Here’s a fun idea for a colorful surprise hidden inside a bath bomb. This tutorial is perfect for getting kids to take a bath, because there’s enough colorant in each bath bomb to color the bath water. And since you can’t see the color until the bath bomb is activated, you have to be in the bath to get your surprise! I originally came up with this idea … well, you’ll have to see why this weekend. =)
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see a mini fizzy coloring water!
Recipe:
1.5 cups Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
1 cup Citric Acid
12 mL Baby Powder Fragrance Oil
Witch Hazel (in a spray bottle)
2-3 Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Molds
Mesh Strainer
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OPTIONAL MOLD PREP: To aid in the unmolding of the bath bombs, add 5-10 drops of Cyclomethicone inside each half of the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb molds. Swirl it around so that there is a nice coat covering the inside of the molds. Set the molds on paper towels in a way that allows the excess Cyclomethicone to run out. You want just the thinnest coat of Cyclomethicone inside the molds.
ONE: Place the mesh strainer over the top of a bowl. Measure the Sodium Bicarbonate and Citric Acid and pour into bowl through the strainer. Work any clumps through the strainer. TIP: Citric Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) can tickle your nose, so you might want to wear a mask if you’re sensitive.
TWO: Add 12 mL Baby Powder Fragrance Oil to the mixture. Using your hands, mix until the fragrance oil is not longer causing clumps. NOTE: If your child is very sensitive to fragrance, keep the fragrance out or decrease the amount to only 6 ml. Some children find fragrance overwhelming.
THREE: Spray the mixture with 5-10 spritzes of Witch Hazel and mix in well. You want to add just enough moisture so that the mixture holds together, but isn’t soggy. Keep adding Witch Hazel until the mixture reaches a consistency that you like. I know my mixture is ready when I squish some fizzy mixture in my hand and it mostly holds together. TIP: For great live-action shots of the ideal consistency of bath bomb mix before putting it into a mold, check out our latest Soap Queen TV with guest Jeanee Duvall of Dirty Laundry! It’s at minute 3:30.
FOUR: Fill one half of each of the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb molds with bath bomb mix, pressing the mix as compact as possible. Make a crater or divot with your thumb, about 1/2″ deep with about 1/2″ on all sides in the center of the mold. Add 10-15 drops of Teal LaBomb into each divot. Fill the divot with more bath bomb mix, and create a slight mound in the center of the mold.
FIVE: Fill the other half of each of the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb molds all the way with bath bomb mix, also mounding the center slightly. Press two halves of the mold together, one colored half and one uncolored half, until there is no gap between between the two halves.
SIX: Waiting no longer than about 5 minutes, unmold the bath bombs by slowly twisting the mold halves and removing one half of the mold. If the second half of the mold is not quite ready to release yet, wait 5-10 minutes and then gently tap the mold from behind.
TIP: Take a peek at this bath bomb video for tips on unmolding the Stainless Steel Bath Bomb molds.
This idea also works for coloring smaller amounts of water. Cut the recipe in half, and use a small mold like the Petite Bendy Star Mold. Use the same technique of filling the mold half full, but use just one or two drops of colorant per cavity. One tiny bath bomb with two drops of colorant will nicely color about a cup and a half of water. Why did I test out such a small amount? Check back this weekend as I reveal some super exciting Bramble Bump news!
Click here for a printable PDF of this tutorial.
