Salt Craze Too!

And now for the Bath Salts!
 
     I love, love, love relaxing in a hot bath surrounding myself with candles and creating my own spa-like environment.  That’s why I just adore bath salts.  And truthfully, these are the easiest DIY ever!
    You can increase this recipe by simply doubling, tripling etc. to make several gifts at a time. You can also add dried organic flowers, buds, leaves or peels or a few drops of soap colorant or 1/2 tsp -1 tsp natural clays for color if you want pretty color.  But color is optional.  Mix all in a glass or metal bowl or pour all into a mason jar and shake, shake until everything is mixed.   Easy as 1. 2. 3. 4

1. Bath Salt Recipe


2.  1 cup coarse sea salt
3.  1/2 cup Epsom salts
4. 2 1/2 tbsp. baking soda
5. essential oil

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    This recipe will make enough to fill a 16 oz. Mason jar.  Mason jars make pretty gift “wrapping”.  I save all kinds of glass jars for an occasional change from Mason jars.  

You can add a pretty ribbon to tie a small muslin or organza bag to the lip of the jar.  These bags can be found in craft stores as favors.  While you’re at it, add a scoop or deep spoon.  Wooden, plastic, metal anything small will serve the purpose.  ​

You can save jars that resemble milk jars (you know the ones).  Another unusual jar I like to use for gifts is a salad dressing jar.  And buy saving these unique bottles, you don't have to buy expensive, novelty bottles. These jars hold a little less than a Mason jar, so that means a little extra for you. ​

     To use, pour a scoop of bath salts directly into the tub or for less mess and a nice spa-touch, pour into a small, cloth bag.  Close and tie the bag below the faucet so that water runs through it as you fill the tub.  Once the tub is filled, drop the still closed bag into the tub.  After your bath, empty the bag and rinse it for reuse. ​

​Here are some tags with directions to include with your gifts.

     Want to make them BUBBLY?  Add 1.5 oz.  (3 tbsp.) of unscented pure Castile soap and 1/2 tsp. of sweet almond or grape seed oil (oil is optional) to your completed bath salt mixture, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture on the paper.  Let this dry for about 2-4 hours.  Break up the chunks, then pour into the container of choice. 

Want to make them FANCY?  Add some botanicals and experiment with essential oils in the basic bath salts recipe.  Labels for all recipes are at the bottom.
Here are some ideas: ​

​My all-time favorite – Lavender - for calming, relaxing and restful sleep
Sweet Dreams Bath Salts – add 5-10 drops lavender essential oil plus 2 tbsp. lavender buds
 
Lavender and Calendula – for gentle healing, calm
Healing Flowers Bath Salts
8-10 drops lavender essential oil plus 3 tbsp. calendula petals and 1 tbsp. lavender buds
 
Lavender and Bergamot – relaxing
Relaxing Spa Bath Salts
10 drops lavender essential oil, 10 drops bergamot essential oil, 1 tbsp. lavender buds
 
Lavender and spearmint or peppermint – for headache including migraine
Oh My Aching Head Bath Salts
5 drops lavender essential oil, 10 drops spearmint or peppermint essential oil plus 1 tbsp. each lavender buds and dried mint leaves
 
Peppermint – for respiratory issues, headache, invigorating
Peppermint Pick Me Up Bath Salts
6-8 drops of peppermint essential oil

​Rose – for silky smooth skin
Roses are Red Bath Salts
3-4 drops rose hip seed oil and/or 1 tbsp. pure rose water plus 2 tbsp. gently crushed dried rose petals
 
Orange and Clove – for stress relief
De-Stress Bath Salts
5 drops orange essential oil, 5 drops clove essential oil plus dried, or dried and ground orange peel or orange zest
 
Lemon and Rosemary – for clarity
Clear Your Head Bath Salts
10 drops lemon essential oil, 10 drops rosemary essential oil plus lemon zest or 1 tbsp. dried ground lemon peel and 1 tbsp. dried rosemary leaves
 
Eucalyptus – for cold, cough, asthma, fever, allergies, joint pain, hot flashes
Feel Better Bath Salts
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil, plus 1 tbsp. leaves (optional)
 
Eucalyptus and Peppermint – for sinus congestion relief
Breathe Again Bath Salts
10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil, 10 drops peppermint essential oil
 
Lemongrass – for muscle soreness
OOH AHH Bath Salts
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
 
Tea Tree – for eczema, psoriasis, poison ivy, poison oak etc.
Itch Relief Bath Salts
7-10 drops tea tree oil, 2 tbsp. oatmeal (optional)

Sweet Dreams Bath Salts with small muslin bag and metal coffee scoop

Healing Bath Salts in a salad dressing jar with clear scoop and an iced coffee jar with wooden scoop.

     Remember to use dried herbs and flowers, as opposed to fresh, so that your bath salts last longer.  Fresh botanicals might spoil and could cause mold.  Epsom Salts are simply magnesium sulfate so as long as that is the only ingredient, any brand will do.  The same applies to baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).  You can buy scented epsom salts marketed for soaking to get a head start on fragrance, if you really want to.  
     So get started mixing, packaging and labeling so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in your mini spa!  Don't forget to share!