Whirlpools and salts (Epsom salts) are a synonym for relaxation and pain relief for aching joints and muscles. Wouldn’t it be great if you could combine both? Of course it would! In fact, many people use pure Epsom salts in their bathtubs at home. But can you put Epsom salts in a foam bath? In most cases the answer is NO. And that is the reason.
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
In short…
salts, such as Epsom salts, are usually added at 20,000 ppm (parts per million). But values above 1500 ppm start to affect the pipes in a hot tub. Epsom salts also make it impossible to balance the pH, resulting in an ineffective disinfectant. But even when added to chlorinated or brominated water, bitter salts can cause burns.
What is a salt water hot tub?
It is exactly what the name suggests. Like a saltwater hot tub, it is a spa that uses salt instead of a disinfectant such as chlorine or bromine to clean the water. A salt water chlorinator or chlorine generator converts salt to chlorine to disinfect the water.
Does that sound strange? It is not too far from a jump. Remember that salt is sodium chloride. But this does not mean that you will essentially soak in seawater. Far from it.
What is Epsom salt?
The chemical name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It is a chemical compound that contains three elements: magnesium, oxygen and sulfur.
It has many uses when people prefer it to other salts to overcome a magnesium deficiency because it has several benefits for your nervous and cardiac system.
Epsom salts are also known for benefits such as relieving muscle pain when used in hot water in a hot tub.
Well, it is due to these benefits that have been around for a long time; however, it has some specific side effects that people may not be aware of.
Chlorine
Chlorine and magnesium should never be mixed, as the reaction caused by this can lead to serious injuries due to burns from lightning. Therefore the use of Epsom salts in a chlorinated foam bath is not safe. If you wish to introduce Epsom salts into your chlorinated spa, you must first empty and thoroughly rinse the spa and its equipment and refill with clean water instead.
Ordinary Water
The use of Epsom salts is safe in a normal hot tub with water. To avoid adding too much salt and prevent possible corrosion of your spa equipment, simply add the amount recommended by the manufacturer. To get the full benefit, you can immerse the water for 30 minutes with the jets turning the water.
Who should buy a hot tub with salt water?
Saltwater hot tubs are ideal for homeowners who want a soft hot tub experience. The extra cost of a salt tub can be offset by easier maintenance and more enjoyable use.
When it comes to deciding which hot tub to buy, choose the one that has the features you want and is easiest for you to maintain.
Conclusion
In most cases, you should never add pure Epsom salts to your hot tub. Despite this warning, if you do want to try, you should thoroughly clean the spa immediately after soaking to avoid long-term damage to your spa. You can achieve the same therapeutic effects by using spa aromatherapy products designed specifically for use in spas and hot tubs.
These products do not disturb the delicate balance of water, do not damage equipment, and do not cause limescale buildup on the surface of the spa. Hot Tub Works contains dozens of aromatherapy products from top brands such as Cover Valet, PharmaSpa, Spazazz and Zodiac.