Learn how to make 3 kinds of DIY bath salts with essential oils. These recipes can be made in large batches and packaged in small containers, making them ideal for use as gifts or party favors. Choose between 3 easy varieties of floral bath salts — relaxing eucalyptus rose, uplifting calendula citrus with safflowers, or soothing lavender. Each scent variety boasts the addition of dried flower petals, which takes these simple homemade bath salts to the next level of luxury.
For me, there’s nothing more relaxing at the end of a long or stressful day than a warm, soothing bath soak complete with magnesium-boosting bath salts, and the aromatherapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Luckily, homemade bath salts with essential oils are not only very easy to make, they’re a luxurious addition to your self-care routine. Because bathing in salt water has an abundance of benefits. More on that below!
Plus, they’re also inexpensive to make. Often those pretty bottles of floral bath salts you find in stores, which retail for $10-15 a pop, can be made at a fraction of the price right in your own kitchen!
They’re also wonderful for simple, yet economical gift giving, especially if you add an aromatic sprinkle of beautiful dried flowers to your recipes. So, whether you use these bath salts for yourself or for a special someone, you’ll be able to whip up these recipes in record time.
The benefits of bath salts
Besides promoting relaxation and tranquility, homemade bath salts have a plethora of other benefits due in part to the addition of magnesium-rich Epsom salts.
Epsom salts, otherwise known as magnesium sulfate, are absorbed transdermally through the skin during bathing.
Since magnesium is important in many bodily functions, its deficiency can lead to issues such as fatigue, hormonal imbalances, high cholesterol, anxiety, and muscle cramps.
And, if you suffer from migraine headaches, magnesium deficiency can make migraines worse so more frequent bathing in bath salts may offer some relief.
Benefits of bath salts include:
- Promoting more restful sleep
- Relieving stress and tension
- Improving circulation
- Helping to ease headaches or migraines
- Improving mood and reducing feelings of anxiety or overwhelm
- Easing tired, achy muscles
- Lowering the inflammation caused by minor injuries or arthritis
If you want to use these bath salts to supplement your daily dose of magnesium, it’s important to use the correct amount of Epsom for your body weight.
You’ll find a handy Epsom salt dosing chart in this post for chocolate rose tub tea.
I often purchase Epsom salts in large resealable bags, because I’ve found this more cost efficient in the long run. If you want to substitute another salt, such as dead sea salt or pink himalayan salt, you can.
Ingredients for homemade bath salts
- Epsom salts – for your daily dose of magnesium
- Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate – softens the water and soothes dry or irritated skin
- Essential oils – add aromatherapeutic benefits to bath salts
- Natrasorb Bath – helps emulsify and distribute the essential oils in bathwater safely
- Dried flowers or herbs – for beauty and aromatherapeutic benefits
- Milk powder – contains lactic acid, a natural humectant that helps to hydrate and soften the skin
How to customize your bath salt recipes
Homemade bath salts are easy to personalize. Experiment with a variety of mix-ins including: natural colorants, essential oils and dried flowers or herbs. I used rose petals, calendula, safflower and eucalyptus leaves in these recipes.
But other flower recommendations include jasmine flowers, dried hibiscus or blue cornflowers. I also like to add powdered milk to bath salts for added moisture. Try powdered coconut milk for a vegan alternative.
Or you can add another humectant such as powdered honey to your bath salts, as well.
For even more moisture, you can even add a dollop of melted coconut oil or another low PUFA carrier oil to your bath water, especially if you find salt baths too drying.
But the spoonful of dried milk powder or coconut milk powder in these recipes will also help reduce the drying effect of the salts.
To add aromatherapy, use the essential oil blends provided below which naturally fragrance your bath salts. You can also make your own blend, but remember to use essential oils that are skin safe, and don’t overdo the quantity. You want to stick to a 1 percent dilution.
Essential oil blends for homemade bath salts
I created 3 varieties of simple essential oil blends for these bath salts. But again, you can customize your oils (and botanicals) to suit your personal preferences or needs.
However, if you have very sensitive skin, you might want to skip the essential oils. Or do a patch test to be on the safe side.
Lavender Bath Salts
This bath salt recipe with lavender is ideal for inducing sleep, and reducing feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.
Lavender essential oil is well-known to promote relaxation, which is why it’s often used as a natural sleep or insomnia remedy. I think the vanilla oleoresin compliments the lavender oil wonderfully, and gives this blend some warmth and sweetness.
You can also add a sprinkle of dried lavender to lend a stronger aroma to this variation.
Essential oils for this lavender blend:
- 15-20 drops lavender essential oil
- 5-10 drops vanilla oleoresin which adds a warm, sweet note
Eucalyptus Rose Bath Salts
This variation of bath salts with rose petals, not only looks beautiful, but if you have a cold, the eucalyptus essential oil in this blend can help you feel better.
Eucalyptus oil possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and acts as a natural decongestant, which can lessen cold symptoms by helping you breathe easier. You can also add a few dried eucalyptus leaves, along with the rose petals.
Since rose oil’s fragrance is very soothing, I think its floral scent helps balance eucalyptus oil’s camphorous quality.
Essential oils for this rose blend:
- 10 drops rose essential oil
- 12 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Citrus, Safflower and Calendula Bath Salts
This bright variety of bath salts is infused with calendula and safflower petals. It has a tangy citrus scent and bold colors which invigorate the senses!
Sweet orange and tangerine essential oils both have a sweet, energizing scent that I find very uplifting.
Calendula, a healing herb often found in pain-relief salves, has both soothing and antioxidant properties. Its rich yellow color is due to the high carotenoid and flavonoid content of its petals.
Essential oils for this citrus blend:
- 10 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops tangerine essential oil
How to make bath salts
To make homemade bath salts, combine Epsom salts and baking soda in a large glass mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine Natrasorb Bath with your preferred essential oils.
Then, combine the contents of both bowls. Mix the entire mixture together well.
Finally, you can add sprinkle of dried flowers or herbs before stirring the mixture once again. The finished bath salts should then be stored in glass jars with an airtight lid.
How to store and package homemade bath salts
If making these bath salt recipes for gifting, or to use as party or wedding favors, there are a variety of creative and eco-friendly packaging choices to choose from.
Whichever packaging you use, just be sure it has an air tight lid to protect your bath salts.
If you like the trio of tiny 4 oz jars shown in the photos, you can purchase them at IKEA. Since they’re so small, these would be ideal if you’re using the bath salts as shower or wedding favors.
(The photos can be deceiving as the jars are smaller than they appear which is why they’re ideal for use as favors).
If those jars are no longer available then any small jar or even a repurposed jam jar will work as well. You can also use bath salt tubes (also called bath shots) such as the glass bath vials pictured in our pumpkin spice latte bath soak or our green tea bath. Or, go for a more rustic look by using mason jars with screw top lids to store your bath salts.
If you’re gifting your bath salts or using them as favors, style them with jute twine or raffia ribbon, complete with a pretty gift tag.
Remember to store the salts in a dark drawer, pantry or cupboard away from heat, sunlight and high humidity.
DIY Bath Salts for Gifts, Party Favours & More
Learn how to make 3 kinds of floral DIY bath salts. These easy bath salts are perfect for using as party favours, or as a thoughtful gift of relaxation and pampering for the bath lover in your life.
Materials
Simple Bath Salts
- 1 3/4 - 2 cups Epsom salts
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup Natrasorb Bath
- 1/4 cup milk powder or coconut milk powder (optional)
- 15 - 25 drops of essential oils (blends below)
Rose Eucalyptus Bath Salts
- 10 drops rose essential oil
- 12 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1/4 cup dried rose petals (pink or red)
- A few pieces of dried eucalyptus
Lavender Bath Salts
- 15 - 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 - 10 drops vanilla oleoresin
- 1/4 cup dried lavender buds
Calendula Citrus Bath Salts with Safflowers
- 10 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops tangerine essential oil
- 1/4 cup calendula flowers and safflowers petals
Tools
- Small jars, such as this tiny jar set or the 4oz IKEA KORKEN jars
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine Epsom salt and baking soda. Use a large wooden spoon to mix well. The optional milk powder or coconut milk powder can also be added during this step.
- In a separate bowl, combine Natrasorb Bath with your preferred essential oils and mix thoroughly until absorbed.
- Then, combine both mixtures together and again mix thoroughly. You can also don a pair of latex gloves and combine the mixture by hand.
- Next, add the dried flowers, or herbs such as eucalyptus leaves, and stir once again.
- Alternatively, if you don't want to take the time to scoop flower petals out of your tub, you can also opt to place a smaller amount of dried flowers on top of your salts. This will help keep your tub cleaner and avoid drain issues.
- Finally, scoop the entire mixture into airtight glass jars. You can also use a funnel to transfer your salts to your preferred containers. Make sure that your containers have air tight lids and store the jars or tubes in a cool, dark cupboard until you’re ready to use the salts.
Notes
Yield: The recipe should yield approximately 3 small jars with about 3/4 cup of bath salts in each jar. For larger quantities, you will want to multiply the recipe by 3 times the amount of jars you want in total. For example for 30 jars of bath salts, multiple the recipe by 10.
Shelf Life: If stored correctly, your bath salts should last approximately 3-6 months.
Tip: If you want to make each variety, divide your mixture into 3 equal portions before adding the flowers and essential oils.
Warning: Exercise caution when getting in or out of the tub as bath salts can make surfaces slippery. If you have any health conditions, please consult with your healthcare provider before using this recipe.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More DIY bath soak recipes
If you’re looking for more natural homemade bath salts with essential oils, you might also like:
- Himalayan Salt Bath Recipe
- Green Tea Bath Salts
- Milk and Honey Bath Soak Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Bath Soak
- DIY Pink Lemonade Tub Tea
- DIY Chocolate & Roses Tub Tea
For even more natural DIY bath and body ideas, follow us on Pinterest! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Daryl V. Smith
Sunday 26th of December 2021
Do you suppose to use the entire jar of bath salt for one bath? I’m making for my wife and her closest friends. Thanks 😊
Kim
Sunday 26th of December 2021
We love that you're making our bath salts for your wife and her friends! The recipe should make 3 small jars and yes, each jar is for one bath but I'd use the larger amount of Epsom salts as the recipe gives a rough estimate of 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Epsom salts. But you can even make the entire recipe for one person per bath if you want to reap the benefits of magnesium from the Epsom salts. For those approximately 100-150 lbs, you can use about 1 1/2 cups Epsom salts per bath. For those 150-200 lbs, you can use 2 cups per bath. Hope that helps!
Bobbi
Wednesday 2nd of December 2020
What size jars do you use or recommend for this?
Kim
Wednesday 2nd of December 2020
Hi Bobbi, the jars shown in the photos are from IKEA and they're 4 oz jars. But you can use any size and adjust your ingredients accordingly. Hope that helps!
Celine
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
These bath salts sound amazing! So relaxing!
Kim
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
Thank you, Celine!
Irena
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
These bath salt recipes are most lovely and I'm so impressed with your beautiful photography!
Kim
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
Awww...thanks so much, Irena!
Michelle
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
Bath salts make great gifts. I bet the lavender smells amazing! Very relaxing.