How to make Bath Bombs

So, while I was making soap, Bella decided to try her hand at making bath bombs.  She said she could handle making them by herself.  She didn't need any help.

And then, all of a sudden, she needed help.

This was a good learning exercise.  I told Bella that it's important to always read through a recipe.  You will learn what ingredients you need (and you can make sure that you have them on hand) and you will find out the order that they should be put into your bowl.  That last part is important because, one wrong step and everything could go bad.

Bella messed up on that last part, but, hopefully, learned a lesson for future bath bomb makings.

Here is the recipe she used:
(from A Beautiful Mess)


4 oz baking soda
2oz corn starch
2oz citric acid
2oz Epsom salt
1 to 1 1/2 tsp water
1 tsp essential oil
1 1/4 tsp oil (coconut oil or olive oil)
1-2 drops food coloring (optional)


In a bowl combine the dry ingredients (the first four listed above). Whisk to remove any clumps, corn starch tends to be clumpy. In a small glass jar stir together the wet ingredients (the last four ingredients listed). If you’re using coconut oil, give it a quick melt in the microwave or stove top first so it will more easily combine with the other ingredients. Slowly pour the liquid mixture in with the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If you see the mixture fizz or foam, you may be adding the liquid too quickly. Once all the wet ingredients are combined with the dry, take a small amount in your hand and squeeze it together. It should stick together fairly well in one or two big chunks. If it’s still too powdery to hold together, just add a tiny bit more water and mix until it does hold together.

Then fill each half of your bath bomb mold with the mixture until it's just overflowing a little.  Press together, then gently remove one side of the mold.  Place the bath bomb on a tray (we used a cookie sheet with wax paper on it) and allow to dry out just a little (10-12 minutes) before removing the other side.  Once you are ready to remove the other side, gently invert the bath bomb so the uncovered side is facing down, then gently remove the other half of the mold from the top.  Please note:  GENTLY.  These can fall apart very easily if you aren't careful.  If a bath bomb does crack, you can gently mold again.  Patience is key on this step.

Once they are completely out of the mold, allow them to dry out overnight. Once very dry, you can wrap them in plastic wrap and store in a dry place until you’re ready to use them.  These make great gifts!

*2oz is equal to 1/4 cup

Bella used one of her scented fragrance oils in the bath bombs that she made.  She used the heart mold that we have (of course I have a heart mold!).  Bella had some difficulty in the molding process.  She didn't have the patience. That's where my help came in....

These would make a fun Girl Scout project!  They aren't difficult to make, but, you will need one mold per girl.  

If you make bath bombs, let us know!  We would love to hear how yours turn out!