Mini Heart Epsom Salt Gems

Turn a cup of Epsom salts into these cute mini heart Epsom salt gems to add some pizazz to a relaxing hot bath.

This recipe has been adapted from The Dancing Soap Dish.
The content and images are copyright by thedancingsoapdish.com and have been used with permission.

How to Make Mini Heart Epsom Salt Gems

What You Need

• 1 cup Epsom Salt
• 1 tbsp Bi-Carb Soda (Baking Soda) – Sifted
• 1 tsp Carrier Oil*
• 20 drops Essential Oil
• 1-4 drops Liquid Food Colouring
• 1-2 tsp Water* (Only add second teaspoon if necessary)
• Glass, Ceramic or Metal Mixing Bowl and Spoon
• Mini Heart Silicone Mould
• Tray lined with Grease-Proof Paper

Method

Mix all ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl. Your mixture should be wet, but not so wet that the salt starts to dissolve.

Spoon mixture into one mould cavity and press down with the back of a spoon. Turn out moulded mixture immediately onto paper-lined tray (start in the top left corner because once they are out you can’t move them until they are dry). Repeat process until all the mixture has been used.

Allow the mini heart Epsom salt gems to dry for 48 hours, turning after 24 hours (try to avoid handling them before then as they are fragile when wet).

Directions for Use

To use, drop a whole handful of mini heart Epsom salt gems into a bucket of water for a relaxing foot soak, or dissolve the entire batch in a warm bath.

Store them in a plastic zip lock bag or glass jar for colour and scent longevity or, if giving them as a gift, place them in a cellophane bag finished off with a pretty ribbon.

Notes

*Water
To increase the storage longevity of your mini heart Epsom salt gems, do not use water from the tap in the recipe.  This can lead to mould growth. Instead we recommend demineralised water (available from the supermarket), or water that has been boiled and then cooled.

*Carrier Oil
As this recipe uses essential oils, we have included a carrier oil for dilution purposes. Essential oils should always be diluted, especially in the bath (where they have access to all sorts of nooks and crannies they might not ordinarily have).

Common carrier oils include fractionated or liquid coconut oil (MCT), jojoba oil, sweet almond oil (beware of nut allergies if you are giving these Epsom salt gems as a gift), grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and the list goes on.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your mini heart Epsom salt gem crumbles out of the mould, your salt mixture is too dry or you haven’t compressed the mixture tightly enough into the mould.  Try pressing it down harder, or add a small amount of water or carrier oil and try again.

If your salt gem does not remove at all from your mould, your mixture is too wet.  Add some more salt and try again.