The Ultimate Guide to Bath Bomb Moulds and Ingredients

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a long, hot bath at the end of a busy day. More than just a way to get fresh and clean, a bath can act as some much needed self-care time: an opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a moment of peace and solitude. But aside from the bath itself, it’s the products we use that really bring a luxurious, spa-like feel to our bathtimes. Bath bombs are a popular choice for many – turning your tub into a colourful, fragrant, skin-soothing haven.

While the bath bomb market is extensive and varied, with plenty of unique options to choose from, you might not be aware of how simple they are to make. Not only is creating bath bombs a fun pastime that the whole family can get stuck into, but if you’re looking to turn a hobby into a low-risk business venture, they are also relatively inexpensive to make and sell. Best of all, you can make them from the comfort of your own home, and only need a few key supplies to get started.

So, if you’re interested in trying to make your first ever bath bombs, in this guide we’ll take you through all of the supplies you’ll need to create a stunning final product.

What Will I Need to Make Bath Bombs?

Ingredients

Bath bombs are surprisingly straightforward to make and only require a few, easy-to-obtain ingredients. Although you can substitute some of these elements to customise your bath bombs, you will typically need:

(Makes 4 small bath bombs)

• 100g bicarbonate of soda
• 50g citric acid
• 25g cornflour
• 25g epsom salt (optional)
• 2 tbsp oil, such as sunflower, vegetable or olive
• ¼ tsp essential oils, such as lavender, orange or chamomile
• A few drops of liquid food colouring or cosmetic dye (make sure it’s suitable for contact with skin)
• Decorations, such as lavender, rose petals or glitter (optional)

Alongside your ingredients, you will also need a mixing bowl, a whisk and, most importantly, some bath bomb moulds.

Moulds

Realistically, you can use anything flexible as a mould for shaping your bath bombs; as a result, there are plenty of household objects that you can utilise, including yoghurt pots, Christmas decorations, Easter egg packaging, cookie cutters and much more. However, if you want to create a specific shape, opting for a dedicated bath bomb mould is often preferable. Not only do these moulds come in a variety of fun, intricate shapes, but they also hold up well during the creation process, leaving you with professional-looking bath bombs.

Bath bomb moulds are available in a number of different materials, but one of the most popular options is Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). There are many reasons why LDPE is considered a superior material for moulding bath bombs and other such products, including:

• High resistance to chemicals: ingredients with a high oil, fragrance or pH content is no issue.
• Flexible yet sturdy: holds shape well but can still be pressed out easily.
• Reverts to its original shape seamlessly once unmoulded.
• Transparency allows you to see your creation in action.
• Safe for use in the creation of cosmetic and edible products.
• Versatile: can be used for creating bath bombs, soaps, wax melts, chocolate and much more.

Within the LDPE mould market, there are countless shapes and styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking to make a themed gift for a special occasion, or simply want to appeal to a specific demographic on your online shop, below are just some of the types of LDPE moulds you can expect to find:

• Animals
• Holidays: Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc
• Fantasy
• Adult-themed
• Food
• Space and stars
• Misc. shapes
• Children’s motifs
• Transport
• Weather

As you can tell, the possibilities for creating unique bath bombs that everyone will enjoy are endless. Best of all, within your chosen shape there is still so much room for creativity, as you customise scents, colours and decorative items to design something truly special.

How to Make Bath Bombs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve gathered all of your supplies, it’s time to get making! Really, it all comes down to mixing your wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, before slowly combining them together. To make sure you get it right, however, below we’ve listed what you’ll need to do step-by-step:

1.   Combine dry ingredients

With the exception of the citric acid, combine your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2.   Combine wet ingredients

In a different mixing bowl, pour in all of your wet ingredients and mix them until combined.

3.   Whisk wet & dry ingredients together

Pour the liquid mixture into your bowl of dry ingredients, and whisk to meld the two together. Once combined, slowly add the citric acid and continue blending. You may notice a slight buzzing because of the citric acid, but no need to panic – this is a normal chemical reaction.

4.   Moulding

Pour the mixture into your moulds; don’t be afraid to overfill them slightly. Use a spoon to press the mixture into the mould as tightly as possible to reduce the risk of breakage or crumbling. Freeze for one hour.

5.   Unmold & store

Remove the bombs from their moulds, place them onto wax paper and leave them to dry overnight. Alternatively, you can leave the mixture in its mould and place it in the freezer for an hour. After freezing, remove the bath bombs from the moulds and voila!

6.   Store carefully

If you choose to let them air dry, give the bath bombs a day or two to set properly before using or packaging them. If you don’t plan to use or sell them straight away, store them in an airtight container. Bombs that are more fresh will fizz more when dropped in a bath, so appropriate storage is integral to maintaining a quality final product.

What Should I Consider When Sourcing Bath Bomb Supplies?

Long soaks in a hot bath opens up your pores, which in turn allows the ingredients in the products you’re using to properly absorb into your skin. Whilst this can be beneficial in some ways, it does also mean that if you’re creating your own bath bombs, you’ll need to thoroughly research the ingredients you’re including, as well as the supplier of each – especially if you’re using essential oils.

Whether you’re making them for yourself, your loved ones or to sell to customers, ensuring that your ingredients are safe and suitable for a cosmetic product. In light of this, here are some questions you should ask yourself before purchasing your supplies:

• Are the ingredients you’ve selected suitable for use in skincare or cosmetic products in your country?
• Is the food colouring or cosmetic dye you’re using FDA-approved? Is the solution stain free?
• Will you use any preservatives, such as citric acid? If so, how will this affect the bath bomb’s shelf life?
• Are any of your ingredients or oils known to be common allergens? For example, bergamot oil is notorious for making those exposed to it break out in hives or blisters.
• If you’re using natural ingredients: how will you determine whether your supplier’s claims are legitimate?
• If you want your bath bombs to be sustainable: are your ingredients biodegradable, are they known to clog up pipes?
• If you want to use organic ingredients: make sure your supplier has the right certifications to reinforce their claims.

Whilst not all of these questions will apply to everybody, they are a good starting point to help you think more consciously about the technical process. If you’re coming up with your own recipe, naturally the learning curve will be even sharper as you discover how certain ingredients react to one another. In this case, if you’re also selling your bath bombs, it’s a good idea to get a third-party involved to assist with the research and development process.

Looking For Bath Bomb Dyes, Moulds & Much More?

Looking for high-quality, FDA-approved bath bombs and other wholesale soap supplies? At Soak Rochford Ltd, we provide everything you need to create beautiful, unique cosmetic or edible products – whether it be for your own enjoyment or to sell as part of your small business. From bath wax to moulds and glitter, all of our products comply with the necessary safety standards and, even better, are competitively priced. Shop our full range here or, for more information, please get in touch with us today.