* Ingredients -
Oatmeal - Use regular, not instant; can be finely ground or not as you prefer. Always package milk baths containing oatmeal for individual baths as it can clog drains if it isn't.
Herbs - You can use whole, crushed or finely ground herbs. If you use whole or crushed herbs, package the milk bath for individual baths so the herbs don't clog the drain, or cling to you or the tub. (Ask me how hard/aggravating it can be to get all the clingy bits of herbs off your body or out of the tub! ) Finely ground herbs do not usually cause a problem.
Essential Oils - These are a wonderful and useful addition to bath products. You can add simply for fragrance, or for the skin care and/or aromatherapy benefits they can provide. Do be careful in using essential oils. Remember that just because they are from plants and are natural, it doesn't necessarily mean they are safe to use. There are a number of essential oils that should not be used. Many can be sensitizing and/or irritating. And even too much of a good thing can cause problems.
Salt - It's a matter of personal preference as to whether or not you add salt to your milk bath. Some people do, and some people don't. I personally don't since I'm wanting the benefits of the milk and other ingredients. If I want the benefits of salt, I make bath salts. You can use either sea salt or epsom salt.
Vegetable Oils & Butters - This isn't the Crisco (or whatever your favorite brand is) that you use to cook with. What I'm speaking of here are mostly "specialty" oils, although many can be found in grocery stores! Unless you like slippery or slick tubs and skin, I suggest light bodied oils, such as Apricot Kernal, Grapeseed, Fractionated Coconut, and Peach Kernal. Other oils you could use include Meadowfoam, Kukui Nut, Hazelnut, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Hempseed, Macadamia Nut, and liquid Shea.
You can also use vegetable butters, which are becoming more and more popular in bath & body products. These include cocoa, shea, kokum, illipe, mango, sal, and avocado butters.
I can't tell exactly you how much oil or butter to use because it's mostly a matter of preference, and is dependent on the total amount of dry ingredients. I'd start with 1 or 2 teaspoons per cup of dry mix. Mix and test it to see how it feels. Adjust the amount up or down based on that.
To use a butter, melt and drizzle over the dry ingredients. To use an oil, drizzle over the dry ingredients. Mix well, including sieving the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve several times. This will both help mix it all together and break up clumps.
Fragrance Oils - Be sure to use only those fragrance oils that have been formulated for bath & body products. Do not use flavor oil, potpourri oils, or scents for candles.
* Packaging -
For individual baths, use muslin or organza drawstring bags, or heat-sealable tea bags. Muslin and organza bags can be typically found in 3 sizes (3"x5", 4'x6", 6"x8" or thereabouts). Use the two smaller sizes for packaging milk baths. Exactly how much milk bath the bags will hold will depend on the ingredients used. For example, milk bath that contains unground oatmeal and/or whole or crushed herbs will take more room than milk bath containing only milk powder and essential oil. Heat-sealable tea bags typically come in two sizes. The smaller size is not suitable for bath products as it's rather small. It's primary purpose is for brewing individual cups of tea. Use the larger size tea bag for milk baths. Be sure to not overfill the tea bags as they may not close and seal properly.
For milk bath that is pourable or scoopable, package it in jars or other containers. If you'd like to scoop the milk bath out of the container, consider using a wide-mouth jar, perhaps an apothecary or bail lid style.
* Usage - This is mostly a personal preference, but it also depends on the ingredients used and whether or not you have any skin sensitivities. Usage amounts range from 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup. If you're unsure about how much to use, start small. If you tolerate the smaller amount well and without any obvious problems, then increase the amount. If you really dislike having to measure out, and want to avoid accidently pouring out too much, use indivdual packaging.
SOURCE
Oatmeal - Use regular, not instant; can be finely ground or not as you prefer. Always package milk baths containing oatmeal for individual baths as it can clog drains if it isn't.
Herbs - You can use whole, crushed or finely ground herbs. If you use whole or crushed herbs, package the milk bath for individual baths so the herbs don't clog the drain, or cling to you or the tub. (Ask me how hard/aggravating it can be to get all the clingy bits of herbs off your body or out of the tub! ) Finely ground herbs do not usually cause a problem.
Essential Oils - These are a wonderful and useful addition to bath products. You can add simply for fragrance, or for the skin care and/or aromatherapy benefits they can provide. Do be careful in using essential oils. Remember that just because they are from plants and are natural, it doesn't necessarily mean they are safe to use. There are a number of essential oils that should not be used. Many can be sensitizing and/or irritating. And even too much of a good thing can cause problems.
Salt - It's a matter of personal preference as to whether or not you add salt to your milk bath. Some people do, and some people don't. I personally don't since I'm wanting the benefits of the milk and other ingredients. If I want the benefits of salt, I make bath salts. You can use either sea salt or epsom salt.
Vegetable Oils & Butters - This isn't the Crisco (or whatever your favorite brand is) that you use to cook with. What I'm speaking of here are mostly "specialty" oils, although many can be found in grocery stores! Unless you like slippery or slick tubs and skin, I suggest light bodied oils, such as Apricot Kernal, Grapeseed, Fractionated Coconut, and Peach Kernal. Other oils you could use include Meadowfoam, Kukui Nut, Hazelnut, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Hempseed, Macadamia Nut, and liquid Shea.
You can also use vegetable butters, which are becoming more and more popular in bath & body products. These include cocoa, shea, kokum, illipe, mango, sal, and avocado butters.
I can't tell exactly you how much oil or butter to use because it's mostly a matter of preference, and is dependent on the total amount of dry ingredients. I'd start with 1 or 2 teaspoons per cup of dry mix. Mix and test it to see how it feels. Adjust the amount up or down based on that.
To use a butter, melt and drizzle over the dry ingredients. To use an oil, drizzle over the dry ingredients. Mix well, including sieving the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve several times. This will both help mix it all together and break up clumps.
Fragrance Oils - Be sure to use only those fragrance oils that have been formulated for bath & body products. Do not use flavor oil, potpourri oils, or scents for candles.
* Packaging -
For individual baths, use muslin or organza drawstring bags, or heat-sealable tea bags. Muslin and organza bags can be typically found in 3 sizes (3"x5", 4'x6", 6"x8" or thereabouts). Use the two smaller sizes for packaging milk baths. Exactly how much milk bath the bags will hold will depend on the ingredients used. For example, milk bath that contains unground oatmeal and/or whole or crushed herbs will take more room than milk bath containing only milk powder and essential oil. Heat-sealable tea bags typically come in two sizes. The smaller size is not suitable for bath products as it's rather small. It's primary purpose is for brewing individual cups of tea. Use the larger size tea bag for milk baths. Be sure to not overfill the tea bags as they may not close and seal properly.
For milk bath that is pourable or scoopable, package it in jars or other containers. If you'd like to scoop the milk bath out of the container, consider using a wide-mouth jar, perhaps an apothecary or bail lid style.
* Usage - This is mostly a personal preference, but it also depends on the ingredients used and whether or not you have any skin sensitivities. Usage amounts range from 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup. If you're unsure about how much to use, start small. If you tolerate the smaller amount well and without any obvious problems, then increase the amount. If you really dislike having to measure out, and want to avoid accidently pouring out too much, use indivdual packaging.
SOURCE
