Simple Bath: Bomb Recipe

Making bath bombs might seem tricky at first, but it’s easier than you think! With this straightforward bath bomb recipe, you’ll have them ready for the tub in just a few simple steps.

We have seen bath bombs at Bath and Body Works, farmer markets, and even booths at the fair, and we even bought a few.

And while we love a nice relaxing bath, we think our kids love them even more! They get really excited to watch them fizz and take turns holding it in their hands to feel the bubbles.

Now, we admit this was one DIY we had no desire to tackle. Frankly, it just looked difficult to me! One of our friends is a “bath bomb expert” and assured me there was nothing to it.

So, we ordered the stuff and decided to give it a try. Yup, she was right! Nothing to it, and it was fun. Now, we can customize each batch to get the scent and the look we am going for!

If you have ever felt that making homemade bath bombs would be tough, don’t worry. We have detailed step-by-step images and even a video tutorial below to make things as easy for you as possible!

We even made several variations, including coconut oil-free bath bombs and our kid’s favorite, homemade tropical bath bombs!

You can find both of those and the rest of our homemade bath bomb recipes gathered together in one post.

Why you will love this recipe

You are going to love how simple this is to make, even if you’re new to DIY projects. The ingredients are easy to find, the process is straightforward, and the end result works fantastically.
You’re going to love this bath bomb recipe because it’s made with simple, plant-based, and sustainably sourced ingredients that are gentle on both your skin and the environment!
These bath bombs are easy to store and last a long time when kept in a dry area, making it simple to have them on hand whenever you’re ready to enjoy a relaxing, spa-like soak!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for a bath bomb recipe measured out on a white marble vanity.

Baking soda
Citric acid: The citric acid will react with the baking soda once it hits the water, giving us that fizzing reaction!
Cornstarch
Epsom salt
Coconut oil: For these bath bombs to work, you must use regular coconut oil, not fractionated coconut oil.
Essential oils: These are totally optional, and you can definitely make these fragrance-free if you prefer! If you do choose to use them, see our favorite blends below.
Water: A small spray bottle to mist the ingredients will be totally necessary, but you can use any clean spray bottle you have on hand.
Vanilla extract: We have made this with and without vanilla extract, but we do love the beautiful scent it gives! You can also see our ultimate relaxing bath bomb recipe for more fragrance ideas!

Simple Bath Bomb Recipe

Pouring the dry ingredients for the bath bombs into a large mixing bowl.

Step 1: Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium-size bowl. Stir until well incorporated.

Adding in a few drops of natural fragrance to the dry ingredients.

Step 2: Add in the coconut oil, essential oils, and vanilla. Whisk together until well combined.

Misting the ingredients to get the correct texture and checking it with our hands.

Step 3: With a spray bottle, spray the mixture with water until the ingredients hold together when squeezed in your hands. Only do one spray at a time so it doesn’t get too wet. (see tips below)

Filling molds with the bath bomb mixture and pressing it together firmly.

Step 4: Press the mixture into both halves of your lightly greased bath bomb molds until it is overflowing. Then, press the two halves together. Wipe the excess mixture off the sides and set it aside. Allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before popping out of the molds.

Expert Tips

You don’t want to use too much liquid, or the baking soda and citric acid will begin to react, causing your bath bombs to expand prematurely. Just lightly mist one spray at a time and mix well. Then, with gloves, lightly squeeze some of the mixture together. It should just hold its shape without crumbling and falling apart.
Make sure you overflow each side of the mold with the mixture so that you can firmly compact the ingredients for the best result.
If the molds don’t pop off easily, you can lightly tap the sides with the blunt end of a butter knife to break it free.
Getting the perfect texture can be challenging if this is your first time making these. We highly recommend watching our video in the recipe card below before getting started.

Recipe FAQs

What if the bath bomb doesn’t pop right out of the mold?

Tap the sides of the mold with the back of a butter knife and then pull it straight apart or slightly twist while you pull.

What consistency should the mixture be before putting into the molds?

Think of it like wet sand at the beach. We want it completely damp and to be able to hold itself together, but no more.

Do we have to use citric acid?

The citric acid is what is going to create the fizzing part of the bath bomb when mixed with the baking soda and water.

How long can we store bath bombs?

Bath bombs will last up to 6 months when stored in a cool, dry place.

4 homemade bath bombs drying on a tea towel that is placed on top of a white shiplap table.

Adding essential oils to your bath bombs

Essential oils are what make these bath bombs, the bomb! 😉 As they fizz in the water, the essential oils are released. It makes for the ultimate relaxing spa night. Try any of these blends below!

Orange creamsicle

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or 5 drops of vanilla essential oil
15 drops of orange essential oil

It smells like an orange creamsicle! Get extra fancy and add a couple of teaspoons of orange zest to the dry ingredients for added color and texture.

Ultimate relaxer

10 drops lavender
5 drops sandalwood
3 drops vetiver
2 drops Roman chamomile

This blend reminds me of our moisturizing homemade bath truffles, perfect for winding down after a long day.

The cooling blend

10 drops eucalyptus
5 drops peppermint
5 drops Siberian Fir

Field of flowers

We love making a beautiful blend of floral essential oils for just about everything. Floral blend room sprays, diffuser blends, and now bath bombs.

5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
5 drops jasmine essential oil
5 drops rose essential oil

You can add dried rose petals for a unique look. We have done the added rose petals, but beware that it isn’t the best after the bath is over because it requires a little cleaning.

Tiny tots

10 drops lavender
5 drops orange

Blending lavender and orange essential oil is another favorite for our kids and for me, too; we actually use this blend in our rainbow bath bombs for kids recipe!

3 homemade bath bombs on a white table with rose petals surrounding it.

Related DIYs

If you tried this Bath Bomb recipe or any other tutorial on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.81 from 62 votes

DIY Bath Bombs

By the studio Ascher Prep: 15 minutes minsAdditional Time: 1 day dTotal: 1 day d 15 minutes mins Yield: 6 bath bombs Several homemade bath bombs on a grey and white striped tea towel with dried oranges, essential oil bottles around it.

Several homemade bath bombs on a grey and white striped tea towel with dried oranges, essential oil bottles around it.

SaveSaved Pin Print Create your own DIY bath bombs with this simple, all-natural recipe. Made with eco-friendly ingredients, these bath bombs offer a refreshing bath while being kind to the environment.

Equipment

Bath bomb molds

Ingredients

1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
½ cup cornstarch
¼ cup epsom salt
¼ cup coconut oil, 2 oz melted
15-20 drops essential oils, optional
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
Water

US Customary – Metric Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Add dry ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and stir well.
Mix in the coconut oil, essential oils, and vanilla. Whisk together until well combined.
Using a spray bottle, spray the mixture with water until the ingredients hold together when squeezed in your hands. Just do one spray at a time (it is easy to oversaturate). See notes below.
Prepare your bath bomb molds by lightly greasing them with oil.
Press the mixture into both halves of your lightly greased bath bomb molds until it is overflowing. Then, press the two halves together. Wipe the excess mixture off the sides and set it aside.
Allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before popping out of the molds. See notes below for removing them from the molds.

Video

Notes

- If you are having trouble getting the right consistency for the mixture, you may want to see the video tutorial in the post above!
- You don’t want to use too much liquid, or the baking soda and citric acid will begin to react, causing your bath bombs to expand prematurely. Just highly mist 1 mist at a time and mix well. Then, with gloves, lightly squeeze some of the mixture together. It should just hold its shape without crumbling and falling apart.

- Make sure you overflow each side of the mold with the mixture so that you can firmly compact the ingredients for the best result.

- If the molds don’t pop off easily, you can lightly tap the sides with the blunt end of a butter knife to break it free.

Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse! This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.