt with 2 tablespoons of dish soap and a little water to form a paste. Scrub your stovetop with the paste, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. For those extra stubborn grease spots, let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Clean Hard Water Shower Stains

Hard water is a cruel foe to shower doors. Epsom salt can help rid these glass surfaces of hard water stains by following these simple steps:

1. Mix Epsom salt and water and add to a spray bottle.
2. Spritz the salt solution on the glass, let it sit, then rub gently with a microfiber cloth.
3. Rinse with cool, clean water.

Elimnate Carpet Odors

Over time, carpets can smell stale or take on odors from endless foot traffic. Epsom salt can help absorb such odors, freshening up your carpet.

To keep your carpets smelling fresh, Duarte recommends following these simple steps:

1. Mix 1 cup Epsom salt with 10-15 drops of essential oil for a fresh scent. (Lavender is a great choice.)
2. Sprinkle the salt solution on the carpet.
3. Wait 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Keep Closets Smelling Clean

Closets are often windowless and compact. Shields notes that without much airflow, “closets can get that weird, musty smell.” To refresh the space, she recommends placing an open jar of Epsom salt to act as a natural dehumidifier. “It will naturally pull excess moisture out of the air, preventing that stale, damp smell from building up in the first place.” For an added subtle scent, try adding a few drops of essential oil.

Clean Your Refrigerator

Epsom salt comes in handy when cleaning your refrigerator, as it can effectively scrub spills without the use of harsh chemicals. Duarte suggests mixing 1 cup Epsom salt with 1 cup warm water. After emptying your refrigerator, wipe down the shelves and drawers with the solution, then rinse with a damp cloth.