Don’t let bath bomb making scare you like it did me for so long! With this simple bath bomb recipe, you will learn how to make bath bombs and be relaxing in the tub before the day is up.
I have seen bath bombs at Bath and Body Works, farmer markets, and even booths at the fair, and I even bought a few.
I love a nice relaxing bath with a bath bomb, and my kids even love them more. They get really excited to watch them fizz and take turns holding it in their hands to feel the bubbles.
I admit this was one DIY I had no desire to tackle. Frankly, it just looked difficult to me! One of my friends is a “bath bomb expert” and assured me there was nothing to it.
So I ordered the stuff and decided to give it a try. Yup, she was right! Nothing to it, and it was fun. Now, I can customize each batch to get the scent and the look I am going for!
If you have ever felt that making homemade bath bombs would be tough, keep reading and follow along with this simple tutorial.
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Simple Bath Bomb Recipe
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HOMEMADE BATH BOMB INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid ( Find it here.)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup Epsom salt (Find it here.)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (Find it here.)
- 15-20 drops essential oils (Check out my favorite blends below!) (Purchase my favorite oils here.)
- 1 tsp vanilla (optional) or substitute with 1 tsp of water
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Bath bomb molds
HOMEMADE BATH BOMB INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium-size bowl. Stir until well incorporated.
- Add in the coconut oil, essential oils, and vanilla. Whisk together until well combined.
- With a spray bottle, spray the mixture with water until the ingredients hold together when squeezed in your hands. Only do one spray at a time, so it doesn’t get too wet.
- Prepare your bath bomb molds by greasing them with coconut oil. I use these molds, but you can also use a plastic easter egg or Christmas ornament.
- Press the mixture into both sides of the bath bomb molds and then put the two halves together. Wipe the excess mixture off the sides and set it aside.
- Allow the molds to sit for 24-48 hours or until completely dry and then pop out of the molds.
Common Questions
Tap the sides of the mold with the back of a butter knife and then pull straight apart.
Think of it like wet sand at the beach. We want it completely damp and to be able to hold itself together, but no more.
The citric acid is what is going to create the fizzing part of the bath bomb when mixed with the baking soda and water.
Bath bombs will last up to 6 months when stored, in a cool dry place.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are what make these bath bombs, the bomb! 😉 As they fizz in the water, the essential oils are released. It makes for the ultimate relaxing night and can provide you with many benefits.
As the essential oils are released into the water, you will receive benefits from the oil just touching your skin as well as its aromatherapy benefits.
You can make up different blends or just add in one oil; I will share with you a few of my favorites!
Or try one of my other natural bath bomb recipes.
ORANGE CREAMSICLE
This one is my kids’ favorite! Make sure to use the vanilla that the recipe calls for and add in 15-20 drops of wild orange essential oil.
It smells like an orange creamsicle! Get extra fancy and add a couple of teaspoons of orange zest to the dry ingredients for added color and texture.
Wild orange essential oil is a very uplifting oil that can help promote a positive mood. It is also a great oil to use for immune support.
ULTIMATE CALMING BOMB
- 10 drops lavender
- 5 drops sandalwood
- 3 drops vetiver
- 2 drops Roman chamomile
These essential oils are all very calming and can promote feelings of relaxation. I love the scent, and it works great to use in a bath before bed.
Or try this moisturizing bath truffle to wind down after a long day.
CONGESTION RELIEF
- 10 drops eucalyptus
- 5 drops peppermint
- 5 drops Siberian Fir
If you are dealing with any type of respiratory issue, this is the blend for you! I like to keep these on hand for when we need them; no one wants to be making bath bombs when they aren’t feeling their best. Add this bomb to a warm bath and breathe in for instant relief.
FLORAL BLEND
I love making a beautiful blend of floral essential oils for just about everything. Floral blend room sprays, diffuser blends, and now bath bombs.
Nothing smells better or is more relaxing than the smell of flowers, well, at least in my opinion.
Add 5 drops each of lavender, geranium, jasmine, and rose to your bath bombs. This one smells truly incredible with the added vanilla.
You can add dried rose petals for a unique look. I have done the added rose petals, but beware that it isn’t the best after the bath is over because it requires a little cleaning.
KIDS BLEND
- 10 drops lavender
- 5 drops wild orange
Blending lavender and wild orange is another favorite for my kids and for me too; I actually use this blend in my rainbow bath bombs for kids recipe!
I love the smell of the two of these together, and they are both great for mood support.
Even though wild orange is known as an energizing oil, most kids respond really well to wild orange and lavender mixed as a calming blend. If you find that to be true with your kids, you could try this bath bomb before bed.
I hope you enjoyed this homemade bath bombs recipe; have you ever made bath bombs before? If so, did you use essential oils? What blends did you use? Share with us in the comments below.
OTHER POST YOU MAY ENJOY
- Homemade shampoo
- Calming bath salts
- 3 bath tea recipes
- Homemade baby shampoo and wash
- Simple lotion bar recipe
- DIY lip gloss
PIN IT FOR LATER
Simple Bath Bombs
Equipment
- Bath bomb molds
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup epsom salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 15-20 drops essential oils
- 1 tsp vanilla optional
- Water
Instructions
- Add dry ingredients to a medium-size bowl, stir well.
- Mix in the coconut oil, essential oils, and vanilla. Whisk together until well combined.
- Using a spray bottle, spray the mixture with water until the ingredients hold together when squeezed in your hands. Just do one spray at a time (it is easy to oversaturate)
- Prepare your bath bomb molds by greasing them with coconut oil.
- Press the mixture into both sides of the bath bomb molds and then place the two halves together. Wipe the excess mixture off the sides and set aside.
- Allow the molds to sit for 24-48 hours or until completely dry and then pop out of the molds.
Tiffany S says
Is there a way to incorporate pink Himalayan salt into this recipe?
Erica W says
How do you recommend “wrapping” them to preserve if using in gifts? Any suggestions? Tips?
Laura says
I found little muslim bags on amazon, that work great for this!
Lynn says
My bath bombs exploded before finishing in the mold. What did I do wrong?
Laura says
They may have been too wet. Try adding in just a touch of water at a time and using just enough till it holds together.
Pam says
Why is the corn starch needed?
Laura says
It helps slow down the fizz rate.
Ashley says
Is it ok to swap cornstarch for arrowroot (because that’s what I have on hand)?
Laura says
Yes!
Alisha Jennerjohn says
Around how many does this make?
Laura says
about 6, depending on mold size
Kim says
Can you use liquid fractionated coconut oil when making these or does it need to be the solid coconut oil melted? Just wondering.
Laura says
Solid that is melted