HOMEMADE BATH BOMBS // A DIY GUIDE

Of the many projects I've done with Rhiannon Bosse, this is one of my favorites! These make great gifts for just about any occasion because I don't think it's a secret that sometimes, it's just nice to feel pampered! This is the perfect way to end any day when you're in need of a little pick me up or a bit of relaxation. I hope you enjoy seeing the process and make sure to save the recipe and step by step instructions at the end of this post. Also, just in case you're wondering, they do smell just as lovely as they look! 

HOMEMADE BATH BOMBS

1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup citric acid
1/4 cup Epsom salts

1 1/4 teaspoon essential oils (we used a a floral scent)
1 1/4 teaspoon of melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon of water
1 - 4 drops of food coloring
a handful of dried rose petals

You will want to mix your wet ingredients separate from your dry. When you're ready to mix and fill your mold, combine the two quickly because the mixture will 'dry' fast and keeping the ball shape can be tricky. When you pour in your wet ingredients you'll also want to pour really slowly so that the citric acid doesn't fizz too much and compromise the mixture. You'll know the texture is perfect when you can grab a fist full of the mixture and it's not too wet or soggy but still has a bit of a dryness and some of the epsom salts flake off a little.

If the mixture feels TOO dry chances are it's just right!

For the molds, Rhi found these on Amazon and they worked perfectly. You fill up both sides of the mold with your mixture (overflow the cups just a little), then you'll push the two halves together tightly to create a ball, then lightly release both sides to reveal your bath bomb. Rhi gently brushed away the 'ring' left behind where the two halves came together but you could keep that if you like the look better.

Gently set them aside to so they can dry and set for about 24 to 48 hours. If the mixture doesn't hold well enough it could be too dry. If the bath bombs aren't drying and feel too slimy (from the oil) you may have added too much liquid. This is a very easy project but it might take a little troubleshooting. 

A couple of things to consider.

• You can use whatever scent and color you'd like. A very SMALL amount of food coloring goes a very long way. For the pink color you see in the photos here we used about 3 drops of red food coloring. For the dried rose petals in the top of the bath bombs, Rhi just filled up the bottom of the mold with the desired amount and then filled the rest up with the bath bomb mixture.

• The citric acid is what makes the bath bombs 'fizz' when they hit the water. You can make bath bombs without the citric acid but honestly, the 'fizz' is part of the experience so that's why we used it in this recipe. You can get citric acid here.

• About one to two weeks was an appropriate shelf life for the bath bombs. They don't necessarily go bad (the only thing really perishable in them is the coconut oil) but the fizz will be best if you use them soon after making them.

• For the packaging, Rhi used simple Kraft boxes on Etsy and then had Alex of Prairie Letter Shop write sweet messages on the tops. Then, a silk ribbon was fastened into a bow around each box and voila! A perfectly home made gift for anyone! 

You can view Rhi's post on the bath bombs here.