One of the most legendary parts about bath bombs is when you can master the art of the spin that makes the colors just look that much more mesmerizing. The secret that has eluded many is about to explain to you in this article so make sure to read carefully.
How to Get The Bath Bombs To Spin
One of the most exciting parts about using a bath bomb is watching what it does once it hits the water. It begins to dance and move uncontrollably dispersing nourishing oils and vibrant colors. The secret to getting the bath bomb to spin is to use embeds or by placing your finger inside the out layer edge and adding a air pocket of some sorts. An embed is a small colored ball or other object that is made like a bath bomb, but is more compact. Here’s a great recipe:
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ teaspoon lake pigment or bath bomb color
- optional, 15 drops essential oil
- 91% rubbing alcohol mixed with witch hazel, equal proportions (
First, you are going to mix the dry ingredients really well, then lightly spray with the rubbing alcohol or witch hazel mixture, whichever you prefer to use. You should make it feel like damp sand. Make it firm enough to hold together without crumbling. Pack this into the molds of your choice pretty tightly and pop it out. Let it dry for a little before mixing it together with the other ingredients.
Basic Bath Bomb Recipe
Even when it comes to spinning bath bombs they are made with the same basic recipe as most other bath bombs. It’s one part citric acid and two parts baking soda.This ratio will give you the best fizz reaction possible. Other ingredients can be added like cream of tartar or kaolin clay to make the bath bombs harder or Epsom salt for a muscle soothing soak. A good basic recipe is as follows below:
Ingredients & Supplies
- 1 cup citric acid
- 2 cups baking soda
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup epsom salts
- ¼ teaspoon dry color, such as bath bomb color, mica, or lake pigment
- 20-25 drops skin-safe essential oil or fragrance oil
- 3 tablespoons liquid oil, such as sweet almond or sunflower
- equal parts 91% alcohol and witch hazel, mixed together
- bath bomb molds
Process
1. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Add your color and mix well. For secret color, leave white for now. Add essential or fragrance oil and mix well. Add liquid oil and mix well again.
2. At this time it’s a good idea to mix with your hands rather than relying on a mixing spoon. Use gloves as the baking soda can wear on your nails. Once all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, spritz 1-2 times with the alcohol/witch hazel mixture. Mix quickly with your hands and check to see if it’s ready. Make a snowball with some of the mixture and drop it into the bowl. If it holds together it is ready to mold. If it breaks apart, spritz 1-2 more times and check again. Repeat until your snowball holds together when dropped into the bowl.
3. Lightly pack a good amount in half of a bath bomb mold, then place an embed (recipe above) on top of the mixture. The secret to creating good spin is to place the embed off center, not in the middle. It has to be off balance in order to spin. And of course we want our spinning bath bombs to spin!
4. Next, overfill the other half and place both sides together. Push the sides firmly so there is no gap in the center. Don’t twist, as this will separate the halves. You want them to join cohesively.
5. Tap each side with a spoon, then release one half. Turn over and release the other half. Set on a piece of cardboard or wax paper and continue with the rest of the mix.
6. Dry for at least 24 hours, then seal in plastic wrap. The bath bombs need to be sealed or they will absorb moisture from the air and won’t fizz as much in the bathtub.
Additional Info
When it comes to choosing a color, lake pigments and bath bomb colors will work the best to both dissolve in the tub and disperse color throughout the water. If you’re not concerned with making a completely natural bath bomb, you can add a bit of polysorbate 80 to help the color to dissolve and to keep the oils from floating on the top and making the tub slippery at the end. Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic compound that is used as a surfactant and emulsifier.
Powdered mica is another form of colorant that can be used when making bath bombs. Mica is a natural mineral, and has usually been dyed to make colorants. Mica produces nice soft colors, but will not color the water, which some people want in their bath. It will sometimes stick to the sides of the tub and appear to stain it, but this can be alleviated by using polysorbate 80.
There is a lot of people out there who love a scented bath bomb. Essential oils can sometimes be too irritating for open areas of the skin. Some exceptions are lavender and rose essential oils. Fragrance oils, although not completely natural, can be used in the bathtub, and may irritate the skin whereas all natural essential oils will not unless allergic.
When it comes to bath bombs there is some concern with using cornstarch in the bath and the assumption that it can cause yeast infections. It would need to be used in much larger amounts and more frequently to cause a problem. If you are still concerned, you can always contact your doctor.
Head over to Bubbly Belle to order some of our one-of-a-kind bath bombs.