citric acid for bath bombs

[Soapy Gurl]

I am putting together an order tonight and wanted a general idea on how much citric acid to buy. How far would a pound go? For example about how much would I need for 12 normal size bath bombs?

Thanks!

 

[Kleine Teufel]

Depends entirely on what you consider a "normal" size and what your recipe is. I use about 14% citric acid overall (with 28% sodium bicarbonate)

 

[Hazel]

What's your definition of normal? I've made bombs from 2 oz up to 12 oz. It also depends on how much citric acid you use in your recipe. Some people use half of citric compared to the baking soda. Some people use less.

If you use half citric acid in your recipe, then with the pound you'd have 48 ounces which would give you 12 - 4 oz bombs. Of course, if you use slightly less citric acid than you could make heavier bombs.

Does this help?

eta: I just saw bettacreek posted a minute before me. I'm sooo slow.

 

[Soapy Gurl]

Okay, that does help. I will get two pounds to start out, since they are for me!

 

[Soapy Gurl]

I ordered the stuff for bath bombs. I made them ages ago, literally a decade ago. I am going through my files and papers for the recipe. I remember it taking baking soda, citric acid, spritzing with witch hazel, using a few drops of oil in the batch. Does this sound about right? I am willing to try something else. It might have contained bath salt. I don't expect anyone to give up their recipe, but some general guidance and help would be appreciated!

 

[judymoody]

coastal scents has a free bath bomb book if you order from them. They are having a 50% off sale through today.

 

[Kleine Teufel]

If the witch hazel worked for you previously, feel free to go for it, however, I never recommend it to anyone. I tried on and off for years to make bath bombs and never managed to make a bath bomb that didn't activate partially with witch hazel. Enough that it doesn't look like what you molded it to be anymore. I just use the oil to hold it together.

 

[Hazel]

teachsoap.com has recipes. Bath bombs are pretty basic. What makes them different is the additives - FOs, colorants, botanicals, etc.

 

[Soapy Gurl]

bettacreek - how much oil do you use? I always did a small amount of something light, like grape seed. Can I ask what you use too? I admit the spritzing was a pain in the a**, I didnt loose a lot of the bomb, but some. It also took a lot of time.

 

[Kleine Teufel]

I use about 14% oil. I use coconut oil. I'm not sure if a liquid at room temp oil would be softer or more likely to fall apart or not though, haven't really tinkered around with it, since the liquid oils I use all have short shelf lives.

 

[Soapy Gurl]

Thanks bettacreek! I think I will at least try it before spritzing. I know what you mean about the short shelf life. Grapeseed oil has a short one, but I love the lightness, especially for a bath, there is no residue on the skin. I can see coconut oil being a good one.