Homemade Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are quite the experience, something like bathing in fragrant, fizzy paint. They make bath times lots of fun. But, it’s not a good policy to buy just any old bath bomb. Some of them have irritating chemicals, like limonene and linalool. (Though those sound like fun names, they sometimes agitate sensitive skin.) Some bath bombs have glitter, sending plastics down the drain and ultimately out in the ocean. None of us want that.

Homemade Bath Bombs

The Recipe

Starting with the dry ingredients :

- a cup of baking soda,

-  ½ cup of citric acid,

-  ½ cup of Epsom salt, 

-  ¾ cup of corn starch 

— and mix those together in the large bowl. 

Separately, combine the liquid ingredients: 

- two tablespoons of liquid oil (if coconut, it needs to be in liquid form), 

- two teaspoons of witch hazel, a teaspoon of water (or vanilla extract), 

- and about 40 drops of essential oil, whichever combination seems appealing.

Now, add the liquid mixture a few drops at a time to the dry mixture. The right quality is when the ingredients hold together, rather than crumble, when squeezed. If more liquid is needed, go with a little more witch hazel or water in tiny, even spritzes. Once the consistency is there, there is no time to spare: Press the bath bomb into the greased muffin tin. Then, let it harden there for about two days.

The Necessary Tools

There are only a few tools needed to make bath bombs, but they are important.

• A digital scale: The ingredient proportions really need to be right.
• Or, measuring cups: Again, it’s just a matter of measuring as precisely as possible.
• A muffin tin: The bombs can be molded by hand, but a muffin tin makes the job easier and tidier. And, almost all of us have muffin pan sitting in the cabinet just wishing we’d use it.
• A mixing bowl: This doesn’t have to be anything special. None of these items will harm you or ruin a bowl. In other words, the one from the kitchen is fine.
• Optional gloves: It’s a personal choice. Those with sensitive skin might want to do this.

Well, that’s it. In a likelihood, we’ll all have these tools around the house already.

Storing the Bombs

The fresher they are, the more impressive they’ll be in the tub. But, DIY bath bombs can be stored in an airtight container for at least a couple of weeks and still put on a heck of a show. It’s good practice to toss them in the tub and wait three to five minutes for all the magic to happen. Then, get in and let the enchantment continue.

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