DIY Bath Salts

[pacificbliss]

I am making some baby shower favors and wanted to bath salts in baby bottles. The problem is bath salts are expensive and I want several colors. So, I was going to try and make them myself with Epsom salts and Sea salt. Have any of you tried this? Do you have a "recipe" you like?

[pacificbliss]

Well, I found one recipe if anyone is interested. It's 2 cups Epsom salts, 1 cup sea salt, food coloring and 1/4 tsp glycerin. You just mix it all together and voila! Obviously, I will need a few batches. I found it on a website for crafts to do with kids so I should be able to handle it :)

[Kellie]

I just wanted to share that if you have a Costco near you, you can get a GREAT deal on epsom salts there. In fact, I just bought some yesterday. 6lbs for $2.55! So much cheaper than at the drug stores.

I love your idea of the bath salts in the bottles! Too cute! I might just have to make some myself (minus the bottle :)). I just usually add 2cups to my bath water, and then add some essential oils.

[ruledbymercury]

The simplest way to make your own bath salts is to mix epsom salt with mica powder for color (you can find this in the soapmaking section of your local craft store, they come in little plastic jars) and fragrance oils. Just mix the mica and fragrance into the epsom salt until the desired color and scent is achieved. Easy!

[armadillo]

Do you find that the mica settles on the bathtub when you use it? I usually use liquid colorants when I make bath salts. Also remember that you want the fragrance to be pretty strong! You don't put a whole lot of salts in the bathtub and once it's diluted, you still want to be able to smell it. Depending on how much glycerin you use, you might need to let the salts sit out on wax paper to dry out for a few days. Otherwise they can get clumpy. Oh, and glycerin and fragrance might not mix! Glycerin is water based, some fragrances are oil based. Not a big deal though, just something to look out for.

[ruledbymercury]

*shrug* I just posted the way I was taught in the bath & body products class I took. We used the mica powder.

[armadillo]

*shrug* I just posted the way I was taught in the bath & body products class I took. We used the mica powder.

Have you used the salts in a bath though? Just curious, because I thought the mica might settle on the tub and lead to more cleaning. But if it all washes down the drain, I'm gonna start using micas too! I like them because they're sparkly!

[pacificbliss]

Thanks for all the good ideas. I forgot one thing in the recipe I listed and that's the essential oil. I gave it a try last night with lavender oil and the salts turned out very well. They look great in the baby bottles and felt good in the bath. They smelled like lavender even though I only used a few drops and the food coloring and glycerin blended well. It took some stirring but was pretty easy and fun.

I think I'd like to try the mica powder too because it seems like you could get more colors and some really fun ones.

[marchfamily]

Here's the "recipe" I have used. I did tangerine (orange) and grapefruit (yellow) bath salts. One time I filled pretty bottles and tied with raffia. The other time I used the clear, cellophane bags and tied with ribbon.

Bath Salt Ingredients:
This recipe makes enough for about 5 or 6 baths.
• 1 cup of coarse salt or Dead Sea Salts
• 1 cup of Epsom salts
• 20 - 25 drops of fragrance oil if desired
• OR 20-25 drops of essential oils depending upon particular oils used, you may use more or less.
• 10-15 drops of edible liquid food colouring
To Make:
Place the salts into a large bowl. Mix well. Scoop out about 1/2 cup or so and place into small bowl. Sprinkle your fragrance or essential oils over the top of this mixture and stir well. Begin adding your food colouring a drop at a time until you are pleased with the colour. Remember it will lighten somewhat when added back into the main bowl. When your are satisifed with the colour, add this back into the main bowl and thoroughly mix. Store your salts in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
To Use:
This is totally dependent upon the size of your tub and your own personal preferences. Just scoop out a portion of the bath salts and dissolve under running bath water. Hop in, lay back and enjoy the soothing, relaxing and healing qualities of the bath salts you made yourself.

[Shakua]

Great idea ladies, I always wanted to learn how to make my own Bath Salt!
Thanks ladies!