by Alexandra Heep

Created on: March 04, 2009

Surely one needs no instructions on how to be clean, but there is more to the art of bathing than simple personal hygiene. Indeed, the ancient Romans had it right. While with busy lives taking showers has become the norm in current society, it's no coincidence that nice bathrooms still sell houses. However, you don't need a spa tub or a bathroom the size of a football field to turn taking a bath into a luxurious experience.

It all starts of course with a clean and uncluttered bathroom. Taking a bath in a dirty bathroom is akin to cooking in a dirty kitchen. After you are satisfied that your bathroom is clean, take stock of the items you have. Just about everyone has bath accessories accumulated from holidays gone past. Items used can be candles, incense burners, bubble bath, bath oils, salts or bombs, bath teas, diffusers etc.

If you are not happy with what you have, go ahead and make a shopping list. Before you run out to the mall though, consider this: Most of the stores that cater to bath lovers, sell bath products made with chemical fragrances. It's better to use products with natural scents (like essential oils), as then you will get the whole aromatherapy experience, but it's of course your choice.

Candles can be scented or unscented, you are only limited by personal preference. If using scented candles, try to coordinate them with your other bath products. For example, combine floral with floral, spicy with woodsy or spicy, etc.

After you lay out your towels and linens, set up your candles (or diffusers) and light them. Set your body lotion close to the bathtub, so you can apply it as soon as you get out. Lotion works best when it is applied to damp skin.

If you use bath salts or bubble bath, add those in the tub first then run the water. If you use bath oils, add them after the tub is filled. This keeps the oils from evaporating into the air. If you use a bath bomb, you should probably add it after the water as well, as some of them have stuff inside (like petals), so you can get the full experience of whatever the particular bath bomb does. If you use bath tea, always make sure it's in a muslin bag and securely tied, so you won't end up with a clogged drain. It does not matter however if you add it first or last. So, take some time out from the daily stresses of life, lock the door, put up the "do not disturb sign", and enjoy!

Learn more about this author, Alexandra Heep.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.