Homemade Bath Salt & Room Spray

There are many reasons why I’m a maker but one of them is that I like beautiful things. Very pretty things of good quality more often than not, come along with a hefty price tag. There were times where I had to be crafty and go about getting myself things in a creative way.

This pamper set is good value for money. You can make this for a fraction of the amount you would normally spend in a high end boutique. The bath salt is super easy & quick to make. The wash cloths require a little more planning, although it’s simple to make, you’ll need to set aside a few hours. Last but not least: presentation is vital for a good gift! It does not need to be complicated or expensive to make an impact. I find that adding a floral or natural element to this gift works beautifully.

The labels have been printed on my laser printer at home. But hand written/drawn labels are equally beautiful. There are plenty of pretty label templates to be found online too. I used amber glass bottles that are a good and inexpensive solution if you’re making multiple sets, since they are most often sold in packs of 6-8. But you could easily re-use any glass container that you have sitting around the home. I safe all my glass jars and pots that land here through my grocery shopping and they are amazing for so many other uses. Lastly I LOVE scouring the homeware section at my local thrift store, where there are always amazing treasures to be found for a couple dollars or less. I could go on and on about the benefits and thrills of thrifting, but I’ll save this for another time.

Scented Bath Salt

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Epsom Salt

• 1/2 Cup Coarse Sea Salt (i.e. Pink Himalayan)

• 1/2 Cup Baking Soda

• 10-20 Drops of Essential Oils

• Optional: Dried flowers such as lavender

Utensils:

• Bowl & Spoon

• Glass Jars (about 8oz)

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients except the essential oils to the bowl. Break up any eventual baking soda lumps and mix well.

• Add about 15-20 drops of essential oil

• Add a spoonful of dried flowers if you like

Voila, you’re done! It’s so easy and quick to make. 5 mins tops! If you’re ever in a pinch and need a last minute gift with things that you most likely already have at hand (you can even replace the epsom salt with regular sea salt) this one is a guaranteed winner.

Scented Room Spray

Ingredients:

• Distilled Water (bottled spring water works too)

• 100% Distilled Witch Hazel

• ½ tsp Pure Vanilla Essence

• Approx. 20 Drops Essential Oil

Utensils:

• 4oz Spray Bottle

• Plastic Pipette/Dropper (optional)

Instuctions:

Fill the bottle halfway with distilled water, add your essential oils and vanilla essence, then fill up the rest with witch hazel. Shake. Done.

The witch hazel helps the oil blend with the water. To transfer the vanilla essence you will be best off with a pipette or a large syringe but a steady hand and smallest spoon you can find will also do.

For my spray and bath salts I’ve simply used a few drops of each of my favorite essential oils. A blend of soothing/calming (bergamot & geranium) and uplifting/invigorating (eucalyptus & grapefruit). Whilst cooking I usually tend to just follow my senses, which is what I here. For me it’s the way to go. Adding little by little, testing often until you like it.

If you’re making bath salts for yourself I strongly recommend you follow your senses. Go to a store where you can use testers and buy what feels good. I don’t believe in wrong combinations. Don’t get lost in endless lists of properties for each essence. Your body will tell you if you let it.

However if you feel you need pointers, here are a few ‘recipes’ to get you started:

Mood enhancing

• 10 drops bergamot

• 5 drops grapefruit

• 5 drops rosemary

Calming

• 10 drops cedar wood

• 5 drops bergamot

• 5 drops rose

Anxiety Reducing

• 5 drops palo santo

• 5 drops bergamot

• 5 drops geranium

• 5 drops sweet orange

Bedtime

• 10 drops lavender

• 5 drops vetiver

• 5 drops camomile

Muscle Soak

• 10 drops rosemary

• 5 drops lemon

• 5 drops peppermint

Skin cleansing

• 10 drops eucalyptus

• 5 drops peppermint

• 5 drops tea tree

More info on the ingredients, their health benefits and alternative uses in case you end up with leftovers

About Epsom Salt:

Epsom salt is not an actual salt like sodium (table salt) but a magnesium sulfate compound that has a relaxing and soothing properties. It’s a traditional remedy that has been used as a pain reliever for hundreds of years. Magnesium has a relaxing effect on our bodies because it helps our brains produce certain neurotransmitters that aid sleep and relaxation. Magnesium also helps the body effectively use glucose and lactic acid, therefore an epsom salt soak is a great ‘post workout’ treat. NB if used for pain relief (i.e. to reduce swelling) the bathwater should be kept lukewarm, not hot, since too much heat could negatively affect and aggravate inflammation. Epsom salt is readily available at your local drugstore. If you end up with excess, there are many other uses for epsom salts.

Other uses for Epsom Salt

Skin scrub: Mix epsom salt with a little coconut or almond oil and gently rub into skin, then wash off with warm water. Add a few drops of essential oil to the mix if you like.

Hair conditioner: It has been said that epsom salt can help adding volume to your hair. Simply mix equal parts of hair conditioner and epsom salt, then apply as usual.

Laxative: Great remedy for the occasional constipation. You can dissolve about 1-3 tsp in a large glass of water (min. 8oz/240ml) and should usually get results within a couple of hours.

Plant fertilizer and pest control: Sprinke around your precious lettuce heads to protect them from being eaten up by slugs. It’s a great fertilizer for your lawn as well as your peppers and tomato plants.

For more info go to Epsom Salt Council which is a great resource on all things epsom salt.

Baking Soda: Helps to calm skin rashes, softens skin and eases pain in joints and muscles. It’s an alkaline substance that helps regulate the PH levels in your body. It’s often used to calm an upset stomach by lowering the levels of acid present. It can be used for treating acne or even removes oil and buildup in your hair. But I’d only use this in a case of emergency as prolonged and improper use can cause skin dryness, scalp irritation and brittle hair.

About Essential Oils:

Essential oils have both physical and psychological health benefits. Aromatherapy seems to be working especially well for people who suffer from anxiety as the compounds stimulate the brain’s limbic system which plays a part in regulating our emotions and behaviors. Certain essential oils such as peppermint, oregano, tea tree or rosemary have proven medicinal benefits such as aiding digestion, combatting inflammation or bacterial infections.

I absolutely love essential oils and the way they help elevate my mood. As I mentioned before, if you suffer from anxiety or depression I suggest you chose whichever aroma resonates with you and makes you feel uplifted or calm. Your personal choice will likely supply your body with exactly what it needs.

Essential oils are quite costly, but they do go a long way. I recommend using the best quality you can afford. Good brands are doTERRA, Plant Therapy, Aura Cacia. You can also buy from your local health food store and Wholefoods usually has quite a good selection in store. If you’re planning to use them regularly in the home or on your body, make sure that it’s 100% pure without synthetic additives.

WARNING: Certain essential oils can be extremely toxic to pets, especially cats. ‘Natural’ doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Essential oils are made from highly concentrated plant extract. So make sure you keep your bottles locked away and wipe off any accidental spills. If you’d like to know more read this helpful article from the pet poison hotline website click here

Cotton Wash Cloth

Materials:

• Natural cotton yarn (Weight: Sport 2)

• Crochet needle 4mm/US G-6

• Scissors

• Tapestry needle

Another project that’s easy as pie, providing you have a basic knowledge of crochet. It’s a beginners project, but looks more refined than the good old simple stitch square. It will take a little time and patience, which is a benefit. I’m a big advocate for a life that’s lived slow with intention and focus rather than chasing the quick & easy. Our whole lives seem to consist of quick & easy these days and still we don’t find time or calm to really focus on anything at all. It’s a big subject on my mind and I will surely write down my thoughts about that sometime soon. Anyhow, I digress.

If you don’t have a cotton yarn or are not sure on what to buy, here’s a link to an Etsy store that I like The Knittery LT this organic cotton yarn is perfect for this project.

I’m watching a lot of youtube tutorials these days to freshen up my own stitch skills. Here’s the link to the tutorial I’ve used by Mixed Textures Crochet

That’s it. Really simple. You can make the cloth the size you like. Mine is roughly 9.5 x 9.5 inches.

Again, as with any homemade gift. Presentation is key. Fold it into a neat little parcel by folding it in half before taking the sides in ⅓ at a time. Add a little eucalyptus sprig and tie some natural twine around it. If you only made the washcloth you could always pair your item with something like a beautiful soap bar or a pouch of salt scrub. Alternatively the cloth is equally useful in the kitchen, so pair it with soap and a lovely wooden vegetable brush for example.