Homemade Scented Bath Salts

Homemade scented bath salts make the perfect DIY gift.

Who doesn’t love a relaxing bath with deliciously scented water? Homemade scented bath salts are easy to make and so good for your skin and muscles.

You can make them for yourself and give yourself some well-deserved me-time. Or, whip them up for a gorgeous D.I.Y gift!

jars of bath salts

Homemade Christmas Gift Idea

Is it too early to start talking about Christmas? Maybe but I’m going to do so anyway.

This year I want to make some homemade Christmas presents. We live in such a consumerism-orientated world. We have everything we need and then come Christmas we buy each other all sorts of junk that often ends up in the rubbish pile.

To do my bit to step out of this cycle of buying and throwing away, I am making my own presents and decor, edible gifts like caramel corn, fudge, or chocolate truffles, and beauty gifts like these salts. I’ve decided to write down a few and share what I am making, starting with this post on an easy DIY bath soak

⭐ What is in bath salt?

Bath salt is made up of water-soluble minerals that are dissolved in bath water to relax and soothe and cleanse. They are often made up of Epsom salt and sea salt and baking soda.

Essential oil and coconut oil can be added too.

All the ingredients for the homemade bath salts are cheap (especially when bought in bulk) and easy to source

a bowl of salt and epsom salt

✔️The benefits of bath salts

Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate and it’s a compound that has been used for centuries to help reduce inflammation, pain and stress. It dissolves easily in hot water.

The sea salt component in the bath soak brings macro and trace minerals that may be absorbed by the body as it soaks.

The baking soda helps to cleanse and soothe the skin.

Essential oils make it smell delicious while coconut oil adds moisturising benefits.

💡 Variations of homemade bath salts

Add different colours and scents to the bath salts with different essential oils and food colourings.

The colouring is added in such a small amount so it doesn’t stain the bath.

I love using flower scents such as rose and lavender in bath salts. The floral scent is lovely and relaxing and you can add dried flower petals to accompany the fragrance.

For a Christmas-inspired bath soak, you could use a peppermint scent and a pink colouring.

magnesium bath soak

📖 Step by step

  • In a bowl, combine the Epsom salts, sea salt and baking soda together and toss to combine.
  • Drip over the essential oil, and food colouring and drizzle over the coconut oil (if using.)
  • Toss the salts together until all the oil and colour is distributed evenly
  • Store the bath salts in air-tight jars.

📦 Storing

The bath salts can be stored in an airtight jar for 6 months to 24 months.

Bath soak that contains coconut oil will last less long than those without. This is because coconut oil is a raw oil that can go rancid past its due date. You will need to check the best-before date of the coconut oil to see how long it will last.

Essential oils are a bit different and they won’t go off. They can last years before losing their strength.

The bath salts may clump together after sitting a while. Break them up with a spoon as you need them.

Stop bath salts clumping – If you want to stop the bath salts from permanently clumping, you can dry them out in a low-temperature oven. Heat your oven to 80°C/175°F and spread the bath salt out on an oven tray. Bake for around 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Let the salts cool down completely before putting them into jars. If they are still warm you run the risk of bringing moisture into the jars and the bath soak can spoil.

a jar of bath salt with a spoon

❓Bath Salt FAQ

How long do homemade bath salts last

Between 6-24 months. This will depend on the use-by date of the coconut oil used. Bath salt made without coconut oil will last longer.

How do you keep homemade bath salts from clumping?

If you want to stop the bath salts from permanently clumping, you can dry them out in a low-temperature oven. See the instructions in the section above.

How to make homemade bath salts for gift-giving

Scent the bath salts with personalised scents and colour them the favourite colour of those to whom you are gifting.

How to colour homemade bath salts

Food colour is an easy way to colour bath salts. You only need a small amount and it won’t stain the bath.

What does soaking in bath salts do

Relaxes soothes and cleanses.

Happy crafting!

jars of bath salts

Homemade Scented Bath Salts

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Homemade scented bath salts make the perfect DIY gift.

Materials

  • 4 cups Epsom salts
  • 2 cups rock salt
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 10-15 drops pure essential oil of your choice
  • ½ Tbsp melted coconut oil (optional)
  • A few drops of food colouring (optional)

Tools

  • Jars with lids for storing

Instructions

    1. In a bowl, combine the Epsom salts, sea salt and baking soda together and toss to combine.
    2. Drip over the essential oil and drizzle over the coconut oil (if using.)
    3. Add in the food colour, mixing after each drop until it is your desired colour.
    4. Toss the salts together until all the oil and colour is distributed evenly
    5. Store the bath salts in airtight jars

Notes

Stop bath salts clumping

If you want to stop the bath salts from permanently clumping, you can dry them out in a low-temperature oven. Heat your oven to 80°C/175°F and spread the bath salt out on an oven tray. Bake for around 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Let the salts cool down completely before putting them into jars. If they are still warm they you run the risk of bringing moisture into the jars and the bath soak can spoil.

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5 Comments

    1. Years! After a while it may clump a little but nothing a good shake can’t fix 😊

  1. Hi Elian

    Will you be posting some more Christmas gift ideas this year?

    Regards
    Maria

  2. how does it work with the food colouring won’t it stain? i’ve made some as in starter a business soon, and so far i’m scared it’ll stain

  3. It smells amazing and have some in the oven to make into Christmas presents. They are cheap to make and the jars were on special so win win

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