DIY Bath Bombs

Ok, I admit that I am a little late to the game, but I didn’t know what Lush was until I did my summer internship in Montreal back in 2007. We didn’t have any close by in Wisconsin, but now we have one in Mayfair Mall. I like their stuff a lot, but man—it can be pricey! I got some bath bombs as a gift for Christmas a few years ago, and really, I like anything for the bathtub.  I discovered a DIY bath bomb recipe here and decided to give it a whirl.

But before I jump into that, here are my learnings from this project: I recommend getting smaller ornament molds, as mine were HUGE! I ordered 80 mm ones on Amazon, and they kinda broke easily too. Big ones means you only make 2-3 bath bombs per batch, vs. a smaller mold of possibly many more bath bombs. Also, all of the ingredients together are a bit pricey. So, I guess the difference is spend the money at Lush and have someone else make them or spend it yourself and do all the work. But you do save a bit by DIYing. I would think plastic Easter eggs would make great molds also! Also, a little food coloring goes a LONG way! My bathtub water was super yellow when my bomb dissolved completely, but the color did not stain me or the tub.

Materials:
-8 oz baking soda
-4 oz Epsom salt
-4 oz cornstarch
-4 oz citric acid
-2 tsp baby or almond oil
-3/4 tsp water (or witch hazel)
-2 tsp essential oils of your choosing (I had spearmint, eucalyptus, orange, and lavender)
-food coloring
-80 mm or smaller plastic fillable ornament molds that snap together (I got , but definitely recommend a smaller size)

1. Mix the salt and all of the powder ingredients together (except the citric acid) in one bowl. Set aside.

2. Mix all of the liquid ingredients together (except the food coloring) in a separate bowl. Slowly add to the powder mix and stir gently. The consistency should be that of wet sand, where it sticks together somewhat. If it is not, slowly add a few drops of water at a time while mixing and squeezing it in your hand until it is like wet sand. Now add the citric acid and mix. Do not test the consistency with your hand, as the citric acid is abrasive.

3. Add the food coloring in last and mix well. I did blue for my lavender scented ones and yellow for my orange scented ones.

4. Fill one half of the plastic ornament past the edge with the mixture. Pack it down tightly.

5. Repeat with the other half of the plastic ornament past the edge. Pack it down tightly. Now snap the two halves together. Seriously, this was the hardest part for me because I could not get mine to snap together. I broke a few halves trying to do this. There should not be any cracks in the bath bomb once the halves are together—just a smooth finish on each side.

6. Allow the bath bomb to dry out in a dry place for 24 hours. I did, and here is what happened when I removed the mold (this one even had cracks and still stayed together!)

7. Add one to your nice warm bath (trust me, one is ALL you will need at this size!) This was the final test for me...

It worked! Fizzy and all, comparable to the real Lush one, like a big glorious citrus ball of bath time happiness.