We're nearing the end of bathroom month, and we've looked at ways to clean, organize, and renovate bathrooms. Still, we didn't want to let March slip by without talking about ways to relax in the bathroom. We encourage you to set aside a few hours some day soon to create an at-home spa. It doesn't take much money, and it's a simple way to escape in your own home...
• The Day Before: Clean your bathroom and wash your towels. Trying to escape in a dirty bathroom just doesn't work. Get your cleaning done in advance, so that you can relax on the day of your at-home spa treatments. Also gather all the ingredients you'll need to have a few hours of spa time at home.
• Scent and Lighting: Use low lighting in the bathroom for your spa day by turning down the dimmer or lighting a scented candle. It's a cliche, but it works. Scent and lighting are very basic ways to transform a space from an ordinary bathroom to a spa-like space.
• Bath Bombs: Fizzy bath bombs make an ordinary bath into a special occasion. We like the ones from Lush, but you can also make your own at home. Not Martha has some really good instructions.
• Hands and Feet: Treating your hands and feet can feel like a real luxury. Use an exfoliating scrub to clean skin. (See this post for a few recommendations.) You can also make your own scrub - there are tons of recipes on the web (here's a good one). After you've scrubbed and rinsed, use a good lotion to moisturize. You can also use baby oil on wet skin to lock in moisture.
• Facial Steam: Our local grocer recommended this treatment to us when we were under the weather. Boil a pot of water, pour it into a basin, and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. With a towel around your neck, put your head over the steaming bowl. Use the towel to make a tent over your head and the basin to keep the steam from escaping. Breath in the steam for a few minutes, then rinse your face with cold water. This treatment opens up your pores a lot, so wait a few minutes before using a gentle cleanser and moisturizing your face.
• Water and Tea: After you've finished up in the bathroom, drink some water to stay hydrated. Adding cucumber slices to water makes it taste crisp and refreshing. You can also make yourself a cup of herbal tea.
• Meditation Time: You don't actually have to sit down and chant, but you should set aside an hour to be still. Don't watch TV or use the computer. You can read, listen to music, or just give yourself some time to contemplate and be quiet.
Add your suggestions for at-home spa treatments in the comments below.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I'm the kind of person that wears shower shoes in my apartment...I doubt I'll ever take a bath until I own my own home.
view Kinky Gazpacho's profile
I went for a spa day at Burke Williams and had a fabulous milk bath that left me feeling so relaxed and my skin silky soft- does anyone one know a good home milk bath and where it can be purchased? I know there are home made mixes - anyone know good ones?
thanks
view Oneformybaby's profile
The easiest and best milk bath is just a heaping helping of dry powdered milk from your grocery store!
Get a box and enjoy, I take milk baths a lot, people always ask about my skin, it works great.
Don't be stingy, I even make a paste of the powdered milk and use that as a mask while I soak.
Rinse quickly with lukewarm water and slather on lotion or cocoa butter and you will BE a new woman.
view witchdoc's profile
I'm headed for the grocery store after work for powdered milk. Thanks witchdoc.
view STYLeyes's profile