BATH SALTS

Ingredients

1 cup Epsom salt 

1 cup baking soda

2 tablespoons glycerin

3 or 4 drops food coloring

      a few drops of essential oil or your favorite perfume (optional)

You can use the regular food coloring that you’ve got in your cupboard for cooking or other crafts. Epsom salt and baking soda are available all over the place, from drug stores to regular grocery stores.

Glycerin is found in drug stores or even Wal-mart.  If you find it in a drug store, you’ll probably find it near the suppositories (glycerin is a common ingredient in laxatives). In homemade bath salts, glycerin helps moisturize and smooth the skin.

Instructions

Mix the Epsom salt and baking soda well in a large bowl. You want to make sure that these two ingredients are well mixed before you add any of the liquid ingredients. The liquid will make clumps, so everything needs to be unclumped before the liquid is added.

Once you’re all mixed up, add the glycerin and food coloring (and fragrance if desired). Stir well. Start with just a few drops of food coloring to make a light color throughout your salts. Mix well, tends to concentrate in a few salts if you don't keep stirring. Too much food coloring, can stain your skin or your bathtub.

The salts are mixed enough when the color is uniform throughout. Store the homemade bath salts in a glass jar with a good seal.

Attach a little note that explains how to use them. Scoop two tablespoons into running bath and soak to your heart’s content, for instance.

If you have used a fragrance, include information on that oil with the gift. And if you’re giving the homemade bath salts to a crafty friend, make sure you enclose the recipe.

You could also throw in a tiny scoop that the recipient could use and keep in the bathroom at all times.

You can dress up a plain bottle by adding ribbon, topping with a doilie or pretty material, glue twine or a pretty yarn to the bottom of the jar! Be creative and add your personal touch!