Ever wonder what your grandmother (or great grandmother) did to make
her bath extra special before the days of whirlpool tubs and Jacuzzis? If
you ask her, she'll probably tell you about bath salts and other lovely
scented products that are easy and inexpensive to make.
You and your friends will want to try all three of the recipes that follow.
But if you're younger than nine or ten, you'll probably need to ask Mom
or Dad for some help.
BATH SALTS
1 cup Epsom salts (available at drug stores)
A few drops of Food coloring (use the kind in plastic bottles so you can
squeeze out a few drops at a time)
A few drops of Essential oil (found in crafts stores; sometimes called
potpourri oil)
Ceramic bowl (not plastic, since it will absorb the scent of the essential
oil)
A Large Spoon
Pipette or eye dropper (found in drug stores)
DIRECTIONS:
1) Pour one cup of salts into the ceramic bowl.
2) Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture.
3) Stir well until blended.
4) Use the pipette or eye dropper to add several drops of your favorite
essential oil.
5) Stir to blend.
FOR PACKAGING: Pour the salts into a jar and tie on a bow and you've
got a lovely gift for a favorite teacher, a good friend, or even for your
mother or grandmother.
Attach a small card which reads: "Bath Salts - add one to two
tablespoons to water as tub fills for a relaxing soak."
When you find you've created enough bath salts to fill a swimming pool,
try this other simple product that's even more soothing in the bath.
BATH GRAINS
1 cup Epsom Salts
A few drops of food coloring
A few drops of any essential oil
One to two tablespoons of baking soda
DIRECTIONS:
Mix everything the same as you did for the bath salts, adding the baking
soda last.
Bath Grains have a much finer texture than plain Bath Salts, but the
mixture will harden if not used right away. Again, use two to three
tablespoons per bath.
FOR PACKAGING: Use a wide-mouthed jar or any container you can
scoop into, or tap against the side of the tub, to loosen the grains.
Another easy bath product you'll enjoy making by yourself, or with
friends, is an old-fashioned milk bath.
OLD-FASHIONED MILK BATH
1 cup of Epsom salts
A few drops of Food coloring
A few drops of any Essential oil
A few tablespoons of powdered milk
DIRECTIONS:
Again, mix the same as for Bath Salts, just add the powdered milk last,
making sure you don't add too much powdered milk or the mixture will
end up smelling like baby formula. Peach or strawberry oils work well for
milk baths, but try other oils to see what pleases you the most.
FOR PACKAGING: Select the same kind of container or jar as for the
bath grains. Add a few tablespoons to the tub for a glorious, skin-
softening soak.
When you've finished experimenting with all these products, not only
will you find you've created some lovely gifts for the holidays, you'll also
notice your whole house smells wonderful! And, if you're lucky enough
to have a bathroom with an old clawfoot tub like grandma used to have,
you can even travel back in time with an old-fashioned soak yourself.
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