Turning your bathroom into a mini haven and pampering yourself with products that you have made yourself is a wonderful way to unwind after another day of lockdown.
Making a body scrub is easy with common household ingredients such as oatmeal, brown sugar, lavender essential oil, Epsom salts, olive oil and coffee grounds. Why not get inventive and make up your own recipes.
Or try Harriet Birrell’s recipe for foot and hand scrub.
Foot and hand scrub
The light abrasion from the salt and bicarb soda, and the deep moisturisation of the olive oil is a match made in heaven.
To make I like the simple combination of peppermint and lavender to soothe and refresh, but you can play around with your favourite scents. Tea tree is another great one, as it’s both antifungal and antibacterial.
Makes 80ml (⅓ cup). Prep time: 2 minutes.
Equipment: glass jar or bowl and mixing spoon.
60ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) organic cold-pressed olive oil
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
Combine all ingredients in your glass jar or bowl and stir well to combine. Store in a cool, dry place.
To use
Fill a basin with warm water and grab a clean, dry towel. Sit on a chair and put your feet in the basin. Stir the scrub to mix it, then gently scrub 1 tablespoon or more onto your feet and hands, taking your time. Rinse well with warm water and towel dry thoroughly. Be careful about getting up and walking around immediately afterwards; the residual oil might make your feet a bit slippery.
Extracted with permission from Home by Natural Harry by Harriet Birrell, Hardie Grant Books, $35.
