Bath bombs are beloved for adding colors, scents, rejuvenating oils, and beneficial minerals to your bath water. If you love relaxing in the warm water with your favorite bath bombs but don’t love buying them from trendy soap stores, here’s some tips to make your own and save some cash.
Bath Bomb Basics
Making bath bombs is an easy process. You can find specific recipes to follow, but the basic ingredients are all the same: two parts baking soda, one part citric acid, and one part cornstarch, plus any additional ingredients you’d like to add. These additional ingredients may include Epsom salts, oatmeal, powdered milk, and more. Some people even add green tea, kratom, cannabis, and other botanicals to enhance their baths. Wet ingredients are needed to make the bomb stick together and may include water, tinctures, extracts, hash oil, CBD oil, essential oils, or any other liquid that is safe for the skin.
If you’ve used bath bombs before, you likely know that they can fail. They may not fizz correctly or they may leave films behind. The following tips can help you address these issues and fix other problems you may encounter while making bath bombs at home.
Tip 1 – Do Small Batches
Small batches are easier to handle. Your mix will be less likely to dry out, and if you make a mistake that ruins the batch you won’t be wasting more than a minimum amount of material. This is especially helpful when you are a beginner and figuring out how to make the best bath bombs.
Tip 2 – Use A Sieve Or A Strainer
Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl using a sieve or a fine mesh strainer to remove any clumps. This will help dry ingredients blend, which is helpful if your additives include any kind of powdered botanicals, such as cannabis or kratom.
Tip 3 – Adding Liquid Is The Tricky Part
Remember to use care when adding liquids. Thicker liquids are less likely to set off fizzing than thinner liquids.
When adding liquids, mix them together first and add them slowly to your dry ingredients while mixing it at the same time. Break up any big clumps you see forming. The mix should become the consistency of damp sand that stays together when you squeeze it in your hand.
Tip 4 – CBD And Cannabis
Cannabinoids can help provide maximum relaxation and may offer temporary relief from the pain of aching muscles and joints.
Using a cannabis- or CBD-infused bath bomb may make your bath super relaxing, boost your mood, and give you the best chance for a full night of quality sleep. To make CBD- and cannabis-infused bath bombs, simply add ground hemp flower to your dry ingredients, or add some extract, oil, or tincture to your wet ingredients.
Make sure to store cannabis- or CBD-infused bath bombs in an airtight container, and keep them out of direct sunlight. Use them within a month or two for maximum effect.
Tip 5 – Kratom
The kratom tree, Mitragyna Speciosa, is valued in traditional medicine for use in many skin disorders. Its leaves contain antioxidant compounds similar to those found in Green Tea, which has been used for generations. The alkaloids in kratom may help to temporarily soothe aches and its comforting aroma can be relaxing.
It’s best to add kratom powder during the dry mixing phase and add extracts to your wet ingredients. You can buy kratom online or in stores that carry health and nutritional supplements. Store kratom bath bombs the same way you’d store CBD-infused bath bombs.
Tip 6 – More Durable Bombs
If your bath bombs don’t store well or fall apart, try adding shea butter or cream of tartar to your mix. Both of these can help your bath bombs harden and can be good for your skin.
Make sure to pack your molds tightly as well. You should feel resistance when you press the halves together.
Tip 7 – Get Better Foam With Additives
To help with foaming action, try using Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, or SLSA to help promote foaming and bubbling. Cream of tartar can also enhance the fizz of your bath bombs.
Polysorbate 80 and coco-glucoside are used by many DIY bath bomb makers, especially if they use CBD or other oils. These products are emulsifiers and help oils dissolve more thoroughly and colors disperse more evenly.
You’ll love making your own bath bombs. They’re fun to make, they feel great when you use them, and they make great gifts. Make sure to try them with kratom, CBD, or cannabis for extra wellness benefits.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
I really feel that coconut oil and almond oil are the most effective.