The Best Bath, DIY Style

I was always a sucker for bath products—seductive packaging, inviting fragrances, the momentary escape that a bubble bath can offer. Yet as I learn more and more about the toxicity of many of the standard ingredients used (bad for us and the waste stream) and the lackadaisical regulation by the FDA, my love of those bath products has seriously waned.

But I have two little girls, and I want them to love the experience of the bath as I do—and part of that experience is in creating something that appeals to multiple senses, something beyond a tub of warm water. So we head to the kitchen cabinet and make our own bath products, like our homemade bath bonbons. I have now assembled a bath bar of sorts in the bathroom so we can mix and match our own concoctions right there.

On the shelf once lined with an array of commercial products, now sits a row of glass apothecary and old tomato sauce jars. Within each is something that we can add to the bath, something all natural, usually food-based—each with something different to offer for the bath. Anyone in the family can go in and custom-design their own bath. I have the pleasure of knowing that we can enhance the sensual properties of our baths without sacrificing our health and the integrity of the wastewater—and my girls get to delight in the scooping and sprinkling, and the satisfaction of creating their own products.

Epsom Salt. Softens skin, also contains magnesium, which has been shown to ease stress, lower blood pressure and create a happy, relaxed feeling and raise energy levels.

Baking Soda. Relieves irritation and itching, helps to soften skin.

Honey. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture and also acts as an anti-irritant.

Oatmeal. Blended to fine powder and sprinkled in the bath, oatmeal soothes and softens dry skin and relieve itchy skin rashes and irritations.

Lavender Sprigs. Antiseptic, astringent, and relaxing.

Rosemary Sprigs. Healing and antiseptic for skin disorders, also invigorating.

Seaweed. Nourishing seaweed leaves skin incredibly soft and thankful.

Coconut Oil. Softens and protects skin—a coconut oil bath has been the best remedy for my youngest daughters dry and sensitive skin.

Olive Oil. Easily absorbed and locks moisture in, olive oil is a great bath oil.

Essential Oils. We love ylang ylang and geranium—just a few drops to make the bathing experience complete.

Do you have any special kitchen cupboard ingredients that you like to use in your bath?