Top Ten Tips for Making Bath Bombs

1.      Select your Citric Acid carefully; Super fine granules are best. Powder is too volatile, whilst coarse granules have a lumpy appearance and may "bobble" as your bath bombs dry out.

2.      Be fussy about your Bicarb! Fine food grade Sodium Bicarbonate is best. Technical grade may contain unwanted impurities and granular varieties will result in a coarse looking bath bomb.

3.      Want smooth bath bombs? Cornflour helps control the fizzing reaction between the ingredients as you are mixing.

4.      Dry Ingredients = food grade. Some of the ingredients such as Bicarb, Citric & Cornflour can be sourced in food stores.

5.      Wet ingredients = cosmetic grade. Essential oils should be pure or blended with base oils.

6.      Don't use water. Using water to bind your mix causes fizzing & expansion in the mixing process. Vegetable Base Oils work well. Witch Hazel speeds the drying time so that your bath bombs can be safely handled from their moulds within minutes.

7.      Spray your "wet" ingredients onto the mix. If using Witch Hazel to bind, always spritz from a fine mist "finger" spray.

8.      Wear gloves and mix with your hands. You will learn to detect the correct consistency for making the perfect bath bombs, but believe me you will get there faster by using your hands as opposed to a spoon. Simply spray with one hand whilst mixing with the other.

9.      Ensure your moulds are dry. Wet moulds = stuck & stranded creations!

10.  Avoid steamy kitchens! Set your creations aside to dry in a damp free atmosphere. 

Aromatherapy Bath Bombs Recipe

I love bath bombs. Children find bath bombs fascinating and fun to plunk into the tub. Not all commercial-made bath bombs are all-natural, but you can make virtually all-natural bath bombs at home that fizz amazingly well. Making them yourself will also save you at least half the price of what equivalent bath bombs cost from artisans and bath bomb specialty stores.

Citric acid is naturally found in citrus and other fruits. Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, is a alkali that reacts wonderfully with citric acid in bath bombs. Pearlescent micas contain naturally forming mica powder colorized with minerals like iron oxides and titanium dioxide.

Aromatherapy bath bomb recipe:

·         1 cup Baking Soda.

·         1/2 cup Citric Acid.

·         1/4 tsp. Powdered Herbs or 1/8 tsp. Pearlescent Mica for color and visual appeal.

·         15 drops Essential Oil.

·         1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Carrier Oil, preferably use a more stable oil like Jojoba since this recipe contains no preservatives.

·         Hydrosol.

Directions:

1.      In a large, clean mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients.

2.      Add your essential oil, drop by drop and stir into the dry ingredients.

3.      Slowly add your carrier/vegetable oil while mixing the ingredients with your hand.

4.      Slowly add your hydrosol to the mixture while simultaneously blending it with your hands.

5.      It does not take much liquid to dampen the mixture to the degree that you need to form bath bombs.

6.      Press the mixture into molds.

Drop one of the bombs into your bath for an aromatic and fizzy bath. Keep your bath bombs in an air tight container.

Amazing Uses for Epsom Salt

Comprised of the minerals magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammation remedy that can be used to treat dry skin, sore muscles, small wounds and even to fight illness.

Bath Salt & Bathing FAQ

I've started taking baths more often, but a friend told me that when you soak, you're "bathing" in your own dirt. Is this true?

When you add high-quality bath salts, toxins are pulled out and drawn from your pores.

Bathing is a "fountain of youth". Why wouldn't taking a shower have the same effect?

Showers tend to be rushed and you're not in a "relaxed" position when you take a shower - you're standing. Bathing actually effects the elasticity and overall health of your skin - bathing in bath salts has been shown, over time, to diminish the appearance of fine lines and even cellulite. Besides the numerous cosmetic benefits, bathing greatly lowers your stress level.

Is it safe to take sea salt baths everyday?

Yes, taking sea salt baths everyday is actually beneficial to you. 10-20 minutes is enough each day to maintain soft & beautiful vibrant skin.

Do I have to bathe with bath salts, or can I just use bath and shower gel?

Bath and shower gels can be nice - they smell good and can soften your skin. Bath salts, however, are a must if you want a truly therapeutic bath. Raw bath salts can be combined with scents, essential oils, and herbs - and they contain a vast array of minerals and nutrients.

How do I know which type of bath salt is right for me, and is one better than the other?

Natural, high-quality bath salts are the best choice regardless of where they come from. Bath salts from both the Pacific Ocean and the Dead Sea are filled with minerals and nutrients. Pacific Bath salts carry elements from the sea off the coast of California and are wonderful for your skin. Dead Sea salts are harvested from the ancient waters of the Dead Sea, packed with a high mineral content and with therapeutic benefits that have been enjoyed for centuries.

Is there such a thing as bubble bath salt?

Foaming Bath Salts are bath salts that produce bubbles, available in different colors and scents.

How long before bath salts expire?

Salt does not expire. However Bath salt with colors and fragrances may fade over time. Shelf life for colored bath salts is typically 1-2 years.

How can I store my bulk bath salts?

You can store bath salts in an airtight container. Keep the bath salts from direct sunlight. 

Can I use bath salts during pregnancy?

We recommend consulting your doctor first before using bath salts while pregnant. 

What are the basic benefits of bath salts?

Bath salts help heal cuts, burns, wounds, and insect bites, also flush out harmful toxins from the body and is a good stress reliever.

Homemade Bath Bomb Recipe

Make your own bath bombs as gifts for friends with this too-easy recipe. You'll need:

·         1 1/2 cups bicarbonate of soda.

·         1/2 cup citric acid powder.

·         Sieve.

·         Potpourri.

·         An essential oil such as peppermint, lavender, geranium.

·         Sweet almond oil.

·         Food colouring.

·         Rubber gloves.

·         Moulds from craft shops.

Instructions:

1.      To make the base mix: sieve the bicarb soda and citric acid powder into a large dry mixing bowl. This will make enough for four bath bombs.

2.      To make one bath bomb, transfer 1/2 cup of the base mix into a medium bowl and stir in the contents of a herbal teabag or other dry ingredient such as potpourri.

3.      In a small bowl, combine 6 drops of essential oil of your choice, 1/2 teaspoon of sweet almond oil and 8 to 12 drops of food colouring. Pour this mixture into the bowl containing the 1/2 cup of base mix and stir quickly with a teaspoon so things don't start fizzing!

4.      Wearing rubber gloves, continue to combine the ingredients with your fingertips until it starts to clump together when compressed in your hand.

5.      Wipe a little sweet almond oil inside the mould. Fill the mould with the mixture, packing it in firmly. Make the other bath bombs with the remaining mixture, working with 1/2 cup at a time. Leave the bath bombs in their moulds to set for at least 24 hours. After they have set, turn each mould over and bang it firmly once on a flat surface, then gently ease out the bath bombs.

Wrap individual bath bombs in clear cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon to give as gifts. Remember, hot water activates the fizz in the bombs - cold water doesn't work.

Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits

Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and unlike other salts, Epsom salt has beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind and soul. Some of the magical benefits of Epsom salt include:

1.       Eases stress and relaxes the body. When dissolved in warm water, Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body.

2.      Relieves pain and muscle cramps. Mix a thick paste of Epsom salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort. Try soaking your aching, tired feet in a tub of water with half a cup of Ultra Epsom Salt. Epsom salt softens skin and will even neutralize foot odor.

3.      Helps muscles and nerves function properly. Studies show that Epsom salt can help regulate electrolytes in your body, ensuring proper functioning of the muscles, nerves and enzymes.

4.      Relieves constipation. Numerous studies have revealed that Epsom salt can be used to treat constipation.

5.      Eliminates toxins from the body. The sulfates in Epsom salt help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. 

To experience the numerous health benefits of Epsom salt, take relaxing, stress-relieving Epsom salt baths three times weekly by adding 2 cups Ultra Epsom Salt to a warm bath and soaking for at least 12 minutes. As a foot bath, pamper weary feet by adding 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

Epsom salt uses:

1.       Health:

a.      Athlete’s Foot - Soak feet in an Epsom salt bath to help relieve the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot.

2. Remove splinters - Soak affected skin area in an Epsom salt bath to draw out the splinter.
3. Treat toenail fungus - Soak your affected toes in hot water mixed with a handful of Epsom salt three times a day.
4. Soothe sprains and bruises - Add 2 cups Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak to reduce the pain and swelling of sprains and bruises.

2.      Beauty:

a.      Dislodge blackheads - Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt and 3 drops iodine into a half cup of boiling water. Apply this mixture to the blackheads with a cotton ball.

2. Remove foot odor - Mix a half cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes to remove bad odor, sooth achy feet, and soften rough skin.
3. Remove hairspray - Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup Epsom salt.
4. Hair volumizer - Combine equal parts deep conditioner and Epsom salt and warm in a pan.

3.      Household:

a.      Prevent slugs - Sprinkle Epsom salt on or near interior entry points to prevent slugs.

2. As a hand wash - Mix Epsom salt with baby oil and keep by the sink for an effective hand wash.

4.      Gardening: sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly to help nourish your houseplants, flowers and vegetables.