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

Feeling pampered doesn’t have to spend a fortune.

And you certainly don’t need to shell out nearly $9 for a single fizzy, fragrant bath bomb.

Let’s do the math: imagine you take a soothing bath once a week and you buy a $8.95 bath bomb each time.

Over one year, that adds up to almost $430 on bath bombs alone!

If the idea of closing your eyes and picturing yourself as a tiny person in a regular-sized glass of bubbly isn’t worth that price, it’s probably time for a little DIY project.

How to Make Bath Bombs at Home

Making bath bombs yourself becomes economical once you’ve gathered the basic supplies. Plus, you can tailor the hues, aromas and extras to your preferences.

At the end of this recipe, there are a few tips to help you decide which steps fit your routine best.

Supplies:

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

• Whisk

• Bath bomb molds (more on mold options below)

• Spray bottle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup citric acid: $2.50

(citric acid is available in bulk online or in the canning aisle at some grocery stores)

• 2 cups baking soda: $2.38

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

(use any oil you have — 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 the dry ingredients until they are fully combined. (If you’re using cornstarch, add it here. If you opt for oil, include it with the wet ingredients.)

1. In a small bowl, combine the oil (if using), essential oil and food coloring until mixed.

1. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mix. Quickly blend with your hands before the dry ingredients begin to fizz. (A small amount of fizzing is fine, but excessive fizzing now will reduce the bathtub effect later.)

1. Use the spray bottle to add water or witch hazel one spray at a time, stirring well between sprays. The texture should be crumbly yet hold together when squeezed.

1. Firmly press the mixture into your molds.

1. Let the bath bombs dry overnight, or up to 24 hours. Note: Humidity will influence drying time. Place your molds somewhere cool and dry, away from steamy areas like bathrooms or kitchens.

1. When fully dry, pop them out of the molds and keep in an airtight container for up to three weeks. While bath bombs don’t truly “expire,” their fizz diminishes over time. If you don’t use them fast enough, halve the recipe or give extras to friends.

This batch yields about six large or 12 small bath bombs, depending on mold size.

Cost per bath bomb: 48 – 97 cents

That’s all there is to it! Drop one into your tub and relish feeling like you’re soaking in a pool of sparkling, scented magic.

Things to Keep in Mind With Homemade Bath Bombs

Molds: You likely have plenty of options at home: muffin tins, ice cube trays, silicone baking molds, measuring cups or small food containers all work well.

Essential Oils: These can be purchased online, at natural food shops and some pharmacies. If you don’t want to buy essential oils, try flavoring extracts (like vanilla or coconut) or dried flowers and herbs.

(Pro tip: I recently found a great essential oil set at my local Marshall’s for a bargain, so keep an eye out in discount stores!)

Water vs. Witch Hazel: Water is free, but witch hazel offers skin benefits (and it usually minimizes fizzing while mixing). Choose whichever suits you.

Oil vs. Cornstarch: You can use one, the other, both or neither. Oils (such as coconut or olive) are excellent for moisturizing. Cornstarch gives bath water a silky feel and helps bombs dry faster and more thoroughly. If you live somewhere humid, cornstarch may be the better pick.

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Grace Mueller is a junior writer at Savinly.