Bath Salts and Bath Bombs: Easy Homemade Gifts

This is a contributed post from Andrew on DIY Bath Salts and Bath Bombs.

There’s nothing as soothing as a long hot bath…if you’re an adult. For a kid, bath time can be a sign that bedtime is right around the corner – and a cue to have a meltdown. Bath salts and bath bombs can be a great way to help kids enjoy their bath time, and as an added bonus, they make taking a bath much more enjoyable for adults, as well. And both are easy and non-hazardous to make, allowing parents and older kids (who can be trusted not to put ingredients in their mouths or eyes) to make them together for a shared family activity. Enterprising grownups can even make and sell their own bath accessories with the right marketing materials. 

Bath Salts 

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Bath salts (Google carefully!) are water-soluble minerals that are pulverized and dropped into bath water to introduce all sorts of comfort and health benefits. Bath salts usually feature chemicals to simulate the effects of hot springs or mineral baths, and they leave the skin feeling refreshed and fill the air with pleasant fragrances. Probably more for parents than kids, the right combination of ingredients can still be fun for young people. Bath salts are also very attractive in a well labeled glass bottle, and make fine decorations until they’re used.  

How to Make Bath Salts 

Ingredients (for 5 cups): 

• 3 cups plain Epsom salt 
• 1½  cups coarse sea salt  
• ½ cup baking soda 

• 20 drops essential oils of your choice  
• Optional: 2-3 tablespoons dried flowers 
• Optional: 2 tablespoons almond oil or coconut oil 

Instructions 

1. Mix all ingredients in a large glass bowl using a clean spatula  
2. Store in glass containers until use, with holes in the lid to release pressure. Can also store in plastic bags or containers that allow some airflow 
3. Keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months (3 if your salts contain oil) 
4. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 full cup into a hot bath for a wonderful and relaxing bath 

Bath Bombs 

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Bath bombs are like bath salts’ more fun sibling. A mix of wet and dry ingredients pressed together and molded into a compact shape, bath bombs can be dropped into a hot water bath, where they will disperse their essential oils, colors, moisturizers, fragrances, and more. They often fizz and pop when introduced to water, making them a fun addition for kids. Not that grownups can’t enjoy the odd fizzy chemical reaction. Some ingredients used in bath bombs can be irritants for some individuals, so be careful with limonene, linalool, and sodium lauryl sulfate in particular.  

How to Make Bath Bombs 

Ingredients (for 4 bath bombs)

• 1 cup baking soda 
• ½ cup citric acid 
• 1/2 cup epsom salt 
• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 2½  tablespoons almond oil/melted coconut oil 
• ¾ tablespoon water 
• 12-15 drops essential oil 
• Bath bomb molds (or two half-cup measuiring cups) 
• Optional (if you hate fun) – colored pigment 

Instructions 

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl 
2. Add colored pigment/s to achieve the desired look  
3. Whisk to combine 
4. Mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. 
5. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. (Doing this too fast will activate the citric acid that creates the fizzing effect)  
6. Mix until the ingredients look like wet sand 
7. Packing the mixture into each half of the mold until it’s slightly overfilled  
8. Press both halves together firmly  
9. Let sit for 1 minute 
10. Lightly tap the mold before carefully pulling it apart to remove the bath bomb  
11. Let dry for 24 hours before use 

Bathtime Fun -Rubber Ducky Not Included 

Bath bombs especially are a wonderful source of added fun to help kids enjoy their washing-up time. Different molds can create interesting shapes, and the right combination of pigments can create a swirling, planet-like effect, or a rainbow. For that extra classic touch, you can hold a bubble bar under the pouring sink to create plenty of bubbles in tandem with your bath salts or bath bomb.  

Scented Side-Hustle 

Enterprising individuals can make specialty bath salts and bath bombs for sale to friends or local stores, or on online storefronts. Beautiful bottles of bath salts and fun bath bombs are always a hit gift. Just be sure to pick attractive packaging and brand your items. Glass bottles with attractive, custom-printed labels are a great way to display bath salts, while both bath salts and bath bombs look great in made-to-order branded pouches. And it’s never a bad idea to include a few stickers in packaging pouches of bath bombs or bath salts meant for the young or the young-at-heart.