Comments on: How to Make Bath Bombs (Instructable that was moved) http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/ Where cleanliness equals science Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:17:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11923 DeAnne Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:17:07 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11923 Oh you can get the water to color level X, by using soap safe dyes; but how rich you can get that color before it becomes a staining issue, I cannot say, as I've always been afraid to turn my bathroom purple. ;) As to fizzy experiments, please keep me posted, I'd love to know what you discover! Oh you can get the water to color level X, by using soap safe dyes; but how rich you can get that color before it becomes a staining issue, I cannot say, as I’ve always been afraid to turn my bathroom purple. ;)

As to fizzy experiments, please keep me posted, I’d love to know what you discover!

]]> By: WhiteHawksan http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11906 WhiteHawksan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:47:11 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11906 here in the UK we get 'Lush' bath bombs that will turn the water a very definite shade, I wondered what sort of colouring they were. I think a faster reaction can be obtained by using a different base/acid reaction, perhaps bi-carbonate of soda might yield a more vigorous bubbles or a lower yield of cornflour to reaction mass. I will experiment! here in the UK we get ‘Lush’ bath bombs that will turn the water a very definite shade, I wondered what sort of colouring they were.

I think a faster reaction can be obtained by using a different base/acid reaction, perhaps bi-carbonate of soda might yield a more vigorous bubbles or a lower yield of cornflour to reaction mass.

I will experiment!

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11890 DeAnne Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:56:31 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11890 Hiya WhiteHawksan, Basically what you're doing when making a bath bomb is combining a weak acid with a bicarb base...which creates carbon dioxide in the water...making the bubbles. Adding more of the acid won't change the amount of carbon dioxide that's created from the molecular combination of the acid and the base in the water. Best bet for *more* fizz in your tub is to add another bath bomb. :) (The cornstarch is basically just a binder that allows you to add liquid to the other two items without having them instantly react.) As to color; there are a few different options, but I have to tell you that vibrant colors tend to stain grout, and can even stain porcelain tubs. Do NOT use pigments. There are some dyes available from vendors like Brambleberry that may work, but be sure to read the descriptions carefully. Some FD&C powdered colors will work, but I think they might be tricky to find in the UK because I'm not sure they've been approved there. EU regulations on products are considerably more strict...an example I wish we followed. Remember that the darker you go with color, the bigger the chance that you will permanently stain something in your bathroom, and may even tint your skin briefly. Did you ever dye Easter Eggs? And your finger tips would end up all blue and green and yellow and purple? Yeah. A vibrant color bath involving citric acid may very well leave you...erm, blue. (I'm so sorry, but I had to do it. I'll get my coat...) Hiya WhiteHawksan,
Basically what you’re doing when making a bath bomb is combining a weak acid with a bicarb base…which creates carbon dioxide in the water…making the bubbles. Adding more of the acid won’t change the amount of carbon dioxide that’s created from the molecular combination of the acid and the base in the water. Best bet for *more* fizz in your tub is to add another bath bomb. :)

(The cornstarch is basically just a binder that allows you to add liquid to the other two items without having them instantly react.)

As to color; there are a few different options, but I have to tell you that vibrant colors tend to stain grout, and can even stain porcelain tubs. Do NOT use pigments. There are some dyes available from vendors like Brambleberry that may work, but be sure to read the descriptions carefully. Some FD&C powdered colors will work, but I think they might be tricky to find in the UK because I’m not sure they’ve been approved there. EU regulations on products are considerably more strict…an example I wish we followed.

Remember that the darker you go with color, the bigger the chance that you will permanently stain something in your bathroom, and may even tint your skin briefly. Did you ever dye Easter Eggs? And your finger tips would end up all blue and green and yellow and purple? Yeah. A vibrant color bath involving citric acid may very well leave you…erm, blue. (I’m so sorry, but I had to do it. I’ll get my coat…)

]]> By: WhiteHawksan http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11887 WhiteHawksan Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:41:34 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11887 I actualyl came tyhrough this from (de)Instructables, and I was wondering, being a man and all, the more fizz the better, is it the ratio of cornflour (I'm in the UK so cornstarch IS cornflour here just to confirm) to citric acid or just adding more citric acid to the mix? Also what colourings do you recommend to get really vibrantly coloured baths? I actualyl came tyhrough this from (de)Instructables, and I was wondering, being a man and all, the more fizz the better, is it the ratio of cornflour (I’m in the UK so cornstarch IS cornflour here just to confirm) to citric acid or just adding more citric acid to the mix?

Also what colourings do you recommend to get really vibrantly coloured baths?

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11626 DeAnne Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:23:53 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11626 Hey Laura, thanks! Feel free to ping me with any questions you run across while making them, and I'd love to see pics of your finished ones! :) Hey Laura, thanks! Feel free to ping me with any questions you run across while making them, and I’d love to see pics of your finished ones! :)

]]> By: Laura http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11623 Laura Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:36:48 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11623 Great tutorial! I shared your link at http://creativityunmasked.blogspot.com/2012/01/six-for-saturday-or-sunday_28.html :) Great tutorial! I shared your link at http://creativityunmasked.blogspot.com/2012/01/six-for-saturday-or-sunday_28.html :)

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11154 DeAnne Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:57:22 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11154 I've found in bath bombs that tea tree can smell kinda "medicine-y". But a sandalwood-vanilla bomb not only smells amazing wafting out of the bathroom, but it leaves an amazingly warm scent on men. Yum. :) Good luck, feel free to ping me with any questions! I’ve found in bath bombs that tea tree can smell kinda “medicine-y”. But a sandalwood-vanilla bomb not only smells amazing wafting out of the bathroom, but it leaves an amazingly warm scent on men. Yum. :) Good luck, feel free to ping me with any questions!

]]> By: Renae http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11147 Renae Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:37:32 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11147 Thanks for this recipe! My hubby LOVES bath bombs, but it's rare to find them with "manly" scents. Although he's reasonably partial to lavender and jasmine he worries it might make him smell too "girly" (boys can be so silly sometimes). He'd love something like tea tree or sandalwood. Going to give this recipe a go and see If he likes that ;) Thanks for this recipe! My hubby LOVES bath bombs, but it’s rare to find them with “manly” scents. Although he’s reasonably partial to lavender and jasmine he worries it might make him smell too “girly” (boys can be so silly sometimes). He’d love something like tea tree or sandalwood. Going to give this recipe a go and see If he likes that ;)

]]> By: Sustainable Me: Homemade Bath Fizzies - The Craftaholic http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-11011 Sustainable Me: Homemade Bath Fizzies - The Craftaholic Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:42 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-11011 [...] any common mistakes. I love tutorials like that. Makes me feel less intimidated. You know? Click HERE for that [...] [...] any common mistakes. I love tutorials like that. Makes me feel less intimidated. You know? Click HERE for that [...]

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-10373 DeAnne Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:12:07 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-10373 Fantastic, can't wait to hear! I've made really monster size one's before...like the size of a softball. No worries on blowing up the tub. ;) Nobody ever lets me near anything that could actually explode. That's like giving the Mythbusters a cannonball. Chaos will ensue. Hee! Happy Holidays, I'm so glad you were able to make something groovy! Yay! Fantastic, can’t wait to hear! I’ve made really monster size one’s before…like the size of a softball. No worries on blowing up the tub. ;) Nobody ever lets me near anything that could actually explode. That’s like giving the Mythbusters a cannonball. Chaos will ensue. Hee! Happy Holidays, I’m so glad you were able to make something groovy! Yay!

]]> By: Lauren http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-10368 Lauren Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:57:24 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-10368 Just made these! I thought you were using the biggest fill-able plastic ornament at Hobby Lobby though, so mine have turned out with a diameter of about six inches... This could be scary. I already got a really good Christmas present for the friend I'm giving these to though, so if they end up exploding her tub, she'll think it was a prank! I ended up using scented epsom salts (that's all I could find), and I ground up some Crayola tub tints in the mix so they'll turn the bath water bright colors. :) I'll let you know how they turn out! Just made these! I thought you were using the biggest fill-able plastic ornament at Hobby Lobby though, so mine have turned out with a diameter of about six inches… This could be scary. I already got a really good Christmas present for the friend I’m giving these to though, so if they end up exploding her tub, she’ll think it was a prank!
I ended up using scented epsom salts (that’s all I could find), and I ground up some Crayola tub tints in the mix so they’ll turn the bath water bright colors. :)
I’ll let you know how they turn out!

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-9637 DeAnne Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:04:24 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-9637 Lauren, if you mean epsom salts, then yes, that works well. If you mean stuff that has already been colored and perfumed, then you might not have great luck. Bath bombs are so finicky. :) Lauren, if you mean epsom salts, then yes, that works well. If you mean stuff that has already been colored and perfumed, then you might not have great luck. Bath bombs are so finicky. :)

]]> By: Lauren http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-9620 Lauren Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:03:13 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-9620 I'm definitely making these for Christmas! And quite a few for myself. One question though: Are "Bath Mineral Salts" the right kind of salt? Bath salts I can find everywhere! Thanks so much! I’m definitely making these for Christmas! And quite a few for myself.
One question though:
Are “Bath Mineral Salts” the right kind of salt? Bath salts I can find everywhere!
Thanks so much!

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-9216 DeAnne Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:24:23 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-9216 Susan, I find that, within reason, crystal size of the salts doesn't matter too much. I like to use dead sea salts, and I run them through a grinder until they're about the same size/consistency as kosher salt. I've not had great luck with grains as small as table salt, but bath fizzies are so temperamental that they react differently for everyone, depending on humidity and all sorts of variables. Just have fun! And share pics! :) Susan, I find that, within reason, crystal size of the salts doesn’t matter too much. I like to use dead sea salts, and I run them through a grinder until they’re about the same size/consistency as kosher salt. I’ve not had great luck with grains as small as table salt, but bath fizzies are so temperamental that they react differently for everyone, depending on humidity and all sorts of variables.

Just have fun! And share pics! :)

]]> By: Susan http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-9208 Susan Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:04:49 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-9208 This looks like a great recipe and I can't wait to try it! Question though - should the salts be fine or coarse? Or doesn't it matter? This is a great project for my daughter and I to make for Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing!! This looks like a great recipe and I can’t wait to try it! Question though – should the salts be fine or coarse? Or doesn’t it matter? This is a great project for my daughter and I to make for Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing!!

]]> By: DIY Bath Bombs | I Heart Popcorn http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-8496 DIY Bath Bombs | I Heart Popcorn Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:34:07 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-8496 [...] http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/ Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in Library Programs. Bookmark the permalink. [...] [...] http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/ Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in Library Programs. Bookmark the permalink. [...]

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7434 DeAnne Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:15:10 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7434 Ah, Oz is gonna be like the UK as far as naming protocol goes. Corn flour should work in your local. Try it, and then ping me back, so I can add that bit of knowledge to the database about world ingredients. :) Ah, Oz is gonna be like the UK as far as naming protocol goes. Corn flour should work in your local. Try it, and then ping me back, so I can add that bit of knowledge to the database about world ingredients. :)

]]> By: Kerry http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7425 Kerry Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:23:34 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7425 I cant find it anywhere! (corn starch) I have tried a couple of local supermarkets (im in australia) and even tried health food stores but people keep telling me to get corn flour! :( I cant find it anywhere! (corn starch) I have tried a couple of local supermarkets (im in australia) and even tried health food stores but people keep telling me to get corn flour! :(

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7410 DeAnne Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:21:35 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7410 Oh man, I hate when that happens! It's cause the mixture got too wet, or the humidity was too high, or the chaos gods were laughing at you...there's no telling what will set off the chemical reaction, but 9 times out of 10 it's because the mix is too wet for some reason. However, don't get discouraged, these are tricky beasts, and even after making thousands of them, sometimes my batches will just go off, puff up and refuse to cooperate. :) Ah science, she's a tricky mistress. ;) Oh man, I hate when that happens! It’s cause the mixture got too wet, or the humidity was too high, or the chaos gods were laughing at you…there’s no telling what will set off the chemical reaction, but 9 times out of 10 it’s because the mix is too wet for some reason. However, don’t get discouraged, these are tricky beasts, and even after making thousands of them, sometimes my batches will just go off, puff up and refuse to cooperate. :) Ah science, she’s a tricky mistress. ;)

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7409 DeAnne Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:19:15 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7409 Corn starch should be in any baking section of the grocery store. It's a super common ingredient (and really inexpensive). It the UK, cornflour *is* corn starch, but in the US, corn flour is corn meal...and I'm not sure which you've got. Flour doesn't work, it gets gummy...and tapioca gets kinda slimy. Best bet, look on the top shelf of the store above the flour, and there should be a small container of corn starch. Lemme know if you can't find any, and I'll see if we can't find you a local vendor. :) Corn starch should be in any baking section of the grocery store. It’s a super common ingredient (and really inexpensive). It the UK, cornflour *is* corn starch, but in the US, corn flour is corn meal…and I’m not sure which you’ve got. Flour doesn’t work, it gets gummy…and tapioca gets kinda slimy. Best bet, look on the top shelf of the store above the flour, and there should be a small container of corn starch. Lemme know if you can’t find any, and I’ll see if we can’t find you a local vendor. :)

]]> By: Kerry http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7383 Kerry Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:24:22 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7383 AAAHHHHH...... HELP!!! my bath bombs are expanding.... very quickly!!! what have i done wrong? AAAHHHHH…… HELP!!! my bath bombs are expanding…. very quickly!!! what have i done wrong?

]]> By: Kerry http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-7382 Kerry Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:20:59 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-7382 Hi I also love your site (and your sense of humour!) I am about to start making my first batch of bath bombs (wish me luck) I was wondering if you can substitute corn starch? I cant find it ANYWHERE! :( or could you tell me where to get some? I have corn flour and tapioca starch. Do you think these will work? Your advice is appreciated thanks :) Hi
I also love your site (and your sense of humour!) I am about to start making my first batch of bath bombs (wish me luck)
I was wondering if you can substitute corn starch? I cant find it ANYWHERE! :( or could you tell me where to get some? I have corn flour and tapioca starch. Do you think these will work?
Your advice is appreciated
thanks :)

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-3216 DeAnne Fri, 26 Nov 2010 03:08:26 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-3216 The url you left was to log in to your site, which is probably not what you wanted. For your data security, I deleted that url so it wasn't grabbed by bots. I'd love to see your bathbombs though, if you want to try again. :) As a rule, no site link should include username @ sitename. The url you left was to log in to your site, which is probably not what you wanted. For your data security, I deleted that url so it wasn’t grabbed by bots. I’d love to see your bathbombs though, if you want to try again. :) As a rule, no site link should include username @ sitename.

]]> By: Gigi Stephens http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-3191 Gigi Stephens Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:14:25 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-3191 Hi, I think I emailed you and mentioned that my bombs finally work, I was letting them dry in the enclosure and for sure they would fall in half. I just LOVE, LOVE LOVE, bathbombs. check them out and leave me a comment. Hi, I think I emailed you and mentioned that my bombs finally work, I was letting them dry in the enclosure and for sure they would fall in half. I just LOVE, LOVE LOVE, bathbombs. check them out and leave me a comment.

]]> By: Iris http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-3136 Iris Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:29:55 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-3136 Thanks so much!!!! Thanks so much!!!!

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-3123 DeAnne Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:04:55 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-3123 Iris, Sunshine Craft, at this link: http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/dept_view.php?DPath=HOLIDAY~CHRISTMAS~ACRYLICORN&Page=1, seems to have the best price and most availability. Iris, Sunshine Craft, at this link: http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/dept_view.php?DPath=HOLIDAY~CHRISTMAS~ACRYLICORN&Page=1, seems to have the best price and most availability.

]]> By: Iris http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-2638 Iris Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:49:52 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-2638 Hi, Where can I find 80 mm bath bomb molds in the USA? Thanks Hi,

Where can I find 80 mm bath bomb molds in the USA?

Thanks

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-2202 DeAnne Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:58:19 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-2202 Yay! Glad you're having fun with them! Yay! Glad you’re having fun with them!

]]> By: Jacki http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-2199 Jacki Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:55:36 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-2199 THANKS FOR THE FANTASTIC TUTORIAL - MY DAUGHTER & I ARE ON OUR 3RD BATCH. CHANEL NO.5 FRAGRANCE THIS TIME - ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE IS SALTY SAILOR (think Calvin Klein One) available from BigTreeSupplies.com.au for all the Aussies - cheap moulds too ! THANKS FOR THE FANTASTIC TUTORIAL – MY DAUGHTER & I ARE ON OUR 3RD BATCH.

CHANEL NO.5 FRAGRANCE THIS TIME – ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE IS SALTY SAILOR (think Calvin Klein One) available from BigTreeSupplies.com.au for all the Aussies – cheap moulds too !

]]> By: DeAnne http://www.soapyhollow.com/how-to-make-bath-bombs/comment-page-1/#comment-2024 DeAnne Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:37:35 +0000 http://www.soapyhollow.com/?p=250#comment-2024 You could try cutting the recipe in half, but this is the smallest batch I've been able to get to work successfully. If working smaller, I wouldn't add liquid to the dry, I would use a spritzer bottle and spray to get the dry to stick together. Good luck, lemme know how it works! You could try cutting the recipe in half, but this is the smallest batch I’ve been able to get to work successfully. If working smaller, I wouldn’t add liquid to the dry, I would use a spritzer bottle and spray to get the dry to stick together.

Good luck, lemme know how it works!

]]>