While the process of making them is fun, bath bombs are actually a little tricky to make. One reason is that the main ingredient commonly used, citric acid, is expensive and hard to find. The recipe described in this article can use cream of tartar and baking ingredients in place of citric acid. This bath bomb that does not contain citric acid will produce an attractive color and make the skin feel very smooth.
Ingredients
- 250 grams of baking soda
- 60 grams cream of tartar
- 120 grams of corn starch
- 120 grams of salt (Epsom salt, sea salt, or table salt without iodine)
- 2 teaspoons essential oil
- 1 tablespoon oil (any moisturizing vegetable oil, such as sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil) (optional)
- 1 or 2 drops food coloring (optional)
Step
Part 1 of 1: Making a Bath Bomb
Step 1. Make sure all the necessary materials are available
Once the ingredients are mixed, you need to work quickly. Don't be looking for mold in the kitchen at the last minute.
- Keep in mind that this recipe will make about one large bath bomb the size of a softball. If you want to make bath bombs in different quantities or sizes, adjust the number of ingredients in the recipe while keeping them in proportion. For example, if you want to make two softball-sized bath bombs, use 500 grams of baking soda instead of 250 grams.
- Manage ingredients by separating wet ingredients from dry ingredients.
Step 2. Put the dry ingredients in a glass or metal bowl
Place the baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl.
- Do not use plastic bowls and spoons because plastic can absorb essential oils. While it won't affect the bath bomb being made, it's possible that your plastic utensils will smell like soap for a very long time.
- You have several different salt options to use. One economical option is Epsom salt. You can also use sea salt (which is relatively more expensive). In fact, you can also use table salt without iodine (just a pinch).
- Some hobbyists claim that corn starch can cause yeast infections and they don't use it in recipes. However, several studies have shown that there is no correlation between corn starch and the infection, so that corn starch remains a common ingredient in the manufacture of commercial bath bombs. If you don't want to use corn starch, add 60 grams of baking soda and an additional 60 grams of salt. Keep in mind that corn starch acts as a bomb filler and slows down the hissing reaction. Without cornstarch, bath bombs will fizz faster, but they won't last long in water.
Step 3. Stir dry ingredients until combined
Prepare a metal egg whisk and use a whisk to stir the ingredients until evenly combined. If you don't have an egg whisk, you can work around this with two forks or a pair of chopsticks.
Step 4. Combine the oil and food coloring in a separate bowl
Add the oil and food coloring to the second bowl. Stir the two together until combined, but keep in mind that food coloring and oil may not mix as the main ingredient in most food coloring is water.
- Essential oils add fragrance to bath bombs. However, be careful when using undiluted essential oils as they can sting the skin.
- Secondary oil (eg olive oil) is optional and acts as a moisturizer. Sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil can be good choices.
Step 5.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture.
Carefully pour the wet ingredients into the first bowl and mix thoroughly before you add the rest. Mix the ingredients while adding the wet ingredients. If the mixture starts to foam, there's a good chance you added the wet mixture too quickly.
So that the mixture does not dirty your hands, you need to wear gloves. The best way to mix the ingredients at this stage is to knead them by hand
Spray water on the mixture as needed. You may need to add a little water to the bath bomb mixture to mix the ingredients evenly. The amount of water added will vary depending on the amount of ingredients used, so it's a good idea to add a little water at a time while stirring the existing ingredients. In general, you need less than a tablespoon of water. Spray water on the ingredients whenever you have trouble mixing them.
In the end, you will have a mixture that is not dense and flaky, but will hold its shape when kneaded
Fill the mold with the bath bomb mixture. Compress the mixture as tightly as possible. After that, pat the mixture so that the surface is smooth and even.
If you're using Christmas decorations as molds (e.g. Christmas light bulbs), fill each half full, then carefully reattach them together
Wait for the bath bomb to harden before removing it from the mould. Let the bath bomb dry for about a few hours. Ideally, you may need to dry it overnight.
- If you try to remove it before it hardens, there is a good chance that the bath bomb will crumble or crumble.
- Clean all metal utensils carefully. Keep in mind that Epson salts can corrode metals over time.
Use a pre-made bath bomb. Once removed from the mold, the bath bomb is ready to use. Fill the soaking tub with warm water, insert the bath bomb, then relax yourself.
It's a good idea to use a bath bomb within a few weeks of making it. Bath bombs that are too old will lose their foaming power
Planning and Perfecting the Bath Bomb
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Select the template you want to use. Almost anything you can use as a mold. However, something made of plastic or glass can be a better choice. You can use something large enough to fit one large bath bomb, or use a smaller mold for a smaller bath bomb.
Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid Step 1 - Plastic can absorb undiluted essential oils, but usually that doesn't happen once you mix all the ingredients together.
- The most popular mold used is the plastic Christmas ball ornament. Look for Christmas ball ornaments made of two bowls held together at a craft supply store. These ornaments can produce a round bath bomb the size of a softball, as you often see in commercial bath bomb products.
- Chocolate molds are sold in a variety of adorable shapes and are perfect for making bath bombs.
- You can also use cake molds and cupcakes.
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Choose and experiment with colors. You don't need to use the existing dye right away. Try mixing different colors together to create a color you like.
Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid Step 11 - Bath bombs that look beautiful when they are made don't always produce the same pretty color or effect when put in water.
- Take note of the color combinations you have tried, including the most interesting color combinations.
- Make sure you use a dye that is non-toxic, doesn't stain, and dissolves easily in water.
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Find the right fragrance. Get creative with the scent for your bath bomb. Mix different oils to create a unique aroma.
Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid Step 12 - If you don't have a clue where to start, you can search the internet for essential oil “recipes” for ideas. You don't need to specifically look for essential oil recipes for bath bomb mixes. Information on the use of essential oils in soap making and aromatherapy can also be applied to the manufacture of bath bombs.
- Some of the more popular combinations include: spearmint oil and patchouli oil (4:1 ratio), orange oil and vanilla oil (2:1 ratio), patchouli oil, cedarwood oil, and bergamot oil (1:1 ratio).:2), lavender oil and peppermint oil (1:1 ratio), and oil, peppermint, tea tree oil, and lavender oil (1:1:2).
- You can put your favorite oil mixture in a bottle and save it for later use.
- Be careful when using undiluted essential oils. Some oils can sting or irritate the skin.
Tips
- Make sure you add the oil to the dry ingredients slowly. If it's too fast, the mixture will foam early and your bath bomb won't work.
- Wrap the bath bomb in clear cellophane and tie it with a ribbon to give as a pretty homemade gift.
- If the weather is very humid, it may take longer for the bath bomb to dry and harden.
- Try making a smaller bath bomb if the bath bomb crumbles when you remove it from the mold.
- You can use cream of tartar instead of citric acid in other bath bomb recipes. Make sure you use cream of tartar with half the required amount of citric acid. Keep in mind that too much cream of tartar can make the mixture too thick to stir.
- Coconut oil can also be added to bath bomb recipes and makes a good substitute.
