What did I do wrong with my bath bombs?

Laurie
by Laurie

my bombs overflowed the ice cube trays, then collapsed, and never formed up - what did I do wrong?

  6 answers
  • Rebecca Taylor Rebecca Taylor on Apr 08, 2019

    Hi Laurie, I don't know for sure what you did wrong but here is a link to all the recipes that are here on the site. Check them out and maybe you can figure out what went wrong or you could pick another recipe.

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=fizzy%20toilet%20bombs

  • Probably too much moisture. I've never made toilet bombs, but I've made bath bombs and have had the same problem.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Apr 09, 2019

    1. Don’t use Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts. Save these for bath salts. The magnesium draws moisture from the air and encourages premature fizzing.
    2. Go easy on the percentage of oils in the recipe. Too high a percentage of oils can cause the bath bombs to remain soft, instead of hardening.
    3. Use 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol as the liquid. Water, witch hazel, and other common liquids used for bath bombs are fine in a desert climate, but if you live where there is any humidity they will cause premature fizzing. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly so you can avoid the worst of the fizz.
    4. Begin the recipe with 2 parts baking soda to 1 part citric acid and 1/2 part modulator like rice flour, salt, or clay. The modulator inhibits the reaction between the acid and the baking soda, giving you more time to mix in the liquid.
    5. Avoid liquid food colourings until you are comfortable with the method. Water soluble color can be added to the alcohol in the spritz bottle.
    6. One cautionary tale. Do avert your face from the isopropyl alcohol fumes, as you are working. I didn’t the first time and had a painful day or two till my lungs worked out the inflammation.

    https://joybileefarm.com/rose-bath-bombs/

  • Deb K Deb K on May 10, 2020

    Hi Laurie, here is one recipe that you can alter and try

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEqcpMx-6C0

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Nov 28, 2020

    Definitely too much moisture.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Apr 17, 2021

    If your bath bombs don't stick together, it's most likely because they are too wet, or you're trying to dry them in a humid area, which prevents them from becoming hard. Use a dehumidifier and make sure they are kept away from the sun.