DIY Bath Bombs
Have you ever tried to make bath bombs? They have a reputation for being notoriously tricky! But fear not – here’s a super-easy recipe that won’t let you down!
This recipe was inspired by the beautiful Floranella website, which I have slightly tweaked to my preferences.
What you need
- 2 cups bicarbonate of soda/baking soda (this weighed approx. 560g)
- 1 cup citric acid (this weighed approx. 210g)
- Approx. 5ml witch hazel
- 4 tbsp carrier oil
- 18 drops lavender essential oil
- 18 drops geranium essential oil
- Dried lavender buds (optional)
- 2-3 tbsp spirulina powder (optional)
You will also need one bath bomb mould, available from soapmaking suppliers (I used a 2.5″ diameter round mould)
What to do
- Measure out the bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl, then add the citric acid.
- Stir well to combine the powders together. If you wish to add colour, add your spirulina powder at this stage, and mix well.
- Prepare your bath bomb mould by adding a few dried lavender buds (approx. 1/2 tsp) into the base of one half of the mould.
- In a small beaker or mixing jar, measure out 4 tbsp carrier oil (I used jojoba) and mix in the essential oils.
- Pour the oils into the powders and gently massage in with your hands for a couple of minutes.
- Add a few sprays of witch hazel and continue to gently massage. Don’t add too much or the mixture will start to prematurely react and fizz!
- If it seems a little dry, add a few more spritzes of witch hazel until the mixture starts to come together. The consistency should resemble slightly wet sand.
- Take your bath bomb mould and start to fill with the mixture, pressing firmly. Put to one side, then repeat with the other half of the mould.
- Take both halves, line them up and press together firmly for about 30 seconds. You do need to press quite hard!
- Carefully open one half of the mould, then gently tip out the other half. The bath bomb should release easily.
- You can then reuse the same mould to keep going with the rest of the mixture. This recipe made about 5 bath bombs this size.
- Leave the bath bombs out to harden overnight, then store in an airtight container.
Top Tips
- Customise the scents and colours to your preferences. This recipe is quite a floral blend, but you can have fun experimenting!
- If you’re making bath bombs as gifts, make them a day or two before, so they have time to harden overnight.
- If your bath bombs crumble as soon as you release them from the mould, the mixture is probably too dry. Tip it back in the bowl and spritz in a little more witch hazel, then try again.
- Remember to mix the ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and bumps on the bath bombs.
- Some people prefer to sieve the powders for a professional finish.
- Use a pair of disposable gloves to massage the mixture together, as it gets quite messy!
Where to buy
All the ingredients can be purchased online from soapmaking suppliers, including the bath bomb mould. The costs will vary, as it’s much cheaper to buy the ingredients in bulk.
I worked these out to cost roughly £1.50 each to make, based on the quantities I bought. They may be cheaper or more expensive, depending on which oils you use, and where you buy your ingredients from. I have not included the cost of the mould, as this can be reused again and again (the one I used here cost £2.75).
For more homemade gift ideas:
What to watch next:
Top 10 Homemade Gifts
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