Savour a long, soothing soak with homemade bath blends
As moms, we have a lot on our plates. It can be difficult to make time for ourselves, but we still like to be pampered. A day at the spa can be too timeconsuming and hard on the pocketbook. But that doesn’t mean we can’t indulge every once in a while.
Simple, natural, inexpensive, and customized to your personal taste, try these homemade bath recipes that are sure to take you away better than Calgon ever could. As with any recipe, try it once and then adjust to suit your personal preferences.
Foaming Honey Vanilla Bath Oil
Benefits: Cleanses, calms, relieves stress, and moisturizes
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) liquid honey
• 1 tbsp. (15 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (250 ml) mineral oil
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) unscented, all-natural, liquid soap or shampoo
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Place bath oil in a small, clean bottle.
3. Before using, shake vigorously and pour ½ (125 ml)
to 1 cup (250 ml) in your bath.
Inspired by Green Blossoms
Bath Salts
Benefits: Moisturizes, detoxifies, can help reduce inflammation
Ingredients:
• 1 cup (250 ml) Epsom salt
• 1 cup (250 ml) sea salt
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) baking soda
• Essential oils or favourite scents
Directions:
1. Add essential oil drops. Start with 7-10 drops and increase as desired. Use the recommended variations (below) as inspiration.
2. Combine all ingredients.
3. Store in glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
4. Add a generous palmful to your bath.
Recommended variations:
• Calming Lavender
Essential oil of Lavender
Dried lavender flowers
• Citrus Delight
Orange Oil
Dried orange peels
• Invigorating Ginger
Grated ginger
Mint leaves
Other suggestions: Vanilla, eucalyptus, rose oil, lemon, grapefruit, chamomile, and peppermint
Inspired by Thrifty Fun
Bombtastic Bath Bombs
Ingredients:
• 1 cup (250 ml) citric acid (found in the canning section
or substitute 1/2 cup cream of tartar)
• 2 cups (500 ml) baking soda
• Essential oils (start with 20 drops and add more until
desired scent is achieved)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of almond oil or olive oil
• A spritz of water
Directions:
1. Thoroughly mix citric acid and baking soda in a metal bowl.
2. Add essential oils and extra oil. Mix immediately with your hands before the mixture starts to fizz.
3. Spray very little water onto the mixture and continue mixing. You are looking for a crumbly consistency that will just hold its shape when squeezed really hard.
4. Fill moulds tightly with mixture. Gently tap the mould to release the bath bomb.
5. Place your bombs in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight to dry. Place them on crumpled tissue paper or a bath towel to help them keep their shape.
6. They will keep for a few weeks, but will lose their fizzing power over time.
Inspired by Homemade Gifts Made Easy
*Have these homemade bath products do double duty and turn them into craft projects with your kids. If anyone asks, pampering yourself is actually making you a better mom all around.
Safety note: Make sure all essential oils are safe to use in direct contact with skin. When in doubt, test on a small area of exposed skin.
Photo: depositphotos.com © Goodluz
Photo: depositphotos.com © marilyna