How to Make Bath Bombs

How to Make Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are incredibly fun to make and even more fun to use! There is nothing more luxurious than soaking in a scented bath. Making bath bombs is a great activity for kids and adults, and they also make beautiful gifts for family and friends.

A basic bath bomb is made with three primary ingredients: sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and a filler such as tapioca starch or epsom salts. When the bath bomb is placed in the water the sodium bicarb (a base) reacts with citric acid (an acid) and a chemical reaction occurs and releases carbon dioxide which is the fizz! The filler weakens the effect of the sodium bicarb and citric acid and helps to make the bath bomb fizz last longer.

The trick to a successful bath bomb is achieving the right consistency, too much water will cause it to fizz to early, too little water and it becomes difficult to shape the bath bomb. The texture you want is slightly damp sand, when squeezed together in your hand it will hold shape.

You can customise your bath bomb with dried flowers, clays, salts, colours, glitters, essential oils and fragrances. You can even hide treasure inside the bath bomb!

We also have a DIY Bath Bomb Kit to make your first time making a bath bomb easier, comes with all the ingredients and full instructions.

Equipment

You will need- Mixing bowl, whisk, sieve, spritzer bottle filled with water, bath bomb mould, tray lined with baking paper, gloves, measuring cups and spoons.

TIP - It can be quite tricky to make a round bath bomb at first, if you are making with kids it is easier to press the mixture into a silicon muffin mould.

Basic Bath Bomb Recipe

Coloured Bath Bomb Recipe

Method

1. Weigh out all ingredients
2. Sieve the dry ingredients into your mixing bowl and whisk together well, if adding colour, add this now
3. Add the fragrance/essential, polysorbate (if using) into the oil/melted butter and mix well
4. Very slowly add the oil mix into the dry mix a little at a time, stir really well before adding more, at this stage get your hands in the mix to really combine it well-wear gloves as citric acid can sting if you have cuts etc
5. Test the mixture-we are looking for a ‘damp sand’ texture that will hold shape when squeezed in your hand, if it is too crumbly- spray a little water/witch hazel into the mixture until it holds shape well. Be careful here that you do not add too much water, or your mix will start to fizz!
6. Scoop up the mixture with both sides of the mould overfilling it (do not pack it down with your hands) Join the two halves of the mould together and press firmly. The edges of the mould should not be touching if they are tip the mix out and scoop up a little more mixture next time.
7. With a tablespoon tap each side of the mould 3 or 4 times and the remove the mould. Do this very gently!
8. Leave your bath bombs to dry on the tray overnight in a warm, dry spot then place into an airtight container to store them so they do not absorb moisture in the air.
9. Once dry they are ready to use!

TIPS

Add 1/4 tsp of bio-glitter to your bath bomb mixture for a sparkly effect.

Sprinkle dried flowers into the bottom of the mould before filling with the bath bomb mixture.

Lakes can be used for a stronger colour in bath bombs- make sure you use polysorbate to stop the colour sticking to your bathtub.

Clays can be used as natural colours; they can also help strengthen the bath bomb.

Arrowroot powder, colloidal oatmeal and corn starch can be used to replace tapioca starch.

Adding a gentle surfactant like SLSA can bring a gentle foaming action to your bath bomb.

Butters help to harden a bath bomb - try shea butter, mango butter etc

Salts are a wonderful addition- try magnesium flakes, dead sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, Sea salt and Epsom salts.

For a special occasion you can hide things inside the bath bomb, just place in one side of the mould before pressing it together.