Directions:

• Pour one to two cups of oil into the glass jar.
• Add fragrance source**, cover and shake.
• Remove metal lid and microwave jar for 2-3 minutes until oil is hot (heating time will vary depending on the power of your microwave). Be careful removing the jar as it will be hot.
• Replace lid. Allow to cool slightly, then shake again.
• Let sit 1 hour to overnight.
• Strain oil through cheesecloth to remove the fragrance materials.
• Add essential oils if desired.
• Pour oil into decorative bottles filled with small amounts of fresh fragrance source.

*I prefer almond oil, but you can also use olive oil, sesame oil, walnut oil or any light colored refined oil with a light scent. Keep in mind what scent you are mixing it with, as the oil will have a trace of scent. When I first made the rosemary with olive oil it smelled more like something to eat than to bathe in. Adding the peppermint oil masked the scent of the olive oil. I found the almond is a nice compliment to the orange spice oil.

**When using flower petals or fresh herbs slightly crush before adding to oil. Crush whole spices, but not to powdered form. For citrus peels remove as much pith as you can (use the outer part of the colored peel only). When using citrus peels and flowers in particular the oil may cloud. The clouding will settle after a day or two.

Pictured are:
Lavender-rose oil (relaxing) - made using fresh rose petals and lavender essential oil
Rosemary-peppermint oil (stress relief/stimulating) - made using fresh rosemary sprigs and peppermint essential oil
Orange spice (mood elevation) - made using orange peel, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves

Champagne Bath Salts

Materials:

• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/3 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup table salt
• 3 cups Epsom salt
• Food coloring
• Approximately 10 drops of essential oil
• 1/4 cup citric acid (available at most drug stores)

Mix cornstarch, baking soda, table salt, and Epsom salt. Stir in food coloring and essential oil. Mix well. Slowly add citric acid. Do not use too much food coloring, as this will cause the reaction with the citric acid to start. The citric acid and baking soda react when added to the bath to create fizzing. Store in an airtight container.

Pictured: Lemon scented salts.

Foaming Bath Salts

Materials:

• 4 cups rock salt
• 1/3 cup clear liquid soap
• 1/2 - 1 tbsp light oil
• Food coloring (cake frosting pastes give rich colors)
• Essential oil
• Wax paper or plastic wrap covered cookie sheets

Mix soap, oil, food coloring and essential oil with a spoon until well mixed. Do not stir too fast or the soap will foam. Add rock salt and stir until well coated. Spread onto two cookie sheets to dry. When thoroughly dried (24-48 hours), store in an airtight container.

Pictured: Lavender scented salts.

Soothing Bath Salts

Materials:

• Epsom salts
• Table salt, kosher salt or sea salt
• Baking soda
• Corn starch
• Essential oil
• Food coloring

Experiment with different combinations of the above salts and powders to create different textures. The standard in my house is plain Epsom salts with scent and color.

Not pictured.

Soothing Oatmeal and Almond Milk Bath

Materials:

• 3 cups powdered milk
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 3 tbsp crushed dried herb of choice*
• Approximately 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 tsp sweet almond oil

Mix milk, cornstarch, rolled oats and dried herbs. Grind almonds in a food processor or blender until they form a powder (almond meal). Add 1/3 cup almond meal to the mixture. Add sweet almond oil and mix well.

Add desired amount of milk bath to a muslin tea bag and add to bath while water is pouring for best results.

*Lavender flowers or powdered orris root work well. The orris root has a violet scent and also works to preserve the freshness if stored for a period of time.

Pictured: Homemade lined canvas bag (directions below) filled with milk bath and tied with raffia and dried rosemary springs and cinnamon sticks for decoration.

Lined Canvas Milk Bath Bag

Materials:

• Scrap of canvas, duck cloth, or heavy muslin approximately 10"x10"
• Heavy-duty wax paper cut to size of the canvas (the inner bag from boxed cereal or crackers can be recycled for these bags).

Place wax paper against the backside of the canvas. Trim 1 inch off top of wax paper. This is the part of the bag that will extend above the tie. Fold edge of wax paper over 1/4 to 1/2 inch and finger crease and press. Place folded edge so it will be next to the canvas. Fold canvas and wax paper in half. Sew seams and overcast (or serge) the bottom edge and side edge. Turn inside out pressing down corners. Fill and tie just below the wax paper inner liner. For a rustic natural look rough the top edge of canvas bag by pulling a few horizontal threads. For a clean look turn edge under and sew in place before sewing side seams of bag.

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