If you work at a job where you’re always on your feet, like a waiter or a nurse or stacking shelves at your local supermarket, you’ll know how revivifying a hot foot soak can be at the end of a stressful and physically demanding working day.

It doesn’t just soothe your feet, it can travel up your whole body and greatly improve your overall mood.

However, why not add that extra level of luxury to your foot bathing experience with an electronic foot spa?

With a range of different features that include vibration, heating, massage rollers, bubbles, these machines can pamper your feet from heel to toe!

These foot spas also come with compartments with which you can add your own mixture of essential oils and salts, which will help ailments such as dry, calloused skin and inflammation.

Conair is currently one of the leading lights in the world of foot spa manufacture, their foot-soaking machines simply fly off the shelves due to their design quality and their price – these are the best budget home foot spas currently available on the market.

Epsom salt is a compound that occurs naturally and is often used by foot-soakers as an exfoliate because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Containing magnesium and sulfate, it is very beneficial for the skin. It is also used as a remedy for dry skin, fungal infections as well as relieving aches and pains.

But what about people who want to combine the benefits of both a foot spa and Epsom salts?

Is it damaging to add salt to your foot spa? What are the potential benefits and potential risks? What other materials can you add to your foot spa for that extra soothing, medically-helpful foot spa experience?

Well, we’ve got the answers to those questions, so take a load off and read our guide to adding salts, oils and other minerals to your electronic Conair foot spa.

What Exactly Is A Conair Foot Spa?

When purchasing a Conair foot spa it is important to bear in mind that they are budget models, so you might not get the range of features that are available on some of the higher-end models.

The lower budget means that your machine will be more than capable of generating bubbles and filtering water, but it might have difficulty processing added salt crystals.

A Conair system can create bubbles and maintain a decent warm temperature, although for plush features you might be better off finding a more expensive foot spa by companies like Ivation or Art Naturals.

Conairs also have a very generous capacity for feet, so if you are someone who has a larger foot, you can rest assured that this product will perfectly accommodate you.

When it comes to home pedicures, Conairs are the more luxury model for people who don’t want to break the bank.

Doctors do not recommend foot spas for people with severe medical conditions like tumors, diabetes, cancer, fractures of lesions in the foot or if you’re pregnant, simply because it can interfere with the effects of medication and the circulatory system.

It can also open up and exacerbate wounds in the heel and ball of the foot, as well as between the toes.

What Are Epsom Salts?

Epsom salt is named after the town of Epsom in Surrey, England where it was first discovered.

Its more scientific name is magnesium sulfate and is completely different chemically to other salts such as table salt. It is primarily made up of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.

This is also known as bath salt because it was often dissolved in baths. However, unlike table salt, the taste of Epsom salt is radically different, bitter and mostly inedible.

Historically it has been consumed, usually added to water and taken as a kind of tonic, although adding Epsom salt to your meal will probably ruin it.

It has been used to treat many illnesses and conditions over the years including diarrhea, insomnia and ME, although the effects of the salt on these ailments are questionable and has not been researched in depth.

But it has been shown to increase a person’s magnesium levels, which is often deficient in the diets of most people.

Epsom salt can be purchased from most supermarkets or health food stores. You can also pick it up at your local drug store or buy it in bulk online.

How Epsom Salt Affects Your Feet

How Epsom salt is applied to the feet is usually adding it to hot water and soaking your feet in the solution for upwards of half an hour. The feet are then removed and buffed firmly with a pumice stone.

This treatment is commonly repeated twice a week.

The reason why this is beneficial is because the magnesium is absorbed into the body through the skin, leaving it with a smooth and soft after-texture.

It also helps to maintain the body’s optimum blood pressure, increase the health and strength of your bones, improving muscle strength and regularity of sleep.

More importantly, Epsom salt can reduce pain and swelling in the feet, with people adding it to their homemade foot baths to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia.

The remedying effect is attributed to the magnesium contained in the Epsom salt as people with these conditions are deficient in magnesium.

Adding Epsom Salt To Your Conair Foot Spa

You can add Epsom salts to your Conair foot spa as they do not contain water jets that could become congested with salt.

Placing salts in your Conair foot spa will certainly help you reduce any swelling in your feet and relax those tense muscles.

However, it is recommended that you clean out your foot spa regularly to avoid the buildup of salt crystals that can occur over time.

–         Firstly, ensure that your Conair foot spa is turned off before adding salt to the mix.

–         If you want to keep the surface underneath your foot spa to remain spill-free, place a bath towel underneath.

–         Rather than heating the water, your Conair foot spa will simply maintain the temperature of the water you put in. So if you want warm or hot water, make sure that you pre-heat it to the desired temperature before adding it to your Conair.

–         Fill up the water up to the maximum line indicated on the uppermost part of your foot spa.

–         Add your Epsom salt to the water inside the foot spa. You can also add your Epsom salt to the water before pouring it into the foot spa to avoid excess salt buildup.

–         Once the mixture is in the foot spa, turn the unit on so that the temperature will be maintained throughout. Do not put your feet in just yet.

–        Take a chair and dip your feet into the spa. The device will soon start to bubble and you should feel the water and salt crystals working their magic on your tired and sore feet.

–         Continue the spa treatment for 15 – 20 minutes, ideally. You can keep the machine running for a maximum of 30 minutes if you suffer from chronic foot dryness or arthritis.

–         Once the treatment is complete, turn off your Conair and drain off the water.

–         When your machine is empty, wipe it down with a thick, dry bath towel to avoid salt encrusting on the rim.

Conair Foot Spa Buyers Guide

When it comes to purchasing a new foot spa, there will be a few must-have features that you’ll be needing for that luxurious foot-bathing experience.

Your Conair foot spa should come with a 1-year warranty, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking within your first year of use.

You can also add certain herbs to your foot spa water, such as rosemary, peppermint and sage.

The well of the foot spa will be more than enough to accommodate your feet, reaching up to the ankles and measuring at around 4 to 5 inches in depth, covering the entire surface of your feet and your ankles.

This will ensure that you will be able to treat sores on the heels and the ball of the foot, both of which make regular contact with the floor.

What Is The Best DIY Foot Soak?

You can also use Listerine in a homemade foot soaking recipe, combining just a few simple ingredients that you might find around your home.

The antiseptic properties of the Listerine will help heal any cuts or sores that have developed on your feet.

–         Simply mix Listerine and warm water in a vaguely equal measure along with one cup of Epsom salt.

–         You can also mix half a cup of Listerine with half a cup of vinegar and one gallon of warm water with 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey. This is a very natural alternative remedy for foot sores and dry skin.

–         Mix Listerine with a gallon of warm water with 1 or 2 drops of lemon juice.

How Long Can You Soak Your Feet In Epsom Salts?

You should not soak your feet for longer than half an hour in Epsom salts, although the ideal soaking time should be between 15 and 20 minutes.