Want to know how to make bath bombs? Learning to make your own bath bombs is a simple yet rewarding way to improve your bath experience. Bath bombs are wonderful, colourful and fizzy creations that turn an ordinary bath into a spa-like treat. The best part? They are extremely easy to make at home with only a few simple ingredients.
Bath bombs are also easy to customise; you can add your favourite scents for a truly relaxing experience. A lot of people assume bath bombs contain nasty artificial ingredients, and they can include harsh chemicals that aren’t good for your skin. But if you make them at home, you have control over the recipe and you can choose to use only natural ingredients. You just need the key components (baking soda, citric acid and oils), and then it’s up to you what scents and ingredients to add in. You can adapt your recipe to include ingredients that work really well for your skin and scents that boost your mood or help you relax.
You can make your own bath bombs at home easily. But to make it even easier for you, we’ve created a bath bomb recipe and included some instructions to help get you started. You can make them for yourself to elevate your bathing experience, or you can create thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Table of Contents
- What ingredients do you need to make bath bombs?
- What can I use as a bath bomb mould?
- How can you add colour and scent to bath bombs?
- How do you prevent bath bombs from crumbling or expanding?
- FAQs
What ingredients do you need to make bath bombs?
Bath bombs are great because you only need a few simple ingredients to make batches. Here’s a bath bomb recipe you can try at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup cornflour
- ½ cup Epsom salt
- 2½ tbsp carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba
- 1 tsp essential oil like lavender, rose or eucalyptus
- 1–2 tsp water or witch hazel to help the ingredients stick together.
You can also add food colouring to this bath bomb recipe for visual appeal and swap Epsom salt for fine sea salt if you prefer more gentle ingredients in your bath.
Method:
Follow this simple guide to make the perfect bath bombs every time:
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, mix your baking soda, citric acid, corn flour and Epsom salt together. Whisk thoroughly to break up any clumps.
Step 2: Add the oils and colour
In a separate bowl, carefully mix your carrier oil, essential oils and colourings. Once mixed, combine the oil and dry ingredients with a whisk.
Step 3: Add moisture
Using water or witch hazel, lightly spritz the mixture, one teaspoon at a time, making sure to continuously stir the mixture. When the texture feels like damp sand, that holds together when squeezed you can stop adding water.
Step 4: Mould your bath bombs.
Press your mixture into your chosen moulds, we have some ideas and suggestions listed below. Make sure to overfill slightly then press the halves together tightly.
Step 5: Set and dry.
Once formed, leave your bath bombs in your moulds for at least 25 hours in a cool and dry place. Once they have hardened, gently remove them and then allow them to continue to air dry for another day before you store them or use them.
When your bath bombs are dry they are ready for you to use. Simply drop one into your filled bath and enjoy a relaxing soak.
What can I use as a bath bomb mould?
Bath bombs are a great DIY project because they do not need any specialist equipment. Instead, you can use:
- Traditional metal or plastic bath bomb moulds that you can get online
- Silicone baking moulds for exploring fun shapes
- Plastic easter egg or ice cube trays for smaller bath bombs.
Make sure you pack your bath bomb mixture firmly into the moulds so they hold their shape.
How can you add colour and scent to bath bombs?
One of the best parts of creating your own bath bombs is being able to customise both the design and the scents. Here are some suggestions to play around with when you make your bath bombs:
- Use food colouring and natural alternatives to make gorgeous shades. Natural alternatives can include beetroot powder, turmeric and spirulina. Avoid artificial dyes as they may stain your tub.
- Different essential oils can also offer aromatherapy benefits. Lavender or chamomile promote relaxation, peppermint or eucalyptus give you an energising boost, rose and ylang-ylang are great for a bath where you are pampering yourself.
How do you prevent bath bombs from crumbling or expanding?
One frustrating aspect when creating your own bath bombs can be when they crumble or expand. Here are our tips so you can prevent this from happening to your creations.
-
Control the humidity
When drying your bath bombs, do so in a cool and low-humidity room. Too much moisture can cause them to fizz early.
-
Add liquid slowly
Adding too much moisture too quickly can cause the bath bomb to activate early. Make sure to add your moisture a little at a time.
-
Pack the mould tightly
Compress your mixture firmly and overfill your moulds to ensure the mould is full.
-
Let them dry
When bath bombs fall apart often they have not had enough time to dry. Leave them for 24-48 hours before handling or using them.
If you are struggling to get your bath bombs dry enough you can use rice or silica gel to absorb any excess moisture.
FAQs
How long do homemade bath bombs take to dry and set?
Most bath bombs only need 24 hours to set, but in humid conditions, allow up to 48 hours for them to set properly.
Can you make bath bombs without citric acid?
Yes, you can substitute cream of tartar or lemon juice powder for a slightly gentler fizz.
How should you store homemade bath bombs?
Keep them in an airtight container, away from humidity and direct sunlight. A glass jar with a lid or a sealed tin works perfectly.
How do you make moisturising or skin-soothing bath bombs?
Add ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, or oatmeal powder. You can also include a few drops of vitamin E oil for extra nourishment.
Making bath bombs is an easy experience that quickly becomes addictive. These homemade treats are affordable, eco-friendly, and the customisable options are endless. They add a wonderful personal touch to your bathroom routine, whether you are enjoying a relaxing soak or gifting them to someone special.
At Bathing Solutions, we believe every bathroom can be both beautiful and practical. From walk-in showers to walk-in baths, we help you create spaces where comfort meets care, the perfect backdrop for your next self-care moment.