DIY bath bombs can be a big hit for a fun DIY project with your kids or friends. Most people enjoy using the fun little fizzers in their baths. But, they can be expensive if you buy them at a specialty bath store or online.
Many of the store-bought bath bombs also use toxic fragrances and perfumes. Learning how to make bath bombs easy is a much better, healthier solution. Not to mention, you will save a bundle since the store-bought bath bombs can also be pricey!
The oils used in this recipe were chosen because of the happy effect citrus has when we smell it. All citrus oils are great for cleansing, calming and have the cheerful result for our bodies so putting a couple of them together makes for a great result for a bath product.
This recipe will make at least one to two trays of the smaller sized ice cube style trays.
Bath Bomb Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup, Baking Soda
- ½ cup, Citric Acid
- 6 drops, Bergamot Essential Oil (here)
- 8 drops, Tangerine Essential Oil (here)
- 4 drops, Grapefruit Essential Oil (here)
- Witch Hazel
- Cosmetic Grade Mica Powder or Food Coloring (optional)
- Silicone Mold
Bath Bomb Recipe Directions
Start off by putting the witch hazel into a spray bottle so that it’s ready when you need it. You won’t use a whole lot of it, but it is hard to say exactly how much.
- Measure out the baking soda and place into a medium sized mixing bowl. Now, using a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, make sure to remove any lumps by mashing them down.
- Next, do the same thing with the citric acid and add it to the baking soda. Mix together thoroughly. I like to wear a little mask when mixing the citric acid.
- Add in the essential oils. I have found it best to add all oils to a glass container first then slowly add to your mixture. Use a whisk or spoon to help mix them into the whole mixture and break up any clumps.
- Put on the gloves and grab the bottle of witch hazel. Slowly spray the mixture a few sprays at a time. Work the witch hazel into the mixture with your hands. You want it to be a consistent, damp texture, but not overly wet. If it gets too wet now, it will start to react and puff up, which you want for the bath not for the recipe.
- If you are adding any coloring, this is the time for that also. Use a small amount of color and work it in until it is all over the whole mixture evenly.
- Keep mixing and spraying the mixture until it starts to stick together and is no longer powdery. You can test if to see if it will clump together in the palm of your hand when you squeeze it. If it falls apart and still seems dry, add more witch hazel.
- Once the mixture sticks together and the color is mixed in well, add the mixture to the molds.
- Take a small amount in your hand, and press it down into each mold, flattening it out until it is full. Wipe off the excess from the top of the mold so it is flat on the top side. Repeat this until you’ve used all of the mixture up.
- Let the bath bombs dry for at least 15-20 minutes. If you try to remove them too early, they may crumble.
- Once dry, flip over the mold on to a large plate or baking sheet. Pick up one corner to test and see if any are coming loose. Sometimes they will fall right out but if not, try to gently push them out one at a time.
- Last part to this is to leave them to sit at least an hour or more to completely dry.
Once you feel they are totally dry and hardened, go ahead and choose your way of storing them and add a label if you like. Glass jars work great, but if you don’t want glass near the tub for your kids, you can even use a bag.
When you're ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor, add one or two at a time to your bath water, depending on the size of them. If they are smaller, you will probably want more like 4 or 5. Enjoy the relaxation of the essential oils and the fizzy colors in the bath!
Use our long handle measuring spoons to measure and stir the liquids in this recipe.
