The gift of relaxation is one that everyone can enjoy, especially during the busy holiday season. This guest post is written by Jessica Welling and features homemade bath salts for the Handmade Holiday Gift Week series.
Hello! I’m Jess from jessicawellinginteriors.com, and I’m thrilled to be part of Keri’s Handmade Holiday Gift Week this year! After you make some homemade bath salts with me, I’d love for you to head on over to my blog for more simple and family-friendly home décor ideas!
I like to make natural bath and body products with my little girls this time of year. And the easiest project of all is homemade bath salts. It’s an inexpensive but luxurious gift for teachers, friends, co-workers, grandmas, etc. And it’s so easy to make these into pretty Christmas gifts too!
Now things can get a little messy when the kids are involved… but that’s just part of the fun, right? I recommend waiting to clean your floors until AFTER this project! E is helping me out today, so you may see her little hands in some of the photos.
I love this bath salt recipe because it’s so versatile. It’s okay if your measurements aren’t spot-on, and you can add extra ingredients if you like.
How to make bath salts with essential oils
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups Epsom salt (Be sure it’s not already scented)
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1-2 drops food coloring (optional)
- 1 squeeze of vitamin E oil (or coconut oil, jojoba, whatever you like)
- 20-30 drops essential oils (Here are a few of my favorite combos.)
- 20 drops peppermint (don’t overdo this one or your bath will tingle)
- 12 drops peppermint & 8 drops eucalyptus (this one is great if you have a cold)
- 20-30 drops lavender
- 15 drops lavender & 15 drops vanilla extract or essential oil (smells sooooo good!)
- 10 drops peppermint & 10 drops orange
- Glass containers with lids (I like to use ones with sealing lids to keep the salts from clumping in humid bathrooms.) I picked these up at Hobby Lobby. They have a whole aisle of glass jars and they should be on sale this time of year.
- Scoops (optional) I’m loving THESE inexpensive wood scoops!
- Chalkboard labels or other labels & paint pens. I love THESE chalkboard labels and use them for everything in my house!
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or wire whisk
Instructions:
Add the Epsom salt and baking soda to the mixing bowl and stir.
Add the vitamin E oil and essential oils. I like my scents on the strong side since they’ll be diluted in the bath.
Add a drop of two of food coloring if you like. This is totally optional, but the kids especially like to add colors.
Stir well and fill jars, being sure not to pack it in like brown sugar (it’s really hard to get it out if you do- just trust me on this one! I’ve been there done that and I have a jar with a brick of bath salt inside it sitting next to my tub to prove it!)
Finally, label your jars. If you’re using chalkboard sticker labels, I recommend writing on them with a paint pen so it won’t rub off.
That was so easy, right???
I wish you could smell this stuff!
Okay, now it’s time to wrap these up for Christmas. I think these jars are so pretty they can almost stand alone- all they really need is a bow, and maybe a gift tag!
I hope you made some extra bath salts for yourself! Now get that tub filling, grab a good book (Keri’s got a great list HERE if you need ideas) and maybe some chocolate, and relax your holiday crazy away!
Jessica Welling is an interior designer, blogger, and stay-at-home mama. She loves to help families create beautiful, functional homes they love. Check out her blog, jessicawellinginteriors.com, and Instagram for more home décor and organization ideas!
Leave a Reply