How to Make DIY Bath Bombs
There’s nothing better than getting in after a long day and treating yourself to a nice hot bath. To add even further indulgence to the experience, an expensive bubble bath or bath bomb is the icing on top of the cake.
If you fancy testing your crafting skills, bath bombs are surprisingly easy to make and a great way of saving money. And the only thing more satisfying than watching a bath bomb fizzle away, is watching your very own DIY bath bomb fizzle away. But how do you make bath bombs? And what’s actually in them? To give it a go, we’ve put together this helpful guide.
Related: How To Make Your Bathroom Relaxing
What Is a Bath Bomb?
Chances are you’ll know what a bath bomb is, but what do these spherical things actually consist of? Simply put, bath bombs combine oils, salts, fragrances and colourants to make your bathing experience as psychedelic and picturesque as possible. While they add a sensory feel, the oils can also be moisturising for your skin.
Cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller explains the science behind bath bombs, stating:
‘The sodium bicarbonate in the bomb reacts with the citric acid to release carbon dioxide gas. This is no different from what happens when you drop a tablet in a glass of water.’
Bath Bomb Recipe
So, how can we go about recreating our very own bath bombs, without having access to a laboratory and a wealth of chemical know how? Start by gathering the following:
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls (not plastic as it tends to absorb the scent)
- A whisk
- A trusty pair of rubber gloves
- A sieve
- A bottle with a spray nozzle
- Bath bomb moulds (if you don’t have any of these handy, you can substitute with chocolate moulds, bauble moulds, shot glasses, ice cube trays, muffin trays etc.)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of baking powder
- 3 teaspoons of essential oil (this adds the scent, so get creative. Lavender is often a popular choice)
- 2 teaspoons of olive or almond oil (this adds the moisturising factors)
- Food colouring of your choice (this adds the colour)
- ½ cup of citric acid.
How to Make Bath Bombs
1. After putting your gloves on, start by sieving the citric acid and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Then thoroughly whisk together.
2. In another mixing bowl, start combining your liquid ingredients by adding the essential oil, olive or almond oil and a dash of food colouring. Stir all of these together.
3. Next, slowly add the liquid mixture to your powder mix, stirring at regular intervals to avoid the concoction becoming clumpy.
4. When all the ingredients are mixed, start by taking handfuls of it and packing it into your chosen moulds. Your bath bombs are likely to be very dry and crumble throughout this process. If this is the case, add some water into your bottle with a spray nozzle and lightly spritz the mixture so it holds its shape.
5. Once your bath bombs have adapted to the shapes of their moulds, gentle release them then let them dry out for a few hours. Be sure to leave them in a dry place out of direct sunlight.
And voila! You have successfully made some DIY bath bombs. Whether you decide to keep them for yourself or give them away as a present to a friend, be sure to use them within the month, as they become less effective over time.
How did your home-made bath bombs turn out?