how to: make homemade bath bombs.

I like a good bath. It’s the best way for me to unwind, escape the dishes, catch up on a little pop culture in the way of an US Weekly or a thick People Magazine, and deal with my ongoing pain. I’ve written about how to make homemade bath salts, and how to make homemade sugar scrub, and today I’m going to show you how to make homemade bath bombs. They’re the bomb.

Ha ha, I slay myself.

Bath bombs are little balls of fizz that dissolve in hot water and add a little scent, moisture, and effervescence to your bath time. Doesn’t get any better. Plus, they’re so easy to make at home.



Here’s what you need:

-Cornstarch 1/2 cup
-Epsom Salt 1/4 cup
-Baking Soda 1 cup
-Citric Acid 1/2 cup
-3/4 tablespoon water
-Essential Oil {optional}
-Olive Oil 2 3/4 tablespoons
{optional, but you know I love me some Olive Oil}

Finding the Citric Acid was the hardest part of this project. I ended up buying some from my local pharmacy, but I’ve read that you can buy Citric Acid at Whole Foods or any other natural, granola type store {the kind my parents keep in business}.

You’ll also need something to shape the bath bombs. I used my cookie scoop, but half a plastic Easter egg would be perfect to use. I’ve seen bath bombs in the shape of small muffin tins or candy molds as well, so use whatever you have on hand instead of buying supplies.

Ahead of time I ground up the Epsom Salt until it was a really fine powder. You don’t want chunks of salt in your bath bombs, that’s just tacky.

Mix together your dry ingredients. If you want to get really fancy and sift them, it will work even better.

Now get out a separate bowl to mix up your wet ingredients. You can’t mix them into the dry mix yet or everything will start bubbling and fizzing. We don’t want that.



I decided at the last minute to add essential oils, just to give my bath a little kick. I need all the energy I can get so I picked the Laundry Tree essential oil ‘Energy’. I’ll let you know how that pans out.

Measure your essential oil into the liquids. I chose not to add coloring, but this is where you’d do it if you were so inclined.

Now pour the liquid into the dry ingredient
s. You have to work fast at this point because it’s about to get bubbly.

See what I mean? Hurry, get stirring!

Whisk it all together until you get a mix the consistency of wet sand.

Like so.

Now it’s time to mold your bath bombs.



Scoop it up, pack the mixture in really tight and turn upside down on a cookie sheet or plate to dry. You might have to tap the back side to get it to come out in one piece.

And if you get one that doesn’t come out in one piece, don’t stress. Just plop it back into the bowl and re-shape it. This one was particularly ornery and had to be re-shaped a few times. Stinker.

And there you go, beautiful bath bombs. Let them dry overnight before you try to transport them anywhere or they’ll fall apart.

If you’re giving them as gifts put them in a clear cellophane bag tied with a beautiful ribbon and a gift tag. I think they’d be a great gift for guests at a bridal shower don’t you?