Making your own bath salts is one of the easiest ways to customize your bath routine using simple, natural ingredients. Whether you’re soaking after a long day or creating handmade gifts, DIY bath salts let you control the ingredients, scent, and mineral blends that go into every jar.
One of the best parts of making your own skin care products is the freedom to experiment. Create inspired blends, adjust textures and colors, and most importantly — write down your measurements. That recipe you forgot to record might just be the perfect one.
Basic Homemade Bath Salt Recipe

This is the bath salt recipe I use most often. It creates a balanced blend that dissolves well and feels wonderful in the bath.
The bath salt recipe I use the most is:
- 1 3/4 cups Epsom Salt
- 1 cup Dead Sea Salt
- 1/4 Cup Sea Salt
This recipe makes 4 cups of bath salts.
Why These Salts Work Well Together
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is commonly added to bath salts for relaxing, mineral-rich soaks. Many people enjoy Epsom salt baths after physical activity or long days as part of a calming self-care routine.

A fine-gran option like Ultra Epsom Premium Epsom Salt, Extra Fine – 5 lb Bag mixes easily and dissolves smoothly in warm water.
Dead Sea Salt
Dead Sea salt is naturally rich in minerals and is often used in spa-style baths. It has a heavier texture than Epsom salt and adds a luxurious feel to homemade bath salts.

A pure option such as Minera Dead Sea Salt, 5lbs Coarse. 100% Pure and Certified. works well in custom blends and can be paired with finer salts for better dispersion.
Sea Salt
Sea salt adds texture and visual interest while contributing trace minerals. Much like salt water rinses used for oral care, salt baths are traditionally enjoyed for their cleansing and refreshing feel on the skin.
Customizing Your Bath Salts

Once your base salts are mixed, you can easily customize smaller batches. I recommend splitting the recipe in half and experimenting with different add-ins so you can compare results.
Optional Add-Ins (Per 2 Cups of Bath Salts)
Just add the one of the following to two cups of bath salt:
- 1 – 2 Tablespoons of finely grated cocoa butter
- 1 Tablespoon of Green Clay
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of Essential oils
- 1 Tablespoon ground flower petals
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp natural color
Essential Oil Safety Tip
When adding essential oils to bath salts, always keep amounts low. Some oils can irritate sensitive skin, and essential oils should be avoided or used with caution for children, pregnant individuals, or those with skin sensitivities.
Lavender Bath Salt

For a calming, floral bath soak, lavender is a classic choice.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 – 1 tsp lavender essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon of dried lavender petals
- 1/2 tsp of ratonjot or indigo natural color will give a nice color.
Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight container.
Rose Scented Bath Salts

Rose-inspired bath salts make beautiful gifts and have a soft, elegant scent.
- 1/2 to 1 tsp Rose Geranium Essential Oils
- 1 Tablespoon Pink Clay
- 2 Tablespoons of dried Rose Petal
- 1 tsp Madder Root Powder
Hawaiian pink salt can also be added for a naturally rosy hue.
Mixing Tips & Salt Variations
You don’t need exact measurements for every batch. To make any 2 cups of bath salts, you can use a combination of:
-
Epsom salt
-
Sea salt
-
Celtic salt
-
Solar salt
-
Bali salt
-
Hawaiian salt
Some salts naturally contain color, and blending them with white Epsom salt creates visually appealing mixes — perfect for gift jars.

A sampler like Sea Salt Shack Classic Variety 4 Pack | (Himalayan pink, French grey, red Alaea, and black lava salts) is a great way to experiment with color and texture without buying large quantities.
Homemade Bath Salts for Gifting
Layered salts, dried botanicals, and glass jars make bath salts ideal handmade gifts. Add a handwritten label or simple tag with usage instructions for a thoughtful finishing touch.
More Bath & Body Recipes
You can find additional DIY recipes and ideas in the Bath and Body Care Products section, where I share more natural ways to create your own personal care items at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Bath Salts
How much bath salt should I use per bath?
Most people use ½ to 1 cup of bath salts per full bathtub. For smaller tubs or sensitive skin, start with less and adjust as needed.
Can I use bath salts every day?
Bath salts are generally used occasionally, not necessarily daily. If you have sensitive skin or notice dryness, reduce frequency or skip added essential oils.
Are homemade bath salts safe for sensitive skin?
They can be, especially when kept simple. For sensitive skin, use plain salts without essential oils or colorants, and avoid clays or botanicals that may irritate.
Do I have to use essential oils in bath salts?
No. Essential oils are completely optional. Bath salts without added scent still provide a pleasant, mineral-rich soak.
Can I use table salt instead of sea salt?
Table salt isn’t recommended because it’s highly refined and often contains additives. Sea salt, Celtic salt, or Himalayan salt are better options for bath recipes.
How long do homemade bath salts last?
When stored in an airtight container away from moisture, homemade bath salts can last 6–12 months or longer. Moisture is the biggest enemy, so keep jars tightly sealed.
Can I give homemade bath salts as gifts?
Absolutely. Bath salts make wonderful handmade gifts. Use clean jars, label ingredients clearly, and include simple usage instructions.
Important Note:
This information is for educational purposes only.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Updated Jan 2026
© 2019 – 2026, Tes. All rights reserved.

I absolutely love to take a long hot bath after a long stressful day. I have tried a lot of bubbles, powders, and those little tablet things that fizz. I love epsom salts, they make you feel very invigorated. I think you have some great ideas, and I am going to devise a plan and make my own bath salts this weekend. Thank you.
Yes Epsom salts are so good for you. I hope you enjoy your weekend and have fun making bath salts! Don’t forget to record the recipe you create. Have a great weekend
Hello, I absolutely loved your website. I haven’t taken a bath in a long time and looking at the bath salts recipes, It makes me want to take one with the candles lit and just enjoying a long hot bath. Which kind of impossible being I don’t have a bath tub, only a shower ;(. If I make my own like in your recipes, I might just call up my mom and tell her I am coming over for a bath lol It really is soothing and you had some good information. Thank you again for sharing this with us.
Sincerely;
Crystal
Hi Crystal, to bad you don’t have a tub. I find it so relaxing after a long day working to soak in a tub of great bathsalts. You might just have to take over yours Mom’s lol. Have a great day!
Hi Teresa,
Those epsom salts sound like a great idea to bathe in after a long hard week at work, well done on the site.
Hello and thank you for this article. I want to surprise my girlfriend for our anniversary and after home made dinner I will use one of your recipes to make her a bath with your bath salts. Now, I wanted to know can these bath salts cause any allergic reaction?
Also, how long does the proccess of making bath salts lasts? I do not have experience in this field and I would not like to mess up.
You are so kind for sharing this wonderful information so people can create their own bath salts.
Thank you in advance.
Strahinja
Like anything Strahinja people sometimes have reactions to things so in the case of bath salts if a person developed a rash or itchy skin I would stop use.
It doesn’t take very long to make your bath salts and you will enjoy the long lasting scents.
Great topic and you have given me a great idea for a gift for my wife.
I personally am not into taking bath’s, but my wife loves to. As I read this, the idea came to me to make my wife her own ‘unique’ blend of bath products and give them to her as a gift! 🙂
Thank You,
–Brad
Making your own bath body care products is not something that everyone can do, it take a lot of work and time to get the correct mix for your favorite bath care product.Anyone with a skin health condition such as psoriasis, eczema or acne would be well advised to try the Minera 100% pure certified dead sea salt product, it seems to stimulate blood circulation as well as well as acting to detox and moisturize the skin.
Bath Salts are so good for the skin, but year the dead sea salts with the many minerals help to stimulate blood circulations and do really help conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Minera is a really good brand. Here is a link to purchase
I never really thought about making my own bath salt. Seems like a interesting project, especially around the holidays. Might even be neat gifts to give homemade salts to friends and relatives. Can’t believe how much money we pay for this to be done for us when it is really easy to do it yourself and probably will be a lot better quality too. Gonna give this a try ASAP.
It really is pretty easy to make your own bath salts. Great project to do with the kids or grandkids. My grandkids and I use to make them for their Mom and other Grandmother for Christmas every year.