Bath bombs have been a personal luxury favorite for years and they couldn’t be more popular right now. There are so many different combinations and styles you can make – the possibilities are endless! Bath bombs can be super frustrating too, getting them to mold properly, not turn to dust after drying, packaging etc. They take a bit of practice, but once you get a formula and technique that works for you there will be a lot less frustration. A few tips and tricks of the trade are listed too that will help your success rate. Have fun!

Materials

• Stand mixer with whisk attachment
• Blender to grind citric acid
• Scale to weigh ingredients
• Large Mixing Bowl (the one on the stand mixer)
• 1-2 C Measuring cup for wet ingredients
• Measuring spoons
• Spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol or witch hazel
• Metal meat ballers or other bath bomb molds
• Round plastic bath bomb molds (for drying)

Ingredients

TIPS FOR SUCCESS!!!!

• Choose days with less than 60% humidity to make bombs

• Always use a stand mixer to blend ingredients. The difference is magical.

• Finely ground your citric acid – your bomb will be harder

• Add citric acid as your last ingredient – the mix won’t start reacting when your wet ingredients get blended in.

• Packability test – grab a handful of mix and squeeze together in your palm. Drop clump back into bowl at 12” high. If clump stays together, your mix is ready for molding. If clump falls apart, your mix is too dry – add alcohol and test again.

Basic Recipe

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups baking soda

• 1 cup Tapioca Starch, Corn Starch or Arrowroot Powder

• 1 TBSP Cream of Tartar (Hardens bombs)

• Bath Bomb Approved Color (if desired) A small amount goes a long way! Using too much will color your water & stain your tub

 Sieve dry ingredients to break up any clumps and whisk in stand mixer until a nice smooth blend is achieved. 

Wet Ingredients:

• 0.6 oz. Cocoa Butter

• 0.6 oz. Shea Butter

• 1.2 oz. Light oil (Sunflower or grapeseed are my favorites)

• 0.3 oz. distilled water or hydrosol

• 0.3 oz. IPA – Isopropyl Alcohol

• 0.3 oz. Fragrance oil (skin safe)

Instructions

Step 1 - Wet Ingredients

• Measure and mix wet ingredients thoroughly in small measuring cup
• See above Wet Ingredients for amounts

Step 2 - Dry Ingredients

• Add dry ingredients to the stand mixer bowl then add wet ingredients
• Whisk to blend completely
• See above Dry Ingredients for amounts

Step 3 - Citric Acid

• Before adding citric acid make sure is ground in blender (your bombs will be harder and less reactive to humidity)
  
• Add 1 cup finely ground citric acid

Step 4 -  Mix

• Mix all ingredients for an additional 3 minutes in stand mixer

Step 5 - Packability

• Perform packability test
• Use hands to form a ball with the mixture
• Spray or add Alcohol/Witch Hazel as needed to make mixture clumpier.

Step 6 - Forming Bath Bomb Shape

• Pack tightly into molds
• De-mold onto wax paper for flat bombs or in round plastic bath bomb molds for sphere shapes

Step 7 - Drying

• Let dry and harden for 24 hours before packaging