Bath Salt Recipe Scented with Vanilla - Make it in Minutes! (2024)

Published: Feb 13, 2014 · Modified: Mar 29, 2018 by Ashley Phipps · 329 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. · 32 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads and sponsored posts · This blog uses cookies · See our privacy policy for more info Filed Under: Beauty, Gift Ideas

This yummy smelling vanilla bath salt recipe is so simple to make. Bath Salts make a bath extra luxurious with just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes. It's true, you can purchase bath salts at many stores, but they are so simple to create yourself and so inexpensive and so I just love making them myself! This also gives me the ability to control what I put into my recipes so I can customize them just for me.

Sometimes I get so cold this time of year that nothing except a warm shower or bath can truly get me warm again! (-20 degrees and I simply do not get along!) So I made a batch of savory bath salts to help soothe my skin and my soul as I relax in a nice warm bath this winter! And today I am excited to share my recipe with you for Vanilla Bath Salts!

Vanilla Bath Salt Recipe

affiliate links included for your convenience

Ingredients:

Directions:

Place salt and soda into a dish and stir well.
Add fragrance oil until it is strong enough to suit your preference.
Stir well.
Add brown colored powder food coloring if desired.

Why did I choose these ingredients for my bath salt recipe?

Soaking in a bath with Epsom salts can help relax your muscles, reduce swelling and draw out toxins.

Baking soda helps sooth your skin.

Vanilla is a very calming scent and is one of my favorites so that is why I included it!

And the food coloring is totally optional! You don't use enough to worry about coloring your skin while in the bathtub, but it does give the bath salts a pretty brown hue to them.

Enjoy!

You might also enjoy:

Lemon Sugar Scrub Recipe

Coconut Lime Raw Sugar Scrub

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Colleen
February 13, 2014 at 10:14 am

These make nice gifts. Do have a question. Haven't heard of powder food coloring. In what stores is it available? I have read that Epsom salt baths aren't for everyone. They generally aren't recommended for people who have conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. I would say; if you are unsure whether an Epsom salt bath is safe for you,
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
 February 13, 2014 at 11:54 pm
 
 Hi Colleen, I ordered powdered food coloring online...it was almost a year ago though, so I don't remember where. Sorry! And that is great advice about epsom salts! Thanks for sharing.
 Reply
 - Bev
 November 11, 2015 at 2:47 am
 
 Powdered food colouring should be available in specialty cake shops where they sell the where with all to make cakes. Or perhaps even a specialty kitchen warehouse store where they sell all the cake pans, utensils and such.
 Reply
- Sherri
 December 09, 2014 at 1:53 pm
 
 Epsom Salts are fine in a bath.. Ingested they are not for all. As they are also a medicinal supplement
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 Since you are not ingesting these bath salts I doubt there is an issue.. A hot bath is a hot bath... And that is something that is not for all.
 Reply
Mary Wardlow
March 13, 2014 at 1:44 am

did you use pure vanilla essential oil or diluted?
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  March 14, 2014 at 12:55 am
  
  I used a fragrance oil, but you can use a pure essential oil or diluted. It is up to you.
  Reply
Mary Wardlow
March 13, 2014 at 1:45 am

Was the vanilla pure or diluted? Thanks
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  March 14, 2014 at 12:55 am
  
  I used a fragrance oil, but you can use a pure essential oil or diluted. It is up to you.
  Reply
Laila Elbeheri
March 14, 2014 at 5:05 am

I can't get epsom salt in my country, is there a substitute or a way to make the salts with the same use without it? Thanks!
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  March 19, 2014 at 12:30 am
  
  Yes!! You can! Sea Salt is an option and sometimes you can actually find something called Bath Salts. You want a salt that will dissolve in the water. Good luck!
  Reply
Natalie Mackulin
May 03, 2014 at 8:27 pm

Can you just use table salt?
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
 May 04, 2014 at 11:40 am
 
 Hi Natalie, Table salt has no healing benefits...but as long as you don't have high blood pressure or edema it should be ok. But it probably won't be as nice as epsom salts since epsom salts can help heal sore or tense muscles. :)
 Reply
Boo Koo
June 13, 2014 at 9:45 am

can you use vanilla extract for the scent?
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  June 13, 2014 at 6:42 pm
  
  I've never found a vanilla extract that smells yummy. Usually vanilla extract is for flavoring in cooking, and doesn't provide much scent. But I suppose you could always try it. 🙂
  Reply
Emily
August 24, 2014 at 10:37 am

What about using cinnamon in place of the brown food coloring? I would assume it would add (even if just a little bit) to the fragrance, and I have heard that it warms and relaxes muscles when used in massage oil. People with sensitive skin should be cautious with it, though. Thoughts?
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  August 24, 2014 at 10:22 pm
  
  I am definitely not an expert in this area, but cinnamon would give a brown color to the salts. I would just be careful since cinnamon can be a bit strong for sensitive skin (like you mentioned) and around eyes too 🙂 It would smell amazing though!!!!
  Reply
Larissa
December 04, 2014 at 11:54 am

How much of the oil did you use? I"m considering doing an orange ginger scent as a knockoff of the Bath & Body Works aromatherapy line and I don't want to over-do the scent!
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  December 05, 2014 at 4:23 pm
  
  Great question Larissa! The amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on how much salt you use and also the fragrance.
  With about 3 tablespoons of salt, I find that 10-12 drops is often about right. However, I also find that some scents are stronger then others. So I would always begin with just a few drops, smell and add more as needed until the scent is strong enough. You can always add more drops 🙂
  Reply
Elaine Kudnakie
December 14, 2014 at 3:06 pm

What would be a cute container be?
Reply
Liv
December 21, 2014 at 7:15 pm

Just made a few of these for gifts but realized I don't know how much to tell them to add to the bath? I've seen on other sites people suggesting 1/4cup up to as much as 2 cups (per the epsom salt directions on their bag). What would you suggest? Thanks!
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  December 21, 2014 at 9:16 pm
  
  That's a great question Liv. And in all honesty it would depend on the size of the bath tub being filled. But I would definitely recommend using the amount the epsom salt bag suggests. 🙂 I generally use about 1 cup or so.
  Reply
Daniel@Organicbathsalts
May 12, 2015 at 5:46 am

Just looking through your amazing recipes and the vanilla bath salts recipe sounds great. Add salts to warm bath water after the tub has filled and make sure they’re dissolved before relaxing in the bath for 10-20 minutes.
Reply
Ruth
November 14, 2015 at 10:46 am

email me please and tell me what container can i use for the bath salts to put the bath salts in for a gift for christmas? sincerely Ruthie
Reply
Michele
April 07, 2016 at 6:19 am

I have high blood pressure and pre-diabetes - and take an epsom bath soak every single day. I asked my doctor about it and he said the only time it is a problem is when the diabetes is so bad that the nerves in the feet are damaged - that's bad diabetes that has gone unchecked and unregulated. So he told me to soak away and enjoy the benefits. Though this is an older post, thought I'd share what I learned after I asked.
Btw - my doctor was voted in the Top Ten doctors in the US for the last three years, so I really do completely trust his advice. : - )
Reply
Starflower
October 17, 2016 at 12:41 am

Hello
How long çan these products last especially the citrus scrub? Do these need to be kept in the fridge so they do not go rancid?
Reply
Jan
October 26, 2016 at 3:20 pm

How do you dry the bath salts out as mine are always damp in the jar aren't they supposed to be dry ?
Reply
Lynn
April 14, 2018 at 12:44 am

Just went to bath and body, they have a vanilla/ patchouli bath salt for 16.50 (yikes!). It was awesome!! I want to mimic that!!! I have ordered the vanilla oil and cannot wait to try it!!!
Reply
Norma Crowell
January 10, 2019 at 2:12 pm

Any problem with the bath salts exploding? New to this stuff but trying to learn
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  January 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
  
  I have personally never even heard of this until you mentioned it. In looking online it seems to be a problem primarily with citrus oils and baking soda, but I haven't had any issues with anything so far. I think in order to help prevent any issues you could package these in a cello bag so that air can get in and out if needed.
  Reply
Steph
November 17, 2020 at 11:17 am

Can you use Himalayan salt in this bath spa
Reply
- Ashley Phipps
  November 17, 2020 at 1:55 pm
  
  Hi! I love using Himalayan bath salts in my bath! You can definitely make that sub and still have a great bath! Enjoy!
  Reply

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Bath Salt Recipe Scented with Vanilla - Make it in Minutes! (2024)

FAQs

Can vanilla extract be used in bath salts? ›

Your skin will love the way sea salt moisturizes, while the Epsom salt will help unhappy muscles relax. Add in a little milk powder and vanilla extract to soften your skin and make your bath even more luxurious.

Learn More Now ›

How do you make vanilla Epsom salt? ›

Here's how to make it:

Fill a glass jar with epsom salt. Add the vanilla bean pod and then your peel. Seal, shake and allow to infuse on the counter for at least one week. When ready to use, place one or two scoops of infused epsom salt into the tub and fill.

Get More Info Here ›

Can I put vanilla extract in my bath water? ›

Yes you can. I've used it in diffusers and poured it into bath water. Vanilla extract is actually stronger than the essential oil because all of the vanilla oils I've found are cut with a carrier Oil.

Discover More Details ›

How do you use vanilla extract as a fragrance? ›

Create the Perfume Base: In a small glass perfume bottle, combine a tablespoon of vanilla extract with an equal amount of carrier oil. Adjust the Ratio: Adjust the ratio of vanilla extract to carrier oil based on your preference. A stronger concentration of vanilla extract will result in a more potent fragrance.

Why add baking soda to Epsom salt bath? ›

Baking soda has cleansing and detoxifying properties that may help to purify your body and boost immunity. It can be combined with Epsom salt, sea salt, and ground ginger to make a detox bath. You can also add essential oils and other natural ingredients of your choice.