How To Make Bath Bombs
The soaring popularity of bath bombs over recent years has transformed a standard bath with soap and water into an altogether more colourful event. But are they good for your skin and just how do you make bath bombs?
Unwinding at the end of a day with a luxurious bath rather than a rushed experience is always a no brainer if you have the time, but bath bombs can be expensive items to buy – especially on a regular basis – so you might be tempted to create these colourful concoctions yourself.
Not only is it cost effective to make your own bath bombs, it can also be a fun activity with your kids or grand-kids.
Let’s take a look at what bath bombs actually are, whether they are good for your skin, and crucially, how to make bath bombs yourself...
What are bath bombs?
Bath bombs are spheres or blocks that fizzle and dissolve once they are introduced to your bath water. The colourful explosions they generate can cause much excitement – especially among the younger members of your household.
The bath bomb was actually invented back in 1989 by Lush Cosmetics co-founder Mo Constantine. Constantine was intrigued by the way Alka-Seltzertablets dissolved after touching water and so set about creating the same experience in a bath tub – leading to the birth of ‘Aqua Sizzlers’, which would later be re-named ‘bath bombs’.
The rest, as they say, is now history...
Are bath bombs good for your skin?
The use of bath bombs may provide a colourful, frothy and soapy experience bringing lots of fun and providing lots of Instagram photo opportunities, but bath bombs can cause irritation to sensitive skin. The ingredients within the bath bombs can cause redness, itching or a rash, so this is worth bearing in mind.
If your skin isn’t sensitive then you won’t have any problems after a bath bomb experience; in fact, you’ll feel as though your skin has been completely cleansed.
What makes bath bombs fizz?
It’s always the fun moment of the experience when you drop your bath bomb into the bath and wait to watch the reaction as the kaleidoscope of colour suddenly emerges.
But what causes such a dramatic reaction when the ‘bomb’ touches the water? And what sets off the fizzing?
Well, bath bombs fizz when water sets off a chemical reaction between the citric acid and the bicarbonate of soda. During this reaction, carbon dioxide is created – and that’s what causes the fizzing.
The reaction helps break up the bath bomb, releasing oils, detergents and fragrances.
How do you make bath bombs?
Now we come to the most important and most enjoyable part – just how do you make bath bombs yourself?
First, you need your ingredients:
- 180g Citric acid
- 180g Cornflour
- 360g Baking soda7.5 tbsp Coconut oil (melted)
- 180g Epsom salt
- Food colouring
- 3 tbsp Essential oil
- Bath bomb mould
- A spray bottle of water
- Latex gloves
- A whisk for stirring
- A mixing bowl
All of these ingredients can be easily ordered or bought at local supermarkets – and the chances are you’ll have many of them at home already, further cutting down on cost.
Once you have all your ingredients in place, follow these simple step by step instructions:
Step 1:
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl, including the baking soda, citric acid, cornflour and epsom salt.
Step 2:
Add the melted coconut oil and essential oil and gently mix together with your hands (wearing gloves, of course).
Step 3:
Add water gently, but be careful not to add too much at once. Keep mixing until the mixture holds together.
Step 4:
Depending on how many different colours you want to add, it’s time to separate your mixture into multiple bowls. Then add your food colouring – not too much, though, four or five drops should be just enough.
Step 5:
Now add your mix to your bath bomb mould. Mix the colours up in each mould if you want – the more the merrier if you want a particularly colourful bath bomb.
Make sure the moulds are overfilled by tightly adding the mixture.
Then click the mould together before tapping the side and removing it. There you go, your very own bath bomb!
Don’t use it straightaway, though. Leave it to dry out overnight before using it with your bath water.
And there you have it, your guide to transforming your bathroom experience after making your very own bath bombs. Enjoy!
If you're looking for ways to create a relaxing bathroom, you may find the following posts useful - Designing a Spa-Style Bathroom - Spa Bath Buying Guide - Freestanding Baths Guide.
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