I am kind of compulsive about making stuff. I can't be sure if it's how I relax or if I don't know how to relax at all, so I create. I am running out of wall space, and I can only eat so many cupcakes (a lot). So, I turned my focus to bath bombs.
Well. These are just ridiculously fun to make, but a little tricky to get right. They are a blast to make with Charlotte Rose; I let her grab small toys to put inside and re-discover later, pick out the scents and colors, and "mix-a-mix-a" it up.
It took me a while to pin down a recipe. None of the ones I found worked quite right. They didn't stick together or fizz as aggressively as I wanted them to. After about ten batches and 87 sad looking bath bombs that are currently awaiting relaxing baths that I probably wont take, I am really happy with the recipe. Check it out, below.
How to Make Bath Bombs
Major Ingredients
2 parts Baking Soda (I use 4 cups for about 12 2.5 inch bath bombs)
1 part Citric Acid (I use 2 cups for about 12 bath bombs)
Corn Starch (I use about 1/4 - 1/2 cup for 12 bath bombs)
Minor (flexible) Ingredients
1 tsp Isoprophyl Alcohol, Water, or Witch Hazel (If using the above amounts)
Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil (Essential oils will require fewer drops than fragrance oil)
Food Coloring or Mica Powder, if desired.
Small Amount of Coconut Oil (liquid)
Equipment
Large Bowl
Small Bottle (I use an empty Essential Oils one)
Whisk
Sifter or Wire Colander
Measuring Cups/Spoons
Molds (You don't have to get the super fancy bath bomb molds. Before I had those, I used a cupcake pan and cupcake liners) Silicone molds also work well. And I have been known to use a metal shot glass (don't use glass, please) if I had mix left over and had already exhausted all other places to put it.
Process
I begin by measuring out the baking soda into the bowl. Next, I mix the alcohol and food coloring together in the small bottle. Shake it really hard, you want to dilute the color to avoid clumps. Once it is mixed together, pour it into the baking soda and whisk until combined.
Add desired amount of fragrance. Mix. I continue to gently whisk to evaporate some of the alcohol; too much moisture will ruin your bath bombs (about 2-3 minutes). Add corn starch.
Next, measure the citric acid into the sifter/colander above the baking soda. You don't want clumpy citric acid. Whisk to combine.
The next bit is the trickiest. The texture of this mixture is really important. You want the mixture to pack together, but easily crumble if you poke it. If it's too dry, I add coconut oil to add moisture. If it's too wet, I add more baking soda and citric acid. Here is a great FAQ from Soap Queen about troubleshooting, it also addresses how to correct some for some things that might happen during curing.
Pack your molds. I try to keep the pressure somewhere in the middle. I like it when my bath bombs float, so I don't want them too dense. But if you don't pack them enough, they will crumble really easily. I aim for the pressure of an awkward hug.
Let sit in the mold overnight, but I usually leave them for 24 hours. After 48 hours, you should be able to package your bath bombs using whatever storage method you'd like. They should be kept in a relatively airtight container or bag as humidity can mess them up a bit.
That's it! not too bad eh? If you have any questions, leave them in the comments! Also, if you have no interest in making them, but want to stock up, they are listed on my Etsy.