Herbal Bath Bombs Step By Step Guide
Bath Bombs are extremely popular right now... and I mean, what is there not to love about them? They take a relaxing bath and elevate it to an at-home spa night. Unfortunately, they are usually full of artificial fragrances, artificial colors and preservatives... not something I want my body to absorb during my bath... how about you?
Luckily, we can do better. By taking the base recipe of a bath bomb and adding in Nourishing Organic Coconut Oil, Healing Herbs of Lavender and Chamomile, Mineral Rich Clay and by using Organic Essential Oils to add a light scent, we can make a Bath Bomb that is actually good for you.
Base Ingredients
- Baking Soda (Aluminum Free)
- Citric Acid (Non GMO https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/citric-acid/profile)
- Arrowroot Powder
- Epsom Salt
- Dead Sea Salt that contains Kaolin Clay
The Baking Soda and Citric Acid are the ingredients that give you the "Fizz" or "Bubbles" that are really the key of making a Bath Bomb. When these two are combined and then added to water, they undergo a chemical reaction producing lots of bubbles, which you see as the Bomb Bath dissolves in the water. Some Citric Acid is made by using GMO Sugar, so know your sources.
The Arrowroot Powder makes the Bath Bomb float on top of the water, making sure you get the full effect of all those bubbles. You can replace this ingredient with a Non GMO Cornstarch as well with the same affect.
The Epsom Salt helps soothe sore muscles, relieves pain and cramps.
The Dead Sea Salt w/ Kaolin Clay is something extra I like to add in because of it's high mineral content and ability to remove toxins from your body. Technically, you could just add your clay of choice to the ingredients above and have the same affect. I just happen to have this on hand.
I like to run the base ingredients through a spice grinder or coffee grinder to get a smoother texture. This step can be skipped if you don't have one on hand, but the end product might not turn out as well.
I just add ingredients to the grinder and run till smooth.
After grinding, I weigh each ingredient on a digital scale. I find zeroing out the scale after each ingredient is the each method of measuring them accurately.
I am making this batch Lavender and Chamomile scented, so at this point I like to take about a tsp of Chamomile Flowers and run them through the spice grinder. Remember you can customize the herbs and scent however you would like, I mix it up around here quite a bit.
Then just stir to combine the dry ingredients.
At this point I melt down the Coconut Oil and add it to the dry ingredients while stirring. Now, the measurement of Coconut Oil I have listed below is a guideline. Depending on your elevation, weather and humidity this measurement can change. So, pour a little and mix...
When it gets to the consistency of sand perfect for making sand castles, then you have hit the sweet spot.
A great way to test the texture is to take a handful and give it a squeeze in your hand. When it sticks together well, it's ready to go.
Then add about 20 drops of Organic Essential Oil of choice. I am using Organic Lavender on this batch. Stir to combine.
Now here comes the fun part, forming the Bath Bombs. There are Bath Bomb molds available all over the internet...but I prefer an ice cream scoop... yes, I said an ice cream scoop. I find that I can press the mixture into it firmly so it holds its shape. Plus, I can remove the Bath Bomb immediately and let it dry on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper rather then have to let it dry in the mold overnight. The scoop makes a pretty large Bath Bomb, I have also made smaller ones by using a 1 1/2 Tablespoon as well. Find an item that you like the size and shape of and give it a try. Silicone molds can be used as well but the mixture will need to dry in them overnight.
I like to add flower petals to the top of the Bath Bombs, it just makes them extra fancy... I do this by placing a sprinkle of petals of choice into the bottom of the scoop. I am using Rose Petals, Lavender Petals and Chamomile Petals on this batch.
Then place a handful of Bath Bomb mixture into the scoop. The trick to keep the petals neatly at the bottom is to sprinkle a bit of the mixture into the scoop first... then you can just dump the rest of the handful in.
Firmly press mixture into scoop with palm of hand.
Once you have done this the mixture will compress, just add more mixture and press with palm again until it looks like this ...
Then just turn it over onto your pan covered in parchment or wax paper and gently tap all over with the handle of a spoon...
and there you go, lovely aren't they???
Chamomile and Lavender Bath Bombs
8oz. Baking Soda
6oz. Citric Acid
2oz. Arrowroot Powder
2oz. Epsom Salt
2oz. Dead Sea Salt with Kaolin Clay
3TBL Organic Coconut Oil
1tsp. Chamomile Flowers
20 drops Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Flowers of choice for decoration
@llfarms awesome post. I agree with you on using an ice cream scoop, it does hold the shape real well.
Thank you! Doesn't it!? I have tried all sorts of things and I always go back to the ice cream scoop 😂
This is an awesome tutorial @llfarms. You've definitely added some unique elements to the process here. I love your photos too; they do a great job at highlighting the process.
Thank you! When I first started making Bath Bombs I had a hard time finding a tutorial that showed me what the texture should look like, and exactly what they meant in their directions, etc... Bath Bombs aren't very forgiving and I had a lot of trial and error before I found success. I was hoping to give enough information to spare others from Bath Bomb fails. I hope this tutorial will do just that.
This is a great tutorial, will definitely try this out, got lots of wild lavender on the mountains around here.what a treat to be able to make your own, thanks for sharing and welcome to steemit, really happy to have found you.
Thank you! They smell so amazing too. I haven't gotten my lavender to really take off here yet, but I have chamomile that is doing well and love to add it to whatever I can. Wild lavender covered mountains sounds wonderful!
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Thank you! I found your link very informative. I had no idea anyone produced such stats, very interedting. I look forward to your futire posts and we are excited to be here.
Directions unclear - blew up my bathtub.
Just kidding. I'd be curious to see a bath bomb mix targeted towards maybe a more romantic bath (not trying to be weird here)
like something that would compliment candles, low lighting etc, maybe something very sensual smelling for a partner, as I like the homemade aspect and I think it would be personal than the Walmart brand "bath-orbs" or whatever.
Any suggestions for substitute for a romantic(er) version?
Thanks in advance.
That is what is so great about this base, you could really change up the flowers and essential oil and have something completely different. I would do just rose petals on the top and maybe add extra to the bath then do any combination of the following "Aphrodisiac" Essential Oils
Sandalwood
Rose
Jasmine
Bergamont
Frankincense
Patchouli
Ylang Ylang
Those should do the trick ;)
Ooo, Thank you so much! That sounds wonderful!
You're welcome! Let me know how they turn out
Man, all your friends and family must be SO happy at Christmas! :) These are lovely, thanks for sharing
Thank you so much! They have tested many homemade items for me, that is for sure ;)
I've always wanted to make these, I can almost smell the delightful aroma through the screen!
They are so easy to make and are splendid gifts as well. I love using fragrant herbs in them...especially the ones from our garden. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post!
Lovely post! I am saving this one on my reading list so I can try this out! I have bought bath bombs before from craft shows and loved them. I had no idea how to make them until now. You did a great job on this!
I’m new here. So how do you save a post to come to later?
I usually will save them using the Evernote app on my phone. I learned about Evernote here!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this post! My daughter and I have been wanting to make bath bombs for a while now. Will definitely try your recipe out. Your finished product turned out SO beautiful!!