How To Make Your Own All-Natural DIY Bath Bombs

The three main ingredients are baking soda, citric acid and Epsom salts. When the baking soda and citric acid hit the water, a chemical reaction releases carbon dioxide gas, thus the fizz. Epsom salt adds minerals and magnesium to ease muscle aches and pains. (Check out 8 more surprising uses for Epsom salt.)

Rounding out the ingredient list is skin-nourishing oil and smell-good essential oils that customize bombs: calming lavender can quiet headaches and help you wind down after a crazy day, rosemary can stimulate circulation and boost memory, peppermint is an anti-inflammatory and muscle-soother, eucalyptus can clear your sinuses and ease joint pain, citrus scents like orange and grapefruit can rev you up while rose can ease depression and help you relax. (Before you buy, read up on how organic essential oils compare to non-organic varieties in terms of safety.)  

Add-ins like natural food colorings, dried rose petals and lavender buds make the fizz-balls even more fun. You also need a bowl, whisk and molds. I bought aluminum bath bomb molds on Amazon (Caydo Metal DIY Bath Bomb Molds; $7), but silicone molds and ice cube trays work too. 

Here are the quantities you’ll need:

1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
1/3 cup Epsom salt
1 tablespoon vegetable or nut oil (coconut, avocado, almond, jojoba)
8-10 drops essential oils
2 teaspoons water
3-4 drops natural food coloring (optional)
Water in a spray bottle (if necessary)
Bath bomb mold

Combine baking soda, citric acid and Epsom salts in a medium bowl and whisk to remove clumps. In a separate container, mix together oil, essential oils, water and food coloring if using. Have fun changing up the colors, the essential oils and even layering different colors into one bomb. Then, slowly add liquid mixture to baking soda mixture one teaspoon at a time, mixing as you add. (NOTE: Add liquid very slowly so it doesn’t activate solution.) 

Related: The Only 10 Things You Need To Make Your Own All Natural Cleaning Products

Mix with a whisk or your hand until thoroughly combined. Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling. If not moist enough, add a few sprays of water, mix and repeat until mixture is squeezable. 

Overfill both halves of the mold and squeeze tightly together, removing access around the middle. Once packed, carefully twist off mold and let dry. If using a silicone mold, fill and press with fingers until tightly packed and flush with top. Let dry at least 20 minutes before carefully removing the bath bomb.

Related: These 2-Ingredient Kombucha Popsicles Will Change Your Life (Or At Least Your Summer)

Let bath bombs dry uncovered at least 2 hours. 

Now you're ready to use them! Fill up the tub, drop in a bath bomb, and enjoy some fizzy and naturally fragrant relief.