Homemade bath bombs provide all the satisfaction of their store-bought counterparts at a fraction of the price.
What are Homemade Bath Bombs?
Homemade bath bombs, sometimes referred to as bath fizzies, are essentially large Seltzers. When you drop one into your bathwater, it will fizz and give off a cloud of scent. This is because all bath bombs contain baking soda and citric acid-incredients which dissociate and form an acid-base reaction that releases carbon dioxide and water.
Homemade bath bombs are great for soothing achy muscles, or simply relaxing after a stressful day. Since they can be made in a variety of fun shapes and colors, homemade bath bombs are also quite popular with children.
Bath Bomb Recipes
The great thing about making homemade bath bombs is that you can let your imagination run wild. You can make bath fizzies with rose petals, oatmeal, or dried herbs. You can design aromatherapy bath bombs to help you sleep better or calm frazzled nerves. You can even add fine glitter to your creations for an extra sparkle!
Here are some sites that have basic bath bomb recipes that you can customize to fit your own preferences:
Supplies Needed
Although the exact supplies you'll need will depend on what recipe you choose to use, the following items are commonly used to make homemade bath fizzies:
- Soap molds
- Fragrance oil or essential oil
- Almond oil
- Rosewater
- Vitamin E oil
- Epsom salts
- Borax
- Witch hazel
- Citric acid
- Food coloring or powdered colorants
- Baking soda
- Large mixing bowl
Many of the materials you'll need for your project can be purchased at a grocery store or large chain craft store such as Hobby Lobby. But, if you prefer to shop online, you can also order supplies from the following websites:
If you're pressed for time, you may want to purchase a kit with all the supplies you need to begin making homemade bath bombs. This provides a convenient, yet affordable way to see if this craft is right for you.
Tips
As you're making your homemade bath fizzies, keep in mind the following tips:
- Be cautious when adding colorants to your creations. Some colors will stain older bathtubs.
- Some of the raw ingredients used to make bath bombs can irritate sensitive skin. Rubber gloves, goggles, and a dust mask are great safety precautions.
- If you use molds to shape your homemade bath bombs, let them dry at least 24 hours before attempting to remove them.
- Avoid adding salts to recipes that will be made in molds with small details. If the grains of the salt are too coarse, they will break off from the edges of the final product.
Additional Projects
Once you've discovered how much fun it is to make homemade bath bombs, you may want to try making other toiletries. Many of the supplies used to make bath bombs can be used to create homemade lip balm, massage oil, soap, or body lotion. Some crafters even consider candle making to be a great complimentary craft.
