5 Ways to Turn Your Bath Into a DIY Spa

With a quick Search on Pinterest of “bathroom inspo”, you will discover hundreds of photos of airy, softly lit bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and waterfall showers. It’s supposed to be inspiring, but if your bathroom is more regular than regal, it also can be a little envy-making. Don’t let that stop you! Even if your tub isn’t exactly Pinterest-worthy, you can still reap the soul-soothing, tension-melting benefits of a bath with a little help. Read on to learn how.

1. Clean Your Tub

You knew it was coming. It’s impossible to relax in a dingy, scummy tub, so if you really want to take your bath to the next level, set aside some time to clean it. Generally speaking, the best way to clean a tub is to apply a bathroom cleaner to the interior, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it away with a sponge or brush. If your bathtub is made of acrylic or enamel, be careful not to use steel wool or abrasive scrubbers, as these can damage it. Make sure to rinse your tub thoroughly before moving on to step two.

2. Create Ambiance

A good bath is all about ambiance. Dim the lights if you can, or turn them off and light some candles. There’s nothing worse than harsh overhead lighting when it comes to creating a soothing, spa-like vibe. You can turn on music, white noise, or just keep it silent if you prefer. Whatever makes you most relaxed and ready to slip into bathtime bliss.

3. Choose a Bath Treatment

There is no shortage of salts, soaks, and other treatments to add to your bath. They can range from utilitarian to super-luxurious; some have medicinal or skincare properties while others are just for fun.

• Bath oil: a moisturizing oil that hydrates your skin as you bathe. Tip: keep some baking soda nearby. You may find yourself trapped in a slippery tub, so after your bath, sprinkle some on the surface to safely strip away residue.

• Bubble bath: a foaming soap that creates fluffy bubbles when you pour it under the faucet as your bathtub fills.

• Bath salts: blends of salts, herbs, and essential oils that can help detoxify skin and soothe achy muscles.

• Bath soaks: powder-based treatments that dissolve into bath water to calm and treat skin.

• Bath bombs: solid cakes or tablets made with baking soda that fizz as they dissolve, often turning your bathwater Instagramable colors.

4. Turn Off Your Phone

You may be tempted to take the perfect bathtub selfie, but to get the most out of your soaking session, consider your time in the tub a digital detox. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, put your device on silent and out of reach. Limiting distractions can help you relax more deeply. You’ll feel more calm, balanced and refreshed when you get out.

5. Don’t Forget a Towel

What’s the point in taking a luxurious soak if you’re just going to dry yourself off with sandpaper when you get out? Plush, fluffy towels are key to an amazing bath, and the internet is full of people with opinions about the best bath towel. But we’ve heard good things about Parachute’s Classic Towels and these waffle-weave towels from Onsen. You can also join the cult of Turkish towels, which are said to be softer and more absorbent thanks to extra-long cotton fibers.