Learning Bath Bombs

[Lillisa3479]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this board. I would like to learn how to make bath bombs..are there any tricks or things I should know before I get started? I know you need to buy Borax and Citric Acid. Does anyone know of good supplies to buy from for molds and such?
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[soapysue]

what shape are you wanting to make them? I have flower molds that are flat on the bottom and also circle molds that are a little tricky. I use baking soda and citric acid and then add other ingredients like fragrance and color, then i spritz that slowly with witch hazel. Me and the kids love them in our bath!

 

[Lillisa3479]

I am looking for the regular round shaped molds..why the spraying of witch hazel? I heard you are supposed to spray alcohol..is this true? Thanks so much!
Lisa

 

[HenleyNatural]

Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum!

I buy a 25 lb bag of baking soda from Costco and plan on buy a 50 lbs bag of citric acid from my local chemical supply company. Contact your local chemical supply company they should carry citric acid.

 

[Lillisa3479]

Thanks so much for the idea! I didnt even think of Costco! I found this site called Coastal Scents as well. They have supplies for the bath bombs. I just dont understand why you need to spray them with alcohol. Can anyone tell me what this purpose is for?
Lisa

 

[punkflash54]

welcome to the board. i dont know much about bath bombs but im sure you will find lots of great info on this site. good luck

 

[soapbuddy]

Welcome. Why Borax? You don't need it for bath bombs.

 

[Lillisa3479]

Hmm, that's odd. I saw a video on You tube from Coastal Scents and she says you have to use Borax in making the bathbombs but she doesnt say why or what the purpose is. Maybe I will just call the company and ask them. What's the purpose of spraying with witch hazel or alcohol?
Lisa

 

[HenleyNatural]

Witch Hazel or alcohol is used as a liquid to help you blend the dry baking soda and citric acid together. The idea behind using alcohol is that it dries fast. I use water instead.

When you spray your dry material with water or alcohol you want it to get to a wet sand consistency. You need to spray then work the liquid into the dry material. Spray several times then mix, spray and mix. Don't get the dry material to wet or the citric acid will start to fizz. When this happens it will get REAL COLD and start to expand.

Making bath bomb is a lot about feel. You have to experiment until you get familiar with what the right consistency is.

I remember watching the Coastal Scent video 1-2 years ago. I don't remember her mentioning borax, but I do remember her memtioning polysorbate 80 which is just a preservative which you really don't need. Borax is more for making laundry detergent.

 

[soapbuddy]

Hmm, that's odd. I saw a video on You tube from Coastal Scents and she says you have to use Borax in making the bathbombs but she doesnt say why or what the purpose is. Maybe I will just call the company and ask them. What's the purpose of spraying with witch hazel or alcohol?
Lisa

The only reason you would use borax is to soften the bath water. I fee it's not needed.

 

[soapbuddy]

I remember watching the Coastal Scent video 1-2 years ago. I don't remember her mentioning borax, but I do remember her memtioning polysorbate 80 which is just a preservative which you really don't need. Borax is more for making laundry detergent.

Polysorbate 80 is not a preservative. It is a solubizer. It makes it so your oils or fragrance mix with the water in the tub.

 

[Lillisa3479]

Thanks so much, this definitely cleared things up for me!