Homemade Bath Bombs
Affordable and easy homemade bath bombs you can make with just a few ingredients!
My kids LOVE bath bombs in their bath and just to play with in the sink!
With the proper ingredients, bath bombs are calming and moisturizing for your skin.
Unfortunately, I think they're often overpriced in the stores and many bath bombs contain chemicals that irritate my son's sensitive skin.
So - through lots of trial and error that I'll spare you from - I've found a simple, foolproof recipe for homemade bath bombs!
Supplies:
I purchase most of my supplies on Amazon, with the exception of the Epsom salt and the baking soda that I get at Costco. Note - I've linked the products I use with affiliate links and if you purchase through these links, I may get a commission, but you won't be charged extra.
You need bath bomb molds. I started making bath bombs with these sphere molds that make beautiful, round bath bombs. However, it's often tricky to get the two halves to stick together and they fall apart when removing from the mold.
Recently, we've been using this bath bomb press that makes that flower-like bath bombs in the picture. Pretty error-less as you just press in the mix and then pop the bath bomb out the bottom. I recommend this for beginners as even my kids can use it!
Epsom Salts, Baking Soda & Citric Acid - This makes the bath bombs fizz! When baking soda and citric acid mix with the water in your bath, a fizzy chemical reaction occurs!
Witch Hazel in a spray bottle - this is key! Liquids will make the citric acid and baking soda fizz and you do NOT want your bath bombs to fizz in the bowl. Spray your witch hazel on and there's less opportunity for your bath bombs to fizz in the bowl. I learned this the hard way!
Fractionated Coconut Oil - this is the moisturizing factor in your bath bombs. You can use Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil if you prefer. I have found that sticking to the 2T in the recipe means that the bath bombs are still moisturizing but there's no oily ring left around the bath tub to clean later.
Essential oils - only use 100% therapeutic grade essential oils. We love Lavender, Stress Away, Orange and Grapefruit in our bath bombs. If you need essential oils, I recommend only getting them here.
Optional All-Natural Coloring - I love this brand of coloring as they do not stick to skin or the tub, even when my kids put a LOT of color in the bath bombs.
Now, the fun part! Grab a large bowl and some forks and get ready to mix!
Recipe and Instructions:
2 c Baking Soda
1 c Epsom Salt
1 c Citric Acid
2 T Fractionated Coconut Oil
About 1/2 c Witch Hazel in a spray bottle
20-30 drops of essential oils, depending upon preference
5-10 drops coloring, depending upon preference
Add the Baking Soda, Epsom Salt and Citric Acid in a large bowl. I mix and mash with a fork to remove all of the lumps until the mix is smooth.
Slowly drip 2T of Fractionated Coconut Oil into dry mixture and mix thoroughly, note if you add too much at once the mix may start to fizz.
Next, add your essential oils and coloring, again dripping in slowly and mixing.
When the mixture is evenly mixed, began spraying on the Witch Hazel. I find it can take about 20 sprays, depending on the coloring, essential oils and even the humidity on the day you are mixing. I add a few sprays, mix and repeat.
You want your bath bomb mixture to be barely damp, never wet. If you pick up a handful of mixture and squeeze a ball in your hands, it should break up when you drop it back into the bowl.
Once your mixture is damp, it's time to starting packing it into your molds. The sphere molds need to sit a few minutes before you can try to pull the molds off. With the press, you can tightly pack the mixture in and immediately press out a bath bomb.
Let your bath bombs dry uncovered for at least 5-6 hours - I usually let mine dry overnight - before placing into packaging or containers. Once the bath bombs are completely dry, we place into a large container on the bathroom shelf and just reach in and grab a couple when we like!
I'd love to hear how your bath bombs turned out! Send me an email at KariJo@GreenMittenMama.com