Candy Cane Bath Salts - Bath Blend of the Month

 This is a great last minute gift, and it is also fun to make with kids as you layer the salts to make a perfect candy cane swirl.

Candy Cane Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom salt

2 cups sea salt

1 cup baking soda

red rose petals

beet powder

spearmint and peppermint (optional) essential oil

Mix the salts and baking soda together and divide evenly between 2 bowls.  In one bowl add up to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.  In the other bowl add enough crushed red rose petals and beet powder to make the salt pinkish red.  You will probably need about 1/4 cup each of rose petals and beet powder.  Add more for a deeper color and more contrast in your final product.  Then add 15 to 20 drops of spearmint essential oil.  Spearmint essential oil is much milder than peppermint.  The roses mixed in with mint has an amazing smell.  

Creating the Candy Cane Effect

Now for the fun part, layering the bath salts!  Take a bag or a jar and place one color of salt in the bottom.  Make sure the salt is level and hold the jar or bag steady.  Then add the other color of salt to create a layer, or candy cane stripe.  Repeat until your container is full.   I enjoy making this bath with kids because of the pattern that appears when the kids layer the salts.  They really enjoy watching the candy cane form.  It is fun if you tilt the jar as you add the salts to create a diagonal look.

To USE:

Add 2 Tablespoon salts to bath water as you fill the tub.  Swirl to dissolve.  To avoid a ring of rose petals, measure the salts into a muslin bag, tea ball or coffee filter and float in the bath swirling to dissolve the salts.