The Epsom Salt Hack That'll Add Extra Privacy To Your Windows

Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or even a tiny home, if you have street-facing windows sometimes you can feel like you live in a fishbowl. Does it seem like anyone can look in your windows and see what you're doing? If so, you might look for options to add privacy to your home with window film to solve the problem. Yet, window film sometimes has its drawbacks, including an awkward and tricky installation process. If you don't want to mess around with having to cut your film sheets to size and place them on your windows, there's an easy way to treat your windows for better privacy. You can mix Epsom salt with light beer to create a frosty effect on the glass.

One major appeal of this Epsom salt hack is its renter-friendly nature, especially if your window faces a courtyard or the street. Your apartment lease might have a clause against altering your windows with window film, but using Epsom salt can give you a temporary solution for enhancing your windows' privacy. If that sounds appealing, or you just want to dress up your home's living room windows, here's how to do it. 

Maybe you've seen the clever hack that uses Epsom salt for a DIY frosted window as last-minute Christmas décor. You don't have to wait for the holidays to do this to your windows. Materials will include a bottle of light beer, not dark, as well as a bag of Epsom salt, a mixing or large bowl, and a rag. Just mix 4 tablespoons of Epsom salt with 1 cup of light beer in the bowl. As the beer begins to foam, let it sit, dissolving then settling for 35 minutes. You can then next dab the mixture onto your windows with a clean rag or sponge and smudge it along the window to make "ice" crystals along the edge. If you want to cover the whole thing, wipe the entire window with the rag, similar to how you would if you were washing a window. 

For more fanciful windows, use a piece of lace dipped in the salt, then apply it to the window to make snowflake-like designs. Make sure your windows are clean before you apply the Epsom salt mixture for the best results. You can make the frosted effect on your interior or exterior windows; however, pay attention to whether your windows have condensation, as that can affect drying time. Your frosty windows should last an average of three weeks. If you'd like to remove the frosted effect, you can wash it away with warm water or use a DIY window cleaner with household ingredients like vinegar.