Ready to Start Making Bath Bombs?

Do you want to start making bath bombs? Check out our easy tips & tricks to get you started, including where to find bath bomb molds and ingredients.

Bath bombs make such adorable gifts for just about any occasion! Birthdays, Christmas, get well soon (think a headache or sinus relief), bridal showers and weddings all are great opportunities to gift bath bombs.

I think what makes them such a versatile gift is the ability to customize bath bombs with colors and scents.

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Related: Fizzy Lemon Meringue Bath Bombs

Related: How To Make Your Own Perfume

But, Before You Starting Making Bath Bombs…

There are so many bath bomb recipes on Pinterest, it’s hard to tell which ones work and which ones are good for your skin.

If you haven’t noticed I’m a green living girl, who doesn’t waste money or my health with toxic products. And that includes bath bombs! Luckily it’s easy to use natural ingredients for bath bombs to protect your skin and health.

How to Find Ingredients to Start Making Bath Bombs:

Picking up ingredients to make bath bombs at your local brick and mortar stores can be a little challenging and at times overpriced.

So, I’ve compiled a list of ingredients and links to find them easily and affordably – such as where to buy citric acid.

And if you plan on making a lot of bath bombs for gifts or for wedding favors look for options to buy in bulk or bundled with free shipping. Check it all out here!  

5 Tips to Start Making Bath Bombs:

I’ll be the first to admit it takes a little practice to make bath bombs. But, it’s a great project for just about anyone to try.

My first batch wasn’t perfect, in fact, they fell apart but I still tossed them in the tub and they fizzed like crazy! So don’t feel bad if you’ve had mixed results when you started making baking bombs.

Here are a few tips to make your bath bomb experiments more successful than my first. And once you get the hang of it, making bath bombs will be a breeze – no doubt.

#1 Fail-Proof Method to Avoid Clumps:

Have you made bath bombs before but they came out clumping?

Well, here’s a little trick I learned to avoid bath bomb clumps!

• When adding your dry ingredients to a bowl, use a hand held sifter or a fine mesh strainer like this one that you can lay right on top of your bowl.
• Then use a whisk to push the ingredients through the mesh strainer.
• After adding all dry ingredients, remove the strainer and whisk to thoroughly combine your bath bomb mixture.

I promise you won’t find a single clump in the mixture!

#2 The Best Way to Add Color to Bath Bombs:

Turn to natural methods for coloring bath bombs such as matcha powder, beetroot powder, or lemon peel.

Or use food coloring made from 100% natural vegetable juices and spices like Watkins natural food coloring. It works just as easy as standard food coloring, but without the chemicals. I’ve successfully used it to color bath bombs and soaps!

• To add color to bath bombs with dry color ingredients, add after you’ve thoroughly combined all other dry ingredients.
• And the same goes for using food coloring meaning, add it to the wet ingredients after mixing together all wet ingredients.

Keep in mind, the final color will be lighter than what you see before the bath bomb drys.

#3 How to Make a Bath Bomb Without Citric Acid

What can you use instead of citric acid in bath bombs? A baking staple in your kitchen, cream of tartar can be substituted for citric acid.

Cream of tartar is an acid but has a different PH, so the results will be different. I have tried it for making bath bombs and found it does work, but it creates less fizz than citric acid.

#4 How do you get bath bombs out of the mold without crushing them?

• For bath bombs made in stainless steel molds, make sure you let them sit for a minute or two before you remove them. This step allows them to dry, unlike using silicone molds that dry in the mold until set.
• Additionally, when working with stainless steel molds make sure to overpack each side of the mold before pressing them firmly together.
• You may also want to consider adding a drop or two of sweet almond oil onto a towel and rubbing the oil into the mold. Just like you would grease a baking dish for cakes or brownies. This can help you to remove them easier.

#5 What if baking soda irritates your skin?

Baking soda does irritate my skin if I use too much of it in a natural deodorant. No worries if you have similar issues with baking soda, simply cut the amount used in a recipe in half and add in arrowroot powder.

Or substitute it all together for arrowroot powder. I love using arrowroot powder for beauty, hair, and natural skin care recipes. Find it one of my favorite milk bath recipes for a warming spiced chai latte bath.

 

Start Making Bath Bombs with a Basic Recipe

Follow this basic bath bomb to get started!

Once you have mastered making this basic recipe, then begin to experiment with unique variations. I love to add dried herbs and flower petals to my bath bombs such as in this recipe for garden rose bath bombs.  

You can even go as far as to add hidden surprises like small toys inside a bath bomb! Let’s start by breaking down what you’ll need to start making bath bombs into three categories.

Bath Bomb Tools:

Glass or stainless steel mixing bowls

Stainless steel whisk

Silicone mold or stainless steel bath bomb molds

Handheld sifter or fine mesh strainer

Bath Bomb Wet Ingredients:

3 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil

6 drops an essential oil

1 to 2 teaspoons witch hazel

12 to 20 drops of food coloring

Bath Bomb Dry Ingredients

½ cup baking soda

¼ cup arrowroot powder

¼ cup citric acid

⅛ cup Epsom salt, fine

Step by Step Instructions to Start Making Bath Bombs:

Step 1: Using a fine mesh or handheld sifter, combine all dry ingredients into a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine and set aside.

Step 2: Pour all wet ingredients (except food coloring) into a small mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add food coloring to the wet ingredients after mixing well.

Step 3: Now, slowly add the wet mixture into the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If the mixture begins to fizz or foam, slow down.

Step 4: After combining mixtures, scoop a small amount into your hand and squeeze it together to test the consistency. It should stick together and hold it’s shape. If the mixture is too dry and powdery, add a ½ teaspoon of witch hazel or water. Then mix well and test again. Repeat until you have the correct consistency.

Step 5: Once the bath bomb mixture is ready to scoop each side of the bath bomb mold into the mixture until it’s just overflowing. Then press together and let stand 2 minutes. I recommend using multiple bath bomb molds so you can keep going while the others are setting.

Step 6: Once set gently release the bath bomb onto a cutting board or cookie sheet. If the bath bomb cracks while removing it, scoop a little more mixture and press together again. Allow bath bombs to dry uncovered 8 hours or overnight. Once dry, store in a dry place or container until use.

 

This basic bath bomb recipe yields 6 large 5 oz bath bombs or 12 to 15 small 2 oz bath bombs. I hope this helps fills in the answers and helps you get started!

If you think of any other questions I can answer about how to make bath bombs, please leave it the comments.