How to Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Tested

Bath bombs can be super fun to make but can be a bit tricky to make well. One reason for that is because a typical main ingredient, citric acid, can be expensive and hard to find. This recipe addresses this issue by using cream of tartar, a common baking ingredient, instead of citric acid. These citric acid-less bath bombs will produce colorful baths and super smooth skin.

Ingredients

1 cup (220 g) of baking soda
1/4 cup (40 g) of cream of tartar
1/2 cup (64 g) of cornstarch
1/2 cup (120 g) of salt (Epsom salts, sea salt, or non-iodized table salt)
2 teaspoons (10 mL) of essential oil
1 tablespoon (30 mL) of oil (vegetable oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil) (optional)
1 to 2 drops of food coloring (optional)

A mold to shape the bath bombs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Making Your Bath Bomb

1
Make sure that you have everything you need on hand. Once the ingredients are all mixed together, you'll need to work quickly; the last thing you'd want to do is scramble for additional ingredients and supplies. This recipe will make approximately 1 softball-sized bath bomb.
- If you'd like to make a different size or amount, adjust the recipe while keeping the proportions the same.
- For example, if you wanted to make 2 softball-sized bath bombs, you'd start with 2 cups (440 g) of baking soda instead of 1 cup (220 g).
2
Add the dry ingredients to a glass or metal bowl. Place 1 cup (220 g) of baking soda, 1/4 cup (40 g) of cream of tartar, 1/2 cup (64 g) of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup (120 g) of salt into a glass or stainless steel bowl. Don't use plastic or aluminum bowls, as the oils may react with them.^{[1]
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- You can use any type of salt you want. Epsom salt is a class choice for bath products, but you can also try sea salt or non-iodized table salt.^{[2]
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- If you can't find cornstarch, add 1/4 cup (55 g) of baking soda and 1/4 cup (60 g) of salts. Keep in mind that this will cause the bath bomb to fizz more and last not as long.^{[3]
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3
Whisk the dry ingredients together. Take a metal whisk and use it to mix all the ingredients together well. If you don't have a whisk available you can improvise one with 2 forks or a set of chopsticks.
- Don't worry too much about doing this perfectly. The goal here is to mix up the dry ingredients. You can even put them into a sealed jar and shake the jar.
4
Mix the oils and food coloring in a separate bowl. Measure out 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of essential oil and pour it into a clean bowl. Add 1 tablespoon (30 mL) of oil and 1 to 2 drops of food coloring. Stir everything together with spoon.
- The oil is optional, but it will make the bath bomb more nourishing for your skin. Vegetable oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil are all great choices.
- The food coloring may be difficult to mix into the oil, especially if it is water-based. Consider using an oil-based food coloring instead.^{[4]
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- Avoid getting the essential oil directly onto your skin as it may irritate it. Once the oil is in the bath bomb, however, you'll be fine.
5
Add the mixture of wet ingredients to the dry ingredients gradually. Gently spoon the wet ingredients into the first bowl and mix well before adding more. Mix the ingredients with your hands as you go. If the mixture starts to foam, you may be adding the ingredients too quickly.^{[5]
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- Wear plastic gloves to keep the mixture from staining your hands.^{[6]
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6
Spritz 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 extra moisture you'll need will vary, so it's best to add it little by little as you work. In general, you'll need less than a tablespoon. Spray in some water whenever you have difficulty working the mixture.
- You should end up with a mixture that is crumbly but holds its shape when squeezed together.^{[7]
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7
Fill the mold with the mixture. Pack the mixture in as tightly as you can. Pat it down to make a smooth and even surface.
- If you're using the popular Christmas decoration option, overfill each half of the ball. Press the 2 together lightly.^{[8]
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8
Wait for your bath bomb to set before removing it from the mold. Allow your bath bomb to dry for at least a few hours and ideally overnight.
- If you try to remove it prematurely, it is more likely to fall apart.^{[9]
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- Rinse all metal tools carefully. Epsom salt can corrode metal over time.^{[10]
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9
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 relax.
- It's best to use a bath bomb within a few weeks. Older bath bombs lose their effervescence.^{[11]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Planning and Perfecting Your Bath Bombs

1
Pick a mold. Almost anything can be used as a mold, but plastic and glass items work best. You can pick something big enough to hold a few cups for one big bath bomb or use smaller molds for little bath bombs.
- Plastics can soak up undiluted essential oil, but this is less likely to happen after you've mixed everything together.
- The most popular "mold" is a spherical plastic Christmas ornament. Look for the 2-part, snap-together type of ornament commonly sold at craft stores. It will make the round, softball-sized shape often seen in commercial bath bombs.
- Chocolate molds come in many cute shapes that are perfect for making bath bombs.
- Tart and cupcake tins also work well.^{[12]
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2
Choose and experiment with colors. You don't have to use dyes right out of the box. Try mixing them together to create you favorite colors.
- A bath bomb that looks pretty when you make it may not necessarily make the best-looking bath.
- Keep a record of which combinations you've tried and which work out best.
- Make sure to always use dyes that are non-toxic, non-staining, and water soluble.
3
Find the perfect fragrance. Get creative with your bath bomb's scent. Blend different oils together to create your own unique aroma. If you don't know where to start, look up essential oil "recipes" online for ideas. Some popular combinations include:^{[13]
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- 4 parts spearmint to 1 part patchouli
- 2 parts orange to 1 part vanilla
- 1 part patchouli to 1 part cedarwood to 2 parts bergamot
- 1 part peppermint to 1 part tea tree to 2 parts lavender
- Equal parts lavender and peppermint

Community Q&A

Question

Can you use baking powder instead of cornstarch?

Community Answer

Yes. It fizzes more.
Question

Can I use paint instead of food dye?

Community Answer

No, because it could cause damage to your skin or cause an infection.
Question

Do I have to use Epsom salt or can I use sea salt?

Community Answer

Either. But Epsom salt contains many healing and relaxing properties. Sea salt does not. .

Warnings

If the environment is very humid, it will take longer for the bath bomb to dry.

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Some hobbyists claim that cornstarch can cause yeast infections, but studies have shown no correlation between the two.^{[15]
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