This Valentine’s Day, skip the chocolates and the roses in favor of some handcrafted goodies. From now until February 5, we’re rolling out several special tutorials and discounts as part of Show Your Love, our special treat for you and your special someone. Keep your eye on the blog and subscribe to our newsletter to be first in the know about special deals, discounts and lovely soapy tutorials!
What You’ll Need:
1 cup Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
1/2 cup Citric Acid
1/4 cup Extra Fine Epsom Salt
1/2 tablespoon Jojoba Oil
1 tablespoon Pink Brazilian Clay
Optional (not in kit automatically): Witch Hazel
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
ONE: Add baking soda, citric acid and epsom salt in large bowl and mix to combine.
Note: The baking soda, citric acid and epsom salts may form clumps. Sift them through a strainer to break them up.
TWO: Add the Jojoba Oil and essential oil. You may want to put gloves on and work the liquids into the powders with your hands.
THREE: Now split the batch in half. It’s okay to eye ball it!
FOUR: To one container, add the Pink Brazilian Clay. Again, it may be easier to mix in with your hands. Leave the other container uncolored.
FIVE: Depending on the moisture level of the current mixture, spritz the bath bombs with witch hazel. It should take between 8 – 10 spritzes, and the mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your palm, it will stick together. If you don’t have witch hazel, adding a few extra drops of jojoba oil will also help the powders stick.
You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and aren’t crumbly. Be careful though because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your bath bombs!
SIX: Press the mixture into all six of the Tiny Hearts molds and pack it as tight as you can. You want these bath bombs to stick together!
SEVEN: Unmold the hearts after about a half an hour by forcefully hitting the mold on the table. Don’t be afraid about hitting it too hard! Without enough force the hearts won’t pop out. After they’re out of the mold, let them sit overnight to fully harden up.
EIGHT: Once one color of bath bomb is unmolded, repeat steps 5 – 7 with the second color.
NINE: We filled our jars with alternating layers of pink and white hearts, but you can package them however you’d like. Enjoy!
Check back over the next week for more ideas for Valentine projects as well as more discounts and deals!
Can you make larger bath bombs with this recipe
Hi Debra!
You can! These would look great in our Stainless Steel Bath Bomb molds. They would also look great in the other molds we carry. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/Stainless-Steel-Bath-Bomb-Mold-2-pieces-P4670.aspx
Guest 5 Hearts Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/Guest-5-Hearts-Mold-P5658.aspx
Floral Heart Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/Floral-Heart-Mold-P3115.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi
I have made this recipe and pressed it into small molds for testing as I usually do when trying a new recipe that I intend to sell. The night that I made it, I dumped one in water and the fizzing was great. However the next day when they were hardened, they did not fizz at all!
Do you know why this would happen?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Teresa!
I think I have an idea! After the bath fizzies harden, they become more dry and compact. We recommend breaking the fizzies into little pieces under the running water. That helps the fizzy separate and fizz up nicely. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi there! I was wondering if there’s a way to make bath bombs slow-fizzing. Currently I’m working with baking soda, citric acid, SLSa, corn starch, and additives. I understand corn starch and cream of tartar act as binders for the bomb and, I guess, can also stabilize suds released (Is this correct??) Will increasing the starch slow the disintegration of the bath bomb?
Hi Sophia!
I believe the corn starch and cream of tartar may slow down that fizzing slightly. However, adding too much of those ingredients can lessen the fizzing. I would recommend making a small test batch to see if those ingredients help slow the fizzing down. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What a great recipe! I just did it but used French Green Clay instead of the Pink Clay, Eukalyptus EO instead of Grapefruit EO and a melon baller to form them – can’t wait to try botanicals as colorants for my all natural line. Thank you for sharing … I’ve always been intimidated by fizzy recipes in the past but decided to give this a try. Bit unnerving when you spray the witch hazel and it starts to fizz but it worked great.
Hi Kat!
That sounds like such a fun recipe! Also, I’m so glad you like the recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Eucalyptus-Essential-Oil-P3818.aspx
Will using different clays, such as Rose Kaolin clay, possibly leave a red ring in the tub or sediment at the bottom?
Thanks!
Hi Yvonne!
There may be clay at the bottom of the tub or a ring around your tub. However, both of those are easy to spray or wipe away with a paper towel. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I use an alternative to witch hazel? I cannot find any where I stay. My bath bombs came out perfectly but this morning they were swollen and sticky even though the mixture was very dry last night. I crumbled them and added extra bicarb and citric and remoulded them and popped them in the oven on a low heat for a few minutes this seemed to help is there another method to fixing flops?
Hi Kim!
We’ve found that witch hazel works the best. It adds some moisture to your bath bombs without causing an early fizzy reaction. However, you can add more oil to your recipe! That will help prevent your bath fizzy from getting too dry. In this recipe, you can add another 1/2 tsp. of jojoba oil.
Witch hazel: https://www.brambleberry.com/Witch-Hazel-P4212.aspx
It sounds like your bath bombs may have started to go off early. That can happen in humid environments. To prevent that, you can wrap those bath fizzies tightly in plastic wrap to prevent moisture from seeping in. You can also use a dehumidifier in the room you make your fizzies in. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble berry
Hi Yanique!
Absolutely! Either of those clays would work great in this recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sea clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sea-Clay-P4961.aspx
Rose clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Clay-P5112.aspx
Hi,
Can I use any other clay other than the Pink Brazilian clay listed above? Like sea clay or rose clay…. Thanks for your help.
Yanique
Can I neglect the epsom salt from the recipe?
Hi Sara!
You can leave the salt out of this recipe. It will change the texture slightly, so you may want to make a small test batch to see if you like the final product. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you tell me how many fit in each 8 oz jar? The recipe says it yields two jars’ worth, but I must be missing the actual quantity of tiny bath bombs this recipe makes…. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Hi Jodi!
We used six molds in this recipe, which each have 4 hearts, so this recipe makes about 24 hearts 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
When you leave them overnight to harden do you store them in a Tupperware or just leave them out? I left mine on the counter and after about an hour they seemed to be hardening nicely but in the morning they turned into squishy blobs. It looks like they started reacting. We do live at the coast though. Thank you.
Hi Kristi!
I have done both methods in the past, and the majority of the time, leaving them out in the air has been fine. Only once have my bath bombs begun reacting, but I live on the coast as well :). To be safe, storing them in a closed container would be a good way to go!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi Anna!
Usually this can happen when too much witch hazel is used. I would try using less next time :). Sometimes this can also occur if you live in an area with high humidity. I hope this helps!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi! I recently made mini bath bombs in a small ice cube tray and used green tea powder and tea tree oil as well as the basic recipe. I used witch hazel to spray the mix together but when I packed it into the mould they rose and almost inflated and I pushed them aback down several times before they rose again. Is there a reason for this or how can I try to avoid it? Thanks x
I made these the first time and they came out perfectly! I ordered more ingredients, and made a second batch, and am having a terrible time getting them to solidify. I’ve molded them time and time again and they have the consistency of sand. I’ve added almost 4T of jojoba, and still nothing. Ideas?? I don’t want to have to throw away everything if I don’t have to.
Hi Kirstie!
I’m sorry to hear this recipe is giving you some trouble! Did you do anything different the second time? Also, did you use witch hazel in your recipe to help it combine? Let me know, I’d love to help you troubleshoot 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hello! I am having major problems trying to make some bath bombs right now. I just bought 10 lbs of Citric Acid and a bunch of fragrance oils from Bramble Berry. I mix the dry ingredients as directed (1 part citric acid, 2 parts baking soda – Arm & Hammer in this case – plus the fragrance oils). When I spray the mixture to bind with Witch Hazel, I hear a fizz (I am going as light as I can with the witch hazel). Should this be happening? Then I mold my bath fizzies and release. All looks good, but I come back to check on them a few hours later and they have bulged and expanded significantly. Is this just a problem with my witch hazel? It says on the label “Witch Hazel USP 86% witch hazel, 14% alcohol by volume” it also says “Hamamelis Water Astringent” (just noticed that part). Maybe I answered my own question, and there is water in my witch hazel. What kind should I buy that will work? And can I use 91% Rubbing Alcohol instead of witch hazel (it did not fizz on my small test sample). Sorry for the long entry, I’m just
So frustrated right now and would love some input.
I’m sorry, one more question. Should the mixture feel sticky? Mine does (even with no added oils, colorants or fragrance – just citric acid, baking soda and sprayed witch hazel).
Hi Katie!
Most likely yes, it would stain the tub unless you used a very small amount. I would recommend using La Bomb Colorants for your bath fizzies, they are liquid colorants especially made to not stain your tub 🙂 You can also use a small amount of mica in your bath bombs, but if you use too much, it’s possible that it may stain your tub.
La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bath-Bomb-Dyes-C50.aspx
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Do you think the fizzy lemonade colorant from Brambleberry would stain the tub? I have some of that on hand from a CP soap recipe.
Thanks!
If you were to sell these heart bombs, how much would you sell them for?
Hi Julie!
Pricing your products can be a little tricky, and is really a personal choice. There are a lot of factors to consider, including how much you’d like to charge for your labor, how many you sell at once, and what kind of packaging you are using.
You may find this blog post helpful!
Bath Bomb Pricing Breakdown:
http://www.soapqueen.com/business/bath-bomb-pricing-breakdown-2/
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi! I’m making these as I type this, they are currently drying in the molds. 🙂
I have a question though- I have leftover mixture, can this be kept in an airtight container until I make my next bath of molds or does it need to be used right away/thrown out?
Hi Miranda,
With the left over mixture, I would use it as soon as possible as it will not stay. I will harden up. I wouldn’t throw it away but try to improvise if you don’t have another mold by just making small round min bath bombs.
Thanks for your comment. 🙂
~Kevin with Bramble Berry
Can I use a silicone mold for this or are the hard plastic molds needed?
Hi Cindi!
You can definitely use a silicone mold for this recipe 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi, I live in the Uk and I am struggling with what oils
And fragrances to use that will make the bath bombs smell
Great and give them colour. Also oils and smells that are safe for the
Skin. Please please could you help!! Lol
Hi Nicole!
If you are looking for fragrance and essential oils, Bramble Berry has a wide selection of scents that would be perfect for bath bombs!
Fragrance Oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Fragrance-Oils-C161.aspx
Essential Oils: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
All of these fragrance and essential oils are safe to use in your body products. Depending on what you’re making, you will want to use them in different amounts. To calculate this, we have a handy Fragrance Calculator that will do the math for you! 🙂
Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
I hope this helps Nicole!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This is a fantastic kit! I just made my first batch of heart fizzies and they turned out perfect. I was delighted by the quality of the molds. I am happy to report my hearts turned out just like the ones pictured. The key for me was using a very fine mist spray of Witch Hazel to get the right consistency before molding them.
Hi Terri!
I’m so happy you enjoyed making these bath bombs. I made some as well, and love using them in the tub :). I found that a little witch hazel worked well for me as well. If you get photos of your project, we would love to see them on our Facebook page!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Can another oil be substituted instead of jojoba. I have everything else….I do have sweet almond oil or grapeseed.
Hi Mimi!
You can certainly use a different oil in this recipe. We used Jojoba because of its skin loving properties, but both Almond Oil or Grapeseed oil could be used as well. For more information regarding our oil choices, you may find this blog post helpful!
Free Beginners Guide to Oils and Butters:
http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/free-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-common-soapmaking-oils/
I hope this helps 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I do not have the clay. Can I use a mica blended with glycerin to add color? Or even add it to my jojoba oil?
Hi Shelly!
If you’d like to use a mica to color your bath bombs, you can simply add the mica to the dry ingredients before adding fragrance oil or which hazel. You can see an example of this technique in this tutorial!
Mondo Bath Bombs: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/mondo-bath-bombs-2/
I hope this helps Shelly, and if you get photos of your project, I would love to see them on our Facebook page 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Can you use something other than the clay as a colorant? I so want to make these for an event that I have this week.
You can use any botanical powder, Cocoa powder, Alkanet root powder or fine Pink Himalayan salt for bluish-pinkish color.
Hi Nika!
You could certainly use a different colorant, in particular I would recommend the LaBomb Colorants, which are specially formulated for bath bombs and won’t stain the tub or result in colored water!
Bath Bomb Dyes/ La Bomb Colorants: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bath-Bomb-Dyes-C50.aspx
You can also use micas, or like Veronika mentioned, various natural colorants work well too 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi Amanda,
Do you think the fizzy lemonade colorant would stain the tub? I have some of that on hand from a CP soap recipe.
Thanks!
Yay! I have this mold! I’m making these tomorrow!
Hi there!
Yay, I’m so glad you’re going to give this a try! If you get photos, we would love to see them on our Facebook page!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Those are so cute!
Hi Kelly!
I’m so glad you liked this recipe, aren’t they adorable? Perfect size for throwing a few in your tub!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry