Bath time for children can be exhausting for parents — but it’s an often under-used self care tool for adults. Lay out that bathrobe and hair towel you DIYed via our instructions, light some candles, grab a towel or bath pillow to rest your head on, put on some music and toss a fizzing and wonderfully scented bath bomb into the water.
Wait, you’re out of bath bombs? Never fear, your trusty DIY instructions are here to save bath time.
If you’ve dabbled at all in making other body products, you might have all the ingredients on hand. If not, you can order them online easily.
For DIY bath fizzing bombs, you will need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup Epsom salts
- Water or witch hazel (just a teaspoon or so)
- 5-8 drops essential oil of choice
- 1 1/4 teaspoon oil (coconut, olive, almond or other)
- Dried flowers (optional)
- Whisk
- Bowl
- Mold (silicone or plastic)
Mix dry ingredients — you can scale this recipe up if you want to make a bigger batch. Separately mix the wet ingredients. Carefully combine the wet with the dry ingredients, a few drops at a time.
The fizzing effect when putting a bath bomb in your bath water results from citric acid reacting with sodium bicarbonate when they get wet.
If you add the wet ingredients to the dry (which includes the citric acid and baking soda) too quickly, you’ll get this reaction before you’re even near the tub. Add a tiny bit of moisture at a time, until you’re able to press a small handful into a clump which sticks together. If your bombs start to expand while still in the mold, use that bath bomb immediately and start over.
While you can dribble in the water, oil and essential oils, using a spray bottle can make this process easier.
Once the mixture is damp enough to hold a shape, press it into your mold. Round molds for a classic bath bomb shape are available from many sources online, or you can use just about anything — silicone molds, egg carton depressions, muffin tins, etc. If using a two-part mold, fill each side and then press them together.
Let the fizzy bombs dry in the mold for about an hour, and check if they come out of the molds without breaking (if they do break, just press them back in). Once the bath bombs are removed from the molds, allow them to dry for a few more hours (even overnight) before putting them into a jar or other moisture-tight container to store near your tub.
As with all DIY projects, the best part is that these bath bombs are customizable. Add dried flowers into the whole mix, or pack one or a few into the top of the bomb when you put it into molds.
If you prefer colors, you can add food coloring or other pigments (just make sure they are body safe). Avoid adding glitter and other things which can clog drains and be difficult to filter from the ecosystem down the line.
Use your favorite essential oil, or a combo for your own personal blend. Making a few smaller batches (you can even halve this recipe to make just a few small bombs) lets you make a variety of fragrances, to match you bathing mood — grapefruit or other citrus can cheer and energize you, lavender can sooth and relax, or you can use seasonal scents.
These are a must-have for yourself, and they make easy and thoughtful gifts for others. We are living in a stressful time, relaxing and taking care of our bodies and spirits is essential.
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