Enjoy Your Soak Without Going Broke: Here’s How to Make Bath Bombs at Home

Making yourself feel like a million bucks shouldn’t actually cost a million bucks.

Nor should it cost $9 per fizzy, luxurious, delightful-smelling bath bomb.

Let’s do some math: say you take one relaxing bath per week. Now, say you pay $8.95 (for the fancy bath bombs from you-know-who) each time you enjoy a soak.

Over the course of a year, you’ll end up spending almost $430 on bath bombs!

But, if the opportunity to close your eyes and imagine you’re a tiny human in a regular-sized glass of champagne doesn’t seem worth the money, it might be time for a little DIY session.

How to Make Bath Bombs at Home

Making your own bath bombs is cost-effective once you have all the supplies on hand. Plus, you can customize the colors, scents and add-ins to your own needs and likings.

At the end of this recipe, you’ll find some notes that will help you decide which parts of the process will work for you.

Supplies:

• Metal or glass mixing bowls (one large and one small)

• Whisk

• Bath bomb molds (more about different mold options below)

• Spray bottle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup citric acid: $2.50

(you can find citric acid in bulk on Amazon or in the canning section of some grocery stores)

• 2 cups baking soda: $2.38

• ½ cup of cornstarch or ½ tablespoon oil: approx. 12 – 75 cents

(you can use whatever oil you have on hand — olive, jojoba, coconut, etc.)

• 15 to 30 drops of essential oils: 38 cents

• 15 to 20 drops of food coloring (optional): 11 cents

• Water or witch hazel: 0 – 5 cents

Total: $5.49 – $6.17

Make Your DIY Bath Bombs

1. In a large bowl, whisk dry ingredients until they’re thoroughly combined. (If you’re using cornstarch, add it here. If using an oil, add it with the wet ingredients.)

2. In a small bowl, mix the oil (if using), essential oil and food coloring until they’re blended.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Quickly mix with your hands before the dry mixture has a chance to fizz. (A little bit is OK, but the more your mixture fizzes at this stage, the less it will fizz in the bathtub.)

4. Use the spray bottle to add water or witch hazel one spray at a time, mixing well between sprays. The mixture should be crumbly but hold it’s shape when you squeeze it together.

5. Pack the mixture firmly into the molds.

6. Allow your bath bombs to dry overnight, or for as long as 24 hours. Note: Humidity will affect drying time. Try setting your molds in a cool, dry place, away from the humidity of a kitchen or bathroom.

7. Once dry, remove them from the molds and store in an airtight container for up to three weeks. While bath bombs never “go bad,” they do lose their fizzing power over time. If you find that you don’t use them up quickly enough, you can cut this recipe in half (or give some to your friends!).

This recipe will make about six large or 12 small bath bombs, depending on mold size.

Price per bath bomb: 48 – 97 cents

And that’s it! All you have to do now is drop them in the bathtub and then enjoy feeling like you’re relaxing in a pool of effervescent unicorn tears.

Some Things to Consider With Homemade Bath Bombs

Molds: You should already have plenty of options around the house: muffin tins, ice cube trays, silicone baking molds, measuring cups, or small food containers all work well.

Essential Oils: You can buy these online, at health food stores and even in some pharmacies. If you don’t care to buy a set, you can use flavoring extracts (such as vanilla or coconut) or dried herbs or flowers.

(Pro-tip: I just found a really nice set of essential oils at my local Marshall’s for a steal, so be sure to check around!)

Water vs. Witch Hazel: Water is free, but witch hazel has added benefits for your skin (and it tends to make the mixture fizz less during the mixing process). The choice is yours!

Oil vs. Cornstarch: You can choose to use either, neither or both. Oils (such as coconut or olive) are excellent moisturizers. Cornstarch will make your bath water feel silky-smooth, but more importantly, it helps the bombs dry faster and more completely. If you live in a humid climate, it might be the better option.

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Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.