Need help with bath bombs

[ronaar]

hello I've been making bath bombs for the best few days but they just don't hold together am I doing something wrong with my recipe? please help, thanks in advance
100g citric acid
70g cornstrach
220g baking soda
100g epson salt
2tablespoons coconut oil
5drips essential oils

 

[Cellador]

Bath bombs are so tricky and can vary depending on many factors (for me, humidity makes a huge difference!). Have you had success with this recipe before? Do you use anything else like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol to "wet" them?

 

[Nanette]

The two to one ratio works well--baking soda to citric acid.

 

[shunt2011]

To much baking soda and salt. Add more oil and spritz with alcohol or witch hazel to moisten it more. I use cocoa butter in mine.

 

[lsg]

I don't use cornstarch in my bath bombs. I do use melted cocoa butter, which makes very firm bath bombs.

 

[ronaar]

Thanks for the info

Bath bombs are so tricky and can vary depending on many factors (for me, humidity makes a huge difference!). Have you had success with this recipe before? Do you use anything else like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol to "wet" them?

I've not have successful batches yet

I don't use cornstarch in my bath bombs. I do use melted cocoa butter, which makes very firm bath bombs.

Can I have ur recipe to tryout?

 

[lsg]

Sure, here it is. I got it from the book DIY Kitchen Chemistry.
1 cup citric acid
2 cups baking soda
1/4 cup sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (if you want to leave this out, just use more baking soda and citric acid )
1/4 cup cream of tartar
1/2 cup melted deodorized coccoa butter
1 tsp. FO or EO

Mix all dry ingredients together. I use a Kitchen Aid mixer. Combine wet ingredients and pour slowly into dry ingredients while still mixing. Press mixture into molds and put in freezer for 10-20 min. Remove from freezer and unmold. If you don't use the freezer, allow bath bombs to set in molds for 18-24 hours before unmolding.

 

[Lilcat9984]

I add shea butter to mine but even then they can be a little temperamental
.

 

[Leslie Shannon Fisk]

Sure, here it is. I got it from the book DIY Kitchen Chemistry.
1 cup citric acid
2 cups baking soda
1/4 cup sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (if you want to leave this out, just use more baking soda and citric acid )
1/4 cup cream of tartar
1/2 cup melted deodorized coccoa butter
1 tsp. FO or EO

Mix all dry ingredients together. I use a Kitchen Aid mixer. Combine wet ingredients and pour slowly into dry ingredients while still mixing. Press mixture into molds and put in freezer for 10-20 min. Remove from freezer and unmold. If you don't use the freezer, allow bath bombs to set in molds for 18-24 hours before unmolding.

One last question __ i am in Florida and it is just HUMID all the time -- crazy humid. Any way to compensate for this?

 

[shunt2011]

@Leslie Shannon Fisk unfortunately if it's super humid it's likely to give you trouble. They suck up moisture pretty easily. I never make them in high humidity unless my air is kicking well during the summer.

 

[lsg]

One last question __ i am in Florida and it is just HUMID all the time -- crazy humid. Any way to compensate for this?

I would shrink wrap the bath bombs. You can also store the bath bombs in a room that has a room dehumidifier. My craft room is in a finished basement. Each room has a dehumidifier. It is hard to believe the amount of water they pull out of the atmosphere.

 

[newlife]

I also have a dehumidifier in my soap room. I have a meter on the wall which shows the humidity level in the room. I only make bath bomb when the humidity is low which is a struggle here in south east Georgia. I also try to wrap them in shrink wrap once they are hard. If I don’t, they will develop warts and get soft if left out.

 

[lsg]

My daughter and her family lived in Ellenwood GA for a few years and I know what you mean by high humidity.