Bath bombs are great project for both beginner and advanced crafters. Making bath bombs is an easy process, but it takes practice. Bath bombs are sensitive to moisture and can be finicky. Without the right mixture of ingredients bath bombs can crumble, fall apart or fizz incorrectly. Below are some of the most common bath bomb questions we receive, along with links to other bath bomb posts!
Bath bombs consist of baking soda and citric acid. When these two ingredients are combined and introduced to water, they create a fizzing reaction. Click here to read more about baking soda. The standard ratio is 2 parts baking soda to 1 part citric acid. Once the dry ingredients are combined, a small amount of liquid is introduced to create a moldable, wet sand texture. The liquid is usually witch hazel, but oils and butters can also be added for moisture and additional skin benefits. The bath bomb mixture can be further customized with fragrance, color and the shape of the mold. Now, let’s get to the questions!
Bath bombs are created using baking soda and citric acid.
1. Why is my bath bomb crumbly or cracking?
If you find that your bath bomb is crumbly, the mixture may be too dry. Adding more witch hazel or oils will give the mixture a more moist texture, which will be less likely to crumble and crack once removed from the mold. If your fizzy is cracking after it’s been in the mold, it’s possible that it was too wet and the mixture is expanding as it sits in the mold.
The correct amount of moisture is crucial to a firm yet moldable bath fizzy.
2. Why is my bath bomb soft?
If your bath bomb is soft, the mixture may have too much moisture. If you add too much witch hazel or oil during the mixing process, add more dry ingredients to balance the texture. If you live in a humid, wet climate, the moisture in the air can prevent the bath bombs from becoming hard. Adding a small amount of clay (like kaolin clay) or cornstarch can help the bath bombs harden. They also make the bath bombs a bit more sturdy.
3. Why does my bath bomb have lumps, warts or bumps on the surface?
A bumpy texture on your bath bomb is usually a result of clumps in the dry ingredients or not fully mixing the fragrance oil. Baking soda in particular tends to clump together. Before adding oil, color, fragrance or other additives, break up large clumps with your hands. To remove and break up smaller clumps, pour the dry ingredients through a fine mesh sifter. This extra step gives a smooth texture. Bath bomb warts can also occur when the fizzy contains too much moisture. Usually the culprit is fragrance or essential oil so mix extra well to ensure the wet is fully incorporated into the dry.
4. Why is my bath bomb not fizzing very much?
If your bath bomb is not fizzing in the tub as much as you’d like, you may try increasing the amount of citric acid in your recipe. You can start with a mix of 2 parts baking soda to 1.5 parts citric acid. In addition, if you use cornstarch in your recipe, you may try decreasing the amount or eliminating it all together. Fizzing can also decrease if a large amount of oil is used. If your bath bomb comes in contact with moisture from the air or from a damp environment, the fizzing reaction can decrease. To protect it from moisture, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
In the video below, several bath bomb recipes were tested without citric acid, including cornstarch, cream of tartar and lemon juice. See how they performed once added to the tub (spoiler alert – not great).
5. Why is my bath bomb expanding out of the mold?
If your bath bombs are expanding in the mold, this means the mixture is too wet and the fizzing reaction is happening prematurely. If you use a colorant or fragrance that contains water, this can cause the bath bomb mixture to fizz. If this happens, the bath bombs may still may fizz in the tub, although the amount of fizz may be decreased. In addition, bath bomb mixtures can fizz prematurely due to moisture in the air. For example, if you make bath fizzies on a moist and rainy day, this can cause the bath fizzies to expand in the mold.
6. What colorants can I use?
La Bomb colorants are specifically formulated and designed for optimal bath bomb coloring. They’re made of the same highly concentrated FD&C and D&C dyes that LabColors are made of. Instead of being made with water the way the LabColors are, La Bomb colorants are made with glycerin. That means when you add your La Bomb colorant to the bath bomb mix, it won’t start to fizz and make warts the way water-based colorants can. Check out this blog post to learn more about La Bomb colorants.
In addition to La Bomb colorants, you can also use micas, clay, or other natural colorants to color your bath bombs. Simply add the dry colorants to the bath bomb mixture and blend until completely combined. Keep in mind that powder colorants can leave color on your tub and on your skin. This is particularly true for larger particle colorants like pigments. I prefer to work with micas or clays in bath bombs, as shown in the Lavender & Clay Mondo Bath Fizzy and the Mondo Bath Bombs.
To help the color and oil mix into the bath water rather than pooling on top, we recommend the emulsifier polysorbate 80. You can add it at 0.1 oz. per cup of fizzy mixture to start. Learn more about using polysorbate 80 in the Iridescent Pearl Bath Bomb and Crescent Moon Bath Bomb tutorials.
La Bomb colorants are dispersed in glycerin, which does not cause the bath bomb to fizz prematurely.
7. How much colorant can I add?
You can use as much colorant as you’d like. I like to start with a small amount and add more colorant until I achieve a color I’m happy with. Because baking soda and citric acid are white, it’s really difficult to achieve darker tones such as red or navy. To achieve a dark color, you’ll need to use a lot of colorant. That can lead to dark bath water, or leave a lot of color on your tub and skin.
8. What can I use in place of witch hazel?
If you prefer not to use witch hazel, oils are a great way to help give the bath bomb mixture a moldable texture. Some crafters use a mixture of 99% isopropyl alcohol and water to help give their bath bombs the correct texture. In particular, bath-bomb-maker-extraordinaire Holly Port is allergic to witch hazel, and uses a combination of alcohol and distilled water instead. Click here to read more of Holly’s bath bomb making tips, including a recipe and tutorial.
Some crafters use a combination of distilled water and alcohol in place of witch hazel to achieve the right bath bomb texture.
9. How much fragrance should I add?
To find out how much fragrance oil to use in your bath bomb recipe, you can use the Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator. Select the “Salts” option. Then, input how much bath bomb mixture you’re making (baking soda + citric acid + additional ingredients). Select the fragrance or essential oil you’re using and the calculator will tell you how much fragrance to use in your recipe. The Fragrance Calculator uses weight measurements, while some bath bomb recipes use a volume measurement, like cups. If your recipe is measured by volume, you can use your nose to determine how much fragrance to add! I like to add a couple drops, mix and then smell. If you want it a bit stronger, you can add more.
10. How much oil and butter can I add?
How much oil or butter you add to your bath bomb mixture is totally up to you. Adding oils and butters to your bath bombs adds skin-loving qualities to your recipe. Some people love the way oils feel in their bath water, while others may prefer no oil. If you like working with oils and butters in your bath bombs, they should be added after the dry ingredients (baking soda and citric acid) are thoroughly mixed and smooth. Make sure to melt down any solid butters before adding them to your mixture. Adding too much butter or oil can sometimes cause the bath bombs to stay soft. If you have never tried oil or butter in your mixture but want to, start with about .5 oz of oil per 1.5 cups of dry ingredients. Remember: oils in the tub can lead to a slippery tub when you get out so be careful when exiting the tub after an oil or butter-filled fizzy.
Adding oils and butters is a great way to add skin-loving properties to your bath fizzies.
11. Do bath bombs experience vanilla discoloration from fragrance oil?
Bath bombs can discolor due to fragrance oils with a high vanilla content, just like cold process and melt and pour soap. Click here to learn more about vanilla discoloration. In my experience, vanilla discoloration in bath bombs is inconsistent and takes longer to appear. For example, in cold process soap, vanilla discoloration happens within days or even hours. While in bath bombs, the vanilla discoloration may not appear until weeks or months later. You can add Vanilla Color Stabilizer, but keep in mind it may not prevent the discoloration. To be on the safe side, you’ll want to use a fragrance that doesn’t discolor. Find our clear and vanilla-free fragrances here.
12. What molds are best for bath bombs?
One of the most popular bath bomb mold options are two-part molds that create a spherical shape, such as the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Molds or the Bath Bomb Mold & Package. If you’re looking to create bath fizzies with a unique shape, best kind of molds to create bath bombs are sturdy, yet slightly flexible. Plastic Molds with individual cavities or Heavy Duty Molds are great options. Silicone molds are an option as well. The Round Silicone Mold makes adorable bath bomb cupcakes, as seen in the How to Make Bath Bomb Cupcakes video.
13. How long should bath bombs stay in the mold?
I recommend leaving your bath bomb in the mold for at least several hours, up to overnight. If you try to remove the bath bomb while it’s still soft, it can crumble. Allowing the bath bomb to dry thoroughly in the mold will make it easier to remove and handle.
Molds with small individual cavities work great for creating petite bath fizzies, like the Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs.
14. Why are my bath bombs not sticking together in stainless steel bath bomb mold?
Sometimes it can be a little tricky to get the two halves of the bath bombs to stick together. Instead, the bath bomb mixture tends to stick to the mold. To help, add 5-10 drops of cyclomethicone in both sides of the mold and swirl it around. Then, let the molds drain on a paper towel. It makes removing the mold extremely easy! To see this trick in action, check out the Hidden Color Bath Bomb Molds tutorial. The texture of your fizzies is also important. For the stainless steel molds, you want the bath bomb mixture to be a bit more wet so the mixture holds its shape. See the correct texture and how to unmold the mixture in the How to Make Bath Fizzies video on Soap Queen TV.
15. How do I package bath bombs?
Bath bombs are delicate, so packaging them can be a little tricky. Popular options include using small boxes, jars, and bags. The Bath Bomb Mold and Package is a great option as it acts as a mold and package all in one. If you have a bath bomb mishap resulting in bath bomb crumbles, check out the Save the Bath Bombs, Valentine Style post for a cute packaging option. Bath bombs store best in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Good options include a basement, garage, or cabinet. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to wrap the fizzies tightly in plastic wrap before putting them in a box or bag. The plastic wrap helps protect the fizzies from excess moisture. You can also pop a silica packet in the package with your fizzy. The silica packet will help absorb excess moisture. Just make sure whoever has the fizzy doesn’t throw the silica packet in the tub as well! Using a dehumidifier or running a fan over the fizzies as they dry helps too. Learn more about storing your fizzies here.
The Bath Bomb Mold and Package is a great option for packaging your bath fizzy, as it is both a mold and package!
16. How long do bath bombs last?
In general, try to use your bath fizzies in about 6 months. The longer you wait, the more likely it is the bath bomb will be exposed to moisture in the air and lose some of its fizzing power. Both citric acid and baking soda have very long shelf lives, but the citric acid can lose its potency. Citric acid will not lose its potency if it is not exposed to any air and is kept in an airtight container. This probably isn’t very feasible in most storage situations though, as humidity is fairly good at getting into the smallest and tightest spaces. I would recommend using your citric acid within 6 months of receiving it to be on the safe side. There is nothing worse than making a batch of fizzies and finding them to be substandard in the fizzing department! In addition, keep in mind the shelf life of any oils and butters used within the bath bomb. Learn more about shelf lives in the Free Beginner’s Guide to Soapmaking: Common Soapmaking Oils post.
Want to start creating your bath bombs? Bramble Berry has two Bath Bomb Kits that include everything you need to make about 15 bath bombs from scratch. Each kit includes essentials like bath bomb molds, baking soda, citric acid and witch hazel. Choose between the Natural Bath Bomb Kit, or the Glitter Bath Bomb Kit.
Left to right: Glitter Bath Bomb Kit, Natural Bath Bomb Kit
But what really makes the bath bomb kits stand out is the extras – each kit comes with printed instructions, labels and a how-to video. As a bonus, they ship free to the lower 48 United States. They are perfect for beginners and more advanced crafters alike.
Looking for even more bath bomb tips and tricks? Check out the blog posts below. In addition, the Bath Fizzy Category of the blog is full of tutorials an recipes. If you have any bath bomb tips or tricks, I’d love to hear them!
I am looking for some advice on salts for bombs… I live in a very humid place all year round (may need to buy a dehumidifier!) and my bath bombs keep getting water droplets on the outside while drying. I tried putting damprid dehumidifier bucket in my oven for an hour and then placing the bath bombs in there to dry and they didn’t have as many water spots but its still happening. I read that Dead Sea Salts and Epsom Salts have a lot of magnesium and that could be the issue. My current recipe is this
2 cups Baking Soda
1 cup Citric Acid
1 cup Dead Sea Salts
1/4 cup SLSA
1 tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil
1 tablespoon Cocoa Butter
10 drops of Essential Oil
Are there any salts that will benefit the body but don’t have as high of magnesium content as the Dead Sea Salt? Or do I need to omit salts all together?
Thanks in Advance
Salts can be tricky in humid climates. No matter what kind you use, they absorb moisture from the air into the bath bomb, which can cause it to fizz or expand.
To prevent that, wrap your bath bombs tightly in plastic wrap once they’re dry. Then, store them in a cool room with your dehumidifier. If they’re still absorbing moisture, you may want to reduce the salt or leave it out.
I am going to try 3 batches, no salt, half the salt and one with no salt and and corn starch. What amount of corn starch would be a good starting point so that the citric acid and baking soda don’t fizz out super fast in the bath? Or what other items are good fillers that are good for the skin as well?
Thanks for the help!
We haven’t had a ton of luck with cornstarch, we find it inhibits the fizz. Instead, you may try your recipe above without the salt. The citric acid and baking soda will help it fizz, and the SLSA will help it bubble.
I got the bombs to hold shape and look amazing! But when I put them in the bath they sink to the bottom and no bubbles happen… Even with the SLSA. They fizz but there is no foam or bubbles from them. Is this because they sink? I have even tried packing them as light as possible and taking down my butter and oil ratios. Any advice?
I’m not sure why that’s happening. Are you using the same recipe above, just without salt?
Hi there! So I have a few questions. First question, how can I use my Lab colours in my bathbombs without having them fix and react as soon as I add them to my dry mixture? Second question, I have a fragrance oil that reacts differently in every batch I make but I don’t change anything about the recipe. It will come out too wet or too dry and then sometimes it starts to fizz as soon as it’s added to the dry mixture and then when the bath bombs harden they all crack. Any advice? 🙂
Because LabColors are water based, they will react with the bath bomb mixture no matter what. We recommend using La Bomb or mica colorants instead. Learn how to use those in section 6.
As for the fragrance, is that oil based? If so, it can wet the mixture slightly but shouldn’t cause it to fizz. That may be other factors. What’s in your recipe?
Hi! I’m no type sure exactly what I’m doing wrong but I’m pretty much about to give up on making these.
I’m not sure if it’s the ingredients or me. My citric acid seems to be more grainy than everyone else’s and I’ve bought it from different sources. It’s about the consistency of sugar.
I use a simple recipe 1 part bicarbonate and 1/2 citric acid, I’ve tried with with and without arrowroot. Also tried with Epsom salts and without.
The first batch I used a teaspoon of water in from an online tutorial. This seems to be a popular additive!
My bombs expanded in the mould. But still worked even if they didn’t look that good.
The second lot weren’t wet enough and crumbled.
The third lot also fell apart.
Bought some witch hazel. This helped but I tried two different consistencies. One crumbled and ended up powdery. One set as hard as rock. Not tried them to see if they work or not.
Tonight again made another lot am really really sure I got the consistency correct but one split in two when trying to remove from mould. Feels powdery to the touch. the other I will have to break apart. The small fuzzies I attempted look like they are made of tiny beads..
Am I a lost cause?
Bath bombs can be tricky. Citric acid is coarser than baking soda, and does have a consistency similar to sugar. We tend to use a simple recipe of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part citric acid. We generally do not add arrowroot powder.
We have found the best way to get the right consistency without the bath bombs expanding is leaving out any water and only using witch hazel. To give it extra moisture, we sometimes add a bit of oil and butter. This can help give it a nice consistency without risking the bath bombs expanding in the mold.
It sounds like the bath bomb that is nice and hard will work well. That’s basically the ideal outcome!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi, I haven’t used much water in mine. I start with my dry ingredients. Add colorant, carrier oil, and essential oil. I do colorant a drop or 2 at a time and constantly mix with other hand. Then add the carrier oil a teaspoon at a time 2 total, dumped in my hand and woosh around in mixture, then the essential oil a couple drops at a time. By the time I add all that I don’t need water usually. On really dry days I spray a couple spritz of water.
Hi,
After adding 7.5g of SLSA, the bathbomb doesn’t fizz but only foam? Someone please help me!
Appreciate heaps!
Sometimes when adding SLSA, it can sort of “cover” the fizzing, because the foam is so noticeable. If you want more fizzing, you can try increasing the amount of citric acid in the mixture.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thanks Amanda, I will try that.
Must we stick to 1 portion of citric acid to 2 portion of baking soda? Or can we increase citric acid to 1.5 portion to 2 portion of baking soda?
Appreciate heaps!
A ratio of 1.5 parts citric acid to 2 parts baking soda would be a good place to start. It will probably give you the extra fizz you’re looking for. If not, you could try equal parts citric acid and baking soda as well.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thanks Amanda!
I couldn’t make it fizz a lot when I increase the citric acid to 60%!
Which one creates better fizz with baking soda? Citric acid or cream of tartar?
We have found that a combination of citric acid and baking soda create the best fizz. Cream of tartar does not produce as much. You may find the video below interesting, we experimented with only using baking soda and cream of tartar in bath bombs. As you can see, it didn’t work very well.
Can you Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid?: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/can-you-make-bath-bombs-without-citric-acid/
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I recently made fizzy bath salts. But, I’m having the issue that after I make these, I put them in a Ziploc for a little bit until I can transfer them to my heat n seal bags. I push all the air I can out, but when so come back even just 20 min later, the Ziploc is expanded with air. And then when I test my salts again, they no longer fizz. Would the silica gel bags be good for this issue?
It sounds like the bath salts are reacting to leftover moisture in the bag. We’ve had that happen with salts and baking soda – both naturally absorb a lot of moisture. Adding silica packets should help. It also helps to keep the salts in a cool dry place. If you have a fan or a dehumidifier, run that over the bags as they sit.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Yes, adding silica packs did work! And the best is put in the silica pack for 1 hour to absorb the moisture before adding the bath bomb into the sealable bag.
I’m so glad that worked out! Thanks for the tip as well.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hello dear
I have started making bath bombs recently and facing a problem, after taking them out of the mould after a day they still break into powder form not firm or hard enough can i know the reason for this.
Thankyou
Regards
Does the mixture feel wet and crumbly, or more dry and powdery?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It was powdery.
Sounds like the mixture is dry. Section 1 talks about how to fix that for your next batch.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hey there! Ive been stuck in such a rut with all these batches i have been making. I pack them into plastic molds( similar to christmas ornaments) and while drying they always seem to split in half and the mold comes undone..what could i be doing wrong? over packing? underpacking? too much moisture? not enough? It’s driving me insane. Any one know what the issue could be?
Are you adding water to your mixture? Does it feel wet, or more dry and powdery?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Why would my bath bombs lose their shape during the drying process? After molding i’ll remove them from the mold and place them on a foam surface. After an hour or so they start to “flatten” into more of an oval shape. They don’t crumble or fall apart or anything, they just can’t hold their round shape almost like they’re too heavy or something. What would cause this? What’s a better drying technique? I’ve not have great luck leaving them in the mold to dry, they’re impossible to get out once dry.
It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit wet. Even with the same recipe, the bath bombs can be more wet on humid or rainy days. That can cause them to flatten on a hard surface. A great way to check is to squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it holds it shape, you don’t need any witch hazel that day. If not, spray 1-2 times, mix and test again. Repeat that process until the mixture holds its shape.
It can help to leave them in one half of the mold for a few hours or up to overnight so they hold their shape, then unmold onto a soft surface like egg carton foam. To help them stay dry you can run a dehumidifier or place silica packets or rice nearby. That should help soak up the moisture in the air.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I’ve started to make bath bombs and I wanted to use micas as coloring. I know that 6 % of it needs to be polysorbate 80. In the past I wasn’t aware of it so I’ve made two batches of bath bombs using micas and it left ring around the tub. Everything works perfectly except the color. I really dont want to continue making batches to throw away.
This is my formula
1 1/2 bicarbonate
2/3 cornstarch
3/4 citric acid
2 tsb mica colorant
2 tablespoon of oil
1 ml essential oil
How much polysorbate 80 should I add?
I really dont want to give up on mica colorants
We recommend .1 oz. of polysorbate 80 per cup of fizzy mixture to start. That helps the oil and color mix into the bath water rather than pooling on top.
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
After about 2 weeks my bath bombs get very soft and fall apart. What could cause this?
How are you storing your bath bombs? It sounds like they may be absorbing moisture from the air.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
if the bath bomb mixture is too wet, is it still going to dry?
It may dry but it will be soft to the touch, or may stick to the mold. If your mixture turns out quite wet, run a fan over it or use a dehumidifier as it’s drying. That may help soak up that excess moisture and help the bath bombs harden.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello!
I need some help! I haven’t been able to find an answer anywhere. My bath bombs are the right consistency and were perfect. Until, I have had some of them for 2 months and now they are getting brownish spots all on them. I live in South Carolina, so I wasn’t sure if it was just the humidity in the air or it could be the colorant I am using too. Thank you for your help! I appreciate it!!
That sounds like discoloration from a fragrance oil. Section 11 in this post talks more about discoloration and how to prevent it in bath bombs.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I am making bathbombs for some time now. But every time they sink to the bottom.
My mix is:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric asid
Oil and colouring
I have tried many different tings. Less tight and more tight. But every time they sink.
I hope you can help me. Sorry if my english is not very good i am from holland.
We’re not entirely sure why those bath bombs sink. We’ve found that some of our recipes sink and others don’t. You may try making two batches, one without oil and one without coloring. If one of those floats, you can try a different oil or color to see if that helps.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
HELP! I’m having major issues with my bath bombs. They are expanding and are kind of sticky and squishy. They eventually harden but look so ugly. I have tried every variation and amounts added of the oils or adding no oils, the amount of witch hazel sprayed, color, no color, adding or not adding arrowroot and about 95% of them will expand out of the molds. My question is could it be the citric acid I’m using or even the baking soda? Is there an acidic “level”? I used to make these when I lived up north where there was more humidity and I almost never had this issue. Unfortunately I can’t remember the brand of citric acid I was using. Right now it is about 28% humidity. I’m using Milliard Citric Acid – 100% Pure Food Grade.
It sounds like those bath bombs are reacting with moisture. Do you use any water in the recipe, or are your witch hazel or colorants water based?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I use witch hazel. I have even added alcohol to it and tried that. I get the same reaction. And I swear I only do a few sprays. My color is water based. Its the AmeriColor food color. But I have even tried a batch without color. And some come out ok but most don’t. I tried the rice trick and that helped with the extreme expanding issue but they are a little sticky and some I can’t get out of the molds. I didn’t think I lived in a humid area. Im in southern California and we are in pretty much a desert. So you don’t think it could be the citric acid?
I don’t think so, that kind of reaction and expansion is usually due to water. Is the witch hazel mixed with alcohol, or is it mixed with water? It should say on the ingredient list.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
The witch hazel I use is T.N. Dickinson. Its alcohol not water.
Hmm, I’m not sure what’s causing that reaction then. My other guess would be the water-based colors, but because it’s happening without them that doesn’t make sense. Do you notice the bath bombs expanding as soon as one ingredient is added, or do they do that after a few hours? How are you storing them? Thanks for answering all my questions.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ok quick question. I started making some bath bombs. They hold their form. They fizz just fine. They problem I am having is this last bath I put in the fridge overnight. They harden up. But when I brought them out they was sticky feeling and began to expand. What in the world could I have done wrong.
Room temperature is best for bath bombs. When the bath bombs go from the fridge to room temperature, they form condensation (just like a cold drink on a hot day). As long as you’re storing them in a cool, dry place at room temperature, they should be just fine. A cool garage, basement, or cabinet works well.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ok thank you I will try that with the next batch
Hello,
I just was changing up our recipe a bit which is much like many of the basic ones, with witch hazel for moistening, but we actually had the mixture harden in the bowl before we got to get it into the molds…it was the perfect consistency and literally within 30 seconds started to harden…
Can figure out what we did…i am trying to save them by adding more oil but I am wondering too much witch hazel? so odd…would like to know because they were drying rock hard…but I need more time.
1 part citric acid, 2 parts b soda, 1 tsp oil, 1 tsp es oils, 1/4 c starch and 1 tsp mica (first time using this) Any help would be greatly appreciated,
How long did you have to work with after you sprayed the witch hazel? Also, is your witch hazel water or alcohol based?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am having trouble getting my bombs to harden. It seems like I have the right “wet sand” consistency when I put them into the mold (i’m using the plastic ornament ones), so I don’t think it’s that they’re too dry. But even after 24 hours they have a dense but soft texture and are nearly impossible to remove from the molds without any cracking and breaking, they’re even sticking to the sides of the molds in some cases. I even have some that I made a couple weeks ago that have just been sitting on the counter out of the mold and they’re still soft.
I’ve tried making the mixture wetter, dryer, changing up the amounts of slsa and kaolin clay that i’m using and I get the same result. I do live in a dryer climate, so it does take quite a few witch hazel spritzes to get the right consistency, but again I don’t think it’s that my mixture is too dry or wet when I mold it. The only thing I’m thinking now is that i’m using maybe too much oils and that’s keeping it from fully drying. Thoughts?
Here’s my base recipe:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/4 cup slsa
1/2 tb kaolin clay
1 tb coconut oil
1 tb polysorbate 80
1/2 tsp fragrance oil
Lake colorant
I’m thinking it may be a combination of a few things. We’ve found that using a higher amount of Polysorbate 80 can make the bath bombs pretty wet. I would recommend reducing that to 1/8th tsp. to start, then you can go from there. You can also reduce the oil if you like.
The way the bath bombs are packed may be a factor as well. If they’re packed too tightly, they will stick to the mold and can crack when you’re trying to remove them. When you’re packing each half, don’t pack them as tightly. Still press the mixture down, but don’t compress it fully. When you press the halves together, it will compact that mixture and there will be room to unmold the bath bombs. You can see that process in this tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/karma-bath-bomb-tutorial/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Oh man, I must really be overdoing it on the polysorbate then! Paranoid about tub staining/residue I guess. Haha. My first few batches I thought the softness was because I wasn’t packing enough. So my more recent attempts I packed it together tighter and got the softness along with sticking. That makes total sense. I’ll go back to lighter packing with the decreased polysorbate mix. Fingers crossed!
How long is appropriate to leave them in the molds? I usually leave them for a couple hours then remove the top half of the mold and then wait another 24 hours before removing the bottom half. Would leaving them in the mold that long affect the stability and likelihood of sticking? Seems like a lot of people remove them entirely after just a few minutes, i’ve always been nervous to try it for fear they would just fall to pieces.
We’ve tried both ways with unmolding. For smaller bath bombs that aren’t round, we usually unmold after a few hour or up to overnight. The round bath bombs we usually unmold and then let them sit in the bottom half for a few hours or up to overnight. You can also unmold the bath bomb fully, then set it on a soft surface like egg carton foam so it keeps the round shape.
This video talks more about molding and unmolding bath bombs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjpsQXt6NU&t=1s
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi 🙂
I make my recipe with success for more that 1 year, but now I decide upgrade my recipe to make my bath bombs better than they where before, I incorporated kaolin clay, cream of tartar, slsa and poly 80. But somethings wrong happens, my bath bombs under the new recipe doesn’t float. I try many ways to fix by my own my new recipe but I can 🙁 I fell frustrated. I don’t know what I’m doing bad, maybe I put some incorrect measure. Please help me to fix adjusting my recipe, probably from your experience you can detected the wrong thing.
Thank you so much in advance.
Old recipe
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1 cup epson salt
3/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup sls
1 tbsp powder lakes
wet: 3 tbsp coconut oil, 2 tsp fragrance, 3 tsp water
New recipe
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1 cup epson salt
1/2 corn starch
1/2 slsa
21/2 tbsp kaolin clay
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp powder lakes
wet: 2 tbsp almond oil, 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, 3 tsp water, 2tsp fragrance oil, 1 tsp poly 80
Note : i spritz with wich hatzel and I live in a dry climate
Please help me to adjust my recipe and thanks again
We are not entirely sure what makes bath bombs float or sink, so I’m not sure why that happened to your recipe. I would recommend making four test batches, each with one of the new ingredients not in it. That way you can narrow down what’s causing the sinking and go from there.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ll keep trying…I lost money and time, but I will find the right formula, I tried many ways and I feel that I’m close find it
Hello Kelsey, Soap Queen & Rosanna,
I hope this message finds you well.
I know the fail-safe secret to making bath bombs float.
If you do this, irrespective of any ingredients you use, they will ALWAYS float without any fail.
I can send you the video explaining how to do it,
Email me on [email protected] and I’ll reply with the video
Moe – Momocean Handcrafted Bath and Body
Thank you very much Moe Studio, I’ll do it.
Can you share your fail-safe secret? SoapQueen can you share the video? I’m currently having issues with mine not floating and would appreciate any advice/suggestions. Thanks!
I’ve been making fizzy bath bombs without any SLSA for a few months now and I really had the hang of it – they molded nice, dried and hardened wonderfully in 24 hours and held their shape great! But as soon as I incorporated the SLSA, my bombs will not dry/harden and seem to crumble when touched or continue to remain soft. The crumbled mixture isn’t really dry and it almost feels as if it can still be molded again.
I’m using this recipe:
1 cups baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup sea salts
1/2 cup SLSA
1-2 tablespoons carrier oil
a bit of fragrance (a few drops of essential oils usually)
lake powder colorants
and I use witch hazel for my wetting agent and sometimes 91% rubbing alcohol
I can get my mixture to the correct consistency, even though it still feels a bit powdery/soft from the SLSA, but it will definitely keep it’s shape when squeezed and molds just fine (I’m using the metal sphere molds) But like I said, after 24 hours of drying, they look fine (no cracks or anything) but if i try to move one of them or pick it up, they burst/crumble! Even if I dry them another 24 hours, I can pick one up but it is still damp/soft.
I’ve tried everything! I’ve put fans on them, put them in the oven with it warmed a bit to the lowest temp…my last option I can think of is I’m going to try and put them in a dehydrator that is normally used for herbs. I just cannot figure this out!
Anyway, I’m at my wits end. I absolutely love the foam/bubbles the SLSA creates but I’m so bummed that the bombs won’t hold together anymore! Any help or tips is greatly appreciated!!
I have a few ideas about what may be happening. Is it pretty warm or humid where you are?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m not OP, but I have the same issue and nearly the same recipe…and I like in Florida. 😀
Has anyone put apple cider vinegar in a bath bomb? It is recommended in a pregnancy bath recipe that I am trying to turn into a bath bomb 🙂 Thanks!
We haven’t given that a try, but someone at teachsoap.com/forum may have more information. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I was wondering do you have any tips on how to release bath bombs from silicone molds, without using cyclomethicone?
I’ve also tried using witch hazel to spritz my bath bomb mixture, and it starts activating the fizzing.
any tips?
Silicone can be tricky for bath bombs, they tend to stick to the sides. It helps to set the bath bombs in a cool, dry place. If you have a dehumidifier or fan, you can use that as they sit. That should help them dry and pop out cleanly. If they still don’t want to release, you may try plastic molds. They get a bit more airflow, so the bath bombs release more easily.
Plastic molds: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C608.aspx
As for the fizzing, is the witch hazel mixed with water? If so, that will cause the bath bombs to react. Witch hazel mixed with alcohol wets the bath bombs without setting them off: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I was just using straight witch hazel. I didn’t even think to mix with with alcohol. Ill have to try that. 😀 Thank you!
And with the silicone. I’ll have to try and be patient. I guess that’s my biggest downfall is not being patient enough.
You’re welcome, let me know how that goes! This witch hazel is alcohol based and works really nicely: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use candy molds (hard plastic) to make mini bombs?
Yes, those should work just fine as long as they’re flexible. They need to have a little give so you can unmold the bath bombs. You may make a mini bath bomb just to be sure they come out easily.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So I want to gift some homemade bath bombs, but when I left my bath bomb out after leaving it in the freezer for weeks it started to absorb the moisture in the air and fizz up to oblivion. I am thinking I should just pack it tight in the container/mold and leave it in there, because I believe the temperature change caused the condensation to affect my bath bomb. Could I just leave it in the mold and not worry about having to freeze it? I think a video I watched only recommended this because you had to push the bath bomb out after making it but it was so soft, hence the freezing part!
We recommend not freezing it because the condensation can set the bath bombs off. Learn how to store your bath bombs in section 15 of this post.
-Kelsey with Bramble berry
OK so i’m starting to make bath bombs but they are just not working out for me. My first batch I made I used 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, 1/2 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup corn starch then added water, food dye, melted coconut oil, and essential oil in a spray bottle. I mixed these and they came out of the molds fine and everything but did not fizz that much. It fizzes then crumbles. So I found this and tried to add very little corn starch and more citric acid. They currently wont come out of the molds and don’t fizz that much… HELP
Both cornstarch and water can inhibit fizz, and the cornstarch can make the bath bombs soft and crumbly. I would recommend leaving out the cornstarch and using witch hazel to wet the bath bombs instead of water. Water can set them off early and they won’t fizz as much in the tub. If the food dye is water based you’ll want to skip that too.
Learn more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
Witch hazel: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I wouldn’t put the coconut oil in the spray bottle either, mix it right into the dry ingredients.
Hi Kelsey 🙂
We tried packaging a set of bombs in a vacuum sealed packet, but it expanded and looked like a balloon with bath bombs floating around! What happened and why won’t this method work?
Sounds like that bath bomb absorbed moisture from the air and expanded. That can happen in humid climates. Section 15 talks more about how to package bath bombs so they stay dry.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I think she meant the packaging expanded like a balloon. Your bath bombs were slowly reacting and giving off gasses. Those gasses filled the bag. I don’t have a suggestion, but that’s why your bag expanded.
hello Kelsey,
I am trying to make bath bombs next week for my girlfriend’s birthday surprise when all the ingredients come through the mail and I am confused about wet ingredient measurements. I see so many recipes online that call for a few drops (no more than 10 drops) of fragrance/essential oils and 2 teaspoons of coconut oils but when I look at the calculator on brambleberry, it says .16-.48 oz of essential/fragrance oils to 16 oz of salts material. The numbers don’t add up to me. Is that .16-.48 oz figure including the 2 teaspoons of coconut/olive/almond oil?
I also have one more question… I’m looking through the ingredients on Lush website and I do not see Epsom salts, sea salts, or cornstarch in most of their bath bombs. Is that because using salts and cornstarch are more or less DIY ways to make them?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The oil and fragrance are considered two separate amounts, a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Sections 9 and 10 in this post go over how to add fragrance and oil to your recipe.
As for Lush, I’m not sure why they don’t add salt or cornstarch. We have found that cornstarch can inhibit the fizz in bath bombs and make them sink, and salt can absorb moisture from the air and make the bath bombs go off. Salt does add some nice soothing properties to the recipe as well though. If your recipe has salt and you live in a humid area, it helps to wrap your bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap and use a fan or dehumidifier in the room to ensure they don’t get too wet.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am having a very hard time with Bath bombs. I make them and for the first week they are amazing, then on the next week they turn to soft mush after packaging! I don’t understand what I am doing wrong. I use the recipe 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup corn starch, 1/2 citric acid, and 1/2 epsom salts . 3 teaspoons coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon water (or spray bottle) fragrance and color. Can anyone help me??
How are you packaging the bath bombs? If they’re not airtight, they will absorb moisture from the air and soften. That is especially the case with bath bombs made with salt. I would recommend wrapping the bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap and storing them in a cool, dry place. Learn more here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ok, great advice. I am wrapping them in plastic bags and tying them up with ribbon. Its weird though only certain bath bombs will turn to mush while others of the same batch stay hard. Thank you so much for getting back to me with a reply, I appreciate it!! Could the amount of oil I put into them have anything to do with it? I have tried and varied between 1-3 tsp. just wondering if there is a link there too?
Oil can make the bath bombs a bit softer, so you can reduce that amount. Reducing or skipping the salt helps too. Salt absorbs moisture from the air and draws it to the bath bombs, making them soft or mushy.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello!
I have been making bath bombs for a few months now. It was really hard at first, but I’ve finally tackled my humid climate! My only problem is most of my bath bombs sink. I am not adding any clay or corn starch, and make sure I don’t over pack them. The only oil I use is coconut out and fragrance oil, and just a tiny amount of p80. Every bomb has about 1 tbsp of coconut oil, and 1/4 t of fragrance oil. They harden well and pretty quickly!
What am I doing wrong?? They fizz well, but I want them to float so you can see the streaks of color and watch it fizz.
To be honest, I’m not sure. We have found that some of our recipes float and some sink. We have found that a lot of oils or cornstarch can cause them to sink, but we’re not sure of other factors. It may help to pack the bath bombs more loosely so they’re not as dense.
-Kelsey with Bramble berry
I will try that, however when I’ve packed Jen more loosely they seem to be too fragile and fall apart, even though I know there it enough moisture. My last few batches have also gotten flat bottoms while they dry, it’s so frustrating! They’re not expanding or anything. I have even cut down on the coconut oil some and it doesn’t seem to help! Any clue as to why that would be? Batches before have been fine, and I’m not doing anything differently!
The same recipe will perform differently depending on the heat and humidity in the air. While a few spritzes of witch hazel may be OK on a rainy day, you may find you need a lot more on a dry day. If they’re flattening, it helps to put them on a soft surface like egg carton foam or bubble wrap. You can also add 1 Tbsp. of kaolin clay per cup of fizzy mixture – that makes your bath bomb more sturdy.
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hey, I’ve made Bath Bombs, they were fizzy and beautiful.. and a bit of oily :)) I used them after I made them. than I’ve tried to dry and use them, after two days, they look like a stone in water. no more fizzies, no more scent, no more fun 🙁
Do the bath bombs feel dry and powdery, or dense and soft? Also, how are you storing them?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I have made several batches of bath fizzies, mainly using the recipes yall put on here. This is the go-to spot for me for new ideas and Q&A. My molds hold together really well and smell great. I have been experimenting with different scents, oils and butters. I have a couple of questions for my bath fizzies and looking for some advice.
1. Can you pack too much in the mold? Making it sink or not fizz?
2. If using epsom salt, why do you need a fine grain? What does it do?
3. Can you mix a butter AND an oil into the same batch?
4. If you drop several in a bath, one after the next, can the oils from the other bombs have an effect on the 3rd or 4th one dropped in? Maybe making it not fizz?
Thank you so much for your help. I have searched EVERYWHERE for these answers and I can’t find them. This is the only place that is super informative and helps me so much!
That’s great, glad to hear your bath bombs have turned out well. If the bath bombs are packed really tightly, they can sink instead of float. They do tend to stick in the round molds more as well. When you’re packing them, press the powder down but not so much that it’s really tightly packed. A more loosely packed bath bomb works best. You can see how to pack them in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjpsQXt6NU&t=1s
Salt is used in bath bombs because it adds a fun look and a soothing experience in the tub. You can use whatever grain you like. We recommend starting with about half as much as the citric acid. However, if you live in a humid area, salt can draw moisture into the bath bomb and make it fizz too early. In that case you’ll want to add less or skip the salt.
Sunday Night Spotlight: Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-salts/
You can mix butter and oil into the bath bomb. Both help wet the mixture and add moisturizing properties. The oils shouldn’t have an affect if you use multiple bath bombs, it will just add more to the tub. Make sure to use caution when exiting, that much oil can make it slippery. We mixed shea oil and cocoa butter in this recipe: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/orange-creamsicle-bath-truffle/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I finally managed to make a batch of fizzies that didn’t fall apart! I haven’t had luck using the ball-shaped molds, so this time I used cookie cutters. I mixed up my batch, then placed a heavy duty cookie cutter (dinosaur shape) on a sheet of wax paper. I packed the mixture in as tight as I could, and then gently pushed it out of the cutter. (I filled the cookie cutter to the top). They dried rock-hard and the one I tested last night fizzed for 2.5 minutes.
That’s awesome, nothing better than a bath bomb with some great fizz.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ellen, may i ask what your recipe is? Mine don’t fizz very long.
Hello, i let my bath bombs dry for a good 24 to 48 hrs before packaging the, but they form big cracks if i remove them from the molds to cure. also i don’t use water except for liquid coloring. The crack was not much of a issue but now my bath bombs have started going from hard to 100% powder by the time they are delivered. i use baking soda, corn starch/flour, epsom salt, citric acid, kaolin clay, jojoba oil, coconut oil, f.o/e.o ,colorants and p80. Where am i going wrong ):
i pack them in small plastic bag, seal it and put it in a box filled with shredded paper and secure the box with multiple layers of bubble wrap.
Sounds like those bath bombs are on the drier side, which is causing the cracks. The perfect molding consistency sort of reminds me of wet sand. It holds together when squeezed, but can still be a bit powdery. You can see that texture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
Witch hazel is a great ingredient because it wets the mixture without causing it to fizz too early. You may want to try it out to help wet your bath bombs! You can read more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
How much oil and witch hazel you need will depend on the weather that day. If it’s a dry day, you may need more witch hazel. If it’s humid or rainy, you may need less. Just start out with a small amount of wetting agent and add until it’s that wet sand consistency.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve used more oils to hold them before un molding them, COCONUT IL, VIT E, SHEA BUTTER,, its makes it easier to hold IN the MOLD to get to the hard stage Good Luck,
Can I swap out my cornstarch for Koalin Clay in my bath bombs? I would like to make a more luxurious bath bomb with dead sea salt or pink Hymalayin salt instead of epsom salts is this ok?
PS. the LabColors work perfect in my bath bombs. Can’t wait to order order more colors.
Thanks
You can definitely use kaolin clay in your bath bombs, it helps make them more sturdy. We recommend about 1 tablespoon per cup of fizzy mixture. Also, you can use Dead Sea or pink salt, either one works fine. We used pink salt in this tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/bath-bombs-salt-love/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How long will a bath bomb mixture last before it hardens in the bowl? What would I do if i were to run out of molds and still have mixture left over? could i still use it later once the other bath bombs have set or will it not work?
Once you add the witch hazel, you will have about 10 minutes or so to mold your bath bombs. After that time, the texture can dry out and become a bit more difficult to work with. If you’ve never made bath bombs before, a smaller batch is really helpful so you can get an idea of how long you have to work with the mixture.
If you have any leftovers, you can use something in your house as a mold like a silicone cupcake mold, tupperware, etc. Make sure it’s flexible enough to unmold the bath bombs when they’re ready. You can also let the loose powder dry and pack it into plastic bags as samples or testers.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
what measurements would you recommenced for a smaller starting batch?
If you just want to make one or two bath bombs, you can start with 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of citric acid, and spritzes of witch hazel if necessary. That will give you a feel for the process, along with some nice fizz.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
i just made some today, but i made small love heart sizes..
its been a few hours and seems completely dry, plus i live in a hot country! anywaayssss, 2 questions
1) do you know if lemon salt is the same as citric acid??
&
2) are bath bombs supposed to float as they fizz? mine is fizzing but its dropped to the bottom, not floating! is that normal?
the measurements i used
1/4 cup lemon salt
1/2 cup b soda
1 tsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp rose perfumed oil
and as a liquid, i used rose water
added some crushed rose petals
and added few drops of color
if that helps in figuring out
We have experimented with lemon and found while it does fizz, it doesn’t fizz very much. The combination of citric acid and baking soda gives you a more powerful, longer-lasting fizz. We have a video coming out soon that talks more about that! Look out for that video on SoapQueen.tv.
Also, several factors can make bath bombs sink. Do they feel pretty soft and wet the next day? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thats the only problem, its really hard finding citric acid in this country (UAE), and i closest i found was lemon salt which are granules similar to sugar. Its used for pickling and has a very tart strong lemon taste, i dont even know what citric acid tastes like, but apparently its the same. i have no idea..
The next day the bath bombs are solid hard, the outer part feels rough but smooth (make sense) and they have no cracks or anything. It holds its shape .
im subscribed to your channel, so will definitely be waiting on your video.
You may check your local grocery store, sometimes they will have citric acid there. It’s usually in the canning aisle. It can also be found online. If you’re not able to find it there, you can use the lemon salt, just know the bath bombs won’t be as fizzy. They should still feel nice in the tub though. 🙂
I’m not quite sure why that bath bomb is sinking. It can be caused by cornstarch or a lot of liquid ingredients. You may try reducing your oil or water, or packing them a bit more loosely. That may help them float a bit better!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
i will probably just order it online, cant seem to find it anywhere here..
i made 2 batches yesterday and reduced the amount of oil
one batch normal measurements without any fragrance and the other i used same ration b.soda:lemon salt.
the one with 2:1 ration had a stronger fizz but sunk
and the 1:1 ratio had a fizz (not as strong) but floated..
very interesting..
thank you so much for replying, i will keep messing around with the measurements until i get it right!
Going on DAY 6 *cringing*
You’re welcome Lubna! You’ll have the perfect bath bomb recipe before you know it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Lubna,
ملح اليمون is citric acid so you’re using the right product. The way lemon salt and citric acid are used is the same and citric acid is just another name for lemon salt. 😊
Hi there,
I had a strange thing happen with a batch of bath bombs last night. They molded beautifully, They kept shape and they are hard as rocks. But they are super powdery on the outside.
Is there a fix, or do I need to turn them into fizzing bath salts?
Do they feel fairly dry to the touch, or do they just have a bit of dust on the outside?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I don’t find where terra replied to your question but I’m experiencing the same problem with mine. Hard as a rock but very powdery. My oil and fragrance ratio appear to be spot on. I do however use one tablespoon of water in my recipe in order to achieve the wet sand feel. If I were to replace the one tablespoon of water with one tablespoon of wich hazel, would that possibly take care of this issue?
I think it will definitely help. Water causes the fizzies to react and can affect the texture. Using witch hazel wets the fizzies without causing that reaction, which should give you a softer texture.
Witch hazel: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
is there a way to make a color changing bath bomb with mica instead of the labomb colorants?
Is there a way to get them out of metal or stainless steel molds. Got top half off bottom half won’t budge!! Help
Hi Kaela! We have made a hidden color bath bomb using the La Bomb colorants, but not micas. You can see that tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjpsQXt6NU&t=7s
I would recommend trying a similar technique to the one shown in that video – creating a small hole in the middle and filling it with mica. Then, you can test it in the tub and see how it works. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
would it work to make a smaller bath bomb of a different color and put it inside the larger one?
You can definitely give that technique a try! This post shows you how: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/guest-post-sherbet-surprise-bath-fizzies/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kim! It can help to tap on the mold with a spoon to loosen it. Is the bath bomb itself fairly soft? If it absorbs water, it can expand and stick in the mold. What is in your recipe? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Tap the bottom of the mold with a spoon.
I can not get my bath bombs to leave any color in the tub water :/ I am using La Bomb colorants. Also I am finding them hard to mix into my dry mix as they leave specs. Would it be better to mix the color in with the scent before adding them to the dry mix to thin them out a bit? Soooo frustrated!
The La Bomb Colorants are specifically made for bath bombs. They’re mixed with glycerin so they’ll mix into the powder without causing it to fizz. They also are designed to not transfer as much color, as that can cause transfer on the sides of the tub. You can add more color if you like to color the water! It helps to add a few dots, then pinch the specs in between your fingers to break them up. It does take several minutes to fully mix, so keep breaking up the specs and stirring. See that process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ&t=18s
You can also use micas to color your bath bombs. Because they’re a powder colorant they mix in easily. Keep in mind, they can also transfer to the sides of your tub. So, start out with a small amount (1/8th tsp.) and add from there. You can also use .1 oz. of Polysorbate 80 per cup of fizzy mixture to help the color disperse with the bath water and prevent some of the transfer. 🙂
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I’m brand new to making bath bombs. I have a few questions. I am trying to come up with a basic bath bomb recipe that I can use as a “base” recipe and then add or subtract things (like oils, salts, dried flowers, etc.).
1. Is there a basic recipe for bath bombs? Such as however many cups of baking soda, use half that much citric acid? I have found things from other comments that say how much oil or Kaolin clay to use per amount of dry ingredients but just for the basic fizzy part, I am not sure what the ratio is.
2. One of the answers to a comment said when adding oils/butters, use .5 ounce of oil/butter per 1.5 cups of dry ingredients. Is that just the baking soda and citric acid or would I need to account for things like salt, dried flowers or clay as my dry ingredients too?
3. Can I add oils and/or butters to any recipe or are there ingredients that should not be mixed with oils/butters?
4. Can I add Kaolin clay to any recipe or again, are there ingredients that should not be mixed with the clay?
5. Polysorbate 80: Do I only need to use that if I use micas to color my bombs to prevent tub staining or should I use that even with the La Bomb colorants?
Thank you so much for your help! I love Bramble Berry! 😊
Hi there! You can find answers to your questions in the introduction of this post, and sections 2 and 10. The oils should be added based on all the dry ingredients including salt, and you can use other skin-safe clays besides kaolin. Polysorbate 80 is recommended if you have micas or oils in your batch, as it helps them disperse into the bath water rather than pooling on top.
Clays: https://www.brambleberry.com/Clays-C48.aspx
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How much mica would you say it takes to get a decent color (just approximate average)?
It depends on how bright you like your bath bombs! We recommend starting with about 1/8-1/4 tsp. per cup of fizzy mixture. Then, you can add more from there. Keep in mind, the more color you add, the more likely the colors are to transfer to the tub. You may test a few different color amounts to see which one works best.
You can also add .1 oz. of Polysorbate 80 per cup of fizzy mixture. That helps the color and any oil mix into the bath water, preventing some of the transfer. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! Do you know the ratio of adding SLSA to a bath bomb recipe? Idk how much to add. Thanks!
I’ve been working with this. I found the 1 tsp per pound of bath bomb mixture works good. I think if you put to much in there then u get a bubble bar!!
The 1 teaspoon per pound of bath bomb mixture is a great place to start. Thanks John! If you want it more bubbly, you can add half as much as the citric acid all the way up to the same amount as the citric acid. 🙂
We used SLSA in these bath bombs for some great bubbles: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi 🙂 im making bath bombs alot and they seem to be working. But a quick question when left in tubs after a few weeks the scents turn to a musky smell? What could this be and how could it be stopped? Many thanks.
How are you storing the bath bombs, and where are they located? Baking soda absorbs moisture from the air and can take on scents from the room it’s in. Let me know. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
We wrap them in cellophane bags and store them in my cupboard. And some are stored in separated tub aware boxes (all the same scents in each box)
Is there a trick to getting your bath bombs to float? Or is it just a matter of how tightly/loosley you pack them? Mine seem to float for a minute then start slowly sink to the bottom.
We have found that bath bombs can sink if they’re packed really tightly or if they have cornstarch in them. What’s in your recipe, and what molds are you using? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
2BS
1CS
1/3 cup corn starch
1 tbls cot
1/4 cup absom salt
3 tbls apricot oil
e.o.
5 sprays hazel
10-20 *depends each time 70percent rubbing alcohol
Thank you
I am going crazy and need help with this, my Recipe Is 1 cup Baking soda 1/2 Cup Citric acid 1 Tsp oil and about 20 drops of la bomb colorant. This is the Recipe to my kids bath bomb, and I had been making them perfect for about 2 weeks. I pack the mix into a silicone lion mold and they were coming out perfect, now all of a sudden every time I unmold them, the faces fall off of the lion. It just crumbles right off. I have had about eight different batches that are totally ruined. I have tried to add more oil, decrease the oil and do everything in between I don’t understand how they were coming out perfect and now they are not. Please help me.
Hi there! Do the bath bombs feel really dry and crumbly, or more wet and soft? Let me know. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
The mixture feels more wet as I’m putting it in the mold but when I am all them they are super dry and crumbly.
Sounds like those bath bombs are dry. The perfect molding consistency sort of reminds me of wet sand. It holds together when squeezed, but can still be a bit powdery. You can see that texture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
Witch hazel is a great ingredient because it wets the mixture without causing it to fizz too early. You may want to try it out to help wet your bath bombs! You can read more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
How much oil and witch hazel you need will depend on the weather that day. If it’s a dry day, you may need more witch hazel. If it’s humid or rainy, you may need less. Just start out with a small amount of wetting agent and add until it’s that wet sand consistency. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just started making bath bombs, and I’m loving them so far! But I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice about making them better.
First of all, I notice that they always make the water cloudy, and not clear with a color tint the way name-brand bombs do. What could be causing this? Is it the corn starch I use?
Also, the oil in my bombs never seems to mix in well. When I put the bombs in water, all the oil comes to the top of the water and crates unappealing-looking oil bubbles. How can I make it mix with the water better?
Finally, the scent doesn’t seem to last. When I make the bombs and mold them, they smell wonderful. But once I put them in the water to test, it doesn’t seem like any of the scent sticks around. I put my nose right up to the water’s surface and try to smell, and I can’t really catch any of the scent that was so strong when it was in solid bomb form. Where did it all go?
I’m sorry for so many questions, but I’d appreciate any help. I really want to do my best and make the best bombs I can!
No worries, we’re happy to help! I think the cloudiness and oil mixing can be helped with Polysorbate 80. It’s an emulsifier that combines oil and water, meaning there aren’t any pools of oil in the tub. It also helps the color disperse really nicely. We like to start with .1 oz. per cup of fizzy mixture: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
There are several ways you can make that scent last. The first way is to add a bit more to your batch. We usually do it to scent – add a few drops and give it a sniff. If you want it stronger, add more from there. What’s nice about bath bombs is they’re diluted in a large tub of water, so they can be pretty strongly scented. Just be careful with essential oils that can cause irritation, like peppermint or cinnamon.
Wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap helps too! It can help the bath bombs retain their scent and also protects them from moisture in the air. 🙂
Learn more about storing bath bombs here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello, I’ve just started making bath bombs in the UK and used red food colouring as it says in many recipes this works. It worked to make a nice pink colour. Two days later my bombs have turned a strange grey colour, looks like blue cheese so not appealing to give as gifts.
(I used lavendar and ylang ylang oils, olive oil and red food colouring in my recipe.)
We don’t recommend using food coloring. Because they’re not intended for use in bath bombs, they can morph or made. La Bombs or mica colorants work really well. 🙂
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi (:
Ive been making bath bombs for a couple of months now and havnt had any issues. Today i took on the challenge of making black bath bombs. Its been a couple of hours and my bath bombs are usually nice and solid by now. I noticed after i molded 3 they seemed soft and not holding up well so i added a tiny bit more water and the 3 after that are now solid. The other 3 are still soft but holding shape. Could i just mash then back in a bowl with a lil water to fix them (more water fixed the others) or is there something i can spray on them or are they just no good now? I left them to see if they would ever harden.
I think it may be the water! When you add water to the fizzies, they start to react (just like when you throw them in the tub). That can make them soft and can also affect the fizz in the tub. I would recommend using witch hazel instead. It wets the fizzies without setting them off. 🙂
Learn more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
As for the fizzies now, you can try to reform them with more oil or witch hazel. However, that can be tricky. Instead, you can package the broken pieces in a cute way: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I don’t know what to do… I have been trying to make the green tea bath bombs by BB. I followed the recipe exactly using all of the Bramble Berry products. When I put them in the mold they pack wonderfully and come out perfect, but as they are sitting they lose their shape. And turn flat at the bottom I even left one in the mold and still it got flat on the side it was laying on. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Help please!!!
It sounds like the bath bombs are a bit too wet. You can learn how to fix that in sections 2 and 5! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m having a hard time getting my bath bombs to keep their scents. It lasts a couple of days then disappears. Are there any suggestions what I might be doing wrong? I know Lush bath bombs keep their scents a lot longer then a few days…Ive been using two teaspoons of essential oils and same just for just regular soap scent oils.
There are several ways you can make that scent last! The first way is to add a bit more to your batch. We usually do it to scent – add a few drops and give it a sniff. If you want it stronger, add more from there. What’s nice about bath bombs is they’re diluted in a large tub of water, so they can be pretty strongly scented. Just be careful with essential oils that can cause irritation, like peppermint or cinnamon.
Get more tips in this post: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
Wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap helps too! It can help the bath bombs retain their scent and also protects them from moisture in the air. 🙂
Learn more about storing bath bombs here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am making Easter egg bath bombs using the cheap plastic eggs for my molds. So far, I have made four batches (same recipe but with different color/fragrance in each batch). The first batch, I had one break in half and stuck in each half of the mold….second batch same thing. Third batch, two stuck. Fourth batch 3 stuck. Because it is so inconsistent, I can’t tell if I am packing too light or not tight enough, filling too much or not filling enough. I’m new to this so unsure how to troubleshoot. I’m using the 2:1 ratio of citric acid and corn starch and am using baby oil for the oil. Help….don’t know which direction to go to correct my problem. 🙁
The key to keeping your bath bombs together is to pack them loosely. That way when they’re pressed together, they compact and form the round shape. It also leaves them a bit of room so they can slide out. If they’re packed too tightly, they tend to get stuck in the mold. It also helps to mound the powder up in the center. That acts as the glue that holds them together. 🙂
See that process in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ&t=26s
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much for the reply, Kelsey! I will make a batch tonight with your helpful hints….perhaps while the YouTube video is playing in the background. 🙂
What would happen if you were to add sugar to your bath bomb? Would it increase the amount of fizz, would it decrease or stay the same?
We haven’t tried sugar in bath bombs so I’m not entirely sure! You may want to make a small test fizzy to see what you think. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
New to making bath bombs. I’m trying to find a good basic recipe, then come up with my own scent combinations. So many recipes out there. What’s the difference between using the Kaolin clay over the epsom salts??
Our Pikake Flower Bath Bomb recipe is a great one! It’s simple, pretty and the scent and color can be customized: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
Kaolin clay adds structure to the bath bombs, while salt is great for relaxing. If you live in a humid climate, salt can draw moisture in from the air and make your bath bombs too soft. You may want to try both in your recipe to see which one you like better. You can also use both in the same recipe. 🙂
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
Epsom salt: https://www.brambleberry.com/Epsom-Salt-Extra-Fine-P5120.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
If I leave out the essential oil and use perfume instead and leave out the citric acid will I have a bath bomb?
The reaction between baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing! Without citric acid, the bath bomb will melt in the tub and not fizz. If you don’t want to use citric acid, I would recommend trying something like bath salts instead. They are soothing in the tub and don’t require citric acid. 🙂
Soothing Floral Bath Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soothing-floral-bath-salt-tutorial/
DIY Sparkling Bath Crystals: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/diy-sparkling-bath-crystals/
Also, I would recommend skin-safe fragrance oils over perfume. They will give you a nice scent and won’t fade or morph like perfumes can. Find skin-safe fragrance oils here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, hoping you can help. I’ve started making bath bombs here in the UK. I have had a couple of successful batches and a few not so good.
I tried to make a pinky / red colour but it turned out a pale orange, more like peach. I used a red soap dye but it didn’t seem to work. I also tried to make a brown and it turned out green.
I used a gel food colouring and got the colour I desired but it stained the tub and my skin so I can’t use these.
I’ve tried mica powders too but when the bomb fizzes, all the powder floats and makes a sludge.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks , Gary
We found La Bomb Colorants work best for bath bombs! They give you a nice color and don’t morph. Learn how to use those in sections 6 and 7. If you want to use micas, Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier that helps the color mix into the bath water. You can use .1 oz. per cup of fizzy mixture. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks, I would love to use them but I can’t find then available in the UK. Is there anyway I can make the soap colours work?
Thanks for replying 🙂
You can use the micas! Sections 6 and 7 talk more about how to use those. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made a mistake of putting 1 tbsp instead of 2 tsp lavender essential oil in my bath bombs, i mixed and molded them and now it’s sitting on my counter. Though It smells so good but i think it’s too strong. Will it be too stronger when thrown in the bathtub? is there a fix to this? Can I redo and crumble/mix the ball again into powder, add more ingredients and mold them again? Please advise.
When you toss the bath bomb in the tub, it is essential diluting it in a large amount of water. That means it won’t smell as strong! You can test one in the tub to see what you think. If it’s too strong, you can crumble it up and combine it with unscented bath bomb mixture. However, it isn’t able to be reformed after it’s crumbled, so it will stay that way. You can package the broken bath bombs in a really cute way though! Find out how here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve crumbled and re-molded my unsuccessful bombs on two separate occasions and it worked fine both times! 🙂 I put in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin to get it very smooth again, then added more oil/with hazel.
Hi
When making bath bombs, they hardended immediately, before I even had a chance to mold them.
What could the problem be?
I’m not quite sure why that’s happening. What are you using in your recipe? What are you using to wet the bath bombs? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve seen handmade bath bombs listing “food grade PEG.” What is this & why would you use it? Thanks!
I believe propylene glycol is used in bath bombs as a humectant, so it helps draw moisture to the skin. We haven’t tried it in our bath bombs so I’m not sure how to use it. You may see if someone on teachsoap.com/forum knows more. 🙂
Propylene glycol: https://www.brambleberry.com/Propylene-Glycol-P6474.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How do you prevent soap from being absorbed by your fizzy? Say I was making a red valentine’s day fizzy and I wanted to put white glycerin hearts in it…the red colorant from the fizzy is being absorbed by the soap and turning my white hearts RED!!!
Is there anyway of stopping this? I am using a Red Lake Dye which is water soluble…any thoughts please???
Thanks
J
In bath bombs, melt and pour soap is tricky. The bath bomb powder pulls the liquid from the soap out. That can make the color bleed and it can also make the bath bomb fizz too early. We don’t recommend using it. Instead, you can embed a smaller fizzy! Find out how in this tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/guest-post-sherbet-surprise-bath-fizzies/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I was wondering if you had a recipe just for fizzy bombs with no oils or anything, I have a company where I do live Facebook reveals with fizzy bombs , I just hate wasting all that oil just to put in a bowl of water ? Thank you
Absolutely! We have some great simple recipes with just baking soda, citric acid, color and fragrance. I’ll link them below. 🙂
Pikake Flower Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
Mini Key Lime Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/mini-key-lime-bath-bomb-tutorial/
Hidden Color Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/hidden-color-bath-bombs-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
My bath bombs keep sinking in the tub? But watching the video , hers float and dissolve at the top, is it supposed to sink ?
If the bath fizzy has a lot of oil or cornstarch, it can sink. If you prefer a floating fizzy you can reduce or leave out the oil or cornstarch!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use body oils for bath bombs if you don’t have essential oils ??
It depends on what’s in the body oil! If it’s just a carrier oil and fragrance it should be fine. Any other additives may do weird things in the bath bombs. What is in your body oil?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would just like to thank you so much for sharing your tips and advice! I made these bath bombs based off of a recipe that I found from Buzzfeed and it wasn’t forming together. I didn’t have witch hazel on me, so I used a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water and it worked perfectly! I was able to revive the mixture that I had from the night before and create a beautiful bath bomb!
You’re welcome Chloe, so glad you’re enjoying the recipe! Bath bombs are really fun to make. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi soap queen I would like to make cupcake bath bombs with the frost icing on top.it state your use sugar powder is this the same as icing sugar . If not where to I buy sugar powder from
Many thanks Christine
That is correct! Powdered sugar and icing sugar are the same thing. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Many thanks I going to give it a go
Christine
When I use Perfume fragrance oil sometime my bathbombs sink and has no fizz. Do you have a recipe for me to try using fragranced oils .
Do you know the ingredients in the perfume? Also, what is in your bath bomb recipes? Other ingredients like corn starch or oil can cause sinking. Let me know. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello, i have slowly perfecting bath bombs over the last year now and i have found a recipie of my own making that i really like but when they dry they have this powdery feel to them on the surface, is there a reason why this is happening?
Sounds like they may be a bit dry! What’s in your recipe, and what are you using to wet them? Also, do you live in a fairly dry environment?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
When I leave my bathbombs overnight to dry, as most recipes call for you to do, they “explode” and fall out of the mold! Any advice on how to keep the shape of the bathbomb clean?
It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit wet! Even with the same recipe, the bath bombs can be more wet on humid or rainy days. That can cause them to absorb moisture and expand. A great way to check is to squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it holds it shape, you don’t need any witch hazel that day! If not, spray 1-2 times, mix and test again. Repeat that process until the mixture holds its shape.
It can also help to place the bath bomb on a soft surface, like a blanket or egg carton foam so the side doesn’t flatten. To help them stay dry you can run a dehumidifier or place silica packets or rice nearby. That should help soak up the moisture in the air. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi!
I have been trying to use character silicone molds to make some fun bath bombs for my kids. I am having a hard time getting the bombs out of the molds with all the details intact. Some of my mixture always ends up in the small areas. Any tips?
Thank you!!!!
Sara
I’m wondering if the bath bombs may be too wet. When that happens, they can be quite soft and stick to mold details. What’s in your recipe? Also, what are you using to wet the bath bombs? Is your environment fairly humid?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I live in Seattle. So the weather is a factor
I am using this recipe-
1 c baking soda
1/2 c citric acid
1/2 c epsom salt
1 Tbl clay
1tbl tapioca flour
1tsp witch hazel
1 tips Essential oil
1/2tbl shea butter
1/4 tsp colorant
I will try adjusting the fluids and see if that works. Thank you so much for all the helpful advice!!!!
Adding less witch hazel will definitely help! Just spritz enough witch hazel so that the bath bombs hold together when squeezed in your hand. It will feel like wet sand. I would also recommend reducing the Epsom salt or leaving it out entirely. Epsom salt draws in moisture from the air, which can make your bath bombs wet (especially in humid Seattle). 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much!!!!! 💕
Hi there (: so I’ve got a few questions and I’m hoping you’ll response (:
1. My bath bomb always turn kind of like grain ish after I add all the wet ingredients is that normal
2. My bath bomb doesn’t float in the tub and I’ve tried not using corn starch or adding less oil but it still wouldn’t float
3.My bath bomb doesn’t fizz as much, like it does fizz, but there’s no bubble and stuff it would just sink to the bottom and fizz a little
4.I don’t have witch hazel can I use water instead
5.Can I use bath salt instead of epsom salt
6. Is cornstarch necessary
This is my recipe:
One cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of citric acid, same with bath salt and cornstarch
2 tablespoons of water
4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tsp. Essential oil
(Sorry for the very long paragraph)
Hmm, from what you’re describing it sounds like the bath bombs may be fairly wet. When that happens they can sink and won’t fizz as much. That can be caused by water and the salt. Salt absorbs moisture from the air and can make the bath bombs fizz too early. We have also found corn starch inhibits fizz. I would recommend leaving out the salt and cornstarch and using witch hazel to wet your bath bombs. That should help them float and fizz! 🙂
Witch hazel: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve been struggling for the last few months to fix my “warts-like bath bomb” issue.
My recipe incorporates very minimal liquids to avoid there being too much moisture and the dry ingredients are all sifted to ensure minimal clumps. However, I still struggle with the issue of warts.
Furthermore, I am located in London and so the last few months have been very cold, so humidity is not the problem. Please do let me know what else you would suggest to get rid of this problem because I am wasting so much product as my bath bombs ends up looking miserably horrifying!
Kindest Regards,
Trixie Kelly Jackson
Hmm, that’s strange! Because you’re sifting the powders that should help prevent the warts. Can you tell me a bit more about your recipe? Also, what are you using to wet them?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Easy DIY Christmas gifts they said! The interwebs lied! Goodness have I been through a few, what feels like a hundred, recipes (probably more like 5!). And I think, I think I am almost there. They haven’t fizzed into a mountain, or crumbled to pieces, or sunk to the bottom of the sink and sat there doing nada (yet – waiting for them to dry, hold all the fingers and toes).
I felt like I wanted to give back to this site, because out of all of them, I found this post (and site in general) soooooo helpful, in terms of understanding the science and recommended ratios. Some of the other recipes out there were a total disaster, and I wanted to share a few things I learned, and also ask a question.
Question first:
After first trying cream of tartar which I just couldn’t get to activate, I gave up and spent two days trying to source citric acid in enough quantity. I quickly learned that gloves are a non-negotiable, however I’ve still been burned by the acid quite painfully, just by the odd bit of mixture that fell onto a piece of skin here and there, even tiny specks. I am very concerned about the amount of acid, even in a full bath at 2:1 ratio. It just seems overly acidic? I may just be more sensitive than most.
At the moment, my “magic” measurements are as follows (for 1 ball).
4oz bicarbonate of soda
2oz citric acid
2oz epsom salts
1/4 tsp witch hazel (not clear what % alcohol it is)
2-4 drops essential oil (depending on what it is)
1/4 tsp coconut oil
1-2 drops gel food colouring (depending on what I’m going for).
Then I use a pipette dropper to drop in any additional witch hazel needed, literally tiny drop by tiny drop. I can’t get enough control with a spray bottle.
Question: What is the lowest I can go in terms of ratio of citric acid to bicarb? Thinking of going down to 2:0,8 i.e. 1,5 oz citric acid to 4oz bicarb, and upping the epsom salts by 0,5 oz. Would that work? Any other recommendations to raise the pH a bit?
Then a few things I’ve learned:
– Use gloves at all times when working with citric acid, ouch
– Don’t under estimate the effect of 1 tiny drop of liquid on the salts, it can literally take you from sand straight to fizz pop if you overdo it.
– I found adding all the liquid including the oils etc drop by drop was the way to go
– In my opinion, most of the recipes have too much essential oil in them, but I know this is personal preference and also depends on the quality of the oil..
– I wasn’t a fan of cornstarch, just seemed to retard the fizzing, and I’d rather use other minerals that do more for you.
– The gel food colouring works really well in my opinion, it doesn’t activate the fizz, and the colour goes really far.
– Don’t try to source bulk citric acid online over Dec/Jan while all the stores are closed for 3 weeks :-/ Here in South Africa the largest pack in supermarkets and department stores is 100g, and it’s flipping expensive. That’s not even enough for 1 ball. *grumpy*
– Don’t try making these for the first time the night before you need to give someone a present LOL!
Good luck fellow bath bombers!
Thanks so much for all your great tips Cat! Bath bombs do definitely take some practice. Once you find the perfect recipe and consistency, it gets a lot easier. Also, you can reduce the amount of citric acid, but the bath bombs won’t fizz as much. The 2:1 ratio of baking soda and citric acid is ideal for a nice long fizz.
Also, I’m wondering if you may be sensitive to or have an allergy to the citric acid. We do recommend gloves to protect your nail polish from the citric acid, but it shouldn’t be too irritating on the hands. You may check with your doctor to learn more. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome thanks Kelsey! Allergy or sensitivity is definitely possible, though I’ve never had an issue with any store bought bombs e.g. From Lush. Will test each of the ingredients on my skin. Now that I’ve got them to mould and fizz properly I’ll have an actual bath and see how I go. Could possibly also have been one of the oils ?
That may be it as well! You can have sensitivities to certain oils, especially if they’re nut based. You may try a new oil to see if that helps. 🙂
Learn more about common allergies and sensitivities here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/soaping-with-allergies-nuts-gluten-more/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Once they have done fizzing there should be little or no acid particles left in your bath water. The reaction between baking soda and citric acid produces non acidic products and by having the 2:1 ratio you are trying to ensure all the acid reacts.
Why does my bath bomb melt after I take it out of the freezer?
When bath bombs move from the really cold freezer to room temperature, they form condensation – just like a hot drink on a cold day. That can cause them to fizz too early and lose their shape. Instead, we recommend storing them at room temperature. It helps to use a dehumidifier, or place silica packets or rice nearby to help absorb moisture from the air and keep them dry until you’re ready to wrap them. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do you have a basic bath bomb tutorial that i could customize with my own scents/colors/ ect.?
We have a great basic recipe we love to use! You can find it here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-use-our-bath-bomb-maker/
You can add whatever skin-safe scents and bath bomb colors you like. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m making bath bombs could I use a cake pop mold?
As long as the mold is plastic or silicone it should work just fine! You may want to make a small test batch to see how it works before making a larger one. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I recently added polysorbate 80 to a recipe that I had used successfully before. the bath bombs I’ve made with the poly 80 seem to be much softer than they used to be, and take much longer to dry! I’ve tried to pick up a couple of them and they’ve crumbled at even a gentle pressure. It seems inconsistent
My recipe includes Kaolin clay already, and I like adding the poly 80 to emulsify the oils into the water (I also want to be able to add micas as colorant). The recipe seems to stick together fine when molding the bombs. Is there something else I should be considering?
Hi Sam! How much Polysorbate 80 are you adding? Because it is a liquid, it can make the bath bombs more soft. Also, is it fairly humid where you are? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I only add in a small amount. I add typically add about .3oz of moisturizing oils, and approx .1oz of poly 80 (usually just a small squeeze out of the bottle). It’s not humid, it’s actually been quite dry… so I’m not sure what’s happening
Hmm.. it sounds like you’re adding just the right amount of liquid, so it shouldn’t be getting soft! When you’re molding the bath bombs, do they have a wet sand texture? Then they’re staying soft? How are you storing the bath bombs? Thanks for answering all my questions. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
When I mold it I feel like the mixture is wet enough, but maybe not? I’m planning on experimenting today with a wetter texture to see how that works.
I use plastic molds and keep it in half the mold usually overnight so that they dont flatten out. The next day I’ll go to pick it up and it’ll explode into a powdery mess. I leave it out on my countertop, which I’ve never had problems with in the past. If i can manage to save one, it is usually questionable whether or not it’s actually hard, knocking it against a table would leave a mark in it.
How did using a wetter texture go? Because the bath bombs are crumbling so easy, I’m wondering if they’re actually too dry instead of too wet!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey – the wetter texture worked much better! My bath bombs solidified over night and didn’t crack or explode this time!! thanks for the help 🙂
Oh that’s awesome, glad to hear that Sam! Enjoy. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It says poly 80 up to 6%… is that 6% of the oil weight or of the total bomb? My bombs are too soft I think maybe I’m using too much
That’s the total weight of the bath bomb! However, we’ve found .1 oz. per cup of fizzy mixture works best. It helps emulsify the oil without making the fizzy too soft. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi there, Can I pop my bath bombs in the oven to help them harden?? They are in cupcake molds. My receipe is sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, corn starch, Epsom salts, Almond oil, rose water, essential oils OR fragrant oils.
I LOVE your tips on everything btw, soap, body butters, scrubs, EVERYTHING!!
Thanks,
Kirsten
I would recommend leaving them at room temperature! We’ve found they dry best that way. Keep them in a cool, dry place. If you have a dehumidifier that would be ideal. You can also place rice or silica packets nearby to absorb any moisture. Then, once they’re dry, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to protect them from humidity. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sudsy-science-creating-homemade-bath-bombs/
If you REALLY want to dry them in oven this site suggests 170 to preheat oven, turn off and let dry 45 minutes in closed oven. Just happened to see this today and save link to try so no personal knowledge. 🙂
To the newbies of bath bomb making; I’ve always used the alcohol spray in my mixture, but kept seeing all the good reviews about Witch Hazel, so decided to try it last night while making some Christmas orders.
I had the worst allergic reaction to this stuff! My hands are still swollen, I have an awful red, burning, rash thst is just miserable. I can’t take Benadryl to counter react it because I’m allergic to Antihistamines, but do carry an EpiPen because I’m deathly allergic to bees, wasps, etc and I had to end up using my EpiPen just to get some relief!
My advice is to PLEASE test this on a very small area of skin before you decide to use it.
I’m not saying it’s not good to use, I’m sure that it is, but please watch out for yourself because YOU are what’s most important!
Sry for rambling, I just really felt I needed to let ppl know because I never would’ve thought I’d be allergic to Witch Hazel!
I am so sorry about that Melissa, it sounds awful! It’s definitely a good idea to test witch hazel out before using it to be on the safe side.
Read more about soaping with allergies here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/soaping-with-allergies-nuts-gluten-more/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sorry ask, since you have probably answered this.
I made a recipe and the started to get flat on the side they were laying on. But the other batch I made didn’t.
It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit wet! Even with the same recipe, the bath bombs can be more wet on humid or rainy days. That can cause them to flatten on a hard surface. A great way to check is to squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it holds it shape, you don’t need any witch hazel that day! If not, spray 1-2 times, mix and test again. Repeat that process until the mixture holds its shape.
It can also help to place the bath bomb on a soft surface, like a blanket or egg carton foam so the side doesn’t flatten. To help them stay dry you can run a dehumidifier or place silica packets or rice nearby. That should help soak up the moisture in the air. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks for the rice tip! I didn’t think of that one! I do use the egg cartons and love them.
Where do you recommend placing the rice? Thanks so much in advance! (:
As close to the bath bombs as possible! You can lay the rice around the egg carton foam as they’re drying. Then, once they’re dried and wrapped in plastic wrap, I like to place them in an airtight container with more rice to keep them dry. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is there anyway to substitute the citric acid in bath bombs? A friend of mine has very sensitive skin and actually got a UTI from using bath bombs and her doctor said it was the citric acid that did it. Thanks!
The reaction between baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing! Without citric acid, the bath bomb will melt in the tub and not fizz. If your friend is sensitive to citric acid, I would recommend trying something like bath salts instead. They are soothing in the tub and don’t require citric acid. 🙂
Soothing Floral Bath Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soothing-floral-bath-salt-tutorial/
DIY Sparkling Bath Crystals: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/diy-sparkling-bath-crystals/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey!
I am also looking for a substitute for citric acid in your recipe, I know it creates the fizzing, but I just want to make them for myself and I don’t always have citric acid on hand, versus most of the other ingredients. I think of a bath bomb as more of a ‘solid’ bath salts alternative, and enjoy playing with colors to make them look pretty, plus the medicinal benefits offered in a relaxing bath. What would you use if you had to replace the citric acid? I’ve tried quite a few bath bomb recipes without citric acid, but it seems I cannot get the wet/dry ratio right…most of them have cornstarch and cream of tartar…I also notice your recipe doesn’t have epsom salts…any particular reason for not using them? Thanks!
Without citric acid, the recipe won’t fizz. It’s also hard to get the fizzy to hold its shape. You may like Solid Bubble Bath instead! It creates great bubbles in the tub and doesn’t use citric acid: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Try fruit fresh in place of citric acid. I am wondering if you can use the oils that you get from vapor stores that have scents . Without the nicotine? All of those smell so good.
Fresh fruit won’t work the same as citric acid in bath bombs. It will also add a lot of moisture that can wet the baking soda and make it clump. We definitely recommend citric acid! Also, I wouldn’t recommend vapor oils. They aren’t specifically made for cosmetics, so they may do odd things in your recipe. Skin-safe fragrance and essential oils work best. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Petals-P4020.aspx
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Fruit Fresh has citric acid in it.
The ingredients are:
Dextrose, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid, silicon dioxide (anti-caking)
Hi
I was wondering what preservative would be best in the making of bath bombs? though i dont use any water in my recipe, i worry that being stored in a bathroom moisture would get to them. Which preservative would you suggest and why?
many thanks
Rachel
Bath bombs don’t need a preservative! Instead, we recommend wrapping the bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap and storing them in a cool, dry place. I like an airtight container with rice or silica packets placed inside. That will protect the bath bomb from any moisture and keep it from fizzing too early. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can ball brand citric acid be used to make the bath bombs
I think that should be OK! Ball citric acid has silicon dioxide in it, which is an anti-caking agent. Our citric acid doesn’t have that, so I’m not sure if it will affect the bath bombs at all. I would recommend making a small test batch to make sure it works well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Yes you can! I used it until I found a 2 lb bag from Ajent on Amazon for around $8. That has saved me a ton of money since I was paying $5 for 7.5 ounces of the Ball Brand Citric Acid.
I forgot to add that the citric acid I mentioned above is 100% pure and has no HMO’s which I love and so do my customers.
doe you have to dry your bath bomb for it to work?
When the bath bombs are allowed to try, we find they fizz a bit more! You’ll find the leftover powder will still fizz when you’re doing dishes, but the dried bath bombs fizz a bit better. You can let them dry for a couple hours or up to overnight. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
will you have slsa back in stock this month? my two kids love the bath bombs, there not to great yet, but I’ve ordered everything else but slsa. bramble berry products are the best (I’ve learned) and won’t buy from others.
We are hoping to have that back by Dec. 22nd (hopefully sooner). Sorry about the wait Sarah. Once it’s back in stock, our website will be updated. 🙂
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
what else could I use instead of bicarbonate soda?
as I live in the UK it is a bit expensive to buy bicarbonate soda and I need to make them soon as a gift so any advice will be helpful
many thanks in advance
anushka
The reaction between baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing! Without baking soda, the bath bomb will melt in the tub and not fizz. If baking soda is hard to come by, you may like bath salts instead. They are a great way to relax, and we have recipes without baking soda. 🙂
Soothing Floral Bath Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soothing-floral-bath-salt-tutorial/
DIY Sparkling Bath Crystals: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/diy-sparkling-bath-crystals/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Have you ever tried the already scented epsom salts? I found some lavender and honey scented ones at my local dollar store, I know I’ve seen a bigger selection at walmart. IO was just wondering if there’s some reason they would not work. They’re for bathing, so I can’t see any problems there.
As long as it’s just salt and scent, they should work in bath bombs! Check for any additives – if there are odd ingredients they can affect your bath bombs. If not, I would recommend a small test batch to make sure they work well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
They worked perfectly. I just wished the event was stronger. I might try adding a little lavender essential oil next time I make a batch.
I actually use these same ones as well as the eucalyptus bag. I love them! I use the unscented when I’m adding essential oils tho because the lavender and honey and the eucalyptus have their own wonderful scents! 🙂
I just made my first batch of bath bombs and they turned out beautiful but I added flower petals to the top and was wondering if there is a way to keep them from falling out.
That’s awesome Sara, glad they turned out well! With the flower petals, it helps to sprinkle them in the bottom of the mold. Then, try to tightly pack the powder around them. A few will fall off, but the powder should grab onto a couple and help them stick. 🙂
That’s what we did in the Pikake Flower Bath Bomb Tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
my Husband and i are wanting to open a bath bomb business and we would like it to be successful but Is it legal to used brand name product to mix in t make your own product = like for example (Doterra oils)? Thank you!
You can use brand name oils in your bath bomb! However, if you want to name your bath bombs using their essential oils, you’ll need to ask them for permission. For example, if you called your bath bombs Peppermint Bath Fizzies that would be just fine. But, if you wanted to say Doterra Peppermint Bath Fizzies, you’d need to ask them. 🙂
Read more about labeling your products here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Soap-And-Cosmetic-Labeling-Book-1-Book-P3663.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
That’s wonderful! Good luck! I’m attempting to do the same thing. 🙂
I made some shower bombs using baking soda, water and essential oil (peppermint). I let them sit for two days and then tested them out in the shower.
Nothing happened. I could not smell a thing and they never started to come a part.
What did I do wrong?
Hi there! Did you have citric acid in your recipe?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I make a wonderful Vicks shower fizzie. It has helped so much with this crazy Texas weather we are having and clears my congestion right up!
If you didn’t use citric acid, it won’t fizz no matter what you do. Also, if you didn’t smell the scent, you probably just need to add more oil. Good luck!
hi ladies! I’m so in love with everything you do. I’ve been attempting to make bombs, last batch seemed great till I laid them out to dry. them started going flat, like they were being squished. one even seem to be fizzing up on one half. didn’t think I used to much witch hazel. what can I do?
Hmm, sounds like they may be getting a bit wet. That can happen if they absorb moisture from the air. What is in your recipe, and how did you store them? Also, is your climate fairly humid? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! Just wanted too ask your opinion. I made some bath bombs about a week ago and they were grand. I just checked on them and they have expanded. I was storing them in kilner jars. Any ideas why?
Sounds like they’re absorbing moisture from the air and expanding. It helps to wrap the bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap. Then, store them in a cool, dry place. You can use a dehumidifer or place it in an airtight container with rice or silica packets inside. That will help keep the bath bombs dry. 🙂
Read more about how to store your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
PLEASE HELP! I’m making bath bombs with my 5 yr old granddaughter and our mixture is drying out before we can use it. It’s causing wet clumps. I sprayed with alcohol and it’s not ridding the clumps. I really dont wanna throw all of this away, because the citric acid is rather expensive. Please help!
I’m sorry about that Melissa! I think it may be the alcohol. Alcohol tends to evaporate fairly quickly, which can dry out the mixture. If you have witch hazel on hand I would definitely recommend that! If not, you can add a teaspoon or so of any oil you have on hand. Oil helps wet the mixture so it holds its shape. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you for responding, I’m just now seeing it. I added a bit more coconut oil and it helped. I didn’t find out until last night when making Christmas orders that I’m allergic to Witch Hazel!
Other than alcohol, what are my other options? I really dont like water as it makes it fizz.
Water will make it fizz and alcohol can dry it out, so I would recommend sticking with oil. It wets the fizzies nicely! It also adds moisturizing properties. It can make your tub a bit oily. You can use Polysorbate 80 to help with that! It is an emulsifier that helps the oil disperse in your bath tub. We like to use about .1 ounces per cup of fizzy mixture. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Help!
I mixed my bath bombs too dry and they are breaking out of the mold…. Can I re-use what i already have, sift it through a strainer, add more witch hazel and re-mold them???
Once the bath bombs are mixed with witch hazel, it can be tricky to remold them. The texture becomes more dry and not as easy to mold. Instead, you can package the fizzies in Water Soluble Paper! Learn how here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
can I use a fragranced shower gel with an essential oil?
The shower gel may have additional ingredients, like water, that can do weird things in your recipe. I would recommend using fragrance or essential oils instead. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, I’m based in the UK and am having trouble with coloring my bath bombs evenly. No matter how long I mix there are still big spots of colour and the remainder of the bathbomb is an off white colour. I am using liquid colourants at the moment which fizz a little when I add them to my dry mixture. I would love to buy the labomb colourants, they look amazing, but because they are coming over from America I fear there will be a big income charge on top of paying for the colourants. Do you have any suggestions with overcoming my colouring problems? Thanks in advance!!
Do you know if your colorants are mixed with water? If so, that may be why they’re fizzing and not mixing in well. They’re likely reacting with the mixture and causing them to fizz. If you can get micas, I would recommend using those. They are a powder colorant that will mix in well with the mixture. You can add those to the dry powders and mix with your hand until they’re incorporated. 🙂
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I did look up micas but read that they can stain people’s baths? Just a pain because I’m based in the UK it’s a struggle to source things I find haha. Thanks for your help 😊
They can transfer if you add to much. We’ve found that color can be wiped off easily with a towel though. It helps to use a small amount of mica in your bath bombs! You can also use about .1 ounces of Polysorbate 80 per cup of fizzy mixture. That helps the oil soluble micas mix in with the bath water and prevent that transfer. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is there a way to make them without baking soda? I have contact dermatitis, and it’s one of the things that affect my skin.
The reaction between baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing! Without baking soda, the bath bomb will melt in the tub and not fizz. Because baking soda irritates your skin, you may like bath salts. They are a great way to relax, and we have recipes without baking soda. 🙂
Soothing Floral Bath Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soothing-floral-bath-salt-tutorial/
DIY Sparkling Bath Crystals: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/diy-sparkling-bath-crystals/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
My bath bombs are losing the fizz after just a few days after being made. Here are the ingreidients to the recipe for them:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup Epsom salts
1 tsp. water
2 tsp. essential oil
3 tsp. oil (olive oil)
food coloring
Is there any way to keep this from happening? Also how do you make you bath bombs foamy like Lush’s?
Hi Scarlett! Do you live in a humid climate? I’m thinking the bath bombs are absorbing moisture in the air and fizzing too early.
Also, we do have several bubbly bath bomb recipes! They use SLSA, which helps create bubbles. I’ll link them below. 🙂
Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bomb: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pumpkin-spice-latte-bubble-bath-bomb/
Aloe Bubble Bath Bomb: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you, and I live in Texas which can be humid. I will try out the recipes!
You’re welcome!
hi i have quistion ,
how can i make the foaming bathbomb in the right ??
do you have recipe for foaming bathbomb , look like the lush quality ??
best regards,
homod
We do have several bubbly bath bomb recipes! They use SLSA, which helps create bubbles. I’ll link them below. 🙂
Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bomb: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pumpkin-spice-latte-bubble-bath-bomb/
Aloe Bubble Bath Bomb: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can i try to substitute flour instead of cornstarch?
Hi there! We haven’t tried flour in bath bombs so I’m not entirely sure. Why are you wanting to add it? Let me know and I can offer some suggestions. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi is there anyway I can make bath bombs without baking sofa?
Soda*
The reaction between baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing! Without baking soda, the bath bomb will melt in the tub and not fizz. We definitely recommend baking soda in your recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello again!
I have another question regarding bath bombs and color. I have experienced them losing their color. I do use food coloring and am wondering if I switch to mica if that would solve my issue? it seems to be the light that is causing the discoloration. I have tried the FD&C dyes and they are not strong enough to mask the hemp oil I use. Have you heard of this issue before with food coloring?
We have heard of that issue with food coloring! Because food coloring isn’t made for use in bath bombs, it can fade, morph or bleed. I think using micas will definitely help. They stay true to color in bath bombs (just keep them out of direct sunlight). La Bomb Colorants also work really well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have a question regarding discoloration. The recipe I have been using calls for 2 parts baking soda, 1 part citric acid, 1 part Epsom salts, 1 part corn starch, some oil (I’ve used coconut), the essential oil and then water for added moisture. I find that something in this combination has been causing a yellow discoloration within 24 hours which becomes almost brown within a couple days. It makes for a very unattractive bath bomb. What could be causing this? Should I eliminate something from the recipe or have I used a poorly refined ingredient? I was hoping to use these as Christmas gifts and I can’t when they look this way. HELP
Typically the fragrance or essential oil causes that discoloration. What kind of essential oil are you using? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
The essential oil is a therepeutic aromatherapy brand with soybean oil, rosewood, peppermint, and lavender.
I’m wondering if something in the essential oil blend may be reacting with the ingredients and oxidizing. I would recommend making a test batch without the essential oil. If you find the bath bombs aren’t discoloring, that is the culprit! You can leave them unscented or try a vanilla-free fragrance or essential oil. 🙂
Vanilla free fragrances: https://www.brambleberry.com/Clear-Vanilla-Free-C491.aspx
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
how do you get the bath balms out when they set mold plastic over night
Hi Ann!
The bath bombs should slide out easily! Do your fizzies feel wet at all? If so, they may be expanding in the mold and getting stuck. Can you tell me more about your recipe? Also, do you live in a fairly humid environment?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m concerned as well.. my recipe is
1 cup baking soda.
1/2 cup citric acid.
1/2 cup Epsom salts.
1 tsp. water.
2 tsp. essential oil.
3 tsp. oil (almond oil)
But when they set overnight, they are so rock hard that they won’t come out of any mold without having to smash it to pieces ?
Hi Amber!
Hmm, your recipe looks just fine so I’m not sure why they’re getting so hard! You may try eliminating the water and adding another teaspoon of almond oil. Water can make the recipe react early, which can cause them to expand and be hard to get out. Adding more oil instead will help wet them without causing that reaction! It may also make them a bit softer and hopefully easier to get out. 🙂
I would also recommend adding about 5 drops of cyclomethicone to the molds beforehand, swirling it around and draining on a paper towel. The cyclomethicone helps the bath bombs slide out more easily. We used that trick in the Surprise Bath Bombs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjpsQXt6NU&t=181s
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
bath bombs.. floater.. I was testing so this make 3 bombs
2/3 cup citric acid granular
1 1/3 cup baking soda
4 tablespoon sunflower oil
3 tsp green clay
1 ounce FO
2 mini scoops mica of choice
1tsp Perfumer alcohol blend .. mix a little bit at a time.. ( this is what i had on hand)
THIS CREATE FLOATING BOMBS.
Thanks for sharing your recipe Ruby! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Is it possible use scented epsom salts in place of fragrance/essential oils?
As long as the Epsom salts are scented with skin-safe fragrances they should be fine to use! If you find the recipe is a bit too faint, you can add more fragrance to the recipe itself. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you reuse the bath bomb mixture if it has already been refrigerated?
Using the refrigerated bath bomb mixture can be tricky. When the powder moves from the fridge to room temperature, it can start reacting. That’s because the mixture can form condensation, similar to a cold drink on a hot day. I would recommend working with the powders in a fairly cold and dry room to try and prevent that reaction. For your next batch, we recommend storing them in a cool, dry place at room temperature. If you want to make some to save for later, wait to add the witch hazel until you’re ready to make them. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hello…I have followed the YouTube video on how to make cupcake bath bombs with the lady from dirty laundry. The cupcakes turn out perfect! However after a few days of being packaged, they are getting soft and pulling away from the liner, almost expanding. The icing stays in tact but the bath bomb itself is not staying rock hard. I took the advice from Matt and added silica gel packs but this isn’t doing the trick either. I’m at a loss…
Hmm, it sounds like the bath bombs are reacting with the moisture in the air. In addition to the silica packets, I would recommend wrapping each one tightly with plastic wrap. You can also use a heat gun to shrink the wrap on tightly. That will protect the bath bombs from that excess moisture. 🙂
Read more about storing bath bombs here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Audi, I am having the exact same problem with a lot of mine. I’ve concluded that part of that reason in addition to the air’s moisture is that they are not fully dry when packaging. I have read that if they are even the slightest bit wet, they can create condensation in the packaging and go soft. I am shrink wrapping mine individually and using the heat gun to tightly secure them. I haven’t tried the silica just yet but am highly considering. It’s crazy though I made a batcha nd they were soo perfect however when I replicate the recipe they react prematurely now. The weather change has got the best of my bath bomb products.
The weather will definitely affect your bath bombs! Silica packets and a dehumidifier are really helpful. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! I have been having a lot of trouble with my bath bomb recipes lately and am wondering if you have any insight. I live in a rather warm area of California (Bakersfield) and lately the weather has been changing which I know can affect my bath bombs. However, I am not positive that is the case. I have in the past done 1 to 1 ratio in citric to baking soda and was not having any issues. Lately, they have been reacting prematurely and I am now following:
2 cups baking soda, 1 cup citric, 1 cup Epsom salt, 1/4 cup corn starch. 1 tsp approx. of hemp oil which is a very thick oil, 1 TBS witch hazel and 1 TBS Almond oil, 1/8 tsp Vit. E (more recently added but some turned out fine with it), 10 drops of essential oil and 5-6 drops of food coloring. I have used these same ingredients with no issue before. Also, I used to use 1 TBS coconut oil in addition to the ingredients above but I have removed it in efforts to save the bombs. So I am actually using a lot less oil than I had in the past and they almost feel too dry but they are still reacting! S.O.S! I have noticed our humidity levels have been between 40-70% which seems high so I have invested in a small dehumidifier and am creating a “dry room” but it doesn’t seem to be working either 🙁 I use cup cake type trays for my molds and some have turned out fine with them but could that be it? I am out completely confused why this is happening still! the only thing that seems to save them is the refrigerator. What do you think could be my problem?
Hi Carli!
If the bath bombs are fizzing, they may be reacting with something in the air or something in your recipe. Salt can often cause that. Salt draws moisture from the air and can cause your fizzies to go off. You may notice this more when it’s humid out! I would recommend reducing or eliminating the salt from your recipe. That should help!
It may also be the food coloring. Do you know if the food coloring is water based? If so, that can set off the reaction as well. Using mica or glycerin based colors (La Bombs) helps. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do you think if I added Kaolin Clay that it would help also? The food coloring does have water in it however, I have had a lot of success still! so I am thinking its definitely moisture in the air 🙁 what type of dehumidifier would you suggest? I am using a small closet in my house, so far the small dehu I got has only pulled a little bit of moisture out of the air. Would Almond oil vs. Fractionated coconut oil matter too? Sorry for so many questions!
Kaolin clay helps add structure to the bath bomb and can help make it a bit more dry! We recommend about 1 tablespoon of clay per cup of fizzy mixture. 🙂
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
As for the dehumidifier, a larger one may work! You can check online to see which one is in your price range and has good reviews. Also, both oils work well in the mixture! They won’t make much of a difference as far as the moisture goes, but both feel slightly different on the skin. I would recommend testing them both to see which one you like better!
Thanks for sharing your recipe Patricia! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Awesome, thank you for all of the assistance. I have tried and tried! decreased the witch hazel by 50%, dropped epsom salt to 1 TBS and also tried 1/4 cup and even lowered the food coloring amount. It’s crazy, they still puffed up a little bit and are really soft… I think eventually they will dry but it is taking a very long time, if they even end up drying! haha. I think I will order some Kaolin Clay and give that a try. I tried putting them at 170 degrees in the oven, under a fan, not under a fan, in the closet with a small dehu and sealed the door. I’m not giving up though!
Thank you Patricia! I will also try adding in the citric last!
Hello,
I am not sure if this will help you, but I have been tweaking my recipe for about a month. I have come up with the following.
1c baking soda
1/2c Epsom salt
1/2c corn starch
1/2c granulated citric acid
3/4tsp water
3/4tsp baby oil
2 1/2 tsp essential oil
I combine all dry ingredients together except citric acid. I the combine all wet ingredients and I color mine with oil based candy colors. I mix the color with the wet ingredients. I then add the wet to the dry. Once completely mixed, I add the citric acid.
Hope this helps.
Can I use glycerin instead of water or witch hazel? I’m really trying to prevent my bath bombs from fizzing.
Hi Jackie!
Glycerin is a sticky, heavy liquid, so a lot of it can make the bath bombs feel pretty wet and sticky. I would recommend a lightweight oil instead! Sweet almond or avocado will help wet the bath bomb without making it too sticky. We recommend starting with about .5 ounces of oils per 1.5 cup of fizzy mixture. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Hi
I’ve been making bath bombs for a while now and I’m struggling everytime I make them 😐 I noticed my recipe is a bit different from everyone else’s I use gliseryn and I’m thinking to substitute it with something else but I’m not sure with what. Also my bath bombs hardn but not hard enough to be shipped some survive and some don’t any suggestions?
Glycerin is pretty sticky, so a lot of it can make the bath bombs feel pretty wet and sticky. I would recommend a lightweight oil instead! Sweet almond or avocado will help wet the bath bomb without making it too sticky. I think that will also help make the bath bomb a bit more sturdy. We recommend starting with about .5 ounces of oils per 1.5 cup of fizzy mixture. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Hi, I have been making my bath bombs with essential oils, but would like to experiment
with some new scents. I have quite a few nice smelling edible flavour oils like cotton candy, vanilla or cherry usually used for flavouring cake icing etc. The bottles say they contain propylene glycol & artificial flavour. Do you think it would be possible to use these in a bath bomb instead of essential oils ?
Because those flavor oils are intended for food, they may not work well in bath bombs. The scent can fade or morph in the recipe. I would recommend using skin-safe fragrance oils. They are intended for use in products like bath bombs, so they work really well. 🙂
See all our skin-safe fragrances here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, question I want to make bath bombs for my sisters baby shower, how do I add decals to the bomb? I see some bombs have some sought of decal pressed in the bomb looks almost like the bee on your soap but pressed in a bit. Do people make those decals or are they ordered?
I saw another bath bomb that had a little monkey in the bomb with a banana which I thought was cute but not sure how to make them.
Thank you
Hi Delia!
We haven’t worked with decals in our bath bombs, so I’m not entirely sure! We have added lavender or roses to the top of our bath bombs, but not decals. We do that by sprinkling the flower in the bottom of the mold and packing bath bomb powder on top. We did that for the Pikake Flower Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
You may also check teachsoap.com/forum to see if someone there knows more!
You can also embed toys or color inside your bath bombs. That way they are revealed as the bath bomb fizzies. We did that in the Butterfly Sparkle Surprise Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/butterfly-sparkle-surprise-bath-bomb/
And the Hidden Color Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/hidden-color-bath-bombs-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Soap Queen?
I have been making bath bombs for quite some time now but something has recently happened that has blown my mind. I have had them crack sometimes on humid days (aka, too much water!), but my most recent few batches both crack AND are crumbly; implying they are both too wet and too dry at the same time. How is this possible!
Have you ever heard of this or experienced it? I recently bought a new brand of baking soda, but I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Hi Melanie!
Hmm, it kind of sounds like the bath bombs are a bit dry! They can crumble and crack if they’re too wet or too dry. Does the powder feel pretty dry the the touch? What are you using to wet the bombs? Also, do you live in a fairly dry area? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I remove my big bath bombs from the stainless steel molds to let them dry. If I leave them in too long they can’t be removed. So I’ve been removing them from the molds after 15 minutes and I’ve either gently laid them on freezer paper or set them in an egg carton. Either way damages the bomb. They either flatten on the paper or get dents from the egg carton. Any tips?
Hi Jill!
If you have bubble wrap or a really soft towel that would work! It would give the bath bombs a flat surface without any raised areas that may cause dents. It can also help to add about 1 tablespoon of kaolin clay per cup of fizzy mixture. Kaolin clay adds structure and sturdiness to the bath bombs. That can help them hold their shape when unmolded. 🙂
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello I am trying to make bath bombs but the last few batches came out of the mold very nicely, then when drying they started to have large cracks all over them and when I touch them they crumble into powder…
I use
2 cups baking soda
1cup citric acid
3 tbsp grape seed oil
1tbsp slsa
1tbsp essential oil
3tbs kaolin clay
Few drops colorant
I mix dry ingredients and add the liquid ingredients slowly while mixing
The texture comes out nice and sticks together
I put them in the mold for 2 minutes and remove them nice and round
The next day when left to dry they have these huge wide cracks
And when I press on them they crumble into powder
I tried changing supplier of baking soda and citric acid, I tried different colorant and different oils
But same thing happens every time over the last few weeks.. I don’t know what I am doing wrong
It sounds like they may be a bit dry! Are you using any witch hazel to wet them?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am new to making bath bombs and was wondering if it be best that I try a kit first before I buy the ingredients separately?
Also, one other question… Are bath bombs and shower fizzies the same thing, or are they made differently?
Kits are really nice because they come with everything you need! I think that would be a good idea. We have some great bath bomb kits. I would recommend our Pikake Flower Bath Bomb Kit. It’s a simple and pretty recipe that’s great for beginners. 🙂
Pikake Flower Bath Bomb Kit: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pikake-Flower-Bath-Bomb-Kit-P6214.aspx
Also, bath fizzies and shower fizzies are both made of citric acid and baking soda! Shower fizzies are usually smaller and scented a bit more strongly. That way they dissolve faster and distribute the scent. These Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies are made with essential oil blends: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aromatherapy-shower-fizzies/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Wow. All these tips will for sure help me make bath bombs with a formula from https://gospaces.com/blog/how-to-make-bath-bombs I’ve heard of a lot of issues that can arise when making them and it seems like you have a lot of great information! I like that you included colorant suggestions as that has been an issue of mine.*goes to look at your other posts to see suggestions on fragrance oils*
Glad you found the post helpful May! If you have any questions on making bath bombs let us know. We’re happy to help. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hi..
my bathbomb tends to prematurely fizz after i unmold it. I already keep it freeze about 24 hours in freezer, and it is freeze like an ice cube when i unmold it. but around 10 minutes the bathbomb slowly fizz. any idea how to keep it dry? i want to sent this bath bomb as a gift, but dont know how to package it with this kind of problem.. thank you
chia
Hi Chia!
I think it may be the freezer. When you take the bath bomb out, it will naturally form condensation. That extra moisture is likely causing the bath bomb to fizz. Instead, I would recommend keeping the bath bomb at room temperature! If your house is pretty humid, you can run a fan over the bath bombs as they dry, or use a dehumidifier. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hey
im making bath bombs and i want to make them foam but i dont know what ingredient to use. Was hoping you would know the right ingredient to use.
thankyou 🙂
Hi Jasmine!
If you’d like your bath bombs to create some bubbles in the tub, I would recommend adding SLSA or SLS. Both will make your fizzy bubble! The main difference is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is a chemical additive, while SLSA (Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate) is a alternative that is derived from coconut and palm oils and is 100% of natural origin.
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx?
SLS: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfate-P3562.aspx?
I’ve included a few recipes below that incorporate these ingredients :). I would recommend starting with SLSA or SLS at the same usage rate as the citric acid.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bomb:
https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pumpkin-spice-latte-bubble-bath-bomb/
Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs:
https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
I hope this helps!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Please help. I am new to making bath bombs and found a recipe that turned out perfect the first time but I cannot replicate it successfully. The first time the bombs came out of the metal molds perfectly immediately and dried on a plate. They stayed nice and smooth and hardened well. I have tried the exact same recipe as well as tweaking it since then with no success. The bombs look great as soon as I unmold them but then within an hour or so the surface starts to become rough wet and sticky. I tried leaving them in the molds but then they just stick and don’t come out. I have AC so the house should not be overly humid. When making them I test the mixture frequently and stop adding liquid as soon as they’re ever so slightly packable. My recipe is: 1 cup baking soda, one half cup corn starch, one half cup citric acid, one half cup Epsom salt, 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil mixed with approximately 20 drops of spearmint essential oil and a couple light sprays of water. Thank you!
Hmm, it sounds like the bath bombs may be absorbing moisture from the air. The same recipe will perform differently at different times of the year and different humidity levels! That means you will need to adjust the moisture level based on how wet the environment is. Even if your house isn’t too humid, they can absorb moisture. This is especially the case with salt. Salt naturally absorbs moisture from the air. I would recommend reducing or eliminating the salt in your recipe. Then, while the bath bombs are hardening, run a fan over them or use a dehumidifier. That should help them harden nicely. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! If using a natural plant based colorant in my bath bombs like beetroot or spinach powder will they eventually turn brownish the same way other body products tend to do like soaps etc? Thx!!!
Deb-the natural girl 🙂
I believe those colors will eventually turn brown. Natural colors tend to go brown in soap, lotion etc. I would recommend making a small test batch to see how long those colors last! 🙂
You can also use Brazilian clay. They give the bath bomb a lovely color that lasts a long time. We used them in the Lavender and Clay Mondo Bath Fizzy tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/lavender-clay-mondo-bath-fizzy/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Brazilian Clay Sampler Pack: https://www.brambleberry.com/Brazilian-Clay-Sampler-P5510.aspx
Hi! I need SO much help! I’ve been trying to make Bath Bombs and I’m getting so frustrated! I live in a humid area and can’t seem to get mine to set! Right after I make them, they hold their shape, but when I go to bed and wake up the next morning, they are flattened out and have no “ball” shape! What’s the best recipe for making these in a humid climate?? Thank you so much!
Hi Kyla!
A dehumidifier can really help! It helps absorb moisture in the air, which will keep your bath bombs dry. After they’re made, you can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container with rice or silica packets. Adding less witch hazel when you’re making them will help keep them dry as well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you Kelsey! Should I add any water at all or just the witch hazel?
We find witch hazel works a bit better! It wets the bath bombs without causing them to fizz like water can. Add a few spritzes of that witch hazel, mix and squeeze the powder in your hand. If it holds its shape, you can mold the bath bombs! If not, keep spritzing and mixing until it does. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi I made bath bombs came out great they were hard and 24 hrs later I wrapped them a few days later they were soft but they were hard before I wrapped them what went wrong
Hmm, I’m not sure why that happened! How did you wrap them?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am having this same problem. I made some and decided to put in oven to let the pilot dry for about an hour or so they were great. Then the next day I put wrap around them and two days after they are soft as when I started to make them. I live in Grand Haven MI about three blocks from the lake and its humid but this never happened before. Did you fix your problem, if yes what did you do? Thank you.
Humidity can definitely affect the bath bombs! If they are exposed to moisture in the air they can start to expand, soften and fizz too early. It helps to wrap the bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap. Then, store them in a cool, dry place. You can use a dehumidifer or place it in an airtight container with rice or silica packets inside. That will help keep the bath bombs dry. 🙂
Read more about how to store your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I agree, a dehumidifier has become my best friend when I make bath bombs.
It’s such a big help, especially in humid climates! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would like to try making bath bombs. I am wondering about the color. Do I have to use La Bomb colorant? Can I use powdered oxides instead and mix them well into the dry ingredients with my gloved hands? Or if I am using a carrier oil, can I mix the color into that? I have so many beautiful powdered oxides that I purchased from you in the past, and I would like to use them if I can.
Hi Maria!
Using oxides and pigments in bath bombs can be tricky. Because they are heavier than micas, we’ve found they can be streaky in the bath bomb and often transfer color on the tub. I would recommend micas for bath bombs! You can mix them right into the dry ingredients, or combine them with your fragrance/carrier oil and stir to combine. 🙂
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What can I use instead of citrus acid or cream of tartar
The mix of baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing reaction, so without the citric acid the bath bomb will just dissolve in the water. We haven’t found a substitute for the citric acid. I would recommend it for your bath bomb recipes! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would love to surprise my wife with something like this, but she is allergic to baking soda. Any suggestions for baking soda substitutions?
The combination of baking soda and citric acid is what creates the fizzing reaction, so without it the bath bomb will just dissolve in the water. We haven’t found a substitute for the baking soda.
We do have some other easy recipes that make great gifts! Scrubs, body butters, etc feel really nice on the skin. I’ll link some recipes below I think your wife may like. 🙂
Blueberry Jam Sugar Scrub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/blueberry-jam-sugar-scrub/
Soothing Floral Bath Salts: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soothing-floral-bath-salt-tutorial/
Green Smoothie Whipped Body Butter: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/green-smoothie-whipped-body-butter/
Beeswax and Honey Lotion Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/beeswax-lotion-bars-diy/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am new to the whole Bath Fizz/bomb making process. I am curious about the Fragrance part. Does it have to be an oil or can you use an extract like Vanilla or Raspberry?
We don’t recommend food extracts in bath bombs. Because they’re not made for bath bombs, they won’t smell very strongly in the bath bombs. Skin-safe fragrance and essential oils work best. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, my name is Alaska and I have a question. I made bath bombs yesterday but when I put them in water they fizzed but did not change the color of the water at all. Is that normal? And if not, what can I do I need to do to the bath bombs to make the water change colors?
Hi Alaska!
How much color did you add to your bath bomb? If it’s colored lightly, it won’t change the water. You may need to add a bit more to color the tub. Don’t add too much, otherwise it can transfer to the tub! We like to color the bath bombs until they’re pastel. We find that tints the water slightly without transferring to the tub. 🙂
Our La Bomb Colorants work best for bath bombs: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Okay, thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
I need hep please,
I’ve been having lots of trouble with bath bombs in the summer humidity but I am confused by something.
I will make a small bath bomb, let it air dry then seal it in plastic Tupperware or a sealed plastic bag and after a few weeks it ends up crumbling to dust. But if I leave the same bath bombs out in open air not sealed they do just fine…
Are they drying out when sealed?
I do use olive oil and from what I understand olive oil can draw in moisture, could this be part of my issue?
Hi Hope!
Hmm, I’m not quite sure why they’re falling apart! Is the texture of the crumbled bath bombs quite dry, or is it more wet? What’s in your recipe? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello I’ve also been having this problem. It has now happened to me a few times. My first batch after packaged I check on it 3 weeks later and they are all soft. I take one out of package and it’s a little moist. I don’t understand after using the same recipe why some do it and some dont.
It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit wet! Even with the same recipe, the bath bombs can be more wet on humid or rainy days. A great way to check is to squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it holds it shape, you don’t need any witch hazel that day! If not, spray 1-2 times, mix and test again. Repeat that process until the mixture holds its shape.
It may also help to let the bath bombs dry at room temperature a bit more. We usually let them sit overnight. You can run a fan over them or use a dehumidifer to keep them dry. Then, wrap tightly with plastic wrap. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello!
I’m at a total loss and could really use some help.
I had a pretty decent recipe with a 2:1:1 ratio of baking soda to citric acid and Epsom salt. I decided to omit water from my recipe, as I kept having issues with expanding and bumps on my bombs when I added it. I do not use plastic in my packaging and would like to continue using only biodegradable materials. The paper started wicking some of the oil out of the bombs and there were visible oil patches on the wrapping. I decided to reduce the amount of coconut oil in the recipe and spritz with witch hazel. I made a couple of small batches with it and both times I had issues with my ingredients sticking together (ie-the bombs kept breaking when I would separate my mold) and the bombs are sticking to the surface they are drying on. I use a stainless steel mold.
Should I switch to plastic molds and just leave the mixture in it for a few hours to harden before taking them out, as to avoid sticking to the drying surface or should I just switch back to my old recipe of using just oils as the wet ingredients? Does anyone have any recommendations on keeping the oil from seeping onto the paper packaging?
Thanks for your help! Sorry for the long post! 🙂
Hi Angela!
It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit wet! That can happen in humid environments, especially with salt in the recipe. Salt naturally draws moisture from the air, giving the bath bombs a sticky feeling. I would recommend reducing the amount of salt in the recipe.
Then, when you’re making the bath bombs, squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it stays together, you don’t need any witch hazel! If not, spritz 1-2 times with witch hazel and mix until it holds together. You can see that texture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
After the bath bombs are molded you can let them dry overnight. If you’re in a humid area, I would recommend running a fan or using a dehumidifier in the room to keep them nice and dry. After they harden, they should be fairly firm and not stick to that packaging. Make sure to keep them in a cool and dry place so they don’t react with moisture in the air. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you Kelsey! I’m going to make another test batch this evening and will make the changes you suggested 🙂
The latest batch I made has been successful so far! No warts, cracks and waaay less oil 🙂 I’m going to let them cure a little longer before I package them, but so far so good! Thanks for the suggestions Kelsey!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
I’ve been making bath bombs for a while now and love your products and tutorials! It seems that every few batches I make, I have a few casualties, or my sneaky two year old manages to get a hold of one and turn it back into powder! (Ugh!!) I swear I have seen somewhere on Soap queen what you can do with left over bath bomb ingredients, but I can’t seem to find it. I hate to waste precious ingredients and would love some ideas on how to use them! Thanks!
We have a super cute tutorial that shows you how to save those bath bombs! You can find it here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hiya,
I would really like to make round bath bombs with my logo, like Lush’s. Silicone doesn’t really work so I can’t make it myself, does anyone know a company that will custom make plastic bath bomb moulds? Would be eternally grateful 🙂
Hi Cailin!
I’m not sure of a specific company, but you may check Etsy! Many sellers on there do make custom orders. You can also ask some of the soapers on teachsoap.com/forum. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello!
I’d like to start making bath bombs but am getting overwhelmed with how to come up with recipe that incorporates some of the ingredients I would like to use in a way that won’t make them too dry or too wet, or crack or crumble! Are there percentages that you would recommend using? In addition to Baking Soda and citric acid, I had wanted to add Epsom salts, cornstarch, and a little mango or cocoa butter and maybe grapeseed oil along with witch hazel and Fragrance oil. I don’t even know where to start with putting them together in the correct ratios or percentages. You have always been so helpful and your tips have been an absolute life saver in the past. Any guidance or help you can give would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!
Hi Melanie!
When making bath bombs, a basic recipe is 2 parts baking soda to 1 part citric acid. The parts can be cups, half cups, etc. Just make sure the recipe is 2:1. Then, I would recommend adding half as much Epsom salts and cornstarch as the citric acid. So, that would be 2:1:1/2:1/2. For oil, we recommend about .5 ounces per 1.5 cups of fizzy mixture total. So, that can be a mix of the oils and butters, or just one of them. Whichever you prefer!
We have found cornstarch can inhibit some of the fizz, and Epsom salt can absorb moisture and make the bath bombs a bit wet. If you live in a fairly humid environment, you may want to add a smaller amount of both or skip those entirely. 🙂
For colorant, you can use as much colorant as you’d like! We like to start with a small amount and add more colorant until you get a color you like. Because baking soda and citric acid are white, it’s really difficult to achieve darker tones. I would recommend starting with just a couple drops of La Bomb Colorant and mixing: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
They’re pretty concentrated, so a little goes a long way!
To find out how much fragrance oil to use in your bath bomb recipe, you can use the Bramble Berry Fragrance Calculator. Select the “Salts” option. Then, input how much bath bomb mixture you’re making (baking soda + citric acid + additional ingredients). Select the fragrance or essential oil you’re using and the calculator will tell you how much fragrance to use in your recipe. The Fragrance Calculator uses weight measurements, while some bath bomb recipes use a volume measurement, like cups. If your recipe is measured by volume, you can use your nose to determine how much fragrance to add! I like to add a couple drops, mix and then smell. If you want it a bit stronger, you can add more. 🙂
Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Kelsey ,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This is exactly what I was looking for. I had wanted to add the cornstarch and Epsom salts because I though I had read that they made the water feel softer, but they are gong to cause problems with the fizzing and composition that’s the last thing I want. I certainly don’t want to inhibit the fizz- that’s the fun part! Would you suggest just using a small amount ( per the ratios you so kindly gave above) of butters and oils to achieve the same result? Thank you again for your help!!!!!
The .5 ounces of oils per 1.5 cup of fizzy mixture is a good place to start with oils! That will wet the fizzies without weighing them down too much.
If you want really moisturizing fizzies, you can make bath truffles! They have extra oil and butter and feel really nice on the skin. 🙂
Heavenly Lilac Bath Truffles: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/heavenly-bath-truffle-diy/
Orange Creamsicle Bath Truffles: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/orange-creamsicle-bath-truffle/
Making Bath Truffles on Soap Queen TV: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/making-bath-truffles-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much Kelsey!! I can’t wait to try all of these!
You’re welcome! Have fun. 🙂
Something happened with a mini batch of bath bombs I made for the kids today that I have never encountered before. I was in a rush and tossed my mold in the still warm oven. It had been off for an hour. From 350° When I got home they had risen a little and they were light and airy! I thought i had ruined my batch!! When I popped one in a cup of hot water it gave great fizzing and bubbly action but only lasted about 30 seconds. I ususally get a fiz for 3-5 minutes in this recipie. I think I used about 20 sprays in this batch.
Also, is there a way I can extend my bombs fizzing time? I hope to extend the fizzing time beyond 5 minutes. Thanks.
Here is my recipe:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid
1 tbsp cream of tartar
Spray: bottle with distilled water
Hmm, it sounds like the fizzies may have started to go off prematurely. When that happens they can puff up. Because they’ve already started to react, they won’t fizz as much in the water.
I would recommend using witch hazel instead! It wets the fizzies without causing a reaction like water can. Then, let them dry at room temperature. If you live in a fairly humid environment I would recommend running a fan over the bath bombs to keep them dry. You can also use a dehumidifier, or place silica packets nearby to absorb any excess moisture. That should give you some nice fizz. 🙂
Read more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi I can’t seem to get my bath bombs to harden! And they’re so powdery, damp, and crumble easily.
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup epsom salt
2 tbsp kaolin clay
2 tbsp slsa
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp shea butter
1/2 tbsp essential oil
I’ve also tried no shea butter and spritz with witch hazel but the outcome was the same. I un mold them right away but cover them with a towel to dry.
Hi Susie!
Do you live in a fairly humid environment? That may be why the bath bombs are still damp. Also, what consistency are they when they’re molded (powdery, wet sand)? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
My fizzies are not setting. And just expand continuously.
I’ve tried cutting it in half.
Less food coloring.
1 cup of Baking Soda
1/2 Citric Acid
1/2 Epsalm Salt
1 tsp of water
2 tsp essential oil
3 tsp olive oil
Food coloring I used about 1 tsp
I put them in a silicon cube holder nothing on top. And I tried putting a tray on top too.
Place in micro just to have it dry.
Nothing is working. I’m getting frustrated. /: I would like it to at least dry and then work from there if there are any other issues.
I’m sorry about that Danielle! It sounds like the fizzies are reacting to moisture and expanding. Do you live in a fairly humid climate?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am trying to figure out a recipe to make 50 small, maybe mini, bath bombs as a DIY project with my elementary school students. Do you have a set of instructions I can follow to make that big of a batch?
That sounds like such a fun project! Because bath bomb ingredients are typically measured by volume, I’m not sure exactly how much you’ll need! I would recommend starting off with at least 3 cups of baking soda and 1.5 cups of citric acid. It may also help to make a test batch to see how many mini bath bombs you can get out of that amount. For a group project, I think a simple mix of baking soda, citric acid, color, witch hazel and fragrance would work well. I’ll link a few fun simple recipes below. 🙂
Mini Flower Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/baby-sprinkle-series-mini-flower-bath-bombs/
Mini Heart Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/show-love/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, I have a question. Does the type of plastic wrap have an effect on the bath bombs? I recently started making them for gifts and they are nice dry and hard then I wrap them in glad cling wrap and 2 days later they crumble in my hands. I don’t understand what’s happening. Help!!
I think it may be dryness rather than the type of plastic. If bath bombs are too dry, they can crack or crumble. Can you tell me a bit more about your recipe? Also, what are you using to wet the bath bombs? How long are they in the mold? Let me know and I’ll help you out! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made some spherical bath bombs and I got one half of the mold off but I can’t get the other half off. I’m afraid that if I’m too forceful that it will just break in half and crumble apart. It is currently still in the mold because I don’t want to just scrape it out like I have heard other people do. Any ideas of how I can get the mold off? Thank you!!
Oh I’m sorry about that Shawna! I would recommend lightly tapping the top of the mold with a spoon. That loosens the top and can help the bath bomb unmold. Then, gently pull the top of the mold off. You can also twist it gently, that can help it pop out. 🙂
See that unmolding process in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I there I’ve been making bath bombs for a few weeks now experimenting with colours and fragrances.
My only problem is that I’ve noticed I look at them the next morning and they have dark coloured spots in them? They were bright yellow but now a lighter yellow with orange/red spots?
Why is this please help.
Hi Louise!
Sometimes when your bath bomb has spots of color, it’s because the colorant needs to be blended more into the mixture. If you’re working with a colorant with a glycerin base, it can take a lot of mixing to get the colorant completely dispersed. To make the process faster, you can place your mixture into a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, or a hand mixer. This can help disperse the colorant more evenly. :). I hope this helps!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi, I’ve been making bathbombs the last 2 days. I’ve had some good batches, but some just won’t dry. I’ve left them out the last 2 days and there still damp, I tried putting them in the freezer but they just thawed and got soft again, my house is normally pretty cold. When I made them they didn’t feel to wet, they felt just like damp sand, I don’t think i put to much wet ingredients in either. Is there a way for them to dry quicker or am I doing something wrong? I want to start selling them, so I really need some help. Thanks!
Hi Alana!
Is the humidity fairly high where you are? That may be preventing the bath bombs from drying. What ingredients are you using to wet the bath bombs? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I couldn’t seem to find an answer to the question I had in the original post or in the comments, if it has been mentioned before I apologize for repeating the question; but I was wondering if candle making fragrances are safe to use in place or in conjunction with essential oils? I have been wanting to make more fruity scented bath bombs, but I can never find the ones I’m looking for as an essential oil.
Hi Cody!
Candle fragrances are often not skin safe, an we don’t recommend those in bath bombs. You’ll want to double check to make sure the fragrance is skin safe. If not, skin-safe fragrance and essential oils are your best option. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey
I’m using natural freeze dried fruit powder – ie raspberry powder in my bath bombs – they start out as a nice pinky colour but as they dry the colour disappears and they eventually are white again after only 1 day. Is this a reaction or do I need to put more colour in? Thanks
Hmm, I’m not entirely sure why that’s happening! I’m wondering if the fruit powder is reacting with the pH of the baking soda and the color is fading. You may try another fruit powder to see if it does the same thing. If so, you may want to try La Bomb Colorants. They’re specifically made for bath bombs and the color stays nicely. 🙂
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m so sorry if I am repeating the question but so many! I have a great recipe which works in other peoples homes, but they ALWAYS wart all over when I make them at home. I’m assuming this is the moisture in the air. Will putting a towel over them stop this from happening? Or drying in an air tight box. I have tried everything and am ready to give up:-( I have even considered buying an incubator!!!!!!!
Those warts can be caused by moisture! They can also be caused if there are clumps of baking soda in the mixture. So, I would recommend straining your powders to make them nice and fine. Then, add your other ingredients and check the moisture level. You want it to be the texture of wet sand. If it’s already there, you can mold the fizzies and let them dry! If not, spray 1-2 times with witch hazel, mix and check again. That way the fizzies won’t be too wet!
Then, it helps to store the fizzies in a cool, dry place. I wouldn’t recommend a towel as it can actually trap moisture. Instead, you can run a fan over your fizzies as they dry, or use a dehumidifier. Then, when they’re dry, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to protect them from moisture in the air. 🙂
Read more about how to store your fizzies here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Kelsey thanks for responding. Already strained the powders and mixed fragrance very well as I knew they would be key elements. Will try the fan and let you know. Or maybe leaving them in the mounds…can I do that with stainless steel mounds
Could I I mould them and then put them back in the mould overnight (using stainless steel mounds). Definitely humidity problem as already sifted and mixed!!!!
You can leave them in the molds! I like to make the bath bomb, take one half off and let it sit for a couple hours or up to overnight. That helps the bath bombs hold their shape. Make sure to keep them nice and dry, otherwise they can absorb humidity and expand. That makes them a bit harder to unmold. The fan or dehumidifier works well for keeping them dry. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! Please help!!!! I’ve tried to read through all the questions…..but there are so many of them I might be duplicating one previously asked. My bath bombs fizz, but they only fizz for about 30 seconds. I’m not sure what is going on. The recipe is 16 ounces baking soda, 8 ounces citric acid, 4 ounces Epsom salt, 1 tsp clay and essential oil. The moisture levels seem to be fine, there is no cracking or melting. It’s just the extremely short fizz time. Do you know what’s going on?
Hi KM!
If you find your bath bombs are fizzing fairly quickly, there are several tricks to make it last longer! You can increase the citric acid by a couple ounces. That usually helps increase the fizzing reaction. It also helps to pack the fizzies more tightly in the mold. That way they are more compact and fizz a little longer in your tub. So, as you’re putting the mixture in the mold, make sure to pack it tightly before sprinkling on another layer. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey,
Thank you for your advice.
My bath bomb ingredients are baking soda, citric acid, oil and fragrance only.
I find lots of residue at the bottom of my bath tub after bath bomb dissolves.
Why’s that ? Does it happen to you there ?
Jamie
Thanks so much for your recipe! I think witch hazel can help make your bath bombs less dry. Before packing the bath bombs in the mold, you want them to be the texture of wet sand. If they’re more dry than that, spritz 1-2 times with witch hazel, mix and squeeze the mixture in your hand. It should stick together. If not, keep adding witch hazel and mixing until it’s the texture of wet sand.
I’m not quite sure why there is residue in your tub! Are you using hot or cold water for that? Thanks Jamie. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Bramble Berry,
I am Jamie, from Vietnam. I have been trying to do bath bomb using sphere plastic mold but the rim of my mould keeps fizzing and leaving terrible mark around the bomb while the rest looks fine. I did not spray too much, just enough so that they all can bond together. I noticed in Lush recipe, mainly many kinds of oil & essential oil, fragrance to bond all of ingredients and make the bomb, there is no water nor witch hazel listed. Am I right ?
I have watched their paste before mixing bath bomb on their present desk, and the pate seems dry all the time, not puffing up after in the air for a while at all.
If I add water/witch hazel, it can cause fizzing but if I use oil only, I am not sure it will bond all ingredients well enough. Especially, moisture and temperature in Ho Chi Minh City is unpredictable. It is hot and then rainy or the other way around.
Bath bomb is tossed in warm water or cold water ? If it contains oil, it then will be oily/slimy/greasy after the bomb released, what should I add in to make it no more oily ?
We should use water color or powder color ? Water color seems to have lots of clumps to break if I drop them into the paste. I hope to hear from your point of views on this. Thanks
Jamie
Hi Jamie!
I’m sorry about that! What are the ingredients in your recipe? What are you using to wet them? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. 🙂
Also, you can toss the bath bomb in hot or cold water. Either way will make it fizz. If it contains oil it can make the tub slippery. To prevent that, you can add Polysorbate 80. It’s an emulsifier that helps the oil mix into the bathtub water. We recommend about .1 ounce per cup of fizzy mixture.
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
We used it in the Peppermint Candy Bath Bomb Tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/peppermint-candy-bath-bomb-tutorial/
For color, we love using La Bomb Colorants. They are mixed with glycerin instead of water. That means they mix in easily to the bath bombs and don’t cause them to fizz too early.
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
If you don’t have La Bomb Colorants, you can use micas. They’re a powder colorant that you add to the dry ingredients and mix well. 🙂
Learn more about micas here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-mica-colorants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi my husband and I have been trying the past few days to make bath bombs. Everything seems to be going right and after mixing everything it looks just like what we want and then when we go to dry them they start cracking. We got told to add more oil not essential oil and still tonight they have cracked. Could it be from humidity? In our house it is 46%…. Any ideas of what can be causing this?
Thank you,
Adriana
Hi Adriana!
Hmm, it sounds like they may be a bit dry. Cracking is usually caused by dryness. How much witch hazel are you adding to the mix? Thank you! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have found that certain brands of fragrance oil can cause cracks no matter what you do. I stick with brambleberry fo’s or natures garden fo’s and have no issues with cracks.
Thanks so much for the great tip Britni! We’ve had great luck with our fragrances in bath bombs. 🙂
Fragrance oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I realize I am pretty late in this discussion, but I have a question. I accidentally ordered a water soluble liquid soap dye, like an idiot, before I knew what I was doing. I want to use it to color my bath bombs, but the dyes aren’t glycerin based. Can I put the dye in a spray bottle and spray it in as the liquid instead of using witch hazel? Or maybe mix it in the spray bottle with the witch hazel? Just trying to figure out if this would work or not, curious if anyone knows.
Hi Rebecca!
Using the water based dye in your bath bombs can be tricky. If a bit too much is used, those bath bombs will start to fizz prematurely. This is especially the case if you live in a humid environment. I wouldn’t recommend using them for bath bombs, even mixed with the witch hazel. The witch hazel we sell is alcohol based, which is why it’s great for bath bombs.
You can use those dyes for soap though! I’ll include a few soap tutorials below that use liquid dyes. 🙂
Layered Lavender Cold Process Tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/back-to-basics-layered-lavender-cold-process-tutorial/
Sunset Ombre Soap Tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/business-in-a-box-sunset-ombre-soap/
Violet Glitter Gradient Melt and Pour Soap: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/violet-glitter-gradient-tutorial/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love your videos and I have a question:
I have made many bath bombs with much success.
I have some bath bombs that are dry and in storage containers that are about 1 month old.
Now it’s warmer out and randomly 3 of the 7 bath bombs in the container suddenly blew up like a balloon and are very crumbly…. Any idea what could have happened?
Have you had such an experience?
Hi Hope!
As the weather warms up, it can get more humid. That extra moisture in the air can cause the fizzies to expand and go off prematurely. We recommend wrapping the fizzies tightly with plastic wrap to help protect them from moisture. Then, you can put rice or silica packets in the container to help absorb the extra moisture from the air. 🙂
Read more about how to store your fizzies here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am making some special bombs for my daughters birthday. I love how some bath bombs have that stripe going all around (like a ring if you will). How can I achieve this?
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Lesly!
To get that design, you can color one half of the mixture and layer it into the bath bomb mold! This Pikake Flower Bath Bomb Tutorial shows you how: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
You can do as many layers as you like, or keep it simple and just do one. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Having trouble with my bath bombs…after a few weeks some of my batches were having dark spot on it (looks like molds). I’m doing bath bombs for almost a year now and sometimes this problem happens…I don’t know why. I can do twp different batches (two different fragrance). One will do it and not the other one. Hope somebody could help me…I’m very desperate!
Thanks,
Marie
Hi Marie!
I’m wondering if it’s fragrance discoloration. Do you know if the fragrances you’re using contain vanilla? If so, they can create spots or make the whole fizzy turn brown. Read more about fragrance discoloration here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/why-did-my-soap-turn-brown/
You can add Vanilla Color Stabilizer at a 1:1 ratio with the fragrance to try and prevent discoloration. However, that may not prevent it completely. To be on the safe side, you may want to use a fragrance oil that doesn’t discolor. 🙂
Vanilla color stabilizer: https://www.brambleberry.com/Vanilla-Color-Stabilizer-P4156.aspx
Find our non-discoloring fragrances here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Clear-Vanilla-Free-C491.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello i have been recently having the epsom salt in my bath bomb turn dark brown, i have nto changed any other item so know its not fragrance discolouration however i have noticed the cirtic acid from my supplier seems to have an unusual feel to it and the browning only happens when i use that particuar bag citric acid.
Can citric acid be bad? it feels lighter, and doesn’t clump together in the bag like what ive seen before.
Hmm, it may be the citric acid! What else are you using in your recipe? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would like to sell my bath bombs at a craft fair that is outside. Will the sun light have any effect on the bath bombs?
Hi Domingo!
Direct sunlight can cause the colors in bath bombs to fade, so I would recommend storing them in a shady area if possible! If it’s really hot and humid, the bath bombs may also react with the moisture in the air. Wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap and keeping them in a cool, dry place will keep them nice and fresh. 🙂
Read more about storing your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi!
I made some bath bombs a few weeks ago, I they came out pretty good (a couple are cracking) but overall they are great. BUT I think they are too small.
So I was wondering, if it possible to use the old bombs break them up and remix them with more ingredients to make bigger bombs (basically recycling them to make more/larger bombs).
Thanks for your help!
Hi Monique!
We haven’t given that a try, so I’m not entirely sure! My worry is that because the bath bombs have already dried out, they may not be very easy to wet and form again. I would recommend making a small test batch with one of the bombs to see if they are easy to reform.
You can also embed the bath bombs into another bath bomb! This tutorial shows you how: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/guest-post-sherbet-surprise-bath-fizzies/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
After great trepidation (especially after reading this post!), I attempted to make bath bombs yesterday. Things seemed to be going well and they actually looked pretty good once I un-molded them. I let them sit overnight and when I picked one of them up today, it seemed a little soft and then….basically exploded into a pile of powder – lol! Is this because it was too dry or too wet?? And yes, I used kaolin clay. The powder smells great, bubbles nicely (I added SLSA) and fizzed well. Now if I can only figure out how to keep its shape…
Hi Evie!
I’m not entirely sure! Does the powder feel quite dry? Or is it more on the wet side and clumping together? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey! Tonight was my third attempt at making bath bombs. The second attempt was such a disaster I won’t bother describing that. I was really struggling this evening with getting the right consistency. I’m used to wearing gloves but I finally had to break down and remove them so I could feel the texture better. It was really crumbly but adding moisture (99% isopropyl) seemed to be making it worse. It just wouldn’t clump together. Eventually I was able to make 6 bombs (miracle!) but I have no idea if they will end up being hard enough. I guess we’ll see tomorrow. This process really is trial and error!
They are definitely not hard enough. 🙁 They burst into powder when I applied slight pressure to them. There was also some cracking along the equator and the exterior was powdery. Smelled great, the color was awesome (LaBomb colorant) and it had lots of fizz and bubbles though…
Here’s the recipe I used last night:
20 oz baking soda
10.5 oz citric acid
3.5 oz cornstarch
3.5 oz epsom salts
2 teaspoons kaolin clay
3 teaspoons SLSA
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1 teaspoon polysorbate 80
10 ml fragrance
That is definitely true – I went through a few batches before I knew what consistency to look for! It sounds like the bath bombs may be a bit dry, which is why they’re breaking apart. The perfect molding consistency sort of reminds me of wet sand. It holds together when squeezed, but can still be a bit powdery. You can see that texture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
We have used alcohol before, and found it to be a bit drying. We have better luck with witch hazel. It wets the mixture nicely! You can read more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
I would recommend giving witch hazel a try! If you don’t have that on hand, you can add oil to your bath bombs. That helps wet them and adds moisturizing properties to the fizzy. We recommend about .5 ounces per 1.5 cups of bath bomb mixture. You can add any oil you like! Avocado oil or sweet almond oil are lightweight and feel nice on the skin. 🙂
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
For the fizzies that fell apart, don’t throw those out! You can package them in water soluble paper and throw them in the tub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Oh, that’s a great idea! I must have missed that post – super cute!
I was shying away from witch hazel because Holly Port had mentioned the allergy issue, but maybe I need to give that a try. I’m not ready to give up quite yet! Thanks Kelsey!
You’re welcome Evie! Let me know how your next batch goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Success! It took 7 batches but I finally got the hang of it. Thanks!
Hi! Could you please give me a tip as to incorporate SLSA into my bath bomb mix?
Absolutely! It helps your recipe bubble nicely in the tub. We like to mix SLSA into the citric acid and baking soda. You can use it at the same amount as your citric acid. Also, because it can go airborne easily, we recommend using a mask to prevent any irritation. 🙂
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx
We used SLSA in this recipe for some great bubbles: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Help!!!!! I’ve made 3 unsuccessful batches! Using this same exact recipe except to moisten the bath bomb I’m using coconut oil I’m doing the whole .5oz per 1 1/2C mixture . They don’t stay together and if they do they feel soft and crumble. I like in Portland and it hasn’t been humid these past few days . Please any advice?!! (I’m doing the natural option so I am adding Kaolin clay) I’m using the recepie on your “How to make bath frizzies)
Also!! They fizz awesomely! But just crumb and won’t stay together and feel soft!
Hi Caroline!
Oh no, I’m sorry they are giving you so much trouble! Have you tried a batch without the coconut oil, or with less? While .5 ounces per 1.5 cups sounds like a fine amount, you may try experimenting with a “drier” recipe to see if that helps. How much kaolin clay are you adding? In addition, are you using witch hazel in your recipe? I’d be happy to help you troubleshoot further!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thanks for the response! I was using 3T of kaolin clay and now I tried 1/2 cup of kaolin clay with a little less coconut oil and it hardened ! they took longer to harden thou (like 2 days) they smell and fizz amazingly! Do you think they were too oily? Any tips? Instead of using witch hazel could I use something else? The last batch I did 1C baking soda 1/2c citric acid 1/2c kaolin clay 2oz coconut oil & 2oz essential oil.. I popped in fridge for 30min then let dry of like 2 days! I need to find a more efficient way. Thanks
Sorry I meant to say 1oz of essential oil.. *^
That’s awesome, I’m glad the recipe fizzed really nicely! Sometimes the oil in the recipe can make the bath bombs a bit softer. I would recommend sticking with the amount you used in the second recipe. 🙂
You can use rubbing alcohol to help wet the bath bomb mixture. We have found alcohol dries out the mixture a bit more than witch hazel and can cause cracking. If you can find witch hazel I would definitely recommend using it! Read more about it here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
Also, we recommend letting the bath bombs dry at room temperature. If they’re popped in the fridge and then moved to room temperature they can be a bit soft, as they can form condensation (like a cold drink on a hot day). To help them dry we recommend leaving them in a cool, dry place. It also helps to use a dehumidifer or place silica packets or rice next to the bath bombs. That will absorb any excess moisture from the air and help them dry more quickly. 🙂
Read more about drying and storing bath bombs here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made my fizzy bath bombs for the first time yesterday. 2 parts baking soda, 1 part citric acid, teas oil and witch hazel (few sprays). They smelled wonderful and molded greatly! Much too easy. I used the plastic sphere. 30 minutes later I removed 1 side of the sphere, came back 30 minutes later and they are all expanding and flattening out. I repacked them in the sphere. I did this all evening for about 4 hours finally I taped the sphere together and left it overnight. Now this morning they are rock hard and I can not remove the mold from them.. What do I do? Or what have I done? They smell wonderful, they fizz beautifully and are very hard. It was storming yesterday and I live in southern Louisiana (very humid) I even broke one of the molds trying to remove my bath bomb.
Hi Dana!
Oh I’m sorry about that! It sounds like those bath bombs started fizzing in the mold. When that happens they start to expand out of the mold.
Because you’re in a humid environment, the fizzies are likely reacting to the moisture in the air. For the next batch, I would recommend putting them in a container with rice or silica packets. That should help absorb some of the moisture. A dehumidifier is also a handy investment for future bath bombs! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am looking for the proper essential oils to use with the bath bombs. Or is all essential oil ok to use? That was never made clear and I don’t want to cause friends and family skin issues.
Hi Jessica!
You can use essential oils in bath bombs! We used lavender 40/42 essential oil in these bath bombs for a nice calming scent: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/lavender-clay-mondo-bath-fizzy/
Some essential oils can cause irritation. For instance, peppermint essential oil can cause a cooling effect in the tub. Before adding essential oils to your bath bombs, make sure to read the descriptions on Bramble Berry. 🙂
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
when i first started to make bath bombs i was using labomb colorants and i didn’t get the bright colours i was looking for . I recently purchased some “lake ” colours and they work amazing , bright colours and they mix well . I am now having issues with my bath bombs being to soft ! My recipe is the same but now i am adding a powdered dye . They would hold great but when i take them out of the molds, what usually was a 24 hour drying time has now become almost a week! the bombs are holding shape and the outside is now hardening but i have no clue why they take so long to dry ! I read online it could be because of to much moisture , so i cut down on my witch hazel and coconut oil and nothing changed ! I haven’t been packing them to hard and even have a fan on 24 hours to circulate air flow . They bombs work amazing in the bath i just need them to dry faster ! someone please help!!
Hi there!
Hmm, I’m a bit stumped as to why the bath bombs are softer! Usually they are soft if they are on the wetter side, but the powdered colorants should actually make them a bit more dry. Can you tell me more about your recipe, including the ingredients? Also, how much witch hazel are you using? Let me know and we’ll get this figured out. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey ,
My recipe is
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup citric acid
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tbsp epsom salts
between 3-5 sprays witch hazel
30 drops essential oil
1/4 tsp of lake colours
thanks 🙂
Thank you so much for that recipe! I’m wondering if it may be the salts. Salts absorb moisture from the air. Because of that, the salt in your recipe may be absorbing moisture, causing the bath bombs to stay softer for longer. I would recommend decreasing or leaving the salt out of your recipe.
You could also leave the salt in the recipe and use a dehumidifier. Another way to absorb moisture from the air is placing the bath bombs in a container with rice or silica packets. That should help keep them dry and ready to use more quickly. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you very much for your help 🙂 I will try to remove the salts and use a dehumidifier ! 😀
You’re welcome! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello,
I’m having real trouble with my bath bombs! I was able to make perfect bath bombs previously and then when I started experimenting with different oils they seemed not to work and now I have decided on my formulation variables (oil and essential oil concentration) I can’t get them to not start fizzing! Ok so I am using silicone moulds and I have been putting them in the fridge and then into the oven (75degC) to help them dry out and then leave them in the oven turned off over night, this way then unmould well. Previously they did not dry correctly being air-dried only.
However even doing tests with putting them straight in the oven (no fridge) I get the same problem. AAh. I have even tried to leave out the EO in case they were evaporating and setting them off!? I am based in Melbourne, Australia where the humidity has been around 50% (I have a hygrometer!).
Here is my recipe:
60g Bicarb of soda
30g Citric acid
10g Ground oats (like flour)
20g Corn starch
3g cocoa butter (finely grated and rubbed into mixture)
0.75ml rose hydrosol (dropped in whilst mixing quickly)
1.5 ml Sunflower oil (includes EO if using)
So further to this I put some testers in my garage overnight where the humidity was 30% and this worked out better, however as I am using silicone ice cube trays the bottoms of the bombs are not hardening and so I can’t get them out without them falling apart. I did put these in the oven to see if they expanded and again they did. I’m not sure whether its just the humidity thats making it impossible. Plus I wanted to have a nice mould (hearts/ducks) rather than just balls. Plus these are smaller.
Really need your help!!
Thanks
Adele
Hi Adele!
Thanks so much for all the recipe details! That really helps me out. I have a couple ideas!
When we’ve made fizzies with cornstarch, we have noticed they don’t fizz as much. I would recommend making a recipe with less or no cornstarch.
They may also not be fizzing because they have reacted with the humidity in the air. In a humid environment like Australia it can be tricky to keep them dry! I would recommend leaving them at room temperature (or a nice cool environment like your garage). You can put them in a container with rice or silica packets. That should help absorb some of the moisture. A dehumidifier is also a handy investment for future bath bombs!
Also, the rose hydrosol – is that mixed with water? If that’s the case, it may be setting the bath bombs off early as well. I would recommend using an essential or fragrance that’s oil based to help prevent that.
Let me know if those tips help! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I suppose that in the oven bicarbonate decomposes to carbonate that releases the co2 responsible for the fizzing. I would avoid the oven.
Thanks for the great tip Giacomo! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I need some advice! I read this and I am still not sure how to fix my problem. I have tested out a few different recipes so far when I am making bath bombs. I live in Florida, so I leave the bath bombs in the fridge over night. Both times, once I have taken the bath bomb out of the mold and it has been sitting for a bit, it begins to expand. I tried replacing water for witch hazel because I read that water prematurely activates it, but it still seems to expand. I used less coconut oil this time too, but nothing! I made sure that my epsom salt was fine instead of large chunks and that didn’t seem to help either. I bought my citric acid at Whole Foods (food grade with natural preservatives). I am not sure if I should be using more corn starch, etc. Here is my recipe as follows below (I did the half amount of everything though as I did not want to make sure a large batch, although I don’t think that matters). I made sure they had a consistency like wet sand as well because last time it was a bit grainier. I really need some guidance! I love making these but they don’t stay once I remove them from the fridge! Should I be adding borax? Should I increase the amount of cornstarch or decrease the amount of oils/fragrance oils? I need some expert advice!
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
1/4 cup epsom salt
1/2 cup citric acid
2-3/4 tablespoons coconut oil
3/4 tablespoon witch hazel (poured in, not spritzed)
1-1/2 teaspoon essential oil
Drops of food dye
Hi Dorina!
Thanks so much for all the great recipe details! That really helps me out. 🙂
I’m thinking the refrigerator may be the culprit. When products move from the refrigerator to room temperature, they can get condensation. That condensation is what’s causing the fizzies to expand as they react to the moisture.
Instead of popping the bath bombs in the fridge, I would recommend leaving them at room temperature. To keep them dry, you can use a dehumidifer. You can also place them in a container with rice or silica packets. That will help absorb excess moisture and keep them dry!
Then, once they’re hard, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. That will further protect them from humidity. 🙂
Read more about storing bath bombs here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much! I see what you’re saying. I thought the fridge was helping keep them away from the moisture in the air, but I see that that can only hurt them. How long do you recommend leaving them to dry then? Just overnight?
Overnight should be enough time to dry those bath bombs! Then you can use or wrap them. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hi !
i just made something weird and i wonder if it has a name or anything. I added:
2 spoons of cornstarch , 1 spoon of sodium bicarbonate, 10 drops of glycerin ,1 spoon of citric acid, 4 drops of food color, and 1 drop of vanilla and mixed them
Hi Lea!
It sounds like you made a bath bomb! They create fun fizzing in your tub. You can learn more about bath bombs in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
This post has some more great information on bath bombs and how to make them: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
If you’re looking for fun bath fizzy and bomb tutorials, we have some great ones here: https://www.soapqueen.com/category/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I was wondering is there a way to help slow down the fizzing in bath bombs?
Hi Jayme!
There is! We recommend packing the fizzy mixture really tightly into the molds. That way you can get more powder into the bath bomb, and it won’t fizz away quite as quickly. When you’re filling your molds, make sure to pack it in tightly in layers. 🙂
You can see how to do that in this bath fizzy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello… I have been making loads of test batches of bath bombs – adding oils etc, some work perfectly but other batches kind of fizzle out approx half way? I have no idea what I am doing wrong – I am using a 2 to 1 ratio (cups) and adding approx tablespoon of oil – 3 to 5ml water based colour – 3ml fragrance – spritzing with witch hazel. I am using a food mixer to ensure a good mix?
Hi Phil!
The batches that aren’t working, are they fizzing or expanding as you’re working with them? Is your witch hazel mixed with alcohol or water? Are you living in a fairly humid environment? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have made several batches of bath bombs and the main problem I am having is that when I take them out of the mold to finish drying, they are going “flat” on the side they are set on to dry. I have seen a few sites that say you can “bake” your bath bombs to dry them out and make them harder faster. Is this a good idea? Any tips on how to keep the fizzies round and not have a flat side to them? I have tried using egg carton foam and that also just gave me 4 indents on the drying side.
Hi Tanya!
Hmm, sounds like the bath bombs are on the wetter side. It may help to reduce the amount of witch hazel or oil in the recipe to help make them a bit more dry, especially if you live in a fairly humid environment. How much witch hazel or liquid oil are you using?
You can also add a clay to help make the bath bombs a bit more sturdy. We like adding about 1 Tbsp. of kaolin clay per cup of fizzy mixture to add some structure: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
Another thing that can help is leaving the bath bombs in one half of bath bomb mold! I like to leave my bath bombs in there for about 4 hours or so, then place them gently on the exposed side. That side has had a chance to dry out a bit more, which will help the recipe hold its shape. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have added small amounts of corn starch to make the bombs float and kaolin clay to harden them. Now they sink and do not fizz… 2 cups bakin soda, 1 cup citric acid 2 tbsp corn starch, 1 tbsp kaolin clay and 1/2 tbsp sweet almond oil, several drops of EO, Withch hazel spray to moisten. Also, my first bomb always comes out beautifully! After that I have to add more witch hazel and my product is inconsistent. With too dry or too wet. Should I only use one of the clay or starch? Or just leave them out?
Hi there!
In our tests and recipes, we have found corn starch can inhibit the fizz a little. I would recommend reducing the amount in your recipe, or leaving it out all together. I think that will help the bath bombs fizz a little better! I’m not sure if the corn starch makes them sink. You may see when you test the new recipe. 🙂
When working with bath fizzy mixture, it can start to dry out a bit as you continue to work with it! Before molding the fizzies, squeeze the mixture in your hand. If it holds its shape, it’s ready to mold. If not, spray 1-2 times with the witch hazel, mix and test again. Repeat until the mixture holds its shape when squeezed. When it’s at that texture, it should stay fairly moist throughout the process! Then, you can check the fizzy mixture throughout the process. If you notice it’s drying out again, give it a couple more spritzes of witch hazel.
Adding a bit more oil can also help! Oil helps moisten the fizzies and doesn’t evaporate as quickly as witch hazel. It also adds moisture to the skin. You can up yours to 1 Tbsp. to see if that helps. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
When I make my bath bombs, I let them out after 4-5 hours. They are perfect but the next morning, they’re completely dry but there are cracks around the sides. They don’t split in half but there are cracks everywhere. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Cassie!
Hmm, I’m wondering if the bath bombs may be a bit dry. Do you live in a fairly dry climate? How much witch hazel are you using, and is there any clay in your recipe? Let me know and I can help you out! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I use diffuser oils in bath bombs?
Hi Karla!
I believe you can use those oils as long as they’re skin safe and approved for use in bath bombs. You’ll also want to check and see if they have any additives that can do odd things in your bath bombs. A small test batch would be helpful as well. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I used lavender essential oil in my bath bomb. It smelled great and strong for about 3 days, then faded to the point where some don’t have any scent left. How can I prevent this, any ideas?
Hi Lori!
I’m sorry that scent faded! How much did you use in your recipe? It may help to add a few more drops to help that scent last longer. It also helps to wrap the bath bombs tightly with plastic wrap to store them. That will help protect them from moisture in the air, and can help lock the scent in. 🙂
Read more about how to store your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! I want to make my bathbombs stronger. I ship these things and most of the customer have their bathbombs in powders 🙁 I take the bathbombs first thing when I mold them, could that be the problem or because of the moisture? They become hard but the longer it gets it crumbles to powder. 🙁
Hi Jamie!
You can add clay to the bath bombs to make them a bit stronger! Kaolin clay helps add structure to the bath bomb. We like to add about 1 Tbsp. of clay per cup of fizzy mixture. We used kaolin clay in this bath bomb recipe with great results: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-use-our-bath-bomb-maker/
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
It may also be that the bath bombs are on the drier side. If they are too dry, they can crumble when unmolded. In that case, you can add oil to wet the fizzy! Any oil will work fine. Avocado oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter are great options. 🙂
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx
A touch more witch hazel helps as well. When making the fizzies, we recommend squeezing the mixture together in your hand. If it holds its shape, it’s ready to mold. If not, spray 1-2 times with the witch hazel, mix and test again. Repeat until the mixture holds its shape when squeezed. You can see that texture in this bath fizzy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I add SLSA to your basic bath bomb fizzy recipe and if so how much? Thanks.
Hi Linda!
You sure can! SLSA adds some great bubbling properties to the bath bombs. We recommend adding the same amount as the citric acid. 🙂
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx
We used SLSA in the Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs with great results: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much for the quick response! I’m awaiting my order to give it a try.
You’re welcome! Thanks so much for your order Linda. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve recently been starting to make bath fizzies. The most recent batch I used 2 parts baking soda, 1 part citric acid, 1 part epsom salt +essential/fragrance oils and colorant but I find my bath fizzies sink. I used to also use 1 part cornstarch but I cut that out and had more success without it – but the fizzies I did salvage from it with it floated. Is the salt ratio causing my bath bombs to sink?
Hi Sam!
Hmm, I’m not entirely sure why that’s happening! I’m wondering if the salt may be causing the bath bombs to sink. Salt naturally absorbs moisture, so it may be pulling the bath bombs down. I would recommend reducing the salt in the recipe to see if that helps. Are the bath bombs still fizzing?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Yes they fizz like crazy! But the bath bomb itself is at the bottom of my tub. I’ll try halving the salt this weekend and let you know how it goes
Here’s another question Kelsey. The batch of bath bombs I made the other week seemed perfectly fine. They molded properly without any problems, no bloating. I let them dry for about a day and they were still good. I wrapped them in cellophane, then put them inside a tin can for storage. I took them out today to go test one of them out, but a lot of them had a deep crack in them. I thought that it was odd and then put it in the bath and it didn’t fizz at all! I picked up the bomb and crumbled in my hand, the center was kind of cold. I tried out a couple more, some of them fizzed pathecially. The smaller ones that I had made in the same batch seem to have more success….some of them fizzed some did not. This is a recipe I’ve used before to make successful bath bombs and I didn’t do anything different. What’s happening? I’m wondering if I didn’t let them dry long enough (using 2.75in sphere molds).
Hi Sam!
Hmm, I’m not sure why they’re doing that! Typically, if bath bombs crack, it means they are dry. But that doesn’t explain why the center is still wet! Was that one of the batches made with salt? Also, what colorant are you using? Thanks for answering all my questions Sam. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey –
Yes it was one of the batches made with the salt. The colorant I’ve been using is just liquid food coloring, which does react when I use it. I only use a couple drops to get a pastel color to limit the amount of reaction. That’s only in half the batch though because the other half I typically do white so I can make stripes in the fizzies. At some point I am planning on getting my hands on the LaBomb colorant and some micas, when my budget allows (I live in CT so the shipping costs get high really quick when I order from Bramble Berry). The liquid colorant hasn’t caused a problem in the past, and neither has the witch hazel I’ve been using…
Also I made a new batch of fizzies this weekend. I tested one out yesterday and it still sunk (roughly half the amount of salt I was using before, I didn’t measure super carefully) but it fizzed perfectly fine! I’m not sure if this matters, but I typically measure out my ingredients by weight instead of volume (I noticed that this blog usually has measurements by volume.)? I let them dry out for about 2 days this time so hopefully they won’t end up like the cracked ones did.
Hi Sam!
I’m not entirely sure why they’re sinking. I’m glad they’re fizzing nicely though! I would recommend eliminating the salt completely and trying again. That may help them float a little better! Are you adding any carrier oils to the mix? They can sometimes weigh down the fizzies a bit.
Also, you can measure fizzies by weight or volume! The important part is the ratio of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part citric acid. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I saw a lot of bath bomb recipe use cornstarch but most of the recipe here don’t use cornstarch. Any reason why most of the recipe use cornstarch? Any other benefit for using cornstarch besides harden the bath bomb? Thanks,
Hi Susan!
In our tests and recipes, we have found that corn starch can decrease the fizzing. Because of that, we don’t use it too often in our recipes. It’s definitely personal preference! You may want to make some small test batches with cornstarch and without to see what you think. 🙂
We used it in the Sparkle Power Bath Bomb Tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/sparkle-power-bath-bomb-tutorial/
If you want to add some structure to your bath bombs, you can use kaolin clay. It helps make them a bit more sturdy, which is especially great for fizzies made in the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb mold. We used kaolin clay in the For the Love of Waterlily Bath Fizzies: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/for-the-love-of-waterlily-a-bath-fizzy-tutorial/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/Stainless-Steel-Bath-Bomb-Mold-2-pieces-P4670.aspx
In the correct amounts, cornstarch can add firmness to the bath bomb, it also inhibits/control fizzing so it can be used to extend the bath bomb time, also it is not just a “filler” cornstarch has been known as a good “anti-itch” remedy as it soothes inflammation that is why it is used in many dusting powders and even medical creams for eczema and dermatitis.
There is also a common myth that cornstarch can cause yeast infections when added to the bath (which is why i suppose some avoid using it) however there is current medical evidence/research which counters this myth; this still doesn’t stop folk with a strong belief and a internet connection from spreading false word, this is why you should always do your own research on any ingredient you want to use.
A good bath bomb to sooth dry and red skin (in my personal opinion) should contain cornstarch, 1:200 aloe powder, honey powder, lavender essential oil and a few drops of peppermint essential oil.
Hi, I was just watching the ‘Solid Bubble Bath’ tutorial and was wondering if I could possibly make the same sushi roll shape out of bath bomb material (like they have in lush). can you freehand mould bath bomb powder?
C
Hi C!
I’m not entirely sure! When bath bombs are a nice consistency, they do hold their shape when squeezed. However, they are still quite powdery. That consistency is perfect for packing them into molds, but may not be for free form shapes.
You may try a bath truffle recipe instead! Bath truffles have extra oil and butter. That helps moisturize the skin, and helps them hold their shape nicely. We’ve formed them into cookie and truffle shapes, so you may be able to roll them. A small test batch would be helpful! 🙂
Learn how to make bath truffles in this video: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/making-bath-truffles-on-soap-queen-tv/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks so much! I will give it a try. 🙂 👍🏼
You’re welcome! Let us know how it goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I love this tutorial but I have a few questions. If I want to use Epsom salts, when should I add them and how much should I use? Also, is it ok that I don’t have mica? Can’t wait to make my own bath bomb, this is the best tutorial I have seen so far! 🙂
Hi J!
Thank you, so glad you love the tutorials!
For Epsom salts, you can add those at the same time you add the citric acid and baking soda. You can do half or the same amount as the citric acid. We usually do about half, but you can increase that if you like. We did that in the Mini Heart Bath Bomb Tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/show-love/
Also, micas are not required! You can use La Bomb Colorants or leave the bath bombs uncolored. 🙂
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bath-Bomb-Dyes-C50.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks so much!
You’re welcome! 🙂
HELP!! I just made 40 Baking Soda/Citric Acid Fizzies (1st time) they turned out BEAUTIFUL I used a small muffin tin to mold but they keep expanding and I keep pushing them down back into the mold i have tried EVERYTHING! after reading several posts it appears my mix was to wet… 🙁 is there anything I do at this point to stop them from expanding AND will they have any fizz left at all ?
Hi Kelly!
Sounds like the moisture in your air is getting to those fizzies! That can happen, especially in humid climates. I would recommend wrapping those fizzies right away with plastic wrap. Wrap them nice and tightly so they’re protected from any moisture in the air.
As for their fizzing, it depends on how much moisture got into the bath bombs. I would recommend testing one in the tub to see how it fizzes. I would also recommend using them pretty quickly. With the extra moisture, the fizzing can go down over time. If they didn’t expand too much, you should still get some good fizzing reaction. Read more about storing your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made some bath bombs recently using a recipe my friend had sent me and one batch turned out beautifully, but another crumbled apart. Is there any way I can save the crumbled pieces? Would I be able to add some moisture back into them and try remolding them? The recipe I used was from Martha Stewart and called for water, but it is sprayed in, almost like it’s a mist. I was hoping to give these out as Christmas gifts, but I can’t give people crumbly product! Help!
Hi Aubrey!
Oh no, I’m sorry those crumbled on you! The good news is you can definitely still use the crumbled pieces – they will fizz really nicely. With our crumbled fizzies, we like to package them in cute paper. You can also use Water Soluble Paper, so they can drop the whole package into the tub! See how to do that in the Save the Bath Bombs post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
Also, for the next batch, you can add oil to help moisten the fizzies! Witch hazel really helps wet them too. If you notice your batch is on the drier side, you can spritz 1-2 times with witch hazel, mix and test the mixture. Repeat that process until it stays together when squeezed. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I was curious whether or not you could just use food due to color your bath bombs? I’m new to this but the colors from bramble berry are so expensive! Any other alternatives would be great!
Hi Kora!
We don’t recommend food coloring for bath bombs. Because they’re typically mixed with water, they can cause your fizzy to go off prematurely. They also tend to fade in bath bombs, and can transfer to your tub.
If you have micas on hand, you can use those to color your fizzies! Also, I can tell you our La Bomb colorants are super concentrated, so they last quite awhile. Bath bombs typically only need a couple of drops per recipe, so that bottle will go a long way. 🙂
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I understand you are saying it is best not to use food colorants for these reasons, but are there any legal reasons that prevents the ability to use them? I’ve had the best luck with processing with food coloring, I add it in very slowly and mix very well. I’ve also never had any complaints of staining on one’s tub or skin. Is it ok to continue using these?
If you find those colors work well you can use them! We’ve just found that cosmetic colorants work best for us. As long the food coloring is skin safe and approved for use in handmade bath and beauty products, they should be legal to use. You may want to check with the manufacturer to be sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, do you have a recipe for bath bombs containing a bubbling agent i.e. SLS/SLSa? Thanks!
We sure do! Our Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs have SLSA for some great bubbles in your tub. You can find that recipe here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
They smell really great too. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
My bath bombs are rising!!!. And I want to make soap. But some of the ingredients are hard to find. I want to purchase them in a store vs waiting for them.
Making soap and bath bombs is so much fun! You can often find bath bomb ingredients in the grocery store. Citric acid is usually near the canning ingredients, and you can find baking soda in the baking aisle. Witch hazel can sometimes be found in the makeup or facial care section! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi!
I’m trying to make a bath bomb using 1 cup citric acid, 2 cups bicarbonate of soda and cornstarch (most recipes I find have epsom salts in this mix but I want to make some without salts), How much corn flour do I use for the right output?
Hi Tammy!
I would recommend using about 1/4 cup of cornstarch to start out with. Too much cornstarch can reduce the fizz in your recipe. I would recommend making a small test batch with 1/4 cup and see what you think. If you want to add more or less, you can adjust for your larger batch. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How much SLSA should I add to the mixture to make a bubble bath bubble bombs? Is there an ingredient that should be added or changed or paired with SLSA?
Hi Denise!
You can add the SLSA at the same amount as the citric acid! That will add some amazing bubbles to your bath. Because there are more powders, you may need a bit more witch hazel to wet it. Other than that, your recipe can stay the same. 🙂
We used SLSA in these fun Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx
I’ve been experimenting with some new recipes… would there be any skin hazard in using a higher amount of citric acid? More like a 1:1 baking soda to citric acid?
Hi Megan!
That should be just fine! It can actually make the bath bombs a bit more fizzy than the 1:2 ratio of citric acid to baking soda. Have fun experimenting with your bath bomb recipes! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Just an observation I made whilst making BB, the citric acid I bought was in a granule like texture, it was those little grains on the surface that went pimply, I’m guessing it’s the citric acid that attracts moisture. 🙂
I think you’re right! I notice if I keep my citric acid in a humid place it can clump up – the same goes for baking soda. I like to run my mixture through a strainer to get rid of those little bumps. Then, wrapping the fizzies afterward helps protect them from moisture. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I have a question regarding the safety of peppermint essential oil in bath bombs. I just made 40 bombs that weigh 2 oz each. I added 2 tsp of Peppermint essential oils to the entire batch. Will this be safe in the tub, or should I sell them as foot soak bombs instead? I can’t seem to find info regarding this anywhere.
Thank you!
😊
Hi Shannon!
Peppermint essential oil is skin safe and can be used in bath bombs. However, if a bit too much is used, it can cause a cooling or tingling sensation on the skin. It sounds like you scented on the lower end, so I think you should be fine! Just to make sure, I would recommend testing one in the tub. If you notice any tingling, you may want to use it as a cooling foot bomb. 🙂
We used Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distill in the Invigorating Foot Soak and it felt great: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/happy-feet-invigorating-foot-soak/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have a question about bath bombs and witch hazel, I really don’t want to use any kind of preservatives in my bath bombs at all so by using witch hazel am I encouraging mold and bacteria to grow in my bath bombs.
Hi Rachel!
Witch hazel is actually mixed with alcohol instead of water, so it won’t cause mold or bacteria growth in the fizzies. It actually evaporates, leaving those fizzies nice and dry. That means no preservatives are required in your bath bombs. 🙂
Read more about witch hazel here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! This post really inspired me to try bath bombs. Everything was going well–they weren’t clumpy, they didn’t prematurely fizz, and they easily came out of the mold. However, I placed them in a box to dry overnight (without a lid) and the next morning they were all bloated and stuck together. Should I only be storing these in airtight containers right after unmolding? I’m worried about giving them as gifts if just leaving them out will set them off! I don’t live in a particularly humid area (New Jersey). Any help is much appreciated!
Hi Abby!
Oh no, I’m sorry about that! It sounds like those fizzies reacted with the moisture in the air. That can happen, especially in humid New Jersey. The good news is they should still fizz in your tub! You can even wrap them in water soluble paper and give them out as cute gifts. We did that in the Save the Bath Bombs tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
After your fizzies are unmolded, I would recommend wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap. It can also help to run a fan over the wrapped fizzies, or use a dehumidifier. If you have any silica packets (the ones you see in packages), you can place those near the fizzies. That will help keep your fizzies nice and dry so they hold their shape. 🙂
Learn more about storing your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Great, thank you so much!
You’re welcome! 🙂
I’m a BBN (bath bomb newb) and have just finished three unsuccessful batches of fizzles, all of which were too soft and fell apart after coming out of the molds, or couldn’t hold the two halves of the spheres together. I tried your For the Love of Waterlily recipe as well as a couple I found on YouTube tutorials. My first attempt with the Waterlily recipe was so dry that it didn’t hold together at all like wet sand but rather dry, so I added witch hazel and it still crumbled. My next recipes added some kind of oil (coconut then castor), and after 24 hours in the molds, just crumbled when they came out. I live in a climate that’s neither humid nor arid (San Jose), but am about to lose my mind if I waste any more ingredients/money on bombs. Do you have a *foolproof* recipe that I can try? Gracias
Hi Amber!
Oh no, I’m sorry about that! When I first started making bath bombs I had some frustrating experiences for sure. I can’t tell you how many times my bath bombs fell apart!
Because they’re crumbling, your fizzies may be a bit dry. After you’ve got everything mixed together, squeeze those fizzies in your hand. If the powders clump together, they are ready to mold. If they fall apart, spray 1-2 times with the witch hazel, mix and try again. Repeat that process until the fizzies stay together in your hand. It does take a bit of practice to get the right texture. It’s a bit like wet sand, but a little softer.
I think a great recipe to get started with is a simple one. That way you can get a feel for the process before adding other things like salt and oil. This Pikake Flower Bath Bomb Tutorial uses a simple recipe, and looks super cute: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/pikake-flower-bath-bombs/
Another great recipe is the one we use for our Bath Bomb Machine. It has kaolin clay, which helps make the bombs a bit sturdier (so they’re less likely to crumble). It also has some cocoa butter to moisturize the fizzies. You can find that recipe here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-use-our-bath-bomb-maker/
I know it can be a bit tricky to make bath bombs at first, but once you find the perfect texture for your climate it gets a lot easier. You’ll be an expert before you know it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi again team,
I’ve been making bathbombs for a couple of months and for colourants, I always use basic liquid food colouring. A few drops gives my bombs a nice pastel-like colour which is exactly what I want to achieve. However, recently I’ve been trying to product bathbombs with more vibrant colours. However, if I use more foood colouring, as predicted, they start to fix/expand prematurely. Do you have any suggestions for getting eye-popping colours (ie. Lush Fizzbanger, Phoenix etc)
Many thanks,
Claire L
Hi Claire!
La Bomb Colorants are a great option! They are highly pigmented colors that are mixed with glycerin. The glycerin ensures the color mixes in smoothly and won’t cause your bath bombs to go off to early. They’re nice and strong too – just a few drops makes a big difference.
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/For-Bath-Bombs-C50.aspx
We used them in this Tie Dye Bath Bomb Tutorial for fun vibrant colors: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/tie-dye-bath-bombs/
Keep in mind the brighter your bath bombs are, the more likely they will color the tub. However, the color should come off with a few showers or a good wipe down with a towel. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am in desperate need of help making bath bombs.
I am making bath bombs to sell retail and will be scenting them with ONLY essential oils. I ordered 3 competitors bath bombs to compare with mine. These competitors say that they ONLY use essential oils and do not use any synthetic fragrances to scent their bath bombs. All 3 of the competitors bath bombs smell absolutely wonderful, and have a strong scent that you can smell as soon as you open the package (like a wonderful soap). I am skeptical and believe they may use fragrance oils, but I have a hard time believing that all three companies would be deceiving their customers. I even contacted all of the companies and they confirmed that they only use essential oils.
On the bath bomb labels, these companies state which oils they use along with all of the other ingredients. The other ingredients include baking soda, citric acid, epsom salt, kaolin clay, and shea butter. Here is where I am puzzled, I have made bath bombs using these exact ingredients and my bath bombs smell no where near as good as theirs. An essential oil is an essential oil, right?? I mean even if we are using different brands, the oils should pretty much smell the same across the board (ex. tangerine, lemon, peppermint) So how could theirs smell totally different from mine? Do you think that they have “secret” ingredients? Please help!
Hi Julie!
I really can’t say for sure! You may want to contact the companies to learn more about their process, including how much essential oil they use. I can tell you that even the same essential oils do smell different. Because they are a natural product, the scent can vary based on what batch it’s from. So factors like the soil, how much rain the plants got, etc. can make a difference.
They may be blending the essential oils! I can tell you combining two separate essential oils can totally transform their scent into something new. You may want to try blending a couple of your essential oils to see if you find a combination you really love. For instance, I love Orange 10X Essential Oil and Rosemary Essential Oil together. They create a lovely bright, earthy scent. 🙂
Learn more about scent blending here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/fragrance-oil-blending-tips/
It can also help to add a bit more essential oil to your recipe. That can make their smell a bit more noticeable. Learn how much essential oil to add with our Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
I hope that helps! A bit of practicing and playing around with the scents can really help. That way you can find the blend and amount that are perfect for your recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Essential oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/All-Oils-C23.aspx
I know this is totally off the subject of bath bomb. I’m want to make a 10 Ib batch of cold press soap, any recipe recommendations.
You can choose any recipe you find here on the SQ blog, then resize it using the Summer Bee Meadow’s Recipe Resizer, but it will ask you for the size of your mold (interior dimensions – width & length, plus how tall you want your soap to be,) then resize your recipe to fit that mold, like if you have a 10-lb. mold. Just follow the instructions here:
http://summerbeemeadow.com/content/lye-calculator-and-recipe-resizer
Hi Jodie!
I can definitely recommend a recipe for you! What kind of bars do you prefer? Do you prefer a more firm bar, or one that’s softer on the skin? Also, do you want lots of bubbles or a more mild lather? Let me know and I can offer some fun recipes for you. 🙂
Also, thanks so much for your help Patricia! You can also resize recipes with the Bramble Berry Lye Calculator. Learn how to do that here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/using-the-bramble-berry-lye-calculator-2/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m glad I’m not the only one to have trouble getting the two halves to stick together! I will be trying this, I’d like to get some nice round bath bombs ready for christmas gifts!
Oh absolutely, I definitely had some bath bombs not want to stick together for me. The cyclomethicone and wetter mixture really helps. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I like to use Wilton cake decorating colorants for bath bombs. They come in an array of colors, are inexpensive, and are also glycerin based. But they are concentrated colors so its best to mix with witch hazel or alcohol to add to your mixture. Like any colorant, be sensible in using it so you don’t end up staining anything. I also find the ice cream scoop method very easy in producing a nice size bath fizzie. Rather than use a mold at all, use any size ice cream scoop (you’d be surprised how many size varieties there are) to scoop up a fizzie. Fill and pack the scoop then plop it out onto a piece of baking or parchment paper. This works best with scoops that have the button on the side with the little sweeper bar in the scoop, and with more stable mixtures that have some oil in it. Using various sizes you can also create bombs within bombs for a fun color release!
Those are amazing tips Michael! I love the idea of using an ice cream scoop to get the nice round bath bomb shape. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
After you make the bath bombs are you supposed to put them in the freezer? Also how long?
We don’t recommend putting the bath bombs in the freezer. Once they are brought to room temperature, they can form condensation and fizz. They store best in a cool, dry place like a cabinet, garage or basement. Learn more here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you, Bramble Berry always answers my questions without me asking. Bath bombs are challenging, with this tutorial I will get there! Louisiana weather-you never know.
You are very welcome Suzette! A bit of research and practice will definitely get you on your way to beautiful bath bombs. We are also here to help, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry