How to Make Homemade Bath Salts for Gifts

Making your own bath salts is an easy DIY gift idea that even the least crafty can make.  With this simple recipe you can whip up a lovely gift they will love, or some beautifully scented salts for your own bath.  Best of all, the ingredients can be found easily in stores.  You might even have them in your kitchen or bathroom cupboard already!


There may be some (crazy!) people out there who don't enjoy taking a bath, but for most of us it's a simple but delightful part of our relaxation and self care routine.  Add a handful of bath salts and you have a scented therapeutic experience that will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to go back to the real world.

How to Personalise Homemade Bath Salts

It's so easy to vary the scent or colour of these bath salts by simple using different essential oils and food colourings.  That way you can personalise them for your friend or relative: green with eucalyptus for winter colds; lavender and purple for relaxation; rose and pink for self-indulgence; or lemon and yellow for summer.

Think about what the recipient loves for both colour and scent then you can give them their dream combination!


Scent Ideas for Homemade Bath Salts

Feel free to play around with fragrance, but if you want to combine scents be sure to smell them together to be sure that they work.  Dropping one drop of each essential oil onto a cotton wool ball is a good way to check.  Sniff immediately, then again the next day to see how the scents work together.

Lavender and orange is a refreshing and soothing combination, while lavender and geranium is relaxing and comforting.  You don't need to be into aromatherapy to do this, but if you are you can change up the scent or mix essential oils according to function or need.

N.B. Remember to be careful of essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding.


How to Colour Homemade Bath Salts

With colour you can mix a few drops of food colouring into the whole batch.  Start with just 1-2 drops and then mix for a hint of colour, adding one drop more until you get the shade you desire.  Hint: aim for pastel colours over garish brights every time!

If you are using soap colouring, the kind you find at craft stores, the colour will be less intense, so you will probably need closer 12-15 drops.

You could also split the batch into two or three quantities and dye each one a different colour.  Then you can mix together, create swirls in the jar, or a simple layered effect as here.


The Best Containers to Use for Homemade Bath Salts

If you want to make the bath salts extra special you can buy fancy bottles or jars, or simply use what you have available or can find.  Mason jars are great for this or you can pick up cute jars at crafts shops, hardware stores, dollar stores/pound shops, markets, thrift/charity shops or online.  Glass works best.

Dress them up with cute labels, wrap some twine around the neck of the jar for a rustic feel, or add a pretty gift tag with the name of the salts or a touching note for your special someone.


How to Make Your Own Home Made Bath Salts

Ingredients

2 cups (480g) unscented Epsom salts
1/2 cup (130g) baking soda
1/2 cup (130g) sea salt
10 to 25 drops essential oil/s of your choice
Food colouring or soap colouring of your choice (optional)
Dried flowers, rose petals, lavender or some fresh citrus zest (optional)
Jars or bottles with lids

Method

1. Mix the Epsom salts, baking soda and sea salt together, crushing any larger lumps.  You can do this in a mixing bowl or reusable freezer bag.


2. Add the food or soap colouring (see above) and mix in the bowl or knead in the bag thoroughly so that the colour is mixed thoroughly throughout.  Add more colour gradually if you need to but be aware that too much food colouring can cause the salts to harden over time.

3. Add your chosen essential oils and mix or knead thoroughly to distribute evenly.

4. Now you can add some extra touches such as dried flower petals, lavender or citrus zest to your salts before transferring to decorative bottles or jars.


5. Decorate and label your jars.

The photos here are for Peppermint Bath Salts but you can use any scent or colouring.  Just follow the directions at the top of this post.

Find more ideas for lovely home-made Christmas gifts here.

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