Since becoming a mom, I’ve come to cherish the few moments I have to myself on a daily basis. One of those times is my nightly bath- a non-negotiable! It’s my time to catch up on my reading (Hello Outlander!), detox from the day and get back some of my sanity. I swear, I emerge a vision of my former self, pre-children. Lately, I’ve really been into making my own products as I’ve come to realize that I value knowing what is in a product and that it can be a real money saver. Additionally, some of the “old school” ways of doing things sometimes are just plain better than the fancy schmancy products out there nowadays. This week I’ve been feeling under the weather and loving my baths even more. I decided it’s the perfect time to make my own bath salts, and good news- I’m sharing my recipe with you!
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Epsom Salts
- 1/2 Cup Kosher or Sea Salt
- 2 Tbls Baking Soda
- Essential Oils
The How-To:
First off, I want to say that you can definitely make this recipe without the Kosher or Sea Salt. Or just use table salt. Using the variety of salts gives you different textures because different types of salt have unique grain sizes. Salt contains minerals that are absorbed into your skin that help relieve sore and tense muscles.
Combine your Epsom, Kosher/Sea Salt and Baking Soda into moving bowl and combine well. Why baking soda? Well, we Americans eat a diet that is usually quite high in acid (thank you cheese and red meat), and using baking soda in your bath can help neutralize the acids in your body and release toxins. It is also a natural remedy for dry skin and other problems like hemorrhoids and yeast infections.
Once everything is well combined, all that’s left is to add your essential oils. Many recipes say essential oils are optional, but not in my book. If you’re going to the work of creating your own relaxing bath salts, then take the extra step and add even more benefits to your bath by using oils that will help relax, rejuvenate, clear your mind and awaken your senses. I personally used Lemon and Rosemary oils for a “mind clearing” bath salt. You can add as many drops as you like, I did about 7 of each. Keep in mind that once the salts are dropped in your tub, the smell will be diluted due to the water.
Since you’re adding a liquid into a solid, you’ll have to really stir to mix the oils in. I used the backside of my spoon to really smoosh everything together. Once you like the potency of your salts, then you’re ready to add to an airtight container!
Wasn’t that easy? This recipe makes nearly 2-8 ounce mason jars worth of salts. You can add 4-5 tablespoons per bath for optimal relaxation. You can use right away, but if you’d like a more aromatic salt you can leave your container sealed for a few days.
As a final note, making your own bath salts is not only fun but economical. You can pick up epsom salts at large warehouse stores very inexpensively (I purchased 12 pounds for $8!), kosher or sea salt and baking soda at your grocery store and essential oils at a health food store. All of these products will go to good use, especially your essential oils which have tons of uses. Enjoy your bath!