How Do You Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid?

Making bath bombs can be full of fun, but can also be a little tough at first. One big reason for that is due to one of the main ingredients, citric acid, which can be very expensive and difficult to find. This article will show you the recipe that focuses on this issue by using cream of tartar, a common baking ingredient, instead of using citric acid. These bath bombs that contain no citric acid will produce colorful baths and super smooth skin just as the bath bomb with citric acid do.

Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cream of tartar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup epsom salt 
2 teaspoons essential oil
1 tablespoon oil (any type of moisturizing vegetable oil, such as sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil)
1 or 2 drops of a food colorant of your choice

Making Your Bath Bomb

Before starting, make sure you have everything you need. Once you mix all the ingredients together, you'll need to work quickly and efficiently. You don't want to be rummaging through your cabinets to find a mold last minute.

• Remember that this recipe will make exactly one large, softball-sized bath bomb. If you want to make a different amount, change up the recipe while keeping the proportions the same.
• Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately and do not mix together until both dry and wet are mixed completely.

Add the dry ingredients to a glass or metal bowl. Place the baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, and epsom salts into the bowl.

• Try to not use plastic bowls and spoons, as plastic can soak up essential oils. This won't affect your bath bomb.
• There is a good amount of salts that you can choose from. One common option is Epsom salts as it is the most common. You can also use sea salts, which are more expensive. 
• Cornstarch continues to be a common ingredient in bath bombs. If you don't want to use cornstarch, add an additional 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup epsom salts. Keep in mind that cornstarch acts as a filler and slows down the fizzing reaction. 

Whisk all the dry ingredients together. Take a metal whisk and use it to mix all the ingredients together well.

Then mix the oils and food colorant in a bowl. Measure out the oils and food colorants into a second bowl. Whisk these ingredients together, but keep in mind that the food colorant and oil are unlikely to mix.

• Essential oils add fragrance and nourishment to your bath bomb. Be careful when handling undiluted essential oils, as these can burn your skin.
• The second oil is optional, but key and acts as a moisturizer. Sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil all work well.

After mixing the dry and wet ingredients separately, add the mixture of wet ingredients to the dry ingredients gradually. Gently mix the wet ingredients into the first bowl and mix well before adding more. 

• To keep the ingredients from staining your hands, you may want to wear gloves. The best way to mix the ingredients at this stage is to squeeze them by hand.

Spray the mixture with a water bottle as necessary. You will probably need to add some water to your bath bomb to blend the ingredients well. The exact amount of moisture you'll need will all depend on how the ingredients mix together. Spray in some water whenever you start to see the mixture get somewhat dry.

• You should end up with a mixture that is crumbly but holds its shape when squeezed together. (Think wet sand)

Fill the mold with the mixed ingredients. Pack the mixture in as tightly and firmly as you can. 

• If you're using any popular holiday decoration options, overfill each half of the ball. Press the two together lightly.

Wait for your bath bomb to dry and set before removing it. Allow your bath bomb to dry for at least a few hours and ideally overnight.

• If you try to remove it too early, it will most likely fall apart.
• Rinse all your tools carefully. Epsom salt can corrode metal over time.

Now it is time to use your bath bomb. Once it's out of the mold, the bath bomb is ready for use. Simply fill up your bath tub with warm water, drop in your bomb, and float away.

• It's best to use a bath bomb within a few weeks as it can expire. Older bath bombs lose their effervescence and scent.

 

Head over to Bubbly Belle to order some of our one-of-a-kind bath bombs.