Do you ever feel like you need to soak away the blues – or the toxins – of the day?
Can you remember when you last took time to treat yourself to a day of pampering?
If you can manage a full day to spoil yourself, try a detoxing clay bath to soak away your cares!
Soaking in a clay bath will draw out the toxins from your body while replacing some of the lost minerals and vitamins that your body requires. Bentonite clay is made of volcanic ash and can help remove oils, toxins and heavy metals from the skin.
Clay has been used in hydrotherapy throughout the ages simply because it is readily available, easy to use, and known to effectively treat different ailments.
In this post, I’ll discuss the effects of a good soak in a clay bath, share a recipe for my favorite detox clay bath, and show you how to customize your own clay bath recipe to suit your needs.
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Basic Clay Bath Recipe
If this is your inaugural detox clay bath, start with a 5-minute soak to see how you will react. Gradually increase your soaking time to about 20 minutes at a time, but don’t go longer than that!
Just as a detox clay bath is great for your health, detoxing for too long could be detrimental for your health – read on in this post to find out why!
You don’t need many ingredients for a clay bath detox recipe.
The basic ingredients are:
- 1 cup of clay (I use this Bentonite Clay from Fossil Power – See it on Amazon)
- 2 cups hot water
Directions:
- Prepare the clay using the mixing bowl, clay, and water. Slowly mix 1-2 cups of clay with hot water—enough to form a smooth mixture.
- Run a bathtub full of warm water and slowly pour the clay mixture into the water.
That’s it!
Even though the basic clay bath recipe is enough for a complete detox for your body while you soak, try a clay body mask as a second option:
- Prepare a slightly thicker, spreadable clay solution.
- Spread it all over your body – don’t forget your face and your feet – even in between your toes!
- Step into the tub filled with warm water and relax!
The Benefits of a Clay Bath
Clay is used internally or externally to treat diseases and maintain good body health. It’s often used as a remedy to reduce toxins within the body.
A detox clay bath removes toxins from your body, while minerals and nutrients are absorbed back into your skin through the water, as well as by any nourishing additives you add to your bath water.
Symptoms
If you suffer from any one of the below afflictions, a clay detox bath could be what you need. A relaxing detox bath can help alleviate the following symptoms:
- Sinus congestions
- Body aches and pains
- Skin rashes, pimples, and eczema
- Extreme fatigue, headaches, and head fog
- Digestive problems
Always consult a medical doctor if your symptoms don’t clear up!
Why a Clay Bath Works
A clay bath will stimulate the lymphatic system and the body’s immune system by agitating the skin.
A clay detox bath is designed to gently remove all the toxins built up in your body due to the stress and strain of modern-day living, including the removal of heavy metals.
By taking a clay bath at least twice a week for 21 days, many believe you can eliminate the effects of heavy metal poisoning from your body.
Clay Bath: An Ancient Remedy
The Ancient Egyptians in Mesopotamia discovered the healing properties of mud therapy and used a mixture of sand, clay, and silt to treat numerous ailments. Primarily though, at that time, it was used as a preservative for mummies.
Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt back in 51 BCE and known to be the most beautiful woman in the world, used the lowly clay to preserve her complexion. (She also loved a good milk and honey bath. For details, read Take a Milk and Honey Bath: Live Like a Queen.)
But Cleopatra wasn’t the only one ancient who knew the value of a great bath. Philosophers Plato and Hippocrates were also great believers in the therapeutic effects of healing baths to re-center and restore.
Clay Bath: Cautions
When it comes to taking a detox bath, there are several cautions to keep in mind, but for you and your bathtub.
Who Can Take a Clay Bath?
Well, this depends on many factors, including your current health, as well as how you use the clay and what you mix it with.
If you’re pregnant, you probably shouldn’t detox for the safety of you and your baby. If you have other health conditions, definitely talk to your doctor first.
Clay can safely be used as a poultice to treat infections, and if the correct product is used, it can be ingested without any harmful side effects.
Many clay products are intended for external use only, so check the package carefully.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Also, anytime you take a bentonite clay detox bath, it’s critical to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate beginning 24 hours before you get in the tub and continuing for several hours after you get out.
Slippery When Wet
When you add a clay bath recipe to your tub, it can make the bottom of the bathtub very slippery. So be extremely careful getting in and out of the tub. Hold on to a rail as you enter or exit the bath.
Watch Out for Clogged Pipes
The best way to prevent the clay from clogging your pipes is to put a TubRing or mesh drain over your regular bathtub drain before you let out your bathwater. You can see the TubRing here on Amazon.
How Many Types of Therapeutic Clay Are There?
Clay is one of the oldest yet one of the most common materials on earth. There are four types of clay currently used for detox therapies:
| TYPE OF CLAY | USES |
|---|---|
| Bentonite Clay | Known for its absorption and anti-inflammatory qualities |
| Kaolinite Clay | Used to treats skin ailments and is beneficial to gut health |
| Moroccan Rhassoul Clay | Used as a beauty elixir for skin and hair |
| French Green Clay | A natural exfoliant with toxin removing properties |
Bentonite Clay Bath – My Favorite Recipe!
I love the way my body looks and feels after a detoxing clay bath. This is my favorite detox clay recipe.
Remember to place a TubRing or mesh cover over your bathtub drain to prevent the clay from clogging your pipes.
(If you don’t have one, you can try to cover the drain with your hands to prevent any large clumps from going down as the tub water drains after your bath.)
Before you begin, set the mood by lighting a candle, pour a cup of water, take a few deep breaths, and relax!!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of bentonite clay
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- 6 drops of essential oil – I love lavender or mint!
- 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil – You can use melted down or fractionated (liquid) coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 heaping Tbsp Coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons of sea salt
Method
1. Fill the bathtub with warm water.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the carrier oil and the essential oils.
3. Now, pour the clay powder into a glass or plastic mixing bowl (Do not use a metal spoon to mix. It takes the electrical charge out of the clay. Use a wood or plastic spoon instead.)
4. Add the apple cider vinegar, oil mixture, and sea salt into the powder
5. Mix the warm water into the paste
6. Add one heaped tablespoon of coconut oil to the paste and mix in
7. Once the tub is filled to your liking, pour the paste into the water
8. Agitate the water so that the clay paste can blend into the tub water
9. Climb into the tub and relax for up to 20 minutes!
10. Fit a TubRing or mesh cover over your tub drain before you let out the water.
How To Make Your Own Clay Bath Recipe
While a warm clay bath is a quick and simple way to detox at home without the expense of a spa treatment, there are many more ingredients that you can add to your tub of clay water to enhance its properties.
Choose any one of these, or a mixture of a few, to add that extra special element to your clay bath detox!
| INGREDIENT | PURPOSE | HOW TO USE |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Natural antifungal and antibacterial agent Soothes, softens and exfoliates the skin Aids with inflammation and body odors | Add ½ -1 cup of apple cider vinegar to your tub of water |
| Baking Soda | Natural alkalizer Supports liver function and digestive issues Combats exposure to environmental radiation like x-rays and airport screenings | Add 2 - 4 cups of aluminum-free baking soda to your tub of water |
| Epsom Salts | Stimulates detoxification Reduces inflammation Lowers blood pressure Vital for muscle and nerve function | Add 2 - 4 cups of Epsom salts to your clay bath |
| Essential oils | Encourage hormonal balance Reduce inflammation | Add a few drops of oils, e.g., Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, or Lavender, to your tub of water (Always mix essential oils with carrier oils before adding to tub water to avoid skin irritation) |
| Carrier oils | Nourish skin Disperse essential oils throughout bath water | Use 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil such as almond, jojoba or coconut oil. Mix in 6 drops of essential oil, then add to tub water.* |
| Ginger | Induces sweat Removes toxins from the body | Add ½ a cup of grated ginger to your warm tub of water |
| Sea Salt | Draws toxins out of the body Soothes irritated skin Boosts your energy levels | Add 1/3 a cup of sea salt to your warm tub of water |
10 Things To Do BEFORE a Detox Clay Bath
Before you rush into the relaxing clay waters of your tub, stop for a moment and consider the following:
1. Safety
Always check with your doctor to be sure a detox bath is safe for you and your particular medical conditions. Don’t take a detox bath if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Begin hydrating up to 24 hours before taking a detox bath. Continue drinking while in the bath and for 12 hours after. Drinking water before and after your detox helps with the process and prevents you from getting lightheaded.
3. Wear PPE When Mixing Your Recipe
Always wear PPE equipment over your nose and mouth when working with the clay powder as it is very fine and is not good for your lungs!
4. Use a Drain Strainer
This little device is designed to keep hair and debris out of your pipes, so you don’t have to call the plumber. See the TubRing on Amazon.com
5. Fill the Tub with Warm or Hot Water
Then fill the tub. You will sweat and that is good. Afterall, that’s how your body expels toxins. But if it’s your first detox bath, consider using warm water rather than hot.
6. Be Careful Getting In (and Out) of the Tub
If your tub is extra slippery, place a tub mat or a small towel down on the bottom of the bathtub to prevent you from slipping under the water.
7. Use Baking Soda
If you are not bathing in filtered water, you may want to add 1 cup of baking soda to neutralize any chemicals like chlorine and to aid mineral absorption.
8. Tie Up Long Hair
Clay can dry your hair out and leave it feeling like straw for a few days if you don’t wash the clay out properly or hydrate!
While some hair types will benefit from a clay mask, bentonite clay can strip natural oils and protein from porous hair.
Make sure you rinse your hair with clean water and rinse with a cup of apple cider vinegar or a dollop of protein conditioner to restore your hair.
9. Set a Timer
If you soak in the tub for longer than 20 minutes, you could experience nausea and become dehydrated or light-headed – these are all common side effects and should disappear quickly. But to be safe, set a timer and get out when time’s up. If it’s your first time, start with a shorter detox bath of 5-10 minutes.
10. Wet Your Face
Keep a clean, wet washcloth at hand to wet your face every now and then – after 10 minutes, the clay on your face might dry and crack unless you keep wetting it.
7 Things to Do AFTER a Detox Clay Bath
Now that you have had a relaxing soak for 20 minutes, you should be feeling nice and detoxed!
Then, to prepare for your relaxing soak, take note of the following:
1. Before you exit the tub, make sure to remove the clay from your ears, nose, and everywhere else!
2. Take a cool – not cold – shower to remove the rest of the clay from your body. Cool water helps to close your pores after a warm detox bath.
3. Your skin will be very dry after your soak, so cover your body with your favorite moisturizer. Beware of soaps, lotions, and shampoos with artificial fragrances. Your pores are open after a warm soak and could easily absorb these toxins!
4. Dress in warm clothes to keep your body heat in and allow it to relax and recharge.
5. You need to replenish your body’s lost minerals, so rehydrate by drinking salty water, electrolytes, or even a glass of water mixed with a spoonful of clay! Make sure that you buy the right brand for drinking!
6. It will be much easier if you clean the tub right away before the clay debris hardens. Watch the video above for a simple recipe for how to clean your tub with baking soda.
For more on what should you do now to prolong this awesome feeling and care for your body? Read What to Expect After a Detox Bath.
Bentonite Clay Face Mask
While I soak in a clay bath, I like to put on a face mask. Mix this up in a separate glass bowl:
- ½ cup Bentonite clay
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
Put the paste on your face before you get in the tub. Take a washcloth with you so that you can rinse it off before you get out.
For more natural beauty tips, see my 20 Best Bath Ingredients to Soften and Soothe Skin.
What Is Aztec Healing Clay Used For?
Another Bentonite clay product you can use to give yourself a facial is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, available from Amazon.
Aztec Healing Clay provides a 100% natural deep pore cleansing facial and body mask. Calcium bentonite clay is the main ingredient used in this well-known beauty product as it is gentler than Sodium Bentonite and provides more minerals for the skin.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is primarily used for masking and exfoliating skin, whereas bentonite clay is a multi-purpose, general use product.
Use this product daily in your routine to keep your body in top shape. Try these simple methods to treat everything from acne to oral hygiene.
Check the directions on the packaging for the correct quantities for each soothing recipe:
- A bath soak
- Anti-itch poultice
- An incredible hair mask!
- Natural deodorant
- A soothing face mask
- Toothpaste
So Is a Detox Clay Bath Really Worth It?
While many of us enjoy a great spa treatment, they can be costly. So, the next time you feel the need to relax in a soothing bath, why not go the extra mile and stir up a good batch of clay?
A good detoxing clay bath will help you de-stress while banishing all sorts of harmful toxins from your body.
If you don’t have the time to relax in a full tub, simply mix a good batch of the clay mixture, pour it into a bucket or small tub, slip your feet in, and relax while you de-stress with a great glass of wine.
And if you’re ready to try another type of detox bath, consider a detox bath with ginger and turmeric or a detox Himalayan salt bath.
Or if you’re not in the mood to sweat, how about boosting your mood while nourishing your skin with a decadent chocolate bath!
Want to feel your best? I’ll send you our free bath recipe guide when you subscribe to our newsletter. Then bring on the bathtub bliss!
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