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Make Your Own Bath Bombs

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By relache


bath bomb variations

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Bath bombs can be simple and uncolored
Bath bombs can be simple and uncolored

Take a Delicious Soak

One of my favorite ways to refresh or relax myself is by taking a bath. I find that a large tub of warm-to-hot water, scented beautifully, with a touch of moisturizing oils added is a simple and effective way to take a break and impart a feeling of restoration.

A fun bath indulgence is the "bath bomb." These bath additives are often molded into a ball shape, anywhere from golf ball to softball size, and they fizz when you drop them into the water. They add skin conditioners and fragrance to the water. Sometimes they seem to be really expensive, when in fact, they are made from simple ingredients and are very easy to make at home. They are great to for a rainy day kids project, and work well for a homemade holiday gift or a cute wedding favor!



Bath Bomb Basics

A "bath bomb" is an attractively-molded ball of bath salts. The underlying formula is almost the same no matter what recipe you find, with variations in the binder (what makes it stick together), coloring and fragrance. Depending on your individual craft budget, you can make very natural and simple bath bombs, or you can put expensive and exotic colorings and oils into them.

The two ingredients that are part of all bath bombs are Citric Acid (a gently acidic liquid or powder derived from fruit) and Bicarbonate of Soda (aka baking soda). These two ingredients are what form the bulk of the product and which give it the characteristic fizz. These are blended with salts, oils or colorings and shaped to make what most of us buy in stores as a bath bomb. Ready to make your own?

The most basic formula is

  • 2 parts Baking Soda

  • 1 part Citric Acid

  • 1 part other (salts, corn starch or oils)

  • small amounts of other ingredients such as color and fragrances

Determining how much a "part" is depends on how big a batch of bath bombs you are trying to make. If you are just trying a simple test for yourself, a part might only be 1/2 Cup. It's a good idea to make a very small batch and try it yourself before you invest in large amounts of ingredients or try and make a lot of something to give away to your friends.

Listed below are links to LOTS of recipe variations for bath bombs, along with links to some of the most common ingredients. You might be surprised how much of what goes into a fizzy bath bomb are just common household items.


ingredients & supplies

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (01170) Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (01170)
Price: $3.61
List Price: $4.59
Great Lakes #7627500002 2LB Epsom Salts Great Lakes #7627500002 2LB Epsom Salts
Price: $2.41
Dial #00368 76OZ 20 Mule Team Borax Dial #00368 76OZ 20 Mule Team Borax
Price: $6.22
Corn Starch, 1 lb. Corn Starch, 1 lb.
Price: $2.09
Cocoa Butter (100% Pure) - 7 Ounces Cocoa Butter (100% Pure) - 7 Ounces
Price: $5.79
List Price: $8.99

DIY Bath Bomb Video

Moisturizing Bath Fizzy

Now that I'm a bit older and my skin is drier, I like a moisturizing element in my bath bombs. Here's my favorite recipe:

  • 2 ounces baking soda

  • 1 ounce citric acid

  • 2 ounces cocoa butter

  • 3 Tbsp cornmeal

  • 6 drops essential oil (or three each of two different scents)

I like to use fancy ice cube trays to mold my bath bombs and then drop two of them in the bath instead of one big one. I spray a bit of non-stick cooking spray on the trays. Then I melt the cocoa butter using a double-boiler. Once it's all melted, I take it off the stove and add the baking soda, citric acid and cornmeal, and stir it all together well. Once combined, I add the essential oil and stir again. Then I use a small ladle to pour the mixture into the molds. Set the tray(s) in a freezer until the mixture is hard (this cools the cocoa butter quickly). Unmold and wrap in waxed paper or store in a large, moisture-proof jar until ready to use.


Soap Molds - a great way to shape your bath bombs

 MED. 2 PART 3D CUPCAKE CHOCOLATE CANDY SOAP MOLD MOLDS MED. 2 PART 3D CUPCAKE CHOCOLATE CANDY SOAP MOLD MOLDS
Current Bid: $3.50
3D Tea Rose - Silicone soap/chocolate Mold-2 parts mold 3D Tea Rose - Silicone soap/chocolate Mold-2 parts mold
Current Bid: $20.00

Bath Bomb Blogs - more tips, tricks and ideas


Notes and Considerations

If you want a "natural" bath bomb, only use essential oils. Fragrance oils are chemical immitations of real oils.

If you are prone to yeast infections, don't use a recipe with corn starch in it, as that can sometimes aggravate yeast issues.

Don't use too much coloring as that can leave a stain in the bathtub or on towels. Just a few drops is all it takes. This is really important when you are giving bath bombs as gifts!

If you don't want huge bath bombs, you can use smaller soap molds or fancy ice cube trays to make small tablets or shapes. Putting two smaller fizzes into a bath works just as well as one large one.

If you are giving them as gifts, make sure to package them in a way that keeps them dry so they don't get gummy or wet before you gift them.

Do You Like Bath Bombs?

RSS for comments on this Hub

Just_Rodney profile image

Just_Rodney  says:
18 months ago

Great hub, it is a great way to pamper yourself

Gardening Angel  says:
18 months ago

Hi--

Great craft idea! I am going to collect all the ingredients and get started making some. Very nice Hub Page. Please visit mine.

Gardening Angel

Cindy Lietz profile image

Cindy Lietz  says:
17 months ago

I had no idea it was so easy to make bath bombs! Thanks Relache!

relache profile image

relache  says:
17 months ago

I started after learning it was so easy, compared to how much you pay when you buy them from somewhere else. I've used some commercial ones so I can try different scents without buying all the oils, but now that I have few smells I like best, I just make them.

First Eagle profile image

First Eagle  says:
17 months ago

Yes, we have to take care of our selves too. Bath is superb to make you relax.

First Eagle, Thor Einar

Shannon Said profile image

Shannon Said  says:
16 months ago

I love this. Making bathbombs is a favorite hobby of mine.

Soap Oil Store  says:
6 months ago

This was a great article - Very informative. I've always wanted to learn how to make bath bombs. thanks for sharing!

Dolores Monet profile image

Dolores Monet  says:
2 weeks ago

I've made these myself and can testify that it's not only fun to make, but wonderful to use. The bath bombs make excellent gifts.

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