6 Easy Ways to Make Bath Bombs

There is nothing as relaxing as a warm bath at the end of a long and tiring day. Baths not only clean the body; they also relax and rejuvenate the mind and spirit. Throughout history, baths containing medicinal salts have been used to cure ailments, reduce fevers, heal wounds, and also eliminate stress, tension, aches, and pains. Bath bombs can be used to create luxurious baths; they are nothing but bath salts shaped into cute spherical ‘bombs’ that fizz and release a splendid aroma when added to bathwater. A soak in these medicated and aromatic baths is delightful to all five senses and a great way to unwind after a long day. Colorful and fragrant bath bombs are readily available in the market, but why buy them when you can easily create refreshing and rejuvenating bath bombs very easily at home?

Before moving on to some super easy and fizzy bath bomb recipes to make with your kids, let us consider the benefits of homemade bath bombs.

Benefits of using bath bombs

1. Bath bombs made with the right ingredients contain many minerals like bromide, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Soaking in these salts detoxifies the body and also softens the skin and relaxes tired muscles.
2. Relaxing in bath salts (released by the bath bombs) reduces stress which is linked to many lifestyle diseases.
3. The essential oils in bath bombs work through our olfactory sense to calm the mind, body, and spirit. Inhaling these therapeutic vapors releases tension, soothes aching muscles, prevents migraines, and heals colds, flu, fever, and coughs.
4. Bath bombs also improve blood circulation. They can also relieve skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and itchiness.
5. The healing salts in bath bombs relieve insomnia and anxiety to give you a good night’s sleep.
6. They can regulate water retention, detoxify the skin, and combat premature aging.

Here are some easy ways to make relaxing and rejuvenating bath bombs.

1. Basic bath bomb recipe for kids and adults

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp citric acid
• 2 tbsp each baking soda, corn starch, Epsom salts
• 1 tbsp water
• ¼ tbsp coconut oil
• 5 drops of your favorite essential oils (lavender, lemongrass, or marjoram work best. Always test the oil to ensure you are not allergic to it.)
• Few drops of your favorite food color (optional)

Tools

• Mold – preferably circular in shape.
• You can also use ice cube trays to make your bombs.

Method

• Mix the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salts together making sure there are no lumps.
• In a separate bowl, mix oil and water.
• Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients. If the mixture starts to foam, it means you are adding the liquid in too quickly.
• The mixture should feel like damp, clumpy sand now.
• Start shaping the mixture into round balls. As a beginner, keep the bath bombs small.
• Molding is the tricky part. The amount of water you add to the bath bomb mixture will impact molding. Pack the rounds in molds and use the back of a spoon to level off the mixture. Fill one half first, set aside, and then fill the other half. Join the two halves and then squeeze firmly.
• Carefully place the prepared bombs on a cool, dry surface to set.
• After an hour or two, carefully tap the bombs out of the mold.
• Let them dry overnight.

To use

• Once the bath bomb has hardened, you can add it to your bathwater. Fill up the tub and add the bomb.
• Watch it fizz and release scents, colors, and magic!

2. Sleepy-time bath bomb for fussy kids

Ingredients

• Same as the basic bath bomb
• For essential oils, use 5 drops of cedarwood atlas and carrot seed essential oils

Method

Make the bomb as above.

3. ‘Before work’ stimulating bath bomb

Use this refreshing bath to stimulate all your senses so you are ready to take on the day!

Ingredients

• All of the ingredients of the basic bath bomb
• Use lavender and bergamot essential oils

Method

Make the bomb as above.

4. Easy bath bomb recipe without citric acid

Instead of citric acid, you can use the cream of tartar. This is also a bath bomb recipe without cornstarch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups baking soda
• ½ cup cream of tartar
• Water
• Essential oils (optional)
• Color (optional)

Method

• In a bowl, add the soda and cream of tartar.
• You can add food coloring.
• Slowly add water, one teaspoon at a time.
• Squeeze the mixture from time to time. If it clumps together in your hands, it is ready. Stop adding water. If it starts to fall apart, then add a tiny bit of water.
• Pack the mixture in molds tightly, using your hands or the back of a spoon.
• Allow them to set.
• Tap the bombs out. You can leave them to dry overnight.

5. ‘Spa special’ white tea and coconut oil bath bomb recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup citric acid
• 2 tbsp Epsom salts
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 5 tsp strong white tea brewed
• Few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)
• All-natural food coloring (optional)
• Mold
• Air-tight container

Method

• In a bowl, mix soda, citric acid, Epsom salts, and cornstarch together.
• Using a whisk, add the coconut oil into the dry mixture until it becomes clumpy.
• Add white tea, 1 tsp at a time and whisk.
• Some foam may form in the mixture but that is okay.
• Stop stirring once the mixture achieves the consistency of damp sand.
• Tightly pack the mixture in the mold.
• Leave the bath bomb in the mold for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• Carefully remove the bath bombs from the mold and store them in an airtight container.

Alternative – You can use Green tea instead of white tea along with green food coloring to make attractive green colored bath bombs. Simply replace coconut oil with canola oil when using green tea. Also, brew the green tea slightly stronger than normal.

6. Fizzy bath bomb with dried flowers and herbs

The dried herbs and flowers give these rustic bath bombs a unique fragrance.

Ingredients

• 10 ounces baking soda.
•  6 oz each citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salts
• 4 tsp each water and coconut oil, both divided
• 5-8 tsp essential oils of your choice, also divided
• Food coloring
• Dried herbs and flowers
• Plastic molds

Method

• Mix the dried herbs and flowers, soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salts together in a medium-sized bowl.
• Mix a bit of each of the oils, food coloring, and water.
• Add the liquid mixture slowly into the dried herb mixture.
• If needed, add some water in a spray bottle and mist the mixture. Check the consistency. It should be that of damp sand.
• Pack the mixture into molds. Leave in for a few hours.
• Gently tap the bombs out of the molds. Leave them to harden overnight. They should be completely dry before use. This could take up to 1-2 days.

We hope you try out the above homemade bath bomb recipes. They are also great as gifts for the holiday season.