Bath Bombs

Everything in the Artisan Soaps Kitchen is covered with a fine white dust after mixing bath bombs, or bath fizzies for the last two days. One of my customers bought a large English Rose Bath Bomb a couple weeks ago. Yesterday she came in with a grin on her face as she marched purposefully over to the bath bomb shelves and immediately picked up the last four English Rose Bath Bombs. She obviously loved the one she tried! Many of my customers, however, don't know anything about these colorful balls when they see them for the first time. I didn't either, for that matter. So today, I thought I'd tell you, and show you, a little more about them.

Bath bombs, also called Bath Fizzies are effervescent bath time treats. I make three different sizes: small, medium and large. Bath bombs are typically made with some combination of oils, butters, or salts, as well as ingredients like baking soda, corn starch, and citric acid, which causes the fizzing action. The trick when making these is to combine the ingredients into a tightly packed form (balls, hearts, discs or whatever) without setting off the fizzing action! Bath bombs are also made in a variety of colors and fragrances, or essential oils. 

Some of my customers use the small bath bombs for a foot soak. More typically, bath bombs are dropped into a tub of warm bath water. As soon as the bath bomb hits the water it begins to fizz and release all of those nourishing skin-loving ingredients into the bath water, as demonstrated in the video below.

As I mention in the video, my favorite thing about bath bombs is how soft and moisturized my skin feels after I get out of the bath tub. I find that bubble bath helps to cut down on any ring that might appear around the bath tub, and if you do have one, just wipe it out first thing when you get out of the tub, before it has a chance to set.

One of the questions I am frequently asked is whether these can be used more than once. That's certainly possible, especially with the large ones. just pull it out of the water and set it in a dry place until you are ready to use it again. Along the same lines, if you purchase these for a friend, or for your own future use, be sure to protect the bath bomb from high humidity or water, as the moisture will react with the citric acid and cause the bomb to break down before you have a chance to use it.

So tell me about your experience with bath bombs. Have you used them before? If so, what do you like or dislike about them? Do you have any suggestions or comments for me as I make them, or for others as they use them?