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
The Perfect recipe for both advanced DIYers and those wanting to dabble in making their own products.
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup epsom salt
- 1/4 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.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’ve always wanted to make my own bath bombs and these came our great!
Laura says
They are so fun to make and fun to use!
wilhelmina says
Bath bombs are so fun! I had NO idea they were so easy to make at home and I love that they aren’t loaded with dye!
Laura says
I didn’t either until I started making them and now we make them all the time. Perfect gift too!
tammy says
Can you make these without citric acid?
Laura says
I have not made it without it before, so I am not sure.
Kari says
The citric acid is what fizzes when the bomb gets wet.
Lindsay Cotter says
These bath bombs smell so good! Made some for Christmas gifts this year!
Laura says
That is such a great idea!
chaqira says
would it be ok to make these just as bath fizz? meaning without putting it in a mold? if so would the coconut oil still be necessary? If i wanted to color this in a natural way what would you recommend?
Laura says
I have fizzing bath salts on my blog already: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/how-to-make-fizzing-bath-salts/
I have the natural dye I use linked in the post.
Katie says
Hi there!
Wondering approximately how many typical sized bath bombs this recipe makes?
Katie says
Sorry, I now see it says 6.
Patty says
I will definitely be trying this to give as stocking gifts.
Laura says
Perfect gift idea!
Margaret says
This is a fantastic bath bomb recipe. I used it in a silicone brownie pan and they turned out just lovely.
Laura says
That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Kim says
This recipe calls for a lot more coconut oil than others. Does it leave you feeling greasy?
Sophie Whinn says
When do u pit citric acid
Kate says
How many does this recipe make?
Laura says
For the molds I suggest in the post, it made 2 large and 2 medium size bath bombs.
Michelle says
Are you using vanilla fragrance oil or vanilla extract?
Laura says
Vanilla extract
Ellen Newberry says
How many bombs does this recipe make?
Lidia says
How many bath bombs do these recipes make? I’m just wondering if this make a few or a bigger batch so I can get enough molds. Thanks!
Laura says
For the molds I used, it made 4 large ones.
InstinctionGaming says
If you dont have citric acid, replace it with extra epsom salt. Its cheaper to make that way.
Ali says
Great recipe and I cannot wait to try it tonight. Thank you for sharing and not making it over complicated or full of chemicals and gunk. But I heard that using vanilla over time could turn the bath bomb brown. Just a heads up. I’ve heard vanilla can be a culprit!
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
Alisha Jennerjohn says
Around how many does this make?
Laura says
about 6, depending on mold size
Pam says
Why is the corn starch needed?
Laura says
It helps slow down the fizz rate.
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.