How to Make a Quick & Easy Soothing Foot Soak

This QUICK & EASY, soothing foot soak is a MUST HAVE!! This refreshing peppermint and orange mixture can be used as a foot or body spa soak. It makes the ULTIMATE homemade gift but be sure to make extras because you’ll want to have some on hand for yourself!

Benefits of a body or foot soak

Today, I am going to share with you my favorite foot soak recipe. Foot and body soak jars are just something I always have on hand in our home. My kids love when I break out our tin pails and tell them it’s foot spa time! And we have a cast-iron clawfoot tub that is so cozy and inviting that a good healthy soak just seems to go hand in hand.

Our winters here in the north country can sometimes reach wind chill temps of 30* below zero. Hot cocoa and a warm foot or body bath soak tend to silence the sounds of the brutal winds outside of our four walls. Soaking helps relieve deep body aches and pains from the bitter, damp coldness and restores circulation.

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Why hand makes a foot soak mixture?

Harmful chemicals and dyes can be found in many store-bought versions. I find that I’m able to control what we put on our bodies easier by hand making them from all-natural ingredients.

Six years ago we did the “switch and ditch” in our home. Getting rid of products that added toxins to our skin and opting to replace them with healthier versions.

Most of our skincare products are now handmade and we know exactly what ingredients they hold. By adding grade A essential oils or natural herbs you can increase the health benefits of any homemade soak recipe.

Benefits of making your own foot soak vs store bought

1. COST-EFFECTIVE – Finding reputable companies’ “healthy versions” can sometimes be costly. It is more cost-effective to make your own foot soak mixture and you may already have these items on hand in your kitchen!
2. CUSTOMIZING – You can individualize your recipe according to your specific needs. Truly the skies are the limit when it comes to the choices and varieties you can make.
3. HEALTHIER – Since you are making it you know exactly which ingredients it’s made of without hidden dyes or toxins.
4. QUICK & EASY – You can put together heaping full jars in only minutes! This dry mixture can be stored for months as long as it is sealed with a lid.
5. AROMATHERAPY – It can offer a calming, soothing, peaceful, and uplifting atmosphere.

Helpful tips when making your foot soaks

• Read this post on how to properly Dry Your Orange Slices.
  
• When using a good grade of essential oil the scent will become stronger the next day so don’t be concerned if the scent isn’t as strong as you want it upon mixing.
  
• Look for Epsom salts that are labeled USP Grade. It stands for United States Pharmaceutical Grade and is often also referred to as Food Grade. You will want dye scent-free salts with a USP label.
  
• Store your foot soak in a glass jar when adding essential oils so that the toxins from the plastic do not leech into your dry soak mixture.
  
• Check with your health care provider prior to use if you have any health concerns.

Tools for DIY foot soak

• Mortar and pestle or coffee grinder
  I put the links to both of my grinders for you and I recommend having both on hand, I use both of mine almost daily for a variety of creative homemaking
  
• Dry measuring cup
  
• Canning funnel (I use mine daily since we buy our dry goods in-store them in reusable glass jars this wide mouth funnel helps me not make a huge mess) lol
  
• Glass jars with lids (last year I used these mini milk jars to make for gifts & received lots of compliments) – You can repurpose any style of glass jar with a lid.
  
• Jute string (compostable and eco-friendly) or ribbon to tie your orange slice to the outside
  
• Spoon
  

Materials for DIY foot soak

• Epsom salts (plain and unscented)
  
• Peppermint and orange essential oils (here’s what I use)
  
• Dehydrated or dried orange pieces (here is an AMAZING dehydrator, here is MINE & I highly recommend this brand with its features for the price)
  
• *Optional food-grade citric acid (I do add this to my kid’s soaks for the FUN FIZZ effect; apparently it tickles little toes!)

Instructions for DIY foot soak

This recipe makes three full pint-size jars, holding 2 cups each

1. Prepare your orange slices in advance so that they will be fully dry.
2. Make sure your jars are clean and completely dry.
3. Add 5 cups of Epsom salt to a large half-gallon jar.
4. Add 5 drops of orange essential oil and 10 drops of peppermint to the top of the Epsom salts. Seal the jar and shake till completely mixed in. Then add 1 cup of baking soda on top and seal the jar and shake till mixed in.
5. Grab your 3-pint size jars and your funnel, spoon in around 2 cups of mixture in your jars leaving enough headspace to add the dried orange peels on top.
6. Cut or grind the dried orange pieces and add them to the top of your filled jar. Save one piece to tie to the outside of your jar.
7. Drill a hole in your orange slice and tie it to the outside of your jar under the rim.

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Eco-Friendly Beeswax Wraps
Five Simple Eco-Friendly Changes
How to Give an Old Platter a New Look!

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Spa soak jars make great gifts!

Be sure to share with us your favorite spa soak recipes and let me know if you try this recipe!

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