I didn’t really “get” baths until I became a working adult. The chance to sit undisturbed in a tub of hot water went from sounding like a waste of my time to absolute bliss. Things got even better when I realized that I could multitask by actively supporting my health while I relaxed. A proper detox bath isn’t just relaxing—it helps your body ease stress, boost circulation, and strengthen immunity.

Plenty of people turn to a detox bath after travel, workouts, or post-illness, when they’re looking for an easy and effective way to reset their bodies. Our modern world exposes us to more toxins than ever in our food, body products, water, and air. While we can’t avoid all of them, it becomes a problem when they build up unchecked, leading to irritation, fatigue, and potential health issues. Thankfully, a detox bath is a gentle yet powerful therapy that helps flush those impurities out, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Read on for everything you need to know about leveling up your detox bath for the ultimate healing ritual.

Featured image from our interview with Janessa Leoné by Teal Thomsen.

How to Take a Detox Bath

Incorporate your detox agent. Add your chosen product to a standard tub full of hot/warm water. The hotter the water, the more you’ll sweat, and the better you’ll detox.

Add baking soda. If your bath water is not filtered, add 1 cup of baking soda to help neutralize the chemicals, primarily chlorine, as well as increase mineral absorption.

Immerse yourself in the water. Get as much of your body underwater as you can. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and relax for at least 20 minutes.

Step out. Once you are done soaking, get out of the tub carefully. It’s common to feel a bit light-headed. This should go away shortly and a quick rinse off with cool water can help!

Moisturize. Steer clear of soaps, shampoos, and lotions with artificial fragrances, dyes, and toxic chemicals as your pores are open post-bath and can more easily absorb the chemicals found in those products.

Hydrate. Drink plenty of water before and after to support your body’s detox process. A great time to take a detox bath is before bed. Detox baths can leave you feeling drowsy. A great night of sleep post-bath is an amazing way to support your body’s rejuvenation process.

How to Make Your Detox Bath More Effective

• Start slow. The more agent you use and the hotter the water, the more intense the detox.
• Take it easy. If the detox bath is making you feel uncomfortably nauseous, lightheaded, or just plain sick (common side effects of intense detox), try cutting back on the detox agent, switching detox agents, using cooler water, and/or bathing for a shorter amount of time.
• Get the kids involved! These detox baths are generally safe for kids, just reduce the amount of agent used. (Read more about detox baths for kids.)
• Do a detox bath for your feet. Hate the tub? Get some of the benefits of the detox bath by doing a foot soak using a large container and soak those toes away.

Types of Detox Baths

Epsom Salt Bath

The most popular of the detox baths, Epsom salts, are made of magnesium and sulphate. Both are critical nutrients for the human body but can be poorly absorbed from our food. However, soaking in Epsom salts counteracts this problem as these minerals both absorb readily via the skin. Magnesium deficiency is common, and an Epsom salt bath provides a simple and relaxing way to supplement this essential mineral. Regular use can help stimulate detoxification, reduce inflammation in sore muscles, lower blood pressure, promote healthy circulation, and support relaxation and normal sleep patterns.

How to do it: Start by adding one cup of Epsom salt to your bathtub and gradually increase to two or three cups.

Pro tip: Sprinkle just a bit of your fancy bath salts into a bath, then add more Epsom salts to make your pricey salts go further! You get the relaxing scent and benefits of the nice salt blend and the detox of the Epsom salts. 

Bentonite Clay Bath

Taking a bentonite clay detox bath is a great way to remove heavy metals from the body. Bentonite clay is a naturally-forming clay that magnetically pulls toxins, heavy metals, and wastes from the body. Bentonite clay also lowers the body’s PH levels, making it a perfect substance to take internally or use externally.

How to do it: Pour about ½ to 1 cup of bentonite clay into a bath of hot water, breaking up the clumps. It is typically recommended to start by taking a clay bath once a week, then moving to about once a month for maintenance.

Baking Soda Bath

Baking soda baths are naturally alkalizing and are beneficial for boosting liver function, supporting digestive issues and for combating a sore throat (including strep throat). When combined with sea salt, this bath is also great for combating any exposure to environmental radiation, x-rays, plane flights or airport screenings. 

How to do it: Dissolve two to four cups of aluminum-free baking soda in your tub and soak for at least 20 minutes.

Ginger Bath

Try this sweat-inducing bath to fight off sickness at the first sign of any cold symptoms. If you don’t have access to a sauna or steam room, the ginger bath is a simple and sure way to induce a sweat, clearing out all those nasty toxins from your body and leaving you feeling energetic and cleansed.

How to do it: Add ½ a cup of grated ginger to a hot bath and soak for 15-20 minutes. The ginger bath will make you sweat profusely for at least an hour afterward, so wear a robe or clothes you don’t mind getting sweaty.

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath

The apple cider vinegar detox bath is great for inflammatory body ailments, like arthritis, for those dealing with candida issues, and can help with body odor. It also helps balance the skin’s pH, which can soothe irritation and promote overall skin health. Additionally, apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties that may help alleviate fungal infections. Like the ginger detox bath, it is an especially sweat-inducing bath, which aids your body’s detox process, so don’t be surprised if you continue sweating for a bit afterward.

How to do it: Add one to two cups of pure, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and soak in the tub for up to 30 minutes.

Your Detox Bath Questions, Answered

Detox baths are a powerful way to support your body’s natural cleansing processes, but knowing how to tailor them to your needs can make all the difference. Whether you’re wondering how often to soak, which ingredients target bloating, or what precautions to take during pregnancy, expert guidance can help you get the most out of your ritual. Shannon Davenport, founder of Esker, shares her insight on making detox baths safe, effective, and deeply restorative. Read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions about detox baths.

Shannon Davenport

Shannon Davenport is the founder of Esker, a brand dedicated to making bathing and self-care rituals effortless, effective, and deeply restorative. Before launching Esker, she worked as a trend forecaster, giving her a sharp eye for consumer behavior, ingredient innovation, and the future of self-care. Seeing a growing need for elevated, ingredient-forward bathing rituals, she created Esker to help people integrate these wellness practices into their daily lives. As a busy mom, she believes baths aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity—and she’s on a mission to bring the power of bathing to more people through intentional, results-driven products.

How often should you take a detox bath?

“Your skin, muscles, and stress levels will tell you what they need,” Shannon explains, “but a general guideline is two to three times per week—especially if you’re using high-quality Zechstein magnesium salts like the ones we use in our Magnesium Bath Enhancer.”

She highlights the benefits of magnesium chloride, calling it “a powerhouse mineral that over 50% of people are deficient in.” Zechstein magnesium, she notes, is “one of the purest forms of magnesium chloride, sourced from a 250-million-year-old underground sea in the Netherlands.” Unlike traditional Epsom salts, Shannon notes, Zechstein magnesium is “more bioavailable, meaning your body absorbs it more efficiently.”

“Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic functions, including muscle recovery, nervous system regulation, and detoxification,” she says. “So you can kind of think of it as a supplement that you soak in rather than ingest!”

What are the potential side effects of taking a detox bath?

“A well-balanced detox bath should leave you feeling replenished, not depleted,” Shannon assures. However, she encourages bathers to keep the following in mind.

Since magnesium baths promote sweating, she warns that dehydration is a common side effect. “It’s essential to drink plenty of water before and after your soak,” she advises. Some people may also experience dizziness or fatigue, as magnesium naturally relaxes the nervous system and can temporarily lower blood pressure.

“To prevent any discomfort, hydrate before soaking, keep your bath between 98–101°F (37–38°C), and listen to your body,” she recommends. “If you start feeling lightheaded or overly fatigued, it’s time to step out and rehydrate with ice water or herbal tea.”

What is the best detox bath for bloating?

“Bloating isn’t just about what you eat—it’s also influenced by hormones, stress, and circulation, all of which a well-crafted detox bath can help address,” Shannon explains.

She calls Zechstein magnesium chloride “a game-changer for fluid balance,” noting that it helps ease water retention and promote lymphatic drainage while replenishing magnesium levels. “A gentle lymphatic self-massage during your soak, focusing on the abdomen and legs, can encourage circulation and aid in detoxification,” she suggests.

For an extra boost, she recommends following up with hydrating foods like cucumber, celery, or lemon water. “They naturally help the body release excess fluids,” she adds.

Can you take a detox bath while pregnant?

“Absolutely,” Shannon confirms, while noting that you should proceed with the proper precautions. “The main concern is overheating, which can be risky during pregnancy.”

She points to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ recommendation that pregnant women never let their body temperature exceed 102.2°F, making it essential to keep bathwater below 100°F. “You can actually use a bath thermometer to check your water if you’re unsure!” she advises.

“During my own pregnancies, baths became an essential part of my routine—not just for relaxation, but for real relief from muscle aches and swelling,” she shares. “And that amazing feeling of weightlessness when your feet and legs get super tired—it’s a game-changer.”