How to Make Your Own Bath Salts

Bath salts have long been something many of us use to relax. With a little bit of work and a few items you can make a great bath salt that is perfect for your own use, gifts, and even for sale.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Salts
• Oils or other moisturizers
• Essence Oil
• Colorant
• Baking Soda
• Measuring cup
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Table Spoon

1. Choose your ingredients. There are a lot of options for what goes into your bath salts and choosing your ingredients can be very important.
   
   Salt-Epsom salts are an inexpensive salt that can be used for all or part of your bath salts (depending on how fine of a quality you want). They are usually used for at least part of the bath salts because they relax muscles and relieve soreness.
   
   Sea salts should make up the other portion (but don't have to). You can get these in a wide variety of colors, sizes, prices, and benefits. You may want to find out the benefits of some salts (brought to the salt because of its trace minerals).
   
   The Moisturizers-You don't have to have moisturizers if you don't want to, but they can make for a great addition to your bath salts. You can use any oil such as olive oil, peanut oil, sesame seed oil, grape seed oil (my personal favorite), avocado oil, and even mineral oil. Each oil has certain benefits and you may want to do a little research before choosing one or a combination.
   
   You can also add Vitamin E oil, Aloe Vera gel, or glycerin to your bath salts. Each of these is good for the skin and has a wealth of benefits. You can mix these in with your oil(s).
   
   The Fragrance-You can use a wide variety of things for fragrance including perfume, fragrance oil, and essence oil. However, your best option is essence oil. It is pure, all natural, and has a lot of aromatherapy benefits as well. Choose a fragrance you like, or choose an essence oil based on aromatherapy benefits (such as mint being refreshing and lavender being relaxing).
   
   The Colorant-If you spend a nice chunk of money on salts you can get one that has a color. These salts come in pinks, roses, reds, peaches, blues, greens, and grays. Their color can't be messed with much and doesn't need to since they will color the whole batch of salts for you. If you are looking for a less expensive option you can use food coloring or powdered soap colorant (dye).
   
   Baking Soda-Baking soda has a lot of great clean and healthy effects. It doesn't have to be used, but is inexpensive and a good additive.
2. Mix the Salts. Now that your ingredients have been chosen, it is a good idea to mix your salts with your wooden spoon in your good size bowl. You can choose how much of each type of salt you want. I usually use 1/2 Epsom salts and 1/4 one type of sea salt and 1/4 a second type of sea salt.
3. Mix the Moisturizers. If you choose a single moisturizer you can skip this step. If you have a variety of things you want to add, add a small amount of each type to the measuring cup. I always mix 1/2 to 1 cup moisturize for a medium to large batch of bath salts. Some will go to waste, but then you get a good mix of everything you want in there. Stir it well with the table spoon.
4. Add the Moisturizers. Using the table spoon drizzle one spoon of moisturizers over the salts. Stir in with your wooden spoon. You want the salts to be covered with oil, but not to be wet. Doing this step slowly is important. Add just a little bit for each stir of the salts.
5. Add the Fragrance. While the getting the right amount of moisturizers is important, the fragrance is even more important. You want to add three to five drops and stir well. Smell the result. You want to smell the fragrance, but not be overwhelmed by it. Add three to five drops, test, and repeat till you are satisfied with the results.
6. Add the Colorant. If you don't have naturally colored salts you will want to add a few drops of food coloring or a pinch of powdered soap colorant. Stir well and add more to reach your desired color. Both these colorants will be fine for the skin and the bath tub.
7. Bake it. Spread out your salts on an aluminum foil covered baking sheet and place in an oven that has been set to warm. Let it bake till the salts are dry, checking on it every ten to fifteen minutes.
8. Add Baking Soda. Now that the salts are dry stir in 1/3 cup of baking soda for every 3 cups of salt. This is a great finishing touch and makes for a fantastic bath salt.
9. Package. Often it is a wonderful gift or sales item if packaged well, bath salts can be put into decorated containers and jars. It is important to remember that they absorb moisture and will stick together, so you want a jar or container that will protect them from the elements.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative and try new things. You could come up with the perfect recipe that everyone wants!
• If you add to much moisturizer then add a little bit more salt to even it out.
• If you add to much fragrance then add a little more salt and moisture as needed to make sure it isn't overwhelming.