I think we can all agree, there’s nothing that compares to the feeling of running the perfect bath after a stressful day or week at work. After all, a bath is something you think about and look forward to, unlike taking a shower, serious thought goes into drawing a bath. It has to be perfect. Sitting in a tepid, shallow, lukewarm bath is the worst. But you don’t have to anymore.
With this in mind, we have created the ultimate guide for the perfect bath.
Here’s how have a perfect bath
As mentioned above, a bath takes consideration, it’s not spontaneous. Therefore, here are some things to think of before you even start to run the ‘hot’ tap.
Do you have time?
A bath should last at least 3o minutes from start to finish, if you don’t have 30 minutes, have a shower. If you don’t have half an hour for a bath, there’s a good chance you need to be somewhere pretty soon, therefore a bath won’t be any more of an end of the week wind down than a shower.
Now you’ve confirmed you have at least 30 minutes to spare, you enter phase 2 – choosing “relaxing bath products”.
However, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can use the following household items to create a relaxing bath.
How To Run The Perfect Bath
Now we have all the above available to us, including having at least 30 minutes spare. Here comes the most important part of any successful bath. Running it.
Clean the tub
Clean the bathtub before you start to run the tap is one of the most important aspects of the perfect bath. Rinsing your bath will remove any germs and hair from the last time it was used.
Evaluate how deep your bath is
Evaluating how deep your bath is can be somewhat overlooked, and lead to many overflows. Some home insurance policies will not cover damage by overflowing baths, so please don’t overdo it. Consider how much deeper it will be when you’re in it and fill accordingly.
Have everything to hand
Once you start the tap, you don’t want to be running around your house locating your essentials, as running the perfect bath requires all of your attention. Have everything set up and ready to go when you turn the tap on.
Don’t pre-run the hot tap
Prerunning the hot tap without the plug being in is literally throwing money down the drain. Put the plug in, and turn on the hot tap, you will get the benefit of having cold and hot water with just one stroke.
Add all of your ingredients
Add all of your ingredients to your bath. I like to do this when there is a thin layer of water covering the base of the bath. This way, all of the ingredients will have time to truly mix with the water.
Ensure the bath is hot enough, but not too hot
You don’t want to get in the bath and scold yourself. Ensure the bathwater is warm enough that it won’t go cold anytime soon – feeling the water getting cold after being in it for just 5 minutes can ruin the whole thing – but don’t go too hot either, as you can burn yourself, dry out your skin, or even pass out.
Now’s the time to sit back and enjoy the brilliance of what you have created.
How to take a bath properly
Taking a bath properly and having a bath are two completely different things. taking a bath properly takes some serious thought, and isn’t something that should be rushed. Below are 7 easy steps on how to take a bath properly.
Make sure you have enough time
I know I’ve mentioned this a few times now, but I can’t stress the importance of this. If you don’t have the time to have a bath, have a shower. A bath is effectively just as good as retail therapy, it’s something you treat yourself to after a long stressful week.
Follow the steps above
Follow the steps above when running the bath, and you’re on your way to taking a bath properly, and possibly the best bath you have ever had in your life.
Pamper yourself
Now comes the time to pamper yourself. I highly advise exfoliating your skin with a loofah or a sugar scrub. Take it a step further and thinly slice a cucumber to lay over your eyes, and say goodbye to puffiness.
Give yourself a massage
You can’t beat a massage in the bath, it’s just not possible. Simply take a small ball in the bath with you, place it in between the bath and your back, and steadily roll your back over it. This will help relieve tension in your back. Better yet, have your partner massage your face, temples and fingers for the ultimate relaxation.
Post Bath necessities
The bath doesn’t end when you release the plug. What you do after will also contribute to the perfect bath. Ensure upon getting out you have a nice fluffy robe and towel to dry you off.
Drain and clean
When you’ve got out of the bath, take a moment to rinse all oil and excess moisture from your tub. This will help prevent the build-up of soap scum, grime, and mildew. Opening a window and letting air into your bathroom will also help.
There you have it, our top 6 steps on how to take a bath properly. Have your own tips? Make sure you share them with us in the comments below.
Bath Tips – Before, During, and After
The tips below can help take your bath from simple relaxation to healing, medically therapeutic activity.
Remember, hot, but not too hot
Staying in a hot bath for too long can get your nervous system working overtime, and can make you feel more agitated than before. Also, if you’re pregnant, make sure your bath doesn’t exceed 37˚C (100˚F).
Stay hydrated
If you enjoy a really hot bath, your body will try and cool itself the only way it knows how: sweating. Make sure you drink plenty of water or milk before and after to replenish your body of its vital fluids.
Perform deep breathing
Putting together a relaxing bath, and breathing deeply is the ultimate stress buster. Deep breathing is always relaxing and embodying. However, the relaxation from deep breathing is particularly effective in a hot bath.
Moisturise!
Moisturising once you get out of the bath, is great for rejuvenating your skin. The hot water can make your skin dry if you’re in it for too long, therefore moisturising after will prevent dry skin being caused. Ensure that you moisture whilst still slightly damp to lock in as much moisture as possible.
Keep nails out of the water
If you’ve recently had your nails done, you will definitely want to keep them out of the water. The hot water can potentially ruin your nails, meaning a trip back to your local beauticians will be in order.
Relax afterwards
Get a glass of your favourite drink, put your feet up, grab a heated towel and wrap it around your neck and take a well-earned nap.
These are our top 7 bath tips for before, during, and after your bath.
How long is the perfect bath?
In our opinion, the perfect bath lasts at least a good 30 minutes from start to finish. That’s 15 minutes preparing your bath, and at least 15 minutes bathing. Too short and you haven’t truly received any of the benefits of the bath, whilst too long will leave you feeling as wrinkly as a prune.
Of course, this will vary on your own personal preference.
Frequently asked bath questions
Q. What can I use instead of essential oils?
A. Don’t worry. If you don’t have any essential oils, simply add a bit of your favourite shower gel, this is a great alternative to making your bath smell nice, and for creating bubbles. You can also try adding a bath bomb or bubble bar. As always, the more natural the better.
Q. Will a bath calm me down?
A. Yes, bath’s are great for calming you down after a hard day at work. Just make sure to be in a relaxing environment, with your favourite candles, scents and music and you’re well on your way to a calmer self.
Q. I don’t have a bath pillow, is there anything else I can use?
A. There sure is, take a soft towel and roll it up into the shape of a pillow, and you’ve got your very own DIY bath pillow.
Q. I don’t have Epsom salt, will table salt work?
A. No. The reason for this is because table salt is sodium chloride, whereas Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulphate. If you add table salt, it will neither be beneficial nor harmful.
Q. Can I fall asleep in the bath?
A. We highly advise against it. Falling asleep in the bath can have serious consequences such as drowning or hypothermia if in for too long. If you’re feeling tired or groggy then it’s best to leave the bath for another day. If someone else is in the house while you’re bathing, get them to check up on you at regular intervals.
Q. Should I lock my door when having a bath?
A. No. Never lock your door when having a bath. The reason for not locking your door before you have a bath is in case you slip or need help.
Q. Can I take my phone in the bath with me?
A. We only advise taking your phone in the bath with you if you have a waterproof casing for it. Dropping your phone in the bath can ruin the whole experience and will leave you without a phone – certainly not relaxing!
I hope we have managed to answer some of your questions, however, if you have any more, please put them into the comments below and we will do our best to answer them.
