Learn how to make DIY bath salts with your favorite essential oils and baking soda! Decorate the container and add a scoop for a unique gift.
Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to be here today sharing a fun, easy and completely customizable gift idea for the holidays – DIY bath salts!
I had no idea how easy these would be to put together, and I love how you can change out the scents, and even add some coloring, to make this recipe completely your own.
Think of the endless possibilities for recipients: neighbors, mailmen or women, teachers, co-workers, Mother’s Day . . . it’s really awesome how much you can make and for such a small price.
Homemade Bath Salts
You can buy a lot of the supplies for your salts at Dollar Tree. Talk about gift ideas on a budget! Before we get started, I wanted to answer a few frequently asked questions about this project. If you’re not interested, scroll to the bottom for the how-to. Otherwise, I hope these help!
How do you keep bath salts from clumping?
If they are used in a reasonable amount of time, I find the clumping is avoided. But here’s an option for you: baking. Bake at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. It will help reduce clumping of the salts.
How do you make foam bath salts?
If you want to turn these into foaming salts, you’ll need to add the following:
- 1/4 cup Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 2 T arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
Mix these together with the dry ingredients. You can still add the essential oils – with dry ingredients you might want to add some additional drops.
Ready to get started? Here’s the recipe!
Gather These Supplies
- 2 cups epsom salt
- 3 Tbsp. baking soda
- Essential oils (approximately 35 drops)
- Clear containers like mason jars (this recipe fills three small jars)
- Embellishments for packaging – scrapbook paper, baker’s twine, wood spoons, washi tape, stamps
Step 1: Add the epsom salt and baking soda to a large bowl, mixing well.
Step 2: Add in your essential oils. I chose Wild Orange (20 drops) and Peppermint (15 drops). Mix well. If you are adding coloring, this would be the time to add them into the mixture. Stir thoroughly until completely combined.
Step 3: Spoon the mixture into the containers (see how easy that was?!) and embellish to your heart’s content. I used a bit of washi tape and stamps to decorate wooden spoons, and mod podged a piece of marbled paper to the top of each lid.
Tie with a piece of baker’s twine and you’re done! You have the perfect gift for friends, teachers, and even yourself (I won’t tell!). Maybe make a double batch?
Get the printable how to card for this gift below:
DIY Bath Salts
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring cup(s)
Materials
- 2 C epsom salt
- 3 T baking soda
- 35 drops Essential oil(s) your favorite scent
- Clear containers like mason jars this recipe fills 3 small jars
- Embellishments for packaging scrapbook paper, baker’s twine, wood spoons, washi tape, stamps
Instructions
- Add your epsom salt and baking soda to a bowl; mix well.
- Add in essential oils. I used Wild Orange (20 drops) and Peppermint (15 drops). Mix well. If adding coloring, this would be the time to add them into your mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into the containers and embellish to your heart’s content.
- Tie with a piece of bakers twine, and the gifts are done.
Video
Notes
Perfect for Mother’s Day, Christmas, and beyond! Do you need a similar gift idea? Check out these DIY Lush inspired bath bombs or this cinnamon sugar hand scrub recipe:
Samira Gomez Paredes
Friday 6th of May 2022
5
Jannike
Saturday 10th of November 2018
How much do you add to the bath?
Amy
Tuesday 13th of November 2018
Between 2 - 5 tablespoons - I'd start with 2 - 3 and see if you like it, then you can add more!
Candie
Sunday 29th of January 2017
Love this recipe...great for teacher gifts!
Sara
Thursday 5th of January 2017
What size (in ounces) are the jars you used?
Joyce
Friday 21st of October 2016
If adding color... what kind? Brand name? Is it safe for your body.
Amy
Saturday 22nd of October 2016
Hi Joyce! If you want to add color, I recommend something like this: https://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/soap-cosmetic-colorants/dye-lake-neon.aspx