These easy lemon vanilla bath bombs and shower fizzies are perfect for self-care or gifting. This bath bomb recipe is simple and requires only a few ingredients.
Bath Bombs and Shower Fizzies: Part 1, Lemon Vanilla
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
I’ve shared so many more recipes with fun themes like mermaids, unicorns, and holiday bath bombs. To check out our entire set of recipes, visit our DIY bath bombs recipes page here.
Gathering Supplies? Pin This for Later
If you’re new to making DIY bath bombs, you’ll need to gather some simple supplies. Pin this to your favorite DIY beauty board on Pinterest and come back to it.
Before We Get Started…
Today I’m going to be sharing the most simple mix I’ve tested repeatedly: this bath bomb recipe is simple because it uses the least amount of ingredients and because it performed well every time I made a batch.
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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.
How to Make Lemon Vanilla Bath Bombs
If this is your first time making bath bombs, check out this list for bath bomb supplies. You honestly don’t need a lot and can get everything at the grocery or craft store.
Lemon Vanilla Bath Bomb Recipe

These bath bombs and shower fizzies are perfect for self-care or gifting. It uses an easy, reduced oil recipe that comes together in minutes.
Materials
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 15-20 drops essential oils (can be combinations)
- a glass (or metal) bowl
- witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol)
- coloring, optional (I have used food coloring and soap colorants)
Tools
- glass or metal bowl
- spray bottle
- whisk and spoon
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together (baking soda and citric acid). Mix the essential oil and colorants together, and then into the dry ingredients.
- Add a small amount of coloring to one bowl (notice I had a toothpick for the gel coloring). 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 you can begin packing it into your mold. Push it down with your thumb or a tamper, just get it in there tightly.
- Set the molds to dry on the counter for a few hours (or overnight), remove, and then dry completely for another day before wrapping or gifting.
Notes
If you want two (or three) colors, separate your mix after adding the oils. Color half and then layer them after each mix is separately 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
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please share this on Facebook or save to your favorite DIY bath board on Pinterest.
Sushna says
Hi
How do I pack them for gifting.
Thanks
Sarah Nenni-Daher says
The best answer I can give you for packaging bath bombs to gift is to make it your own. A few ways I deliver them are:
1. Individual boxes (I use cupcake boxes or “treat boxes” I get from Amazon).
2. In a 4 pack of cupcake holders (seeing a theme here?) :)
3. Heat-shrink-wrapped individual bath bombs stored in a hermetically sealed jar (perfect to store in the bathroom and unwrap when they are ready).
4. If you are mailing them, use a lot of cushioning, wrap each individual bath bomb, and write fragile on the package. Also, wrap it entirely (if you’re able) in packing tape to make sure moisture doesn’t get in.
I hope that helps!
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!
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!
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