If you love bath bombs but don't want to pay big bucks in the shops that sell them, you can satisfy your craving for hydration by making them yourself! The process is simple and requires only a few ingredients; in the end you will have your product for a relaxing bath. Try one of the recipes proposed in this article and pamper yourself as you would in a beauty salon.
Ingrediants
Basic Recipe
Yield: 4-8 small or 2 large bombs
- ½ cup of citric acid powder
- 1 cup of baking soda
- ¾ cup of cornstarch
- ¼ cup of Epsom salts (optional)
- Food coloring
- A few drops of essential oils (optional)
- Water or olive oil to moisten
Emollient Bombs
Yield: 4-8 small or 2 large bombs
- 240 g of corn starch
- 120 g of baking soda
- 120 g of citric acid
- 90 g of shea or cocoa butter
- 3 tablespoons of almond oil
- 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Essential oils for perfume (6-10 drops)
- Food coloring
Milk Bombs
Yield: 4-8 small or 2 large bombs
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of citric acid powder
- ½ cup of cornstarch
- ⅓ cup of very fine Epsom salts
- ¼ cup of milk powder
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of melted cocoa butter
- A few drops of witch hazel
- Waterfall
- Essential oils (6-10 drops)
- Food coloring
Bombs with herbs or flowers
- 50 g of citric acid
- 100 g of baking soda
- Essential oils or an old perfume
- Water, to moisten
- Food coloring (optional)
- Herbs or dried petals (optional)
- Cosmetic glitter (optional)
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Basic Recipe
Step 1. Get all the ingredients:
- ½ cup of citric acid powder
- 1 cup of baking soda
- ¾ cup of cornstarch
- ¼ cup of Epsom salts (optional)
- Food coloring
- A few drops of essential oils (optional)
- Water or olive oil to moisten
Step 2. Combine the powders
Pour the citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch into a large bowl. Use your hands or a food processor to combine the dry ingredients. When the mixture is uniform, add the sugar.
If you wish, you can measure 1/4 cup (60 ml) of Epsom salts after mixing the other ingredients. This step is optional, however
Step 3. Add some water or oil
Use a spray bottle to slightly dampen the powders. Add enough to make a firm dough, but avoid it starting to fizz or you'll have to start over.
After spraying the mixture 2-3 times, mix again with your hands; it should hold its shape when pressed. If not, add a little more moist ingredient and try again
Step 4. Add the essential oils and food coloring
When you can shape the compound by hand without any problems, it is time to enrich it with perfume and color. Feel free to use as many essential oils and dyes as you like to make the combination unique and personal.
Lavender is often used for relaxation, while eucalyptus is popular for added energy and sinus relief. Feel free to use your favorite oils, however
Step 5. Compress the mixture into the molds
You can use domed molds or round molds. Press the mixture firmly to compact it and prevent it from breaking.
If you want to make smaller bath bombs, you can use silicone candy molds
Step 6. Wait for the bombs to dry
Leave them in the molds for at least 24 hours and store them in a cool, dry place. After this time, if the bombs are still damp, remove them from the molds and let them dry in the open air.
Step 7. Store the bubbly balls
When they are dry to the touch, remove them from the "drying zone" and store them in an airtight container. Keep them away from moisture to prevent them from fizzing before you can use them. Enjoy a regenerating bath!
These homemade bath bombs have no preservatives, so it is best to use them within a few months of making
Method 2 of 4: Emollient Bombs
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
For this preparation you will need:
- 240 g of corn starch
- 120 g of baking soda
- 120 g of citric acid
- 90 g of shea or cocoa butter
- 3 tablespoons of almond oil
- 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Essential oils for perfume (6-10 drops)
- Food coloring
Step 2. Mix the dry ingredients together
Combine the cornstarch with baking soda and citric acid until well blended. You can use your hands or an electric hand mixer if you need to prepare large quantities.
If you are working with the specified doses your hands will be fine, but if you double the recipe or make an even larger batch it may be easier to use a utensil such as a whisk or electric beater set on low power
Step 3. Add the liquid ingredients
Pour the cocoa or shea butter, almond and coconut oil into the mixture. Combine everything until you get a kind of paste that you can shape.
Remember that coconut oil is solid at room temperature. To dissolve it before adding it to the mixture, you can gently heat it in the microwave for a few seconds, or you can use fractionated coconut oil, which at room temperature is already in liquid form
Step 4. Mix scents and colors
To make bath bombs truly a special treat, add the essential oil of your choice (6-10 drops). Feel free to mix and match different oils to find the mix you like best. Do the same with the food coloring.
You can use lavender, chamomile or lilac for a scent that is both refined and relaxing. You can also use packaged or homemade oil blends of your preference for something unique
Step 5. Put the mixture into the molds
You can use domed molds or any mold without edges. Press the mixture firmly into the molds so the finished product won't break.
Small silicone molds, such as those used in candy making or small baked goods, are another option worth considering (as long as you don't plan on reusing them for food prep later)
Step 6. Wait for them to dry
Place the molds in a cool, dry area for at least 24 hours to allow the moisture to evaporate. If necessary, to speed up the process, you can remove the bombs from the molds and let them dry on a tea towel.
Step 7. Store the bath bombs
When they feel dry to the touch, remove them from the molds or tea towel and place them in an airtight container. Store them in a place away from moisture until you are ready to use them. Enjoy your relaxing bath!
Try to use or gift your new bath bombs within a few months, before they start to flake and lose their properties
Method 3 of 4: Milk Bombs
Step 1. Get all the ingredients you need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of citric acid powder
- ½ cup of cornstarch
- ⅓ cup of very fine Epsom salts
- ¼ cup of milk powder
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of melted cocoa butter
- A few drops of witch hazel
- Waterfall
- Essential oils (6-10 drops)
- Food coloring
Step 2. Mix all the dry ingredients together
Combine the baking soda with citric acid, corn starch, Epsom salts, and milk powder. You can use an electric mixer or your hands, work them until all the ingredients are incorporated.
For small amounts your hands will be fine, but if you want to increase the doses you may need to use a whisk or mixer
Step 3. Add the wet ingredients
Slowly pour in the olive oil and cocoa butter, mixing everything with your hands. Use a spray bottle to dose equal parts witch hazel and warm water. The dough must become compact. Do not overdo the water or the mixture will start to fizz prematurely.
Mix equal parts water and witch hazel in the spray bottle beforehand, then moisten the bath bomb ingredients 2-3 times with this mixture. Stir the mixture again and try to squeeze it with your hands; if you don't create a smooth dough, add more moisture and repeat
Step 4. Add flavorings and dyes
Use one or more essential oils, 6-10 drops should be enough as the aroma, once in the hot water, will be more intense. If you wish, you can also add a few drops of food coloring to give the bombs a touch of joy.
Popular scents include lavender, rose, lilac and eucalyptus, but feel free to use your favorite scent or experiment with combinations of various essences
Step 5. Put the mixture into the molds
Compress it firmly into domed or rounded molds to keep it in shape. Apply some pressure to prevent the bombs from breaking when dry.
Another option to consider is silicone candy molds (which you don't plan on reusing for food)
Step 6. Let the bombs dry
Put them in a cool, dry area for at least 24 hours. When all the moisture has evaporated and the bombs are dry to the touch, you can remove them from the molds.
If the bath bombs still look damp after 24 hours, remove them from the molds and let them continue to air dry for a few hours in a cool, dry place
Step 7. Store the bombs
Put them in airtight containers and away from moisture. When you want to use them, put one in the tub and enjoy the "milk bubbles" it will produce!
For best results, use these bombs within a month or two
Method 4 of 4: Herbal or Flower Bombs
Step 1. Get the ingredients
Here is a list of the necessary material:
- 50 g of citric acid
- 100 g of baking soda
- Essential oils or an old perfume
- Water, to moisten
- Food coloring (optional)
- Herbs or dried petals (optional)
- Cosmetic glitter (optional)
Step 2. Measure the required amounts of citric acid and bicarbonate
Pour them into the bowl.
- You should be able to find citric acid in shops selling winemaking equipment or even supermarkets. Baking soda is easily found in the bakery department.
- Practice a small indentation in the center of the powders in the bowl with your fingers.
Step 3. Pour the essential oils / perfume into the hollow
5 drops are enough. Then add the food coloring, herbs or dried petals and glitter.
If you add glitter, it must be cosmetic. Do not use craft glitter.
Step 4. Put on the rubber gloves
Work the mixture with your fingertips until there are no more lumps of dye.
Citric acid can irritate the skin, be careful
Step 5. Spray the water on the mixture ten times
It will help you bind all the ingredients in the blend.
If the mixture doesn't stick together after spraying it, try repeating the process once or twice. Continue until you feel it sticks together perfectly
Step 6. Fill the molds
After you have moistened the mixture it will start to harden, so you will have to work quickly, Take a handful and press it into the ice cube molds.
Add another layer of compound on top of the first and press firmly. You will get better results
Step 7. Let it sit overnight
The next morning the bombs should have hardened. At this point you can take them out of the molds and use them in your bathroom!
Try to use these bath bombs within a few months
wikiHow Video: How to Make Bath Bombs
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Advice
- Use small molds to create three-dimensional fizzy bombs.
- Among the suggested vegetable oils are: coconut oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil and extra virgin olive oil, although any oil with emollient properties is suitable for use!
- Dye and perfume are optional ingredients.
