How to Make Bath Bombs

Now that you've bought and installed your freestanding bathtub, and have read up on all the amazing health benefits of Epsom salt baths, why not take your bubble baths to the next level with homemade bath bombs? This is a fun activity to do with your spouse or loved ones. It's easy to make bath bombs to your specifications, giving you a bubble bath designed completely around your preferences.

What is a Bath Bomb?

If you've never used one, you may be scratching your head and thinking, "What are bath bombs?" No, we're not talking about explosive devices that demolish your bathroom.

At their core, bath bombs are a combination of tightly packed dry ingredients that provide an effervescent effect when wet, resulting in fragrant, fizzing, and relaxing bubble baths. Most bath bombs use a combination of Epsom salts, essential oils, and dyes to add color and scent, perfect for relaxing bubble baths at the end of the day. While many bath bombs are round, cheekily playing into the "bomb" aspect of their namesake, they can come in all shapes and sizes. Part of the fun of making homemade bath bombs is being able to customize your recipe and choosing how they will look, smell, and feel when being used.

How to use a Bath Bomb

Using a bath bomb couldn't be easier. When running our baths, simply unwrap and drop a one into the water once it is a comfortable temperature. You'll want to drop the bath bomb in just before entering to let the ingredients permeate the water for maximum effect. Believe it or not, these little guys do have an expiration date! Both the effervescent materials and the scent of the essential oils will become less potent and effective over time. When learning how to make bath bombs, it's best to use them within seven days. You can store them in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place for a few weeks, but wouldn't you rather have an excuse to take more baths instead? Once you're done soaking, simply get out, dry off, drain your tub and wipe away residue with a dry towel.

What's In a Bath Bomb?

Bath bombs have relatively simple ingredients. Your basic recipe includes baking soda, citric acid, corn starch, bath salts, and essential oils. From there you can customize your recipe to suit your needs and personal preferences. For a calming effect, add lavender. Eucalyptus does wonders to ease sinus congestion. Tea tea oil breathes straight-from-the-earth goodness for itchy or acne-prone skin. Lather on the best charcoal mask and you'll be in luxury heaven.

How to make Bath Bombs

Making bath bombs is a quick project that you can as an at-home date night or an activity with the kids. The actual construction is quite easy and can be applied to each of the recipes described in this post.

Step One: Mix the dry ingredients

These ingredients can vary depending on your recipe, but will typically include baking soda, citric acid, corn starch and mineral salts. Occasionally additional dry ingredients such as oats or rosemary may be added. Gently whisk these ingredients together and set aside. Use a glass mixing bowl to avoid unwanted chemical reactions when making your bath bombs. Plastic is ok to use in most cases, but glass is best. Mix your dry mixture thoroughly until the dry ingredients have a smooth consistency.

Step Two: Mix the wet ingredients

The next step when deciding how to make a bath bomb is to select and mix your liquid ingredients. These will typically include water, essential oils, coconut oil, and food coloring. A mason jar is the perfect tool for this step. Just pop on the lid and shake until blended! While some separation is ok, try to get as much of an emulsion as you can. A totally mixed dispersion isn't necessary but will help to create uniformity in your bath bombs later.

Step Three: Blend the Wet and Dry Mixes

With your whisk in hand, slowly start whisking your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients. This may cause a chemical reaction. If there is a reaction, quickly add more of your dry mixture into the wet areas of your mix. Try dropping in just about a teaspoon of the wet mix at a time. The mixture should be slightly damp and have the consistency of kinetic sand when you squeeze it.

Step Four: Mold your Bath Bombs

Once the mix is complete, the race is on. You will only have a limited amount of time to mold and shape your bath bombs while the mixture is still wet. Bath bomb molds can help make this process easier rather than trying to shape them by hand. For a custom experience, try using silicone candy molds to shape them into hearts, cars, flowers, or any other mold you can find. This is a great touch when making custom gifts for family and friends.

Step Five: Unmold and Dry

Carefully remove your bath bombs from their molds immediately after filling and shaping them. A few small taps will usually do the trick. Let them dry overnight, then store in an air tight container. Bath bombs lose their fizz when they absorb moisture, so keep them in a cool, dry place.

Step Six: Enjoy

This is really the best part. Simply pop one of your bath bombs into one of your baths whenever you want to unwind and relax from a long or stressful day. After all, you didn't buy that Frances Acrylic Slipper Freestanding Tub just to look at, did you?

Bath Bomb Recipe List

While your homemade bath bombs have a somewhat limited shelf life, there's no reason that you shouldn't use a different recipe each time you make a new batch. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are a few bath bomb recipe ideas to get you started for that best home care treatment!

For Improved Sleep

This recipe is perfect for bubble baths to promote restful sleep just before bed. It requires:

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1/2 teaspoon dried lavender

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons lavender essential oil for scent

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Purple food coloring

For Immune Health

Baths can be your immune system's best friend with this bath bomb recipe. It includes:

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup corn starch

3 Tbsp. Epsom salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon witch hazel oil

1 teaspoon lavender Oil

2 teaspoons lemon Oil

Blue Food coloring

For Energy

This recipe is designed to harness essential oils to wake you up and provide you with the energy needed to start your day. Its ingredients include:

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1 tsp dried basil leaves

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons orange essential oils

1 teaspoon basil essential oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Purple food coloring

To Promote Relaxation

Use this recipe in your baths to unwind from a long day and enter a state of blissful relaxation.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons rose essential oil

1 teaspoon chamomile essential oil

1/2 teaspoon frankincense oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Pink food coloring

To Promote Creativity

This brisk recipe will transform your bubble baths into an inspiring dip for your creative mind.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons tangerine oil

1 teaspoon jasmine oil

1/2 teaspoon clary sage oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Orange and yellow food coloring

To Soothe Your Skin

Turn your baths into a skin soothing dip with this recipe.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1 tablespoon steel cut oats

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons neroli essential oil

1 teaspoon chamomile essential oil

1/2 teaspoon rose oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

For a Romantic Evening

This bath bomb recipe is perfect for romantic bubble baths with your partner. Harnessing the aphrodisiacal qualities of essential oils such as jasmine and sandalwood, this recipe is sure to please.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1 teaspoon dried rose petals

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons sandalwood oil

1 teaspoon rose oil

1/2 teaspoon vetiver oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Pink and purple food coloring

To Calm Anxiety

Use this recipe to infuse your baths with calming qualities.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1 teaspoon dried rose petals

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons roman chamomile oil

1 teaspoon bergamot oil

1/2 teaspoon juniper oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Blue and green food coloring

To Clear Your Sinuses

This powerful recipe will turn your baths into a sinus clearing wonder.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons tea tree oil

1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil

1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Blue and red food coloring

For Headaches

Turn your baths into a headache-soothing experience with this bath bomb recipe.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1/2 teaspoon crushed and dried rosemary

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons peppermint oil

1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil

1/2 teaspoon rosemary oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Blue and violet food coloring

For Body Aches

Improve the muscle-healing effects of your baths with this recipe.

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup Epsom salts

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon water

2 teaspoons lavender oil

1 teaspoon peppermint oil

1/2 teaspoon clove oil

2 teaspoons coconut oil

Red and yellow food coloring

Bonus: How to make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid

As you have probably noticed, the most common components of each of the bath bombs listed are baking soda and citric acid. When exposed to water, in a ratio of two parts baking soda, a base, to two part citric acid, an acid, the resulting chemical reaction between these compounds is what gives bath bombs their effervescent fizz during your baths. While citric acid is easily accessible online or near the canning supplies at your favorite Mega-Mart, you may be thinking, "Can I make bath bombs without citric acid?" In short, the answer is yes, but with some varying results.

Without powdered citric acid, there are two options you can utilize if you are trying to figure out how to make bath bombs but don't have citric acid powder at your disposal.

The first bath bomb recipe that does not use citric acid is relatively easy. Simply replace the citric acid in your favorite recipe with an equal amount of Cream of Tartar. This leavening agent is located in the baking aisle and is known for giving your favorite muffin and baked goods recipes a carbon-dioxide lift. While not as potent as citric acid, Cream of Tartar is an easy to find and inexpensive replacement for your bath bomb needs.

Another substitution for citric acid in your bath bombs involves a combination of lemon juice and coconut oil. Using this method, replace the citric acid in your favorite recipe with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and the juice of one lemon or lime. To do this, melt the coconut oil in the microwave or on the stove top until it's soft, then whisk the lemon juice into the coconut oil until the mixture is the same consistency. You will need to keep this mixture warm until you combine it with your other dry ingredients, but this method should otherwise have no significant changes to your recipe. Using this method may result in slightly less fizzy bath bombs, and you may notice a faint residue on the surface of your baths. On the plus side, the coconut oil is great for your skin.

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