how to keep a bath warm

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.

HOW TO KEEP FLIES AWAY FROM YOUR PATIO

As the weather warms up, your patio becomes the perfect spot for outdoor gatherings and grilling with family and friends. However, there’s one pesky problem that can ruin the fun—flies. They buzz around your face and land on your food, constantly interrupting your enjoyment. Don’t let these unwelcome guests spoil your outdoor experience! Here’s how to get rid of flies on the patio and keep your space pest-free.

Why Are There So Many Flies Outside My House?

Flies are most active from spring through fall, with their peak season during the summer months. Female flies can lay over 100 eggs after mating, and if the weather is warm enough, those eggs hatch into larvae in less than 8 hours. Adult flies can live for up to 3 months, so if you’re dealing with a fly problem, it’s important to address the source of the issue.

To effectively get rid of flies, start by identifying and removing the breeding grounds that are attracting them. Flies are particularly drawn to garbage and organic waste, where they lay their eggs. When they land on these areas, they can spread contamination to other surfaces. By eliminating the sources of attraction both indoors and outdoors, you’ll be taking the first step toward a fly-free home and patio.

Why Is It Important To Get Rid Of Flies?

Flies are not only annoying, but they’re also carriers of harmful bacteria and diseases. These restless insects move from one place to another, landing on surfaces like walls, your skin, pet waste, and trash, increasing the risk of spreading infection. Flies are known to transmit serious illnesses such as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and conjunctivitis. They can also carry dangerous pathogens like salmonella, anthrax, and tuberculosis, and even the eggs of parasitic worms.

If you’re ready to tackle your fly problem, it’s time to explore how to effectively get rid of flies and keep your home safe and clean.

How To Get Rid Of Flies

Flies are not only annoying, but they’re also carriers of harmful bacteria and diseases. These restless insects move from one place to another, landing on surfaces like walls, your skin, pet waste, and trash, increasing the risk of spreading infection. Flies are known to transmit serious illnesses such as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and conjunctivitis. They can also carry dangerous pathogens like salmonella, anthrax, and tuberculosis, and even the eggs of parasitic worms.

If you’re ready to tackle your fly problem, it’s time to explore how to effectively get rid of flies and keep your home safe and clean.

HOW DO YOU GET RID OF FLIES OUTSIDE?

You can easily get rid of flies outside with these six simple steps:

  • Use an Oscillating Fan: Set up a fan on an extension cord on your patio. Flies struggle to fly in strong wind, so the breeze will keep them away from your space.
  • Make Natural Fly Traps: Dissolve 1/4 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water in a jar for each trap. Roll a piece of paper into a cone and tape it inside the jar, ensuring the narrow end is just above the liquid. The funnel will attract flies into the jar, where they’ll get trapped.
  • Light Citronella Candles: Citronella, an oil extracted from lemongrass, is a natural fly and mosquito repellent. Light several citronella candles around your patio to keep flies at bay with the strong, aromatic scent.
  • Swat the Flies: If you want an immediate solution, grab a fly swatter. For extra efficiency, use an electric fly swatter that zaps the flies with a loud zap, taking care of your pesky problem fast.
  • Hang Vodka Bags: Flies are repelled by the smell of vodka. Fill small plastic bags halfway with cheap vodka, zip them almost closed, and hang them around your yard with twine and clothespins. The odor will drive the flies away.
  • DIY Fly Strips: Create your own fly strips by cutting cloth into 12-inch long strips and moistening them with a few drops of essential oils like clove, lavender, citronella, or eucalyptus. Hang the strips around your patio to naturally repel flies with their strong scents.

By using these methods, you can keep flies away and enjoy your outdoor space in peace!

What Smells Do Flies Hate?

For some reason, flies hate the smell of certain products, which makes them ideal for use in homemade fly repellents.

Here are several natural remedies to get rid of flies, along with their pros and cons:

  1. Vodka and Essential Oils
  • How to use: Mix 1 cup of vodka, 2 teaspoons of aloe vera juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon eucalyptus oil, and ½ teaspoon of an essential oil blend in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on infested areas.
  • Pros: No chemicals, easy to use, effective.
  • Cons: May cause skin irritation for those with sensitive skin.

2. Lemongrass Oil

  • How to use: Combine 20-25 drops of lemongrass oil with ½ cup of hot water in a spray bottle. Spray on doorways, windows, and other areas to repel flies.
  • Pros: Natural, fresh-smelling, non-toxic.
  • Cons: Essential oils can be expensive.

3. Cloves and Citrus

  • How to use: Insert 6-12 cloves into halved lemons or apples and use as a centerpiece during meals. Alternatively, use clove oil.
  • Pros: Chemical-free, doubles as an attractive decoration.
  • Cons: Effective mainly against houseflies.

4. Vinegar and Witch Hazel

  • How to use: Mix ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup witch hazel, and 30-60 drops of eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on fly-prone areas.
  • Pros: Natural, works well as a repellent, can be used as body lotion.
  • Cons: Only effective against houseflies, may irritate eyes.

5. Fly-Repelling Herbs

  • How to use: Grow basil, elder, lavender, tansy, wormwood, rue, and mint in pots near doorways to repel flies.
  • Pros: Effective, purifies the air, adds a pleasant aroma.
  • Cons: Some herbs may not thrive depending on environmental conditions.

6. Citronella

  • How to use: Light citronella candles or use camphor to repel flies with their smoke.
  • Pros: No chemicals, works on all types of flies.
  • Cons: Smoke can aggravate respiratory conditions.

7. Malt Vinegar

  • How to use: Heat malt vinegar in a pot until it starts to boil, then place it in fly-infested areas. The scent will repel flies.
  • Pros: Natural, effective.
  • Cons: May be difficult to control the scent in large areas.

Each of these methods provides a natural and chemical-free way to get rid of flies, though some may be more suited for specific environments or types of flies.

HOW TO KEEP FLIES AWAY

To not only get rid of flies but also prevent them from re-entering your home, try these smart strategies:

  1. Keep Things Clean: Flies are attracted to open trash cans, uncovered compost bins, and dog waste. Clean up food scraps immediately after outdoor gatherings, secure trash cans with tight lids, and dispose of dog droppings promptly.
  2. Embrace Spiders: Unless a spider’s web is in your way, leave them be. Spiders are natural predators of flies and will gladly help keep their numbers in check by snaring any flies they can catch.
  3. Plant Fly-Repelling Herbs: Use plants like basil, lavender, and mint both inside and around your home to naturally repel flies. These herbs can also add a lovely aroma to your patio and barbecue areas.
  4. Watch for Water: Flies need water to survive and are attracted to stagnant puddles, birdbaths, and areas with moisture from dripping sprinklers. Eliminate these water sources to reduce fly attraction.
  5. Clean Fruit Bird Feeders: Fruit bird feeders are often a magnet for flies. Once your feathered friends are done eating, remove any leftover rinds or scraps to prevent flies from gathering around the feeders.
  6. Mow Your Lawn Regularly: Flies like to lay eggs in long grass, which provides moisture and shelter. Mowing your lawn regularly, especially in the summer, will help eliminate potential breeding grounds for flies.

By maintaining a clean environment and using natural deterrents, you can keep flies from making a return and ensure your outdoor spaces remain fly-free.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, getting rid of flies on your patio and preventing their return involves a combination of cleanliness, natural repellents, and smart strategies. By keeping your outdoor spaces tidy, eliminating food and water sources, and using natural fly-repelling herbs and remedies, you can discourage these pests from invading your home and yard. Whether through the power of citronella, the help of spiders, or regular lawn care, you can create an environment that flies will want to avoid. With these simple and effective techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space without the nuisance of flies.