Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid

Everything You Need To Know About Lush’s Bath Bomb Factory

There are over 15 Lush factories in Poole, Dorset. On 19 October 2015, 182,890 bath bombs were made in the Poole factory – its biggest day so far. 

The bath bombs smell is due to the fresh materials, Simon Constantine, Lush’s head perfumer and head of ethical buying, says: “Above all else, people smell us first. It’s a love/hate thing – some people go, ‘Oh I can’t go in there, that stinks.’

Most bath bombs contain the same basic mix: bicarbonate of soda, citric, colour, and fragrance. In a compounding area, bicarbonate of soda is mixed with colour and fragrance custom to each bath bomb. The compound is then mixed with citric and brought to the assembly line. The mix takes about 30 minutes, though some bath bombs are more complex. Bath bombs made in the Poole factory will go to the UK, Ireland, and some European countries. 

To make a bath bomb, you need a dedicated assembly team, ranging from two to 20.  “My bath bombs tend to be more pretty,” Lake says. “Whereas Mum [Mo Constantine, inventor of the Bath Bomb], will be like, bish bash bosh, get it out. She’s made some great ones, like Butter Ball, where you’ve got cocoa butter in it and it’s just wedges of cocoa butter.”

“We’ve done up to 200 bath bombs in one go in this,” Jack says. 

Basic Bath Bomb Recipe

Why spend $6 on a store-bought bath bomb when you make your own bath bombs for pennies apiece? In my research for the perfect bath bomb recipe, I learned pretty quickly that making bath bombs is pretty simple. Some people love the big fat bath bombs, while others prefer the smaller more delicate bombs pressed into cupcake tins.

The hardest part of making bath bombs is finding citric acid, which really isn't hard if you go online. The Lush bath bombs were decadent and never disappointed. The Bath Bomb Co. sells a wonderful bath bomb kit that would make a great gift for the crafty person who's also into baths. 

Ingredients:

·         1 cup baking soda. 

·         1/2 cup citric acid. 

·         1/2 cup Epsom salt.

·         1/2 cup cornstarch.

·         3/4 tsp. water.

·         2 tsp. essential oil.

·         2 tsp. oil.

·         A few drops of food coloring.

·         Optional: you can add in dried flowers to your mix.

The traditional large bath bombs are made with round plastic molds that snap together. I love silicone bath bomb molds that come in a variety of shapes including flowers, leaves and hearts. 

Recipe:

1.      Mix the dry ingredients except the citric acid: salt, baking soda and cornstarch in a large mixing bowl. 

2.      In a jar, pour the liquids: water, oils and food coloring. Put a top on the jar and shake vigorously.

3.      Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and use your hands to combine it well. At this point, add the citric acid. You'll probably notice a slight fizzing reaction because of the citric acid. This is normal. I choose to add the citric acid in at the end because there's less chance you'll get a pre-fizzing bath bomb but some people mix it into the dry ingredients with no issue.

4.      The mixture should be a bit crumbly, kind of like a pie crust. Whatever you do, don't add water at this stage or your bath bomb will basically ignite on you. When I tried this the first time, I added a teaspoon of water to make the mixture less crumbly and my mixture pre-fizzed and was ruined.

5.      Mash the mixture into your molds very tightly. I like to overfill and then use a spoon or a glass to press it in as tightly as possible. Immediately loosen the bombs from their molds onto wax paper and let them dry overnight. Some recipes I've read recommend leaving the bombs in their molds for 6 hours before removing them. I haven't tried this.  

6.      Give them another day or 2 to completely dry before using them or wrapping them up as gifts.

Lush Space Girl Bath Bomb Demo!

DIY Bath Bombs WITHOUT Citric Acid!!!

Top Ten Tips for Making Bath Bombs

1.      Select your Citric Acid carefully; Super fine granules are best. Powder is too volatile, whilst coarse granules have a lumpy appearance and may "bobble" as your bath bombs dry out.

2.      Be fussy about your Bicarb! Fine food grade Sodium Bicarbonate is best. Technical grade may contain unwanted impurities and granular varieties will result in a coarse looking bath bomb.

3.      Want smooth bath bombs? Cornflour helps control the fizzing reaction between the ingredients as you are mixing.

4.      Dry Ingredients = food grade. Some of the ingredients such as Bicarb, Citric & Cornflour can be sourced in food stores.

5.      Wet ingredients = cosmetic grade. Essential oils should be pure or blended with base oils.

6.      Don't use water. Using water to bind your mix causes fizzing & expansion in the mixing process. Vegetable Base Oils work well. Witch Hazel speeds the drying time so that your bath bombs can be safely handled from their moulds within minutes.

7.      Spray your "wet" ingredients onto the mix. If using Witch Hazel to bind, always spritz from a fine mist "finger" spray.

8.      Wear gloves and mix with your hands. You will learn to detect the correct consistency for making the perfect bath bombs, but believe me you will get there faster by using your hands as opposed to a spoon. Simply spray with one hand whilst mixing with the other.

9.      Ensure your moulds are dry. Wet moulds = stuck & stranded creations!

10.  Avoid steamy kitchens! Set your creations aside to dry in a damp free atmosphere. 

Aromatherapy Bath Bombs Recipe

I love bath bombs. Children find bath bombs fascinating and fun to plunk into the tub. Not all commercial-made bath bombs are all-natural, but you can make virtually all-natural bath bombs at home that fizz amazingly well. Making them yourself will also save you at least half the price of what equivalent bath bombs cost from artisans and bath bomb specialty stores.

Citric acid is naturally found in citrus and other fruits. Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, is a alkali that reacts wonderfully with citric acid in bath bombs. Pearlescent micas contain naturally forming mica powder colorized with minerals like iron oxides and titanium dioxide.

Aromatherapy bath bomb recipe:

·         1 cup Baking Soda.

·         1/2 cup Citric Acid.

·         1/4 tsp. Powdered Herbs or 1/8 tsp. Pearlescent Mica for color and visual appeal.

·         15 drops Essential Oil.

·         1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Carrier Oil, preferably use a more stable oil like Jojoba since this recipe contains no preservatives.

·         Hydrosol.

Directions:

1.      In a large, clean mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients.

2.      Add your essential oil, drop by drop and stir into the dry ingredients.

3.      Slowly add your carrier/vegetable oil while mixing the ingredients with your hand.

4.      Slowly add your hydrosol to the mixture while simultaneously blending it with your hands.

5.      It does not take much liquid to dampen the mixture to the degree that you need to form bath bombs.

6.      Press the mixture into molds.

Drop one of the bombs into your bath for an aromatic and fizzy bath. Keep your bath bombs in an air tight container.