How to Make Bath Products With Epsom Salt

Epsom salts are good for the entire family.

There is nothing like a warm, relaxing bath in Epsom salt to soothe aching muscles, remove toxins and relieve stress. Easy to find in drugstores and grocery stores, Epsom salt is the basic ingredient for a variety of bath products that can be made easily at home. From babies to grandparents, the entire family can benefit from fragrant, homemade Epsom salt products. These bath products can also be packaged creatively to make excellent gifts.

Things You'll Need

• Epsom salt
• Sea salt
• Baking soda
• Cold-pressed virgin olive oil
• Almond oil
• Small organza or muslin drawstring bag
• Dried lavender
• Dried rose petals
• Lavender essential oil
• Rose essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Other essential oils of your choice
• Unscented baby soap
• Small plastic container
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Funnel

Instructions

1. Purchase a small muslin or organza drawstring bag. These are inexpensive and easy to find in dollar stores and craft stores. Fill the bag with Epsom salt, dried lavender and one or two drops of lavender essential oil. Add this to a warm bath for a fragrant and relaxing experience. Alternatively, you can make a rose bath sachet using Epsom salt, dried rose petals and rose essential oil. The essence of roses will fill your bathroom as you bathe.

2. Combine 1 cup of Epsom salt with an equal amount of sea salt. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Add three to five drops of the essential oil of your choice and mix well. Add more essential oil if you would like it to smell stronger. You can also mix two or more scents, such as lavender and peppermint or orange with ylang ylang. Don't use too much of the essential oils, as they are extremely potent. Add food coloring if you wish; approximately 10 drops should be sufficient. Leave the salts out in the air for 24 hours to allow any liquid to evaporate. You can then package them as you choose. To use these bath salts, simply pour between 1/2 to 1 cup under warm running bath water.

3. Combine 1 cup of Epsom salt in a bowl with 1/3 cup of almond oil. Add 2 tbsp. of grated unscented baby soap along with about six drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix these ingredients together and you will have a remedy for sore feet. You can prepare a foot bath by first filling a basin two-thirds full with warm water. Add the peppermint foot remedy and rub it into your feet. Then let them soak for about 15 minutes. Once you have finished, rinse your rejuvenated feet in clean water.

4. Mix about 1/2 cup of Epsom salt with approximately 1 tbsp. of olive or almond oil into a small plastic container, just as you are getting into the bath or shower. Rub it in a circular motion all over your wet body to invigorate, soften and remove dead skin. For exfoliating facial skin, mix 1/2 tsp. of Epsom salt with the cleansing lotion that you normally use. Lightly rub it into your skin, then rinse thoroughly. This will safely exfoliate and clean your face at the same time. Neither of these Epsom salt products can be prepared in large quantities and stored because the oil or the lotion will dissolve the salt.

References

• Epsom Salt Council: How to Make Scented Bath Salts
• Make Bath Salts: 13 Epsom Bath Salts Uses
• Canadian Living: Mother's Day Treat: Homemade Bath Salts
• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Making Bath Salts
• "Natural Beauty Recipe Book: How to Make Your Own Organic Cosmetics and Beauty Products": Gill Farrer-Halls; September 1, 2006