Lavender bath salts are one of the easiest things you can make with your essential oils. Mix up a single bath’s worth for yourself, or make a batch and pack it into clear Christmas ornaments for a quick, pretty gift for teachers, neighbours or a stocking.
Gift tip: Tie on a small tag that says what’s inside and how much to use per bath, so nobody mistakes it for a treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Epsom salts (or equal parts Epsom salts, magnesium flakes and baking soda)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds (optional)
- For gifting: clear fillable ornaments, a small funnel and ribbon
How to make them
- In a small bowl, stir the lavender essential oil into the carrier oil.
- Put the salts in a larger bowl, drizzle in the oil mixture and stir well, breaking up any clumps so the oil is spread evenly through the salt.
- Stir in the lavender buds, if using.
- Store in a clean, dry, airtight container, or use the funnel to fill your ornaments. Cap them and tie with ribbon.
How to use
Add about half the batch (½ cup) to a warm bath and swish to dissolve before getting in. One cup makes about two baths.
Other scent ideas
Swap the lavender for any of these, keeping the total to about 10 drops per cup of salts:
- Lavender and bergamot
- Serenity and Roman chamomile
- Lemon and rosemary
- Eucalyptus and peppermint
- Citrus Bliss (5 drops), lemon (3 drops) and grapefruit (2 drops)
Safety tips
- Always dilute first. Essential oils don’t dissolve in bath water, and undiluted drops can float on the surface and irritate skin. Mixing them into a carrier oil first helps; a bath solubilizer (dispersant) works even better. Stop using if your skin becomes red or itchy.
- Watch your step. Oils and botanicals can make the tub slippery. Put lavender buds in a mesh bag so they don’t clog the drain, and wipe the tub after bathing.
- Check before you share. Use extra care with sensitive skin, children, pregnancy, asthma or other breathing sensitivities, and follow current guidance for each oil.
- Keep away from kids and pets. Store bath salts and oils out of reach. Essential oils can be hazardous to cats, so don’t use them where pets can get into the mixture.