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Who doesn’t like bath fizzy bombs? I know my kids go crazy over these things. But you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy them at home. You can easily make these DIY bath fizzy bombs yourself!
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DIY Bath Fizzy Bombs
What is a bath bomb?
When I first heard the term “bath bomb”, I honestly didn’t want anything to do with it. I was thinking, why in the WORLD would I want to bomb my bathtub. lol. The name of the product is a bit misleading. It’s not a bomb at all. In fact, there’s no explosion (you can feel safe about that). 🙂 It’s basically a ball that fizzes and makes cool bubbles when you put it in the water.
The problem:
The problem is that when you buy these cool gems in the store, not only are they expensive, but they also are chalk full of nasty chemicals. It only takes an ingredient 30 seconds to absorb into your skin, so you’re literally putting a bunch of toxins in your entire system. No bueno!
The much better solution is to make your own all natural DIY bath bombs set. This way you CONTROL what you’re putting into your body. PLUS, it’s a really fun thing to do with kids, you can even call it a “science experiment”. Score for homeschoolers! 🙂
Secondly, sometimes the bath fizz bombs have been sitting in stores for a long, long time and so they don’t smell as good as they could. When you make your own, you can add more essential oils (or even a little vanilla) and make the scent as strong as you want.
Third, the ones in the stores often turn the water a color. While that’s “cool”, again…it’s chemicals. I try really hard to watch the chemicals in my environment. At one point, I got so sick from chemicals overload (happens over time; you don’t even notice it), that I ended up in a wheelchair a couple years back because I started fainting.
That was the time I started taking my health seriously. I’m not saying using store bought bath bombs will put you in a wheelchair, but I AM saying, chemicals are super bad for us and it’s SO SO easy to make your own stuff, so why not?! 🙂
If that sounds good to you and you want to make your own, here’s my favorite go-to recipe for the best diy bath bombs!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Citric acid
- 1 cup Baking soda
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- ½ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)
- Bath Bomb mold or Silicone mold or Saran wrap
*Makes 3 cups.
My newer batches, I add a little vanilla extract in the bath bombs recipe too (couple drops), usually with Wild Orange or Citrus Bliss (Citrus Burst is also good) essential oil. Vanilla and orange smell SOOOO good together!
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Download the free printable DIY Bath Bombs recipe here.
Step-by-Step Directions:
Step 1: Put the oil, citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oil(s) in a glass or porcelain bowl. For relaxation, try relaxing oils like Lavender. For a mood pick-me-up, try a citrus essential oil. The possibilities are endless!
Step 2: Mix well with your hands until a soft dough is formed. It should feel like damp sand. You could add herbs, flowers, or food coloring as well.
Tip: if the mixture is a little too wet, you can try adding a little more baking soda and cornstarch until the consistency is correct.
Step 3: Put the mixture in a bath bomb or silicone mold or wrap into a ball shape in Saran wrap and let it sit for 24 hours before removing from mold.
Step 4: The DIY bath fizzy bombs are ready to use once they’ve completely dried. Simply drop them in the tub to dissolve.
These would also make a fun gift!
If you want to make them more a round shape, you’ll need a special tool for that (you can get it here on Amazon). Just put the mixture in each section, flatten with a butter knife or spatula, then press the two pieces together.
They come out looking like this:
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DIY Bath Fizzy Bombs
Ingredients
- 1 cup Citric acid
- 1 cup Baking soda
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- ½ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)
- Bath Bomb mold or Silicone mold or Saran wrap
Instructions
- Put the oil, citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oil(s) in a glass or porcelain bowl. For relaxation, try relaxing oils like Lavender. For a mood pick-me-up, try a citrus essential oil. The possibilities are endless!
- Mix well with your hands until a soft dough is formed. It should feel like damp sand. You could add tried herbs, flowers, or food coloring as well.
- Put the mixture in a bath bomb or silicone mold or wrap into a ball shape in Saran wrap and let it sit for 24 hours before removing from mold.
- The DIY bath fizzy bombs are ready to use once they've completely dried. Simply drop them in the tub to dissolve.
Paula says
I was wondering if we could us the organic extra virgin coconut oil for the bath fizzy bombs?
Sarah Titus says
I think that would be an easy substitute to make. Wouldn’t see much difference in the end result as long as the coconut oil was liquid form (melted in the microwave or in a glass jar in a saucepan first).
Melody says
I usually use coconut oil, I just melt it first.
Anonymous says
How many bath bombs does this recipe make?
Sarah Titus says
It just depends on how big you make them. You can make them with big molds or small molds but this recipe makes approx. 3 cups.
Amy says
i have just made these to your recipe and put them in the moods but it won’t stop expanding. Have I done something wrong or is this meant to happen?
Sarah Titus says
That actually sounds cool to me. You get more of what you are making! 🙂 But, no, it shouldn’t do that. Maybe the recipe got off-kilter somehow…I would try one in the bath and see if they work. If they do, then, you can still use them, and maybe use the extras for Christmas gifts!
Lindsey says
Sounds like you’ve added too much liquid. It’s causing it to fiz. Nothing wrong with them they just might not fizz when put in the tub.
Jessica says
I just made this tonight, but I didn’t use fractioned coconut oil I used virgin coconut oil. Is that going to mess up the recipe?
Sarah Titus says
Great question. I think it would still be fine, but let us know how it turned out. 🙂
Anonymous says
How many bath bombs does this recipe yield?
Sarah Titus says
It depends on how big or small your mold is, but the recipe makes approx. 3 cups.
Anonymous says
would vitamin e oil work ?
Sarah Titus says
I’m not sure as I haven’t tried it, but you could try it and see if it works. I would think it would be okay.
Melody says
I use a few drops, you don’t want to add too much or they will fizz and/or be too moist.
Gayle says
I made these two nights ago, and they aren’t hardening for me. Any suggestions?
Sarah Titus says
Gayle, did you use this recipe in particular? I know there are several differently ones floating around. If you did, I would just add a little more baking soda or cornstarch to dry them out a little more, so they harden for you. 🙂
Gayle says
Thank you for your reply. I went with the cornstarch. Success.
Amy says
Could I use lemon juice instead of citric acid? Or is that what helps it fizz ?
Sarah Titus says
Yeah, if you want them to fizz, you have to use the citric acid.
Julie says
Do I have to use cornstarch? Or can I replace it with something else?
Sarah Titus says
There are probably other things you can use, but I’m not sure about the equation, so to be safe, I’d encourage you to use cornstarch.
Mic says
You can substitute arrowroot
Melody says
Arrowroot powder works
Maxine says
HI,
I was just wondering how long these keep for as I want to do these for presents
Thanks
Sarah Titus says
That’s a great question Maxine. I’m not sure how long you need them to stay fresh for the presents, but I would say to hold off making them as long as you can, and maybe just set aside all the ingredients or something….
Anonymous says
They are good for up to 6 months.
Angela says
I want to try this. Can I use dye for soap making or does it need to be food coloring?
Sarah Titus says
I’m not sure Angela as I’ve never tried it with the dye. I would be afraid it would dye my skin or something. :/
Melody says
Soap coloring does work, as do mica powders.
Beth says
I love your beautiful tutorial on making bath fizzy bombs! Thank you so much for sharing how you make them! I’ve included you in my most recent blog post, “Christmas Gifts You Can Make”! Please visit my blog to read!
Sarah Titus says
Thank you for including me Beth. The post is great. I especially liked the glitter gift tags. 🙂
Naomi says
How many does this make? I’m looking to give them to my kids teachers as presents?
Sarah Titus says
Naomi, it makes 3 cups of the mixture, so the number of fizzy bombs it makes, depends on how big your mold is. 🙂 You can make them smaller or larger to fit your needs. 🙂
Carol S says
These look amazing and I am going to attempt to make them. Most recipes I’ve seen also call for epson salt. Why is this not included in your recipe?
Sarah Titus says
This is the recipe I’ve known and come to love. 🙂
Anonymous says
Can I use something else instead of essential oils, like vanilla extract, or lemon juice?
Sarah Titus says
I wouldn’t personally recommend it.
Anonymous says
Where can I get Citric acid?
Sarah Titus says
You can get it on Amazon. Here’s the link. 🙂
Jill says
Health food stores often carry this too.
Jan says
Hi Sarah,
I’m new to bath bomb making and am amazed by all the molds, scents, creativity I’m seeing. I’m also semi- in love with the mold you used for these lemon dizzy bombs. Would you post a link to that merchant? Please and many thanks!
Sarah Titus says
Jan, you’ll want to look for something like a Wilton chocolate silicone mold in your local craft store like Michaels. I haven’t been able to find them online, thus the reason for no link. I’m sorry.
Mary Schopper says
I have made them with cream of tartar instead of citric acid
Sarah Titus says
I’ve heard you can. How do they turn out? Do they still fizz?
Mary Schopper says
Yes, and here’s a link to a recipe
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/bath-bombs-without-citric-acid-4586336
Heather Manwaring says
This recipe is awesome! I love it because the ingredients were way easier to get than the other recipes online. I just tested my first batch and the fizz was AWESOME. I crushed up rose petals and used Jasmine essential oil and I love it!!
Sarah Titus says
Oh, JASMINE would be a pretty scent too! Smart thinking! Glad you like the recipe. Thanks for sharing! <3