Make Your Own Bath Salts

Bath salts are a great addition to your relaxation regimen. They are wonderful for getting rid of dead skin and moisturizing, and reducing stress. Even better, they are cheap and easy to make at home for your own use or to give as gifts.

Steps

Ingredients

  1. Find the right salts. Although every bath salt base requires at least epsom salts, you can choose to add other salt mixtures to give different appearances and benefits. Sea salt can be added for a finer grain, and pink Himalayan salt could be used to increase the mineral content of your bath salt mixture.
  2. Pick an essential oil. Although you can create a scent-less bath salt mixture, adding essential oils creates a lovely perfumed atmosphere when you take your baths. Choose floral, fruity, or woody scents to set the right mood for your best relaxation.
    • Popular floral scents include lavender, rose, and lilac. These all help to ease stress and aren’t too heavy, offering a light airy feel to your bath.
    • Stronger scents include eucalyptus, citrus, and peppermint. These help to invigorate your senses and focus your mind.
    • Mix multiple scents to create your own unique smells. Only add a few drops of each scent to keep the ultimate perfume levels proportional.
  3. Decide on dried plants. You can choose to add dried herbs or flowers for added looks and scents to your bath salts. Try adding rosemary, thyme, or peppermint leaves that have been coarsely ground. Or, use dried rose or lavender petals. Leave these whole or grind them in a food processor before adding to your salts.
  4. Choose a color. It isn’t necessary to add color to your salts, but to make them look professional you can add a few drops of food coloring. Choose colors that match your scents, such as purple for lavender, or green for eucalyptus.

Sea Salt Mix

  1. Measure your ingredients. You will need one cup of sea salt, one cup of epsom salt, and one teaspoon of an essential oil of your choice. You can also choose to add dried herbs or flower buds for extra scent; grind these in a food processor to a powder before mixing it with your salts.
  2. Incorporate all the ingredients. In a bowl, mix the salts together first. Then, slowly add your essential oils. Make sure to spread them thoroughly and to mix well, so that all of your salts come into contact with the oil.
  3. Store your bath salts. Keep your bath salts in a sealed container. To use, sprinkle a few tablespoons into warm bathwater and allow time to dissolve. Enjoy![1]

Salt and Baking Soda Mix

  1. Measure your ingredients. You will need one cup of epsom salt, one cup of baking soda, two tablespoons of liquid glycerin, and essential oils. Adding dried herbs or flowers can also add extra scent and beauty to your bath salts.
  2. Mix the ingredients. Start by mixing the epsom salt and baking soda together. Then, add the liquid glycerin and combine well. Use as much scented oil as you would like, but make sure that you thoroughly mix it with all of the ingredients.
  3. Store the finished product. Pour all of the bath salt mixture into a container with a lid, and store it between uses. Add a few tablespoons to hot bathwater and enjoy the skin-softening effects![2]

Salt, Clay and Borax Mix

  1. Measure your ingredients. Use two cups of epsom salts, two cups of borax, ½ a cup of kaolin clay powder, and essential oils of your choice. The kaolin clay and borax work together to soften the water and your skin, as well as to provide other mineral health benefits including muscle relaxation and reduced tension.
  2. Add the ingredients together. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and stir completely. Slowly add in your essential oils to your desired scent amount, making sure to incorporate it with all of the mixture.
  3. Store the bath salts. Keep your finished bath salts stored in a large, sealed container between uses. Sprinkle a few tablespoons into your bathwater and let it soothe your stress away. Enjoy![3]



Tips

  • You can use these for a relaxing spa treatment! Just light candles around your bathtub, not scented, and add the bath salts.
  • If you plan to give the salts as a gift, you might also want to include a scoop to get the salts out of the jar and a card with the recipe that explains how to use them: Mix two tablespoons in a warm bath.
  • Try adding the salts just before you enter the tub. If you add the salts too early, the heat from the water will evaporate the aroma from the essential oils.
  • Using food flavoring like peppermint extract also scents bath salts well.
  • If you are going to store this mixture or give it as a gift. Allow the mixture to sit overnight, to dry completely, if not, the mixture will become very hard and will be more difficult to get out of the container. Once the mixture sits overnight, covered in the large mixing bowl, mix it up the next day to remove all lumps.

Warnings

  • You might not wish to include the glycerin if you are experiencing problems with clumping. Glycerin while moisturizing the skin also draws moisture to itself and the result can often be rock hard bath salts.
  • In the high humidity of a bathroom, your salts may get lumpy. Use your scoop to break up lumps before using, or shake the jar often.
  • Do not use for babies or very young children.
  • You should use caution when adding essential oils that may irritate the skin. Oils such as lemon, lemongrass, peppermint and and wintergreen may do this. Consult with a professional before using them.
  • Do not add too much essential oil, because it may irritate the skin.
  • Woman who are pregnant, especially in their 3rd trimester, should not use bath salts, nor should people with high blood pressure or edema (swelling).

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://pounds4pennies.com/frugal-living/how-to-make-bath-salts/
  2. ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-18/beauty/32408401_1_salts-baking-soda-colouring
  3. ↑ http://www.wildly-natural-skin-care.com/bath-salts-recipe.html
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