How to Frost Glass With Epsom Salt

Make needle-like frost on your windows with Epsom salt.

If you live in a climate that does not see a great deal of snow and frost, or if you simply would like to create a little bit of winter in the summer, frost your windows using an Epsom salt solution. Epsom salt forms a crystalline structure much like ice crystals do, and this layer of crystal can be applied to a window or any other glass surface. Use this project to teach your children about crystalline structures.

Things You'll Need

• Cooking pot
• 1 cup Epsom salt
• Wooden spoon
• 3 tbsp. dish detergent
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into a cooking pot and place the pot on the stove.

2. Bring the pot to a boil over a high heat. Slowly stir in 1 cup of Epsom salt.

3. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the Epsom salt is completely dissolved.

4. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

5. Mix in 3 tbsp. of liquid dish detergent.

6. Paint the mixture onto the window using a paintbrush. The “frost” will start to form as the solution dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the frost by wiping it away with soap and water.

• Paint the solution over a stencil to create frost designs.

References

• Bizarre Labs: The Crystal Page
• Easy Fun School: Epsom Salt Frost