Bath Salts

Note:   This is a departure from my normal post, but a recipe is a recipe.    I like being able to have a nice bath salt for relaxing in a hot tub.      Bath salts are used for many different purposes, and they make great gifts too.    

Bath Salts Recipe


Basic Ingredients:
Table salt
Baking Soda
Epsom Salts

Add the salts to a large bowl in these proportions:

3 parts Epsom salts
2 parts baking soda
1 part table salt (or borax)
Essential (scented, herbal/floral) Oils
Tip: try it with vanilla extract

Directions:
Mix thoroughly using your hands to stir the ingredients. . This is now the base from which you can create a wide variety of bath salts. Its wise to add colors to bath salts. Use plain food coloring for this purpose, letting it fall drop by drop onto the salt base. If two or more colors are required to mix an exotic hue (such as purple), mix these in a spoon first and then add to the salts to avoid creating a two-toned product, unless of course, you plan on a two or three tone salt. Add many drops for a darker colored salt; fewer for a lightly hued salt. Mix the color into the salts until it is evenly distributed; again use your hands or you may use a utensil.

Now add the essential oils drop by drop, one ingredient at a time, until the scent seems right. using your hands and fingertips, mix it until all salt particles are moistened. This may take up to fifteen minutes or longer. As to proportions, rely on your nose to determine the exact quanties. The more potent the finished products' scent, the less will have to be used for each bath. They should be strongly scented.

To use, add from 2 tablespoons to one-half cup of the bath salts to a full tub. Mix with your hands into the water. Relax, enjoy!!

NOTE: For bath salts place in a deep wide rimmed container, dont use a small bottle neck as the salts may harden, making it almost impossible to get out.

How To: Make Baking Powder

Homemade Baking Powder

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cream of tarter
2 tablespoons baking soda

Directions:

Sift all of the ingredients together 3 times, and transfer to a clean, tight-sealing jar. Store at room temperature, away from sunlight, for up to 6 weeks.

Lickable Envelope Glue

Note: I realize that this is kind of random, but I was making some envelopes for a special letter that I wanted to send and realized that I didn't know how to seal it without being torn to shreds when my friend opened it. I found this recipe at the Allene's craft site. Very easy!

Lickable Envelope Glue

Ingredients:

2 parts tacky glue
1 part vinegar

Directions:
Mix well.

How to use:

Use brush to apply to paper stroking one way.

When that is dry - apply another thin coat stroking the opposite way.

When ready to use, insert letter, moisten, seal, send.

Homemade Febreeze

Note: I found this on The Grocery Cart blog. I am so glad that I did because I recently received a sample of fabric softener but didn't know what I was going to do with it since I am allergic to all but certain ones. This is a great way to use it!

Homemade Febreze

Ingredients:
2-4 Tablespoons fabric softener
25 ounces of water
My old Febreeze bottle or another spray bottle

Directions:
Mix together and spray on carpets, furniture, pillows, etc.