Handmade Bath Bombs and Scented Bath Salts
Making bath bombs and bath salts at home can be an inexpensive and fun way to make gifts for family and friends or to pamper yourself. The following recipes for homemade bath bombs and bath salts are organic and easy to follow.
Bath Bombs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of bicarbonate soda (baking soda)
- ¾ cups of powdered citric acid
- 2 teaspoons herbal tea leaves, eg. Rosehip
- Essential oil, eg. Lavender or rose
- Food colouring in a color that compliments the essential oil chosen, eg. Pink
- Sweet almond oil
Method
- Lightly coat a muffin tray with sweet almond oil.
- In a medium bowl sift the bicarbonate soda with the citric acid then place half a cup of this mixture in a new bowl adding a pinch of the tea leaves.
- Combine ½ teaspoon of sweet almond oil with approximately 10 drops of food coloring or enough to get the desired colour, and 6 drops of essential oil. Then pour this mixture in with the ½ cup of dry ingredients. Stir quickly with a wooden spoon to avoid fizzing.
- Wearing gloves, combine the mixture thoroughly until the ingredients hold together then fill the muffin tray moulds with the mixture.
- Again combine ½ teaspoon sweet almond oil, 10 drops of food colouring and 6 drops of essential oil in a bowl. Add ½ a cup of bicarbonate and citric acid mixture and mix well. Combine using hands then transfer to the muffin tray moulds. Repeat this step 1-2 times until the mixture runs out.
- Leave bath bombs overnight to set then gently tap the muffin tray to release the bath bombs. Store in an airtight container or wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon or raffia.
Scented Bath Salts
Aromatherapy bath salts are ideal for soaking in and are easy to make.
Ingredients
- 450 grams of Epsom salt
- 450 grams of rock salt or sea salt
- Essential oil, eg Rose, patchouli
- Food colouring to compliment essential oil used
- 50 grams bicarbonate soda
- 25 grams dried flower petals, eg Rose petals
Method
- Place the Epsom salt and the rock salt in a bowl and add 12 drops of essential oil and 4-5 drops of food colouring until desired colour is reached. If using a combination of essential oils, divide the number of drops evenly. Anything more than 12-14 drops will be overkill and result in too strong a smell.
- Combine well and leave overnight to allow salt crystals to absorb the essential oils.
- Sift the bicarbonate soda then add the dried flower petals and mix well.
- Place the bath salts into an airtight container. Wrap jars in cellophane and tie with raffia or ribbon.
Homemade bath bombs and bath salts make a great addition to any pamper basket. By choosing relaxing essential oils these products turn a bath into an indulgence, soothing tired muscles and relaxing the mind.
