How to Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid

Making bath bombs is a fun activity, but it can be a bit tricky to get it just right. This is because the main ingredient, citric acid, can be expensive and hard to find. In this guide, we’ll use cream of tartar powder, a common baking ingredient, as an alternative. Even without citric acid, this bath bomb still creates colorful bubbly water and leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth.

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/4 cup of cream of tartar powder
• 1/2 cup of cornstarch
• 1/2 cup of salt (Epsom salt, sea salt, or non-iodized table salt)
• 2 teaspoons of essential oil
• 1 tablespoon of oil (any moisturizing plant oil like sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil) (optional)
• 1 or 2 drops of food coloring (optional)

Gather all the ingredients you’ll need. Once everything is mixed, you’ll need to work quickly. You can’t afford to be rummaging through the kitchen for a mold at the last minute.

• Note that this recipe makes one large bath bomb, about the size of a soft ball. If you want to make a different size, you can adjust the ingredients while maintaining the proportions. (For example, if you want to make two soft ball-sized bath bombs, you’d need to use 2 cups of baking soda instead of just 1.)
• Sort the ingredients by dividing the wet and dry ones into two groups.

Combine the dry ingredients in a glass or metal bowl. Add the baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, and salt to the bowl.

• Avoid using plastic bowls and spoons as plastic can absorb essential oils. This doesn’t affect the bath bomb, but plastic will retain a soapy smell over time.
• You have a few options for the type of salt to use. The most common and affordable choice is Epsom salt. You can also use sea salt, but it may be more expensive. If necessary, you can use table salt, as long as it’s non-iodized.
• Some bath bomb makers avoid cornstarch because it might attract yeast, but research shows there’s no connection to this, and cornstarch remains a popular ingredient. If you prefer not to use cornstarch, you can substitute it with an extra ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of salt. Just keep in mind that cornstarch works as a filler and slows down the fizzing reaction. Without it, the bath bomb will fizz faster but for a shorter time.

Mix the dry ingredients well. Use a metal whisk to thoroughly blend the dry ingredients. If you don’t have a whisk, you can substitute it with two forks or a pair of chopsticks.

Mix the oil and food coloring.

Measure out the oil and food coloring into a bowl. Stir them together, but keep in mind that food coloring and oil won’t fully combine because food coloring is water-based.

• Essential oils add fragrance to the bath bomb. Be cautious when using undiluted essential oils, as they can cause skin irritation.
• The second oil is optional, as it simply provides additional moisturizing properties. Sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are all effective options.

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a spoon to scoop the wet ingredients and gently add them to the bowl, then mix thoroughly with the dry ingredients. Each time you add wet ingredients, be sure to stir well. If the mixture starts to bubble, it may mean you added the wet ingredients too quickly.

Spray a small amount of water into the mixture if necessary. You'll likely need to add a little water to the bath bomb mixture to help combine the ingredients. There's no exact amount of water needed, so it's best to add just a little at a time. In general, you'll need less than one tablespoon of water. Add water as needed if you have trouble mixing the ingredients.

Press the mixture into the mold. Press the mixture down as tightly as possible into the mold. Gently tap the mold on the table to smooth the surface and make it even.

Wait for the bath bomb to set before removing it from the mold. Allow the bath bomb to dry for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight. If you remove the bath bomb from the mold too soon, it may crumble.

Use the bath bomb. Once you’ve removed the bath bomb from the mold, you can use it right away. Simply fill your bathtub with warm water, drop the bath bomb in, and relax. It's best to use the bath bomb within a few weeks, as older bath bombs will no longer fizz.

Select a mold. Almost any item can be used as a mold, but it’s best to choose materials like plastic or glass. You can opt for a larger mold that holds several cups of the mixture to make a big bath bomb, or use a smaller one for a mini bath bomb.

• Plastic may absorb undiluted essential oils, but this is unlikely once you’ve fully mixed the ingredients.
• The most common mold is the plastic ornament ball often used for Christmas decorations. Choose a two-piece ball that can be easily separated, usually found in craft supply stores. This will create a round bath bomb the size of a soft ball, similar to bath bombs sold in stores.
• Chocolate molds with cute shapes also work well for bath bombs.
• Tart and cupcake molds are also highly effective for this purpose.

Experiment with different colors. You don’t have to stick to a single color. Try mixing several hues to create your perfect shade.

• While bath bombs look beautiful when made, they might not always deliver the same visual effect when dropped into the bath.
• Make a note of your color combinations so you can replicate the best results in the future.
• Always use non-toxic, non-bleeding dyes that dissolve in water.

Find the perfect fragrance. Get creative with crafting the scent of your bath bomb. Mix various essential oils to create a signature fragrance just for you.

• If you're unsure where to start, you can find "essential oil recipes" online for inspiration. You don’t need to follow a specific bath bomb recipe. Information about soap making and aromatherapy can be adapted for bath bombs as well.
• Popular combinations include: 4 parts spearmint with 1 part patchouli; 2 parts orange with 1 part vanilla; 1 part patchouli with 1 part cedarwood and 2 parts bergamot; lavender and peppermint in equal amounts; 1 part peppermint with 1 part tea tree oil and 2 parts lavender.
• You can store essential oils in bottles for future use.
• Be cautious when using undiluted essential oils as some can cause burns or skin irritation.

• Add the oil to the dry ingredients very slowly. Adding the oil too quickly can cause the mixture to bubble prematurely, and the bath bomb may lose its effectiveness.
• Wrap the bath bomb in cellophane and tie a cute ribbon to create a handmade gift for your friends.
• If you’re in a humid climate, it will take longer for the bath bomb to dry.
• Try making smaller bath bombs if they crumble when you remove them from the mold.
• You can substitute cream of tartar for citric acid in your bath bomb recipe. Just ensure that the amount of cream of tartar is less than half the amount of citric acid. Too much cream of tartar will make the mixture too thick to mix.

• 1 or more molds (depending on the amount of mixture you make)
• Whisk (can be replaced with a fork or chopsticks)
• 2 bowls (glass or metal)
• 1 measuring cup
• Measuring spoons (preferably metal)
• Small metal spoon
• Latex gloves (optional)
• Spray bottle of water