Bath bombs are round fragranced balls (tennis ball size) which react in water, releasing beautiful aromas and oils.
1. To make a bath bomb you need to start with a base mixture to which you add different colours and fragrances to create individual bombs. Before you start, make sure that all your equipment is dry, because any drop of moisture will start the mixture fizzing.
2. Make the base mixture by sieving together 1½ cups of bicarb soda and one cup of citric acid into the large mixing bowl. Stir well with a spoon until thoroughly mixed. This is enough to make four bath bombs. Any left over mixture can be stored in an airtight container ready for later use.
3. Transfer ½ cup of base mixture into the medium size bowl and set aside.
4. Using the small bowl:
For an orange bath bomb:
Mix together 6 drops of orange essential oil, 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil, 5 drops of red food colouring and 7 drops of yellow food colouring. Mix well using the teaspoon.
For a lemon bath bomb:
Mix together 6 drops of lemon essential oil, ½ teaspoon of sweet almond oil and 15 drops of yellow food colouring. Mix well using the teaspoon.
For a lime bath bomb:
Mix together 6 drops of lime essential oil, ½ teaspoon of sweet almond oil and 15 drops of green food colouring. Mix well using the teaspoon.
5. Pour the oil mixture of your choice into the medium bowl containing the ½ cup of base mixture. Stir very quickly so that the mixture doesn’t start to fizz.
6. Continue mixing with your fingertips, working the oil mixture into the base mixture until it starts to come together and stays compressed when squeezed (about 30 seconds).
7. Wipe some sweet almond oil around the inside of the mould. This will make sure the bath bomb will slip out easily from the mould. Now press the mixture into the mould.
8. Fill the mould 1/3 at a time with the mixture, pressing down firmly as you go. When you reach the top of the mould, neaten the edges, turn the mould over, bang firmly on a flat surface and the bath bomb will slip out.
9. Let it set for 24 hours. It is then ready to use!
Essential oils:
- The following is the list of different essential oils and what they promote.
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Cardamon
- Cedarwood
- Chamomile
- Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
- Jasmine
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Marjoram
- Myrrh
- Neroli
- Orange
- Palmarosa
- Patchouli
- Peppermint
- Petitgrain
- Pine
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Rosewood
- Sage
- Sandalwood
- Tea Tree
- Thyme
- Vetiver
- Ylang Ylang
- Focusing Clearing
- Uplifting Calming
- Energising Strengthening
- Encouraging Smoothing
- Comforting Strengthening
- Soothing Calming Nurturing Comforting
- Uplifting Harmonising
- Antiseptic Energising
- Cleansing Warming
- Comforting Replenishing
- Harmonising Balancing
- Stabilising Strengthening
- Refreshing Activating
- Sensual Enticing
- Purifying Cleansing
- Calming Comforting
- Uplifting Clarifying
- Cleansing Activating
- Clarifying Refreshing
- Revitalising Calming
- Soothing Sedating
- Empowering Healing
- Sensual Luxurious
- Uplifting Communicating
- Regulating Moisturising
- Romancing Aphrodisiac
- Clearing Energising
- Empowering Nurturing
- Inspiring Clearing
- Inspiring Clearing
- Clarifying Awakening
- Balancing Stabilising
- Balancing Deodorising
- Stabilising Strengthening
- Purifying Antiseptic
- Energising Healing
- Relaxing Comforting
- Aphrodisiac Soothing
- Where you can buy the ingredients:
- Bicarb soda (from supermarket baking section)
- Citric acid (from supermarket baking section)
- Sweet almond oil (from Body Shop or local chemist)
- Essential oils (orange, lemon and lime, from health food stores or local chemist)
- Packet of food colouring (from supermarket baking section)
- Mixing bowls: small, medium and large
- Mixing spoon
- Sieve
- Measuring cup and teaspoon
- Mould
These bath bombs cost around $1.00 each to make using ingredients shown.