Bath & Body Works Hacks You Need To Know
Bath & Body Works never misses the mark when it comes to addictive products and drooly scents, but the costs can add up quickly if you aren't taking advantage of the many hidden ways to save and score.
Believe it or not, the famous Candle Day isn't the only time you can get the best deals at Bath & Body Works. Surprisingly, the retailer actually offers its customers a ton of saving and even earning opportunities that are easily overlooked and not often talked about. Scoring free products also might not be as far out of reach as you think and can be done with minimal effort or even just by shopping.
So, whether you're looking for the best time to shop and save, exclusive access to deals, or tips on how to earn free products, this article might just change the way you start shopping at Bath & Body Works.
It pays to be a rewards member (literally)
In 2022, Bath & Body Works launched a rewards program in which members can get exclusive access to discounts, upcoming sales, and even earn free products. As of this writing, signing up for Bath & Body Works' Loyalty Rewards comes with a perk — $10 off any purchase of $30.
Probably one of the biggest perks of being a rewards member is the opportunity to earn free products. For every purchase of $100, members earn 1,000 points which can be redeemed for any product worth up to $16.50. Rewards members are also eligible for a free gift on their birthday.
Each rewards member is given a unique digital rewards card to use during purchases. Your rewards card can be scanned when making in-store purchases or used directly from your online account's wallet for online purchases. One note to keep in mind: When returning items, points will be deducted from your account.
Use a wax warmer to extend the life of your 3-Wick Candles
Ever notice how once you hit the end of a Bath & Body Works candle's wicks, there's still quite a bit of wax left? Many people would just throw out the candle, but there's actually an incredibly easy hack to prolong the life of your candles by turning the remaining wax into wax melts. All you need to make this hack work is a wax warmer and a freezer.
As Harlem Candle Company detailed, you can freeze the remaining wax in your candle — this will make it easy to remove. Just pop the candle (jar and all) into the freezer for at least three hours. After you remove the jar from the freezer, use a butter knife to pop out the wax easily. Next, simply break the wax up into pieces with your hands, and voilà, your wax melts are ready to use on any wax warmer.
As an added bonus, you can even upcycle the candle's glass container by using it as a planter, pencil holder, or storage for small items. If you're feeling extra creative, you could even decorate the glass with paint.
Some swear by dumpster diving at Bath & Body Works
Although it is unconventional, if you aren't afraid to get your hands a little dirty, dumpster diving at a Bath & Body Works location is a great way to get new, full-sized products for free. Damaged items that cannot be sold or items that are out of season are usually disposed and can be found in the store's dumpster. Some lucky pickers have even found hundreds of items at a time, as one YouTuber demonstrated.
Depending on the store, products may be marked with paint or slightly broken to deter people from taking them, but the actual product typically remains untouched. According to a few members of the DumpsterDiving subreddit, weekends are typically the best time to go since this is the store's busiest time and when most returns are made. It is also ideal to go a few hours before the store opens or shortly after they close since this is when products are usually disposed of.
If you do plan to dumpster dive, though, you should become familiar with local laws and understand any personal risks that may be involved.
Mark your calendar for the Candle Day sale
Candle Day is one of Bath & Body Works' busiest days of the year — and for a very good reason. During this event, shoppers can find 3-wick candles for more than 60% off. If you are a Bath & Body Works candle lover, the time to stock up is during this sale.
The Candle Day event occurs during the first weekend of December. While it used to only last one day, Bath & Body Works has extended Candle Day to two days. To prepare, you might want to make a list of the scents you want to snag beforehand and try to get to the store early.
Just for the occasion, some stores open their doors a few hours before their normal opening time, so make sure to check with your store beforehand (via Axios). Additionally, being a rewards member comes in handy during Candle Day — members were given early access to the 2022 Candle Day sale.
Shop Bath & Body Works' Semi-Annual Sale for up to 75% off
The Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale occurs online and in stores twice a year — once in the summer and again shortly after Christmas. Shoppers can expect to save upwards of 75% on select products, including lotions, hand sanitizers, mists, candles, soaps, and more. Additionally, Bath & Body Works tends to add in extra surprise savings for each day, such as BOGO deals.
Just as with Candle Day, it's a good idea to come to the Semi-Annual Sale prepared. Have an idea of the items you want and arrive at the store early. If you are opting to shop online, shop as soon as the sale begins because online items tend to sell out faster than they do in store.
Keep in mind that this sale only runs while supplies last, so you could miss out if you wait too long.
Use a browser extension to score promo codes and cash back
Don't have a Bath & Body Works promo code? Not a problem! If you don't already have a coupon and cashback extension for your browser, you're likely missing out on additional savings and earnings at practically all stores, including Bath & Body Works.
Savings and cashback browser extensions work by automatically finding and running active promo codes during checkout. As an additional bonus, these browser extensions sometimes offer cashback incentives for purchases made online or by completing tasks. Typically, users must meet a certain dollar threshold before they can redeem for cash back, but the amount can add up quickly if you are an avid online shopper.
Some of the most popular free browser extensions include Honey, Coupon Cabin, and Rakuten — and they can lead to big savings. For example, as of this writing, Coupon Cabin has codes that enable shoppers to save up to 50% at Bath & Body Works.
You can make your own foaming hand soap with Bath & Body Works' Cleansing Gel Hand Soap
In a TikTok video, one Bath & Body Works shopper revealed a tip from a store employee. When the shopper realized the Gentle Foaming Hand Soap she wanted was out of stock, she asked the employee when they would receive more, and that's when she was told she could create her own.
The TikToker explained that Bath & Body Works' Cleansing Gel Hand Soaps are not as popular as the Gentle Foaming Hand Soaps, so certain scents are more likely to be available in gel form. These soaps can be turned into a foam simply by diluting them with water. When explaining her preference in the video, the woman shared, "It's about texture for me" –which is arguably why the foaming soaps are so popular in the first place. To DIY your own foaming soap, you will need to add 1/4 of the gel soap into a clean soap dispenser and fill the remainder with water, shake it up, and voilà, you have your very own foaming hand soap — and at a fraction of the cost.
As far as how the efficacy of the soap changes, microbiologist Jason Tetro confirmed to PureWow, "As long as there's surfactant, you will be able to remove [germs], although you may need more as dilution increases." He continued, saying, "As long as you are able to coat your hands with the active ingredient, usually shown by lather, then there really is no better or effective type of soap."
Defective items can be exchanged no matter when you bought them
Although Bath & Body Works has a transparent return policy, many shoppers may not realize that defective items are not limited to a 90-day return window — and that includes Wallflowers. If you happen to purchase a defective Wallflower plug-in, bring it to any Bath & Body Works store and exchange it for a new one. This is a great save because purchasing a new plug-in can range up to $36.50.
According to the company, Wallflowers contain a safety mechanism to avoid overheating, so device malfunctions should be a rarity; however, if this ever happens to you, be sure to claim your free replacement. Bath & Body Works explains on its site that the plug-ins can be used anywhere you have an outlet, but they do recommend at least a foot of space between the placement of the Wallflower and the floor, furniture, decor, and countertops.
Sign up for the mailing list and get free products
This tip might seem a bit old school but signing up for the Bath & Body Works mailing list is an absolute must if you love Bath & Body Works. Members who sign up can expect to receive mailers with information on upcoming sales, exclusive coupons, and, best of all, vouchers that are redeemable for free in-store products with no purchase required. The mailing list is often the only way to receive free product vouchers, so that alone may be worth signing up for.
To sign up, visit Bath & Body Works' "Ask a Question" page and select "Mailing Address Add/Update" from the dropdown menu. Next, fill in your information and submit. Members can expect to receive Bath & Body Works coupons a few times per year.
Additionally, Bath & Body Works offers deals to users who also sign up for email and text alerts. Alerts include sales, promo codes, and more. Users who sign up for email alerts can expect to receive more frequent communication compared to those who receive mailers. To sign up for text alerts or email alerts, visit Bath & Body Works' website.