These bath bombs and shower fizzies are perfect for self-care or gifting. I’ve even created an adorable free printable label!
Bath Bombs and Shower Fizzies: Part 1
Homemade bath products are amazing and make for well-received gifts. Over the past month, I spent a lot of time testing recipes and now have tons of bath bombs and shower fizzies packaged up and ready for gifting!
I’m sharing recipes that molded well, stayed together, and produced an awesome fizz and aroma. So far, I’ve shared:
- Lemon Drop (this recipe) – no moisturizing oils
- Peppermint Bath Bombs – with moisturizing oils
- Lavender DreamBath Bombs – for a more luxurious experience
Before We Get Started…
Today I’m going to be sharing the most simple mix I’ve tested repeatedly: simple because it uses the least amount of ingredients and because it performed well every time I made a batch.
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Supplies for Lemon Vanilla Bath Bombs
The supplies for this ‘oil-free’ bath bomb are:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 15-20 drops essential oil** (can be a combination of oils); for this layered look, I used vanilla and lemon essential oils and only colored half the mix
- a glass (or metal) bowl
- a spray bottle of witch hazel (you’ll only need a very small amount, so phone-a-friend if you don’t have any on hand)
- coloring, optional – I use gel colorants from the craft store (Wilton brand)
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together (baking soda and citric acid).
- Mix the essential oil and colorants into the dry ingredients.
- Add a small amount of coloring (notice I had a toothpick for the gel coloring) – a small amount will go a long way. Use your hands to incorporate the oils and color very well.
Note: if you want two (or three) colors, separate your mix after adding the oils. Color half and then layer them after they are moistened with the witch hazel.
4. Use your spray bottle to add the witch hazel to the top of the mix. If you have a large bottle like mine, spray two to three times and then mix it for a solid minute or two before spraying again. If you’re using one of the 3-4 inch spray bottles (travel size), use about 5-8 sprays and then mix. Mix it well, using your gloved hands to get the witch hazel off the sides of the bowl.
5. When it sticks together without crumbling (photo below) you can begin packing it into your mold. Push it down with your thumb or a tamper, just get it in there tightly. I used the photo from my lavender batch because it was the best shot to show you that the mix is mostly sticking together.
How to Mold Bath Bombs
If you are using a full circle mold, stuff the mix in, pack it down, and then add a heaping amount to the top. Squish the two pieces together until the mold is a sphere again, and leave it for about a minute before you remove it from the mold gently. Drape a towel over a muffin tin and place the bath bomb on top of the towel.
If you are using a half circle mold, pack it in and rest it in a muffin tin, flat side up. If you are using a hard silicone mold (not soft), leave it overnight before attempting to remove. I like the two colored look using half of the ornament mold, so I layered yellow, then white, and topped with a bit of yellow again.
Lemon Vanilla Bath Bomb Recipe - Bath Bombs Part 1
Materials
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 15-20 drops essential oil** (can be a combination of oils); for this layered look, I used vanilla and lemon essential oils and only colored half the mix
- a glass (or metal) bowl
- a spray bottle of witch hazel (you’ll only need a very small amount, so phone-a-friend if you don’t have any on hand)
- coloring, optional – I use gel colorants from the craft store (Wilton brand)
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together (baking soda and citric acid).
- Mix the essential oil and colorants into the dry ingredients.
- Add a small amount of coloring (notice I had a toothpick for the gel coloring) – a small amount will go a long way. Use your hands to incorporate the oils and color very well.
- Use your spray bottle to add the witch hazel to the top of the mix. If you have a large bottle like mine, spray two to three times and then mix it for a solid minute or two before spraying again. If you’re using one of the 3-4 inch spray bottles (travel size), use about 5-8 sprays and then mix. Mix it well, using your gloved hands to get the witch hazel off the sides of the bowl.
- When it sticks together without crumbling (photo below) you can begin packing it into your mold. Push it down with your thumb or a tamper, just get it in there tightly. I used the photo from my lavender batch because it was the best shot to show you that the mix is mostly sticking together.
Notes
If you want two (or three) colors, separate your mix after adding the oils. Color half and then layer them after they are moistened with the witch hazel.
How to Harden Bath Bombs
I put this recipe to the test, just like the other two that I am sharing in this series. I made multiple batches of each, and can safely say that this one works best when left in the molds for a full 24 hours.
They aren’t ready for packing at that point – they should be left to dry for at least another 24, but I would suggest 48. This works well for the half ornaments and shapes.
Bath bombs are a great gift to give or receive – they always smell so nice and can be used for a mental break. If you (or your gift recipient) isn’t into taking baths, you can do what I do on occasion: change the recipe slightly and learn how to make shower fizzies.
DIY Gift Bath Bombs and Shower Fizzies
I have named my vanilla / lemon combination, “Sweet Shoppe Lemon Drop,” and created a little wrap to jazz it up a bit. I have included a free printable if you’d like to gift them. Pair it up with a simple bath accessory and you have a sweet, citrus-smelling luxurious gift!
Please Share on Facebook or Pinterest
Perhaps you’re looking for more handmade gifts or favor ideas? How about checking out our handmade gifts page or some of our other bath and beauty projects:
Halloween Candy Corn Bath Bombs 
Mermaid Bath Bombs 
Matcha Green Tea Bath Bombs 
DIY Coffee Sugar Scrub Recipe 
Lavender Goat Milk Bath Tea 
Shower Steamers and Shower Fizzies 
Peppermint Sugar Scrub Cubes S 
Easy Christmas Body Scrub 
Rose and Jasmine Solid Sugar Scrub 
Lemon Sugar Scrub Cubes 
Apple Pie Body Scrub 
Green Tea Sugar Scrub 
Shower Fizzies Versus Bath Bombs 
Lavender Bath Bombs 
Peppermint Bath Bomb Recipe 
Lemon Vanilla Bath Bombs 
Avengers Bath Salts 
Avengers Bath Bombs 
DIY Easter Bath Bombs 
Bath Bombs: Simple Recipe 
Bath Bombs: Epsom Salt Recipe 
Bath Bombs: Moisturizing Recipe 
Easter Egg Bath Fizzies 
Rainbow Bath Salts 
Bath Tea Recipe and Bonus! 
Three Foot Soak Recipes 
Mother's Day Foot Soak 
Lavender and Rose Water Dry Scalp Remedy 
Spa Day with Kids 
Get More Sleep Naturally Part 1: Insomnia and Stress 
DIY Pencil Soaps 
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub 
Easy Monster Melt and Pour Soap for Kids 
Unicorn Poop Bath Bomb DIY 
Unicorn Horn Bath Bombs 
Monica @HappyandBlessedHome.com says
Our bathtub is out of order. But when it’s fixed, I am totally making these!
Jen says
I love lemon smelling things, that essential oil smell is one of my favorites! I have a birthday party for a friend next week and this would be perfect! I even have most everything sitting in my cabinets.
Just pinned!
Jen invites you to read Mommy Reality #26: Breaking Bads
Winnie says
I LOVE bath-bombs, and buy them all the time
Never though of making them myself
Pinning!
Sarah Nenni-Daher says
Thank you so much for the pin, Winnie. It is amazing to me that you can make them (and without all the chemicals that some companies put into theirs). I can’t wait to see what other bath products I can make.
agy says
Wow, I never knew they were this easy to make!
agy invites you to read Furoshiki – Eco Christmas Wrapping
Sarah Nenni-Daher says
It’s amazing, Agy, but once you get the feel of the wet mixture, it’s all pretty easy from there. I tried a lot of recipes that failed, but the ones I am sharing are working every time. Thanks for stopping by, Agy.
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
Mmmm I can just imagine how yummy these smell! I LOVE bath fizzies! :D
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} invites you to read Gingerbread House Alternative