how much bath salt to use

DIY BATH SALTS RECIPES

Learn How to Make DIY Bath Salts: A Simple Recipe for Relaxation and Gifting

Indulge in a luxurious spa experience at home with this easy DIY bath salts recipe. Whether you prefer to add your favorite essential oils or leave them out, making homemade bath salts is quick and simple. Plus, they make a thoughtful, personalized gift!

Making bath salts is incredibly simple, so much so that I skipped the step-by-step photos! All you need to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, stir well, and transfer the mixture into jars.

If you prefer to make bath salts without essential oils, just omit them from the recipe. You’ll still enjoy the soothing benefits of Epsom salt and a relaxing spa experience. Adding colorant is an easy way to make your bath salts look even more luxurious!

COLORING

When adding color to your bath salts, make sure to use only food-grade colorant. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and what you apply to it can be absorbed faster than the food you eat!

I personally recommend India Tree Colorant for its high quality. Just be sure to choose a reputable, food-grade colorant to ensure your bath salts are both safe and beautiful.

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Learn how to make DIY Bath Salts using this bath salts recipe. You can enjoy the luxury of a spa treatment at home or give it as a gift. Homemade baths salts are easy peasy! And, they can be made with the essential oils of your choice, or without essential oils.

Closeup of homemade bath salts on a wooden spoon in pink, blue and yellow.
Learning how to make bath salts is really very simple. In fact, it is so simple that I have skipped the photos showing the process. All you do is put the ingredients in a bowl, stir to mix well and put the bath salts into jars.

Making homemade bath salts without essential oils is easy – just leave them out and follow the recipe. You will still have all the benefits of Epsom salt with a relaxing spa experience. Using the colorant also adds a bit of fanciness to them.

COLORING
Be sure to use only food grad colorant. Remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body. What you put on your skin can be absorbed quicker than the food you eat!

I like to use India Tree Colorant because of its quality. Just be sure to use a good quality, food grade colorant.

CONTAINERS

I love using cute jars to store my homemade bath salts, but mason jars work just as well! You can get creative by wrapping them up or adding a ribbon around the jar for a cute, personalized touch. It’s an easy way to elevate your bath salts, whether you’re keeping them for yourself or gifting them to someone special.

TIPS

Get creative by experimenting with different essential oils and blends to make your bath salts unique! Want to add color? Soap colorants work perfectly and won’t stain your skin or tub.

These bath salts make fantastic gifts and can be placed in a variety of jars for a personalized touch. Don’t forget to add a cute printable gift tag for that extra special detail when giving them as a gift!

Here’s the ingredients you’ll want to incorporate:

EPSOM SALT

Epsom salt isn’t actually a salt—it’s magnesium sulfate, a compound that offers a variety of health benefits. It can be used as a laxative (commonly in gallbladder cleanses or to help pass kidney stones), but it’s also great for detoxifying your body and enjoying the health benefits of magnesium in your bath.

Magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, making a bath with Epsom salt a fantastic way to reap its benefits. Some of these include:

  • Stress relief
  • Detoxification
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Improved nutrient absorption

BAKING SODA

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is the same ingredient used in baking, and like Epsom salt, it helps remove toxins from your body. Some of the benefits of adding baking soda to your bath include:

  • Detoxification
  • Helping to alkalize your body
  • Softening skin
  • Leaving your skin with a silky, smooth feel

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils offer a wide range of benefits for your body, with each oil providing its own unique properties. For example:

  • Lavender is perfect before bed to help you relax and unwind.
  • Citrus oils are energizing and invigorating, helping to boost your mood and refresh your mind and body.
  • Eucalyptus is great for when you’re not feeling well or think a cold is coming on, as it helps clear your sinuses and promotes respiratory health.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to combining different essential oils to create the perfect blend for your bath!

EXTRAS

Spices like ginger and cinnamon make wonderful additions to your bath salts, adding both warmth and a pleasant scent. For extra moisturizing, you can also add oils like coconut, jojoba, almond, or argan—just 1 tablespoon is enough to enhance the nourishing benefits.

Sea salt is another great ingredient to consider. It contains about 21 minerals that naturally occur in our bodies, such as potassium, sodium, and bromides, which are depleted throughout the day. Adding ¼ cup of sea salt to your bath salts recipe helps replenish these essential minerals, detoxify, and cleanse your body.

CAN I LEAVE OUT THE BAKING SODA?

Absolutely! If you prefer not to use baking soda, feel free to leave it out. You will still have a wonderful bath salt that provides a luxurious and relaxing bath experience. Each ingredient adds its own benefits, so it’s completely customizable to suit your preferences!

RECIPE

DIY Bath Salts Recipe
Makes 12 ounces

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 5-10 drops essential oil
  • Colorant of choice (add a couple of drops and mix until the desired color is reached)
  • Optional:
  • 1 tablespoon oil of choice (coconut, jojoba, almond, argan)
  • 1-2 tablespoons dried spices (like cinnamon or ginger)
  • ¼ cup sea salt

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, stirring well to ensure the baking soda and essential oils are thoroughly mixed.
  2. Divide the mixture into jars as desired.
  3. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.

To Use:
Add ¼ to ½ cup per bath for a relaxing soak.

This bath salts recipe is not only easy to make but also makes great gifts! If you’re looking for more DIY beauty ideas, check out my Sugar Scrub, Whipped Body Butter, and Homemade Sunscreen recipes for more self-care goodness.

CONCLUSION

Making your own DIY bath salts is simple, customizable, and a great way to indulge in a luxurious spa experience at home. With a few basic ingredients like Epsom salt, baking soda, and your choice of essential oils or colorants, you can create the perfect bath soak for relaxation, detoxification, and skin benefits. Optional additions like oils, spices, and sea salt can enhance the experience further. Whether you’re using it for yourself or gifting it to someone special, homemade bath salts are a thoughtful and easy way to enjoy a spa-like treatment anytime.

HOMEMADE HERBAL BATH MELTS

These herbal bath melts are perfect for moisturizing your skin, resetting your energy, calming your mind, and opening your heart. There’s no better way to unwind and release the day’s stress than through a self-care ritual, setting a personal bath intention. With these melts, you’ll create a soothing experience that nourishes both body and soul.

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you know how much I advocate for self-care. One of my favorite ways to practice self-care is by enjoying a nourishing bath that refreshes both your skin and your spirit.

Over the years, I’ve shared various bathtime essentials, including bath salts, soaks, and bath bombs. These herbal bath melts offer a unique experience—they’re portable like bath bombs yet deliver the deep hydration of a bath soak, making them a perfect addition to your relaxation routine.

WHAT IS AN HERBAL BATH MELT?

Imagine the silky, indulgent experience of a bath soak combined with the convenience of a bath bomb. These herbal bath melts gently dissolve without fizzing, releasing essential herbs and oils for a deeply hydrating bath.

Infused with cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and skin-soothing herbs, these melts create a balanced, nourishing bath ritual that your skin will adore. As you soak, a sense of calm, renewal, and heart-opening warmth will envelop you, leaving your skin soft and replenished.

ARE BATH MELTS HARD TO MAKE?

Nope! Making herbal bath melts is actually quite simple and allows for a lot of flexibility with ingredients. All it takes is mixing your chosen ingredients, pouring them into a silicone mold, and letting them set.

The recipe I used combines clays, essential oils, organic flowers, and coconut oil. Unlike bath bombs, these herbal melts are less labor-intensive and offer more creative freedom. I love how soft and nourished my skin feels after using them!

The best part of this herbal bath melt recipe is its flexibility—you can tailor the ingredients to suit your specific herbal needs, spiritual intentions, or simply what you have on hand.

FAVORITE DIY HERBAL BATH MELT INGREDIENTS

Creating your own bath melts lets you design a bath experience perfectly suited to your needs. I often begin with Epsom salts, which offer muscle-relaxing properties and skin nourishment, much like a bath bomb.

I also love adding my favorite organic flowers like calendula and chamomile, which bring a touch of beauty and tranquility to the bath. Be sure they’re 100% organic since you’ll be soaking in them!

When choosing ingredients for your herbal bath melts, think about the self-care ritual you want to create—one that encourages focus and letting go. Each ingredient has nourishing properties for the skin, but consider those that uplift your soul as well.

HEART-OPENING HERBAL SOAK

There’s nothing quite like a warm bath to thaw your body, mind, and heart on a chilly evening. Let the cocoa butter in these herbal bath melts melt into your skin, providing deep moisture and warmth.

Rose is a beautiful, heart-opening addition to this ritual, perfect for the colder months when many of us feel more introspective. Chamomile brings a gentle, calming quality with its light floral aroma, helping you drift off to a peaceful place, while calendula offers soothing support as you release and heal from the past.

For a touch of winter magic, bright orange peel brings fresh energy to your connections, love, and dreams. And the earthy scent of cedar offers a grounding presence, helping you reconnect with your inner wisdom, grounding you as you explore and embrace your truest self.

Other ingredients added:

  • rose clay
  • french green clay
  • rhassoul clay
  • cocoa butter wafers
  • shea butter
  • essential oils
  • cedar leaf
  • calendula flowers
  • chamomile
  • dried orange peel
  • rose petals

These ingredients not only hold everything together but also provide essential nutrients to nourish your skin.

Feel free to get creative, experimenting with or mixing your favorite ingredients. Whatever herbs you choose, simply stick to the recommended ratios, and you’ll create a magical DIY bath melt every time!

HOW TO MAKE HERBAL BATH MELTS

First, weigh out the coconut oil, cocoa butter wafers, and shea butter using a digital kitchen scale.

Next, melt the ingredients in a double boiler or a makeshift double boiler (by placing a Pyrex measuring cup or bowl over a pan with an inch or two of simmering water) until the oils reach a fully melted state.

If you’re using any optional clay ingredients, divide the melted oils into separate bowls. Stir in each clay while mixing to ensure they melt smoothly. Keep in mind that different clay types will affect the color of the melts and provide additional skin benefits.

Next, pour the melted oil mixtures into silicone molds. Then, in each mold, add Epsom salts and your chosen herbal ingredients. Feel free to use flower petals, cedar leaves, dried orange peel, or any other herbs in combinations that best suit your needs.

Allow the bath melts to dry and harden in the silicone molds overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator.

Once they are completely set, gently pop the herbal bath melts out of the molds. Then, enjoy your soothing ritual of self-love, self-realization, and self-companionship!

HOW TO STORE AND USE HERBAL BATH MELTS

While you await their use, keep these lovely bath melts at room temperature, storing them in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight.

If you live in or visit a very hot climate, it’s best to store the herbal bath melts in the refrigerator. After all, no one wants a pre-melted bath melt!

Use the herbal bath melts as needed to moisturize your skin and relax your mind. Embrace the herbal benefits as you reconnect with your inner self. Just as the melts cater to your individual needs, create a ritual that feels right for you in the moment.

There’s nothing selfish about self-care. You’ll discover that as the bath melt dissolves, you’ll also melt away the day’s stressors.

Simply place a bath melt into a tub of hot water and allow it to melt, releasing the soothing herbs as you soak. Enjoy the experience!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I avoid the bath melts making a mess in the bathtub?

If you’re concerned about a mess after using the bath melt, I have a few tips for you. First, grind the flower petals using a coffee grinder, a circle silicone mold, a double boiler insert, a blender, or a food processor to minimize residue. Second, you can use a cheesecloth secured with a rubber band to strain out any leftover materials, making cleanup easier.

Regarding plumbing worries, I found that while using the bath melts, I focused on applying the oils to my skin, similar to a lotion bar. By the end of your bath, you’ll likely notice any remaining oils floating on top of the water. You can scoop these up with a cup to prevent them from going down the drain. If this method doesn’t work for you, consider leaving out the Epsom salt from the recipe and using the bath melt right after getting out of the bath!

Will the bath melts stay solid at room temperature?

Absolutely! We created and tested the bath melts recipe to ensure they stay solid at room temperature. However, we recommend storing them in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use them. Avoid sunny windows and be cautious when transporting the melts on hot days to keep them in perfect condition.

What tools will I need to make the bath melts?

I recommend using a silicone mold to shape the bath melts; I used a circular silicone mold for mine. For melting, I often set up a standard double boiler by placing a glass bowl on top of a pot filled with warm water. Alternatively, I love using a double boiler insert for easy heating and pouring. A kitchen scale is also helpful for measuring the ingredients accurately!

conclusion

In conclusion, creating your own herbal bath melts is a delightful and customizable way to enhance your self-care routine. By choosing ingredients that resonate with your needs and preferences, you can craft a soothing and nourishing bath experience that promotes relaxation, skin hydration, and inner peace. With simple steps and flexible options, you can enjoy the calming benefits of these bath melts while reconnecting with yourself. So gather your materials, let your creativity flow, and indulge in the magic of a personalized herbal bath ritual that rejuvenates both your body and mind! Enjoy every moment of your self-care journey!