Bath and Body

Soap Making, Oils and Recipes

The Secret of Making Bath Salts

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There is nothing in the world like a nice warm bath with bath salts containing pure essential oils to help relax and soothe your mind and body! Giving scented bath salts for the holidays, birthdays or just to give to a good friend also makes a welcome gift!

Once you have made these gifts with your own two hands what isn’t so nice is if the bath salts are hard as a rock when the recipient goes to use them! (Yes, it has happened to me, much to my embarrassment!) When the essential oils or fragrance oils are added to a salt blend – many times what can happen is that the bath salts absorb the moisture from the oils and then the salts turn hard as a rock. To have your salts nice and free-flowing you must add an ingredient called “malto dextrin.”

Malto dextrin is a natural carbohydrate that aborbs moisture and also helps the bath salts to retain their scent. It is used in the food, beer-making, and cosmetic industries, is readily available and best of all…..CHEAP! I purchase mine from BrewSource.com at the current price of $1.50 per pound.

To make your own bath salts first mix together mix the following together:

  • ½ cup of Malto Dextrin
  • 2 drams (160 drops, or 1 ½ teaspoon) of essential oils or fragrance oils

Mix the oils into the malto dextrin until it becomes a crumbly mixture, then add that mixture to 4lbs of epsom salts. (4 pounds of epsom salts is one carton of salts that you can buy at the drug, grocery or Wal-mart stores.) Mix well and check out how your blend smells. If it’s too weak, add more oils until you get the desired aroma. If it’s too strong, add more salts. Then what I do after I adjust the scent is shake, shake, shake the salts in a large zip lock baggie. Once that is accomplished you’re ready to package your bath salts in an airtight container and give as gifts or just keep for yourself.

If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you!

*note: do not put scented bath salts in tins as the oils in the salts will rust the tins. Line the tin with a plastic baggie first then add the salts.

[tags]bath, bath salts, body, aromatherapy[/tags]

Comments

  3. Thanks for sharing the ingredient tip! I am teaching my craft club how to make bath salts for the holidays and I will be sure to share your story.

  4. maybe you can add some color to your bath salts as well. But add it the same way with adding the fragrance, by drops. This gives you finer control on the color of the salts since you don’t want your bath water’s color to be overpowering.

  5. Xm, frankly speaking, I have no idea about the ingredietn “malto dextrin”. And how much should use this ingredient to achieve necessary results? )
    Thanks

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DIY Halloween Bath Bombs – Spooky-Fun Self-Care for Ghouls of All Ages

If your idea of Halloween fun includes a little bubbling, fizzing magic—without the sugar crash—these DIY Halloween Bath Bombs are your new favorite trick and treat. Think spooky swirls, candy-free gifts, and a little self-care potion-making, all rolled into one bewitching bath-time delight.

These are perfect for mums who’d rather stir up a bath bomb cauldron than bake another round of cupcakes for the class party. They also make fang-tastic gifts for teens, neighbours, or anyone who needs a little seasonal sparkle in their soak.

Why You’ll Love These Spooky Bath Bombs

  • Kid-safe ingredients – No creepy chemicals here 
  • Great for gifting – Pop into mini cauldrons, treat bags, or mason jars 
  • Smells like fall – Think pumpkin spice, candy corn, or sweet orange 
  • Budget-friendly – Uses pantry staples and affordable citric acid 
  • Easy to customize – Add spiders, glitter, glow-in-the-dark mica, or even a surprise toy 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup baking soda 
  • 1/2 cup citric acid 
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch 
  • 1/2 cup Epsom salt or fine sea salt 
  • 2 tsp sweet almond oil (or coconut oil) 
  • 1 tsp water or witch hazel in a spray bottle 
  • 10–15 drops essential oil (sweet orange, lavender, cinnamon, or candy-like blends) 
  • Natural colorants or skin-safe mica powder (orange, purple, black, green) 
  • Optional: eco glitter, mini plastic spiders or Halloween charms 
  • Silicone molds or mini plastic cauldrons 

How to Make Halloween Bath Bombs

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt. Whisk until it’s smooth and uniform—like a dusty spellbook.

2. Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, mix your carrier oil and essential oils. Add your chosen colorant and glitter here too. If using black, go light—it can stain tubs if overdone.

3. Combine with Care

Slowly drizzle the wet mixture into the dry mix, whisking continuously. It should feel like damp sand. If it clumps when squeezed, you’re ready. Mist lightly with water or witch hazel if too dry.

4. Add Hidden Surprises

Press a small plastic spider, glow cube, or toy into the center for a trick-or-treat effect!

5. Mold It Up

Spoon the mixture into your molds, pressing firmly. Let them dry at least 24 hours before popping out.

Spooky Variations to Try

 Spider Surprise

Hide a plastic spider inside and use black mica for a creepy crawl effect.

 Pumpkin Spice Delight

Add a dash of cinnamon and orange essential oil with orange coloring.

 Glow-in-the-Dark Witch Bombs

Use glow mica and store under light for a fun bathroom glow!

 Boo Bombs for Kids

Make ghost-shaped fizzies using a silicone mold and sweet vanilla oil.

Packaging Ideas for Gifting

  • Wrap in cellophane with twine and a tag: “Drop in warm water and summon a spooky soak!” 
  • Nestle in mini cauldrons from the dollar store 
  • Use kraft boxes lined with Halloween tissue paper for classy spooky gifting 
  • Add a punny printable tag like “You’re the bomb!” or “Witch, please!” 

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t over-wet your mixture—it can fizz prematurely. 
  • Use gloves to avoid stained fingers. 
  • Let kids help with colors and pressing (just maybe keep the glitter far away unless it’s a full moon). 

Why These Are Better Than Candy

Let’s be honest—October sugar overload is real. These bath bombs are a charming alternative that still feel like a treat. Plus, they turn your bathroom into a spa and a mad scientist lab.

Whether you’re making them for your kids’ school party, teen Halloween sleepovers, or your own pumpkin-scented peace and quiet after bedtime chaos, these DIY bath bombs are a crafty way to keep Halloween fun—and fizzy.

 

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