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Makes 3 - 12 bath bombs depending on the type and size of the moulds used.
You will need:
- 300g Sodium Bicarbonate
- 200g Citric Acid
- 100g Corn Starch
- 10ml of Essential Oil
- 1-2 teaspoons Natural Powder Colouring (eg Paprika Powder, Cocoa Powder) or a tiny amount of Cosmetic Pigment - optional
- Dried petals or herbs
- Small spray bottle of Spring Water or Rose Water (see spray bottles)
- Bath Bomb Moulds or Guest Soap Moulds (see designs)
Directions:
Place the sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and corn starch in a large bowl and mix very thoroughly with a large plastic or stainless steel spoon.
Add 1 - 2 teaspoons of natural powder colouring if you wish and mix in until well blended, or add a tiny amount of cosmetic pigment using the tip of a teaspoon. Combine thoroughly.
Slowly drip in the essential oil while stirring the mixture.
At this stage, add a few petals or herbs for colour and texture if you wish.
Using a small spray bottle of spring water or rose water, mist the bath bomb mixture several times and stir well. Keep the mixture moving to prevent it from fizzing.
Squeeze a little of the mixture in your hand. If it holds together, it's ready. If not, mist and stir again. Repeat until the mixture binds. Gently does it. Don't be tempted to add too much water in one go or your bath bomb will go off before you want it to!
When the mixture is ready you'll need to work quickly before it sets.
If using bath bomb moulds, fill both halves with the mixture plus a bit extra in one half and squeeze the two halves together. Add some more mixture if needed to make sure that the moulds are completely filled.
Use bulldog clips to clamp the two halves of the moulds together and leave the bath bombs to set for a few hours. Resease them from the moulds and leave in a warm dry place to dry out.
If using soap moulds, place some of the mixture into each cavity and pack it in tightly with the back of a metal spoon. Repeat until the cavities are full.
Leave the bombs overnight to dry then remove them from the moulds. Place a piece of card on top of the mould and carefully turn it over. The bombs should drop out easily. Leave overnight somewhere warm to dry out.
If, when filling the moulds, you find that the mixture breaks apart easily, it's too dry and you'll need to return it quickly to the mixing bowl and spray with a little more water. If the mixture starts to fizz you've added too much and you've started the chemical reaction off early! Unfortunately there's no remedy for this and you'll need to start again.
Store in airtight containers until needed.
Drop a bomb into warm bath water, watch it fizz away and enjoy the lovely aroma!