Bath bombs using PVC and dowels to pack them down?

TessC · Oct 8, 2009

So far all of my bath bomb attempts have turned out less than stellar, I think it's partially because it's always so humid in here and partially because I wasn't able to pack them into the little mold as tightly as I wanted, I was afraid of cracking the flimsy plastic. Would it work if I take a piece of small diameter PVC pipe and a length of dowel rod that's only slightly smaller in diameter than the pipe, pour in some of my bath bomb mix and use the dowel to tamp it down really hard?

I was thinking that covering the bottom of the pipe with plastic wrap and a rubber band might work, could stand the wrapped pipe on the counter, pack the bomb mix in as hard as I can, unwrap the end, and use the dowel to carefully push the resulting tablet out. Anyone had decent results doing something like this? I'm tired of bombs that fall apart :?

Saltysteele · Oct 9, 2009

tess, yes, that would work (not that i've actually done it, but have seen many videos)

i've seen one diy tamper that was a short section of PVC (4" or so), and the tamper was a lag screw screwed into several circles of plywood that had been cut in the shape of the inner diameter of the tube. put your mix in the pvc, which is on a cutting board or some hard, flat surface (one you don't mind being damaged), and use a hammer to tamp your mix down with your tamper

manydogs · Nov 4, 2009

Go to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ and do a search on "Sno-baller". I've been using one of these for a long time for my bath fizzies and it works great (be sure to compare prices and shipping on the site). Not only to you have some leverage to press the two sides together, but it makes a nice size mold and the plastic is heavy enough to where it won't break. (Not to mention the grandkids like to use it when we go to the snow.)

TessC · Nov 4, 2009

I'd forgotten about this post, heheh. I tried the pvc route, bought two pieces of pipe and capped one to use as a tamping rod, and it seemed to work okay.

Then the bombs swelled and blistered just like always.

I'm done, going to stick with buying bombs from someone else or just making fizzing bath salts.

manydogs · Nov 4, 2009

Hi Tess - I've had blistering before but it was when there was too much moisture in the air (oh, and then there was the time I wanted to speed up the drying process and put them in a warm oven ... very bad idea). Anyway, here's the recipe I use in case you want to try them again:

1 c baking soda
1/2 c citric acid
1/2 c cornstarch (I'm going to try less next time)
1/4 c Epsom salt (sea salts will work too)
1/4 c Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (for foam, you can leave out)
Mix (sieve) all the above ingredients until combined and you have a very smooth blend.

In a small jar, mix thoroughly:
1 large Vitamin E capsule
1 Tbs melted butter (shea, cocoa, mango)
1 1/2 Tbs of carrier oil (grapeseed, sweet almond, jojoba)
1/4 tsp Borax (an emulsifier)
1/2 to 1 Tbs FO or abt 20 drops EO
3 tsp distilled water
Colorant (if desired)

With a whisk, start stirring your dry ingredients (be sure and use a mask) and then drizzle the emulsified wet ingredients over it, mixing the entire time. You can't mix too much. Pack into molds (I've used everything from cupcake tins to soap molds but now I have my Sno-baller!

The reason I'm cutting down on the cornstarch is that I've been having trouble getting the two sides of the sphere to stick together. Not that I really need a "ball" ... two halves are fine with me. If you decide to give it a go again, I wish you luck!

Oooops, almost forgot ... if you do add the SLS, you may have to "up" your carrier oil a little bit. I've only had to add about 1/8 tsp or so and, since I'm cutting out some of the cornstarch next time, I may be fine with the oil amounts "as is".