Does Epsom salt expire? - What you should know

Many people have heard of the new salt, the very famous Epsom salt. In recent years, it has become the talk of the town due to its various purposes.

Some people use Epsom salt to treat muscle aches, constipation, stress, and to reduce pain. On the other hand, some consume Epsom Salt by mixing it in water and drinking it.

This wide variety of characteristics has made people curious about Epsom salt. You may have many questions about its use, especially about its expiration date.

Keep in mind that you need to know the answers to these questions in order to use Epsom salt safely.

So does Epsom salt expire or go bad? Epsom salt packets have an expiration or best before date. However, it does not expire. Epsom salt can become hard or caked if not stored properly, but you can still use it. However, it spoils in the sense that it loses its effectiveness and salinity over time.

In this blog, we will help you understand Epsom salt and its use. We also answer other important questions you may have. So, stay with us until the end and clarify all your doubts!

What is Epsom salt?

In simple words, Epsom salt is a chemical compound of magnesium sulfate. The name “Epsom” has a funny story behind it.

In the year 1600, a cowherd man, Henry Wicker, came to the town of Epsom, located 15 miles southwest of England.

His cattle refused to drink the water. So he decided to inspect the water himself. He bent down to drink water from a pond, but was surprised by its taste. The water tasted bitter to him.

He saw a white residue in the pond after the water had evaporated and realized that it had a laxative effect. Later, she observed that the animals that bathed in the water healed from their wounds more quickly than the others.

This serendipity led to the discovery of Epsom salt. It was later renamed Epsom after the town.

Since then, Epsom salt has been used to treat constipation, bruises, swelling, muscle pain, and other ailments. People also often drink water after dissolving Epsom salt in it. It is also used as a salt for brewing beer.

Epsom salt is usually affordable, easy to use, and easy to find. It is available in grocery stores, feed stores and on the Internet.

Epsom salt comes in different grades. It is advisable to purchase the FDA approved Epsom salt for human use for consumption.

What does Epsom salt do?

Epsom salt is usually taken orally by dissolving it in water.  When salt dissolves in water, it releases magnesium and sulfate ions.

They are then absorbed into the water and enter your body. Normally, this salt is used as a laxative for constipation.

Most Epsom salt packages list the proper dosage for adults and children.

However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before taking Epsom salt in more than the recommended dose, since each person’s magnesium needs are different.

Also, you may need more or less than the recommended dosage depending on your body type.

Some people also use Epsom salt for intake. In this case, we suggest you use commercially available fragrance and dye-free Epsom salt.

Does Epsom salt expire or go bad?

Going back to the main question, Epsom salt does not expire, although most Epsom salt containers have an expiration date mentioned on the container.

You can continue to use it even after the expiration date has passed . Did you know that some of the canned foods use Epsom salt as a preservative to make the product last longer?

Also, you may see some lumps in the salt over time, but don’t worry. It is basically due to the presence of moisture in the salt. You can easily break up these hard clumps by dissolving them in the water and then use the salt however you like.

How long does Epsom salt last?

In most countries, all food products are required by law to have expiration dates stated on the packaging. Therefore, Epsom salt also has an expiration or “best before” date mentioned on the packaging.

Normally this expiration date is 2-3 years from the date of manufacture. However, most of the time you can use the salt for more than seven years. 

You will wonder how you can use it even after the expiration date. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, the chemical composition of Epsom salt is a magnesium sulphate compound which does not easily break down and therefore can last longer than usual.

Second, if you store the salt in a dry place, you can use it without losing its effectiveness .

How to tell if Epsom salt has gone bad

Although Epsom salt can be used even after its expiration, it is important to prevent it from spoiling. To check it, you should look at one of the most obvious signs: the appearance of the salt.

If you notice the salt becoming hard and lumpy, this is a visible indication of exposure to moisture. This is because moisture is the enemy of Epsom salt. As long as you can avoid contamination from exposure, your salt is good to go.

But how can you keep Epsom salt from getting soggy? The answer to this question is by storing it correctly.

What is food grade Epsom salt?

Food grade Epsom salt is that which meets the standards of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). It is 100% natural, without any artificial chemical ingredients. They come from special warehouses in different parts of the world and come directly to you.

Also, they do not go through any chemical process or modification, which makes them cleaner and safer to consume.

Instead, some Epsom salts go through a food process in which sulfur and magnesium compounds are added to them . This makes them prone to contamination by humans or machinery.

Food grade Epsom salt needs very high skills to be extracted while retaining its purity and high quality.

It is not an easy task to meet food grade standards and specifications. So, in this case, the quality of the salt is the last thing you should worry about.

Therefore, when choosing between manufactured and natural Epsom salt, we strongly recommend that you choose the latter.

It is healthier and safer to consume according to the FCC. Natural minerals that are extracted with special care are always the best option for your precious health.

How to store Epsom salt

It is essential to store Epsom salt properly in order to use it even after the expiration date to maintain its effectiveness. Therefore, there are some tips that you should keep in mind when storing Epsom salt.

stay away from moisture

As we’ve already said, Epsom salt and moisture are a recipe for disaster. When you mix these two elements, you will notice how Epsom salt loses all its effectiveness.

Additionally, Epsom salt also becomes clumpy and hard to use when it comes in contact with moisture.

Therefore, you must make sure that you do not store it in an area with a high moisture content.

Also, if you store it in the kitchen, be sure to use airtight containers. These containers will prevent air and moisture from getting into the Epsom salt.

Store it in a dark place

We recommend that you store Epsom salt in a dry and dark place. This will ensure that the effectiveness of the salt lasts a long time and that no lumps form.

Avoid contamination

Contamination occurs when Epsom salt comes into contact with moisture and becomes hard and extremely lumpy. You must ensure that this does not happen, as it can affect its effectiveness.

So what you have to do is

1. Close the container lid as soon as possible to prevent air and moisture from entering the container. 
2. Use uncooked rice grains and keep them in the same container as well. This can help, as the rice absorbs moisture and keeps your Epsom salt as fresh and dry as new.

This way, you can prevent your Epsom salt from becoming contaminated.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over how to tell if Epsom salt has gone bad and how to store it correctly, let’s look at some related questions!

What are the uses of Epsom salts?

In addition to being used as a laxative and a food product, Epsom salt has other uses related to health and beauty.

Here are some of the most common uses for Epsom salt:

Epsom salt in beer

Epsom salt is used to add sulfate and magnesium ions to brewing water . This causes the hop bitterness level of the beer to increase.

Epsom salt as a magnesium supplement

Magnesium is considered the fourth most abundant mineral in our body. Despite this, people do not consume magnesium in the necessary amounts. Therefore, it is believed that the intake of Epsom salt increases the magnesium levels in the body. 

Epsom salt as a stress reliever

An adequate level of magnesium in the body is essential to produce neurotransmitters that cause stress reduction and improved sleep.

This is why some people claim that bathing in Epsom salt water has improved their sleep as they now feel more relaxed.

Epsom salt also plays a prominent role in formulating energy in the cells of the body. This helps to rejuvenate after a long and exhausting day.

Epsom salt as a pain reliever

Another claim about Epsom salt is that it reduces pain and inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to any injury.

Magnesium present in Epsom salt treats inflammation and promotes speedy recovery.

Also, it can increase serotonin in the brain. Thus, the use of Epsom salt stabilizes the mood and reduces anxiety and depression.

Epsom salt as a beauty product

Epsom salt is believed to have numerous beauty effects, such as:

1. Exfoliates dead skin cells
2. Clean the pores
3. Fight blackheads
4. Repairs skin blemishes 
5. Repair cracked heels
6. Provides voluminous, frizz-free hair
7. Helps eliminate body odor and fungal infections.

Epsom salt for gardening

Epsom salt is also used for gardening. Interesting, right? Well, it is claimed that Epsom salt can be used as an insecticide and fertilizer to keep your garden green and away from pests.

In addition, Epsom salt favors the growth of fruits and flowers. With continued and proper use, you will surely see a difference in the growth of your plants.

Is Epsom salt dangerous?

Although Epsom salt is generally safe for external use, there are some concerns if you take it orally. First of all, it has a laxative effect.

Other rare side effects are

1. Headache
2. Nausea
3. extreme fatigue
4. Dizziness
5. Fainting
6. Blurry vision

What is better for cooking? Epsom salt or table salt?

Although you will see the word salt attached to both Epsom salt and table salt and they look similar, they are different.

While table salt is sodium chloride made up of the elements sodium and chlorine, Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate which contains magnesium, oxygen and sulfur. Hence, both have different chemical properties.

Therefore, Epsom salt is bitter and acidic, which makes it inedible. For this reason, it is very unsuitable for use in the kitchen. Table salt is more suitable for cooking because of its flavor.

What should I keep in mind when buying Epsom salt?

Keep the following points in mind before buying Epsom salts:

• Make sure you buy Epsom salt from reputable and trusted brands . Do not look for exceptional offers or compromise on the salt you are going to buy.
• Make sure you purchase 100% magnesium sulfate, as this is an important requirement. 
• Keep in mind what you are going to use the salt for . If you take Epsom salt for the bath, opt for the scented options. For oral intake, avoid this type of Epsom salts.

Are all Epsom salts the same?

Epsom salts contain naturally occurring minerals, so all Epsom salts are chemically the same. However, there are different grades of Epsom salt depending on the application.

Broadly speaking, there are two grades of Epsom salt:

USP Grade

The word USP stands for United States Pharmaceutical Grade, also called Food Grade . It is the most controlled quality salt used in food. Therefore, the quality of this salt is guaranteed.

When you buy Epsom salt, be sure to check the label for the USP designation. Said Epsom salt is manufactured under strict FDA guidelines and is considered suitable for human use.

technical grade

Also called Industrial Grade or Agricultural Grade, this grade of Epsom salt is used for industrial purposes. Therefore, it is not as pure as food grade and may contain some impurities.

Therefore, it can be said that it is not suitable for human use.

Final thoughts

Epsom salt is unique in its kind and is used all over the world for its different benefits. Its properties are not only amazing, but also useful. However, its effectiveness is still being researched as there are very few solid scientific claims about it.

We hope this blog helps you understand if Epsom salt expires or goes bad after a certain time mentioned on its packaging, its usefulness and other crucial issues.