Bath fizzies are little bundles of fun for the tub. They can be formed into spheres or shapes. When dropped into the tub, they fizz and release the pleasant aroma of scent used.
Bath Fizzy Ingredients
The fizzing action of bath fizzies is created by the combination of baking soda and citric acid. When combined and introduced to water, they react and fizz! The general ratio of citric acid to baking soda is one part citric acid to two parts baking soda.
- Baking Soda - Natural alkaline that neutralizes acids and washes away oils/dirt while leaving skin soft, silky & smooth. Dissolves in water.
- Citric Acid - Citric Acid comes from citrus fruits. It has astringent and anti-oxidant properties. It is commonly used in cosmetic formulas to adjust an alkaline pH thus creating a more balanced and neutralized product. When mixed in appropriate amounts with baking soda, it produces a chemical reaction that leads to the fizz in bath fizzies. Our citric acid is small grain and ideal for skincare applications. All Natural.
In a basic bath fizzy, baking soda and citric acid are bound together using a liquid such as alcohol, water or witch hazel.
- Alcohol - Try to find the highest grade available. 91% can be found in most places.
- Water - If you use water as your bath fizzy binder, be sure to use distilled water.
Bath Fizzy Additives
Basic bath fizzies are made with just citric acid and baking soda. But to jazz them up, many different ingredients can be added. Some common choices are:
- Fragrance or Essential Oil - If you want your bath fizzies to smell good, then you’ll need to add fragrance oil or essential oil. You can add 1% essential oil or up to 2% fragrance oil. Double check IFRA guidelines to make sure you comply.
- Carrier Oils and Butters - To make your bath fizzies more moisturizing, you can add liquid oil or even butters. Oils and butters float in the tub and deposit onto your body as you leave the water. Be careful with adding oils and butters as they can make your bathtub slick.
- Salts - Bath salts are a great addition to bath fizzies. You can use any type of bath salts that you want but finer grain salts seem to work best.
- Milk Powders - Milk powders add moisturizing properties to your baths. Milk powders available include soy milk, coconut milk, goat’s milk and buttermilk. You can mix or match to make a decadent bath fizzy.
- Herbs and Botanicals - Herbs and botanicals are a great way to add visual variation to bath fizzies. You can use any dry herb, but common ones for bath fizzies include rose petals, chamomile, lavender and jasmine. You can simply sprinkle them into a mold prior to pressing the bath fizzy or you can mix into the bath fizzy mixture. Herbs hit the warm water and release natural oils and extracts.
- Bath Teas - Bath teas are premixed herb blends that you can purchase for your bath and body creations. Bath teas hit the warm water and release natural oils and extracts.
- Colloidal Oatmeal - Oatmeal binds to the skin and creates a barrier that is thought to protect the skin. The hydrated granules of oatmeal adhere to the surface of the skin and provide a protective film attracting humidity and reducing friction. It has been used in Egypt since 2,000 BC for its beautifying effects. It is used for natural moisturizing properties and to alleviate itching. All Natural.
Coloring Bath Fizzies
Mica and dyes can be used to color bath fizzies.
- Mica - Mica can be used to color bath fizzies. Simply mix it into the bath fizzy mixture. Start with 1 teaspoon for 2 pounds of base.
- Dye Powders - Dye powders are super concentrated colorants and are approved by the FD&C for use in cosmetics.
Molds for Bath Fizzies
- Bath Bomb Ball Mold - 1 piece bath bomb molds are perfect for shaping bath fizzies. You can also package your bath fizzies in these by simply shrink-wrapping and labeling once packed.
- Soap Molds - Soap molds are great to use to form bath fizzies. You can use hard plastic molds or silicone molds. Simply pack the bath fizzie mixture into the mold, firmly packing the mixture in layers from bottom to top.
- Bath Fizzy Super Scooper - Another way to make adorable round bath fizzies is by using a meat baller tool. This tool compresses bath fizzies into the shape of a ball.
Equipment Required
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire whisk
- Hair net and gloves
- Digital Scale
- Bath fizzy mold of choice
How to Formulate a Basic Bath Fizzie Recipe
The recipes below are a great starting point if you don’t know where to start! If you want to experiment with other ingredients, keep the ratios of wet to dry ingredients the same as you make your changes.
Basic Bath Bomb Recipe
Dry Ingredients:
Citric Acid - 1 cup
Baking Soda - 2 cups
Arrowroot Powder - ¼ cup
Epson Salt - ¼ cup
Wet Ingredients:
Avocado Oil - .5 oz.
Alcohol - .5 oz.
Fragrance (1-2%) or Essential Oil (1%)
Oatmeal & Milk Bath Bomb Recipe
Dry Ingredients:
Citric Acid - 1 cup
Baking Soda - 2 cups
Milk Powder - 1/8 cup
Colloidal Oatmeal - 1/8 cup
Epson Salt - ¼ cup
Wet Ingredients:
Avocado Oil - .5 oz.
Alcohol - .5 oz.
Fragrance (1-2%) or Essential Oil (1%)
Butter-Rich Bath Bomb Recipe
The butter in this bath bomb solidifies the bath bomb quickly to help combat humidity. Try this recipe if you’re having issues with warting in humid conditions. A stand mixer is best when using this recipe to make sure the butters have been fully mixed in.
Dry Ingredients:
Citric Acid - 1 cup
Baking Soda - 2 cups
Arrowroot Powder - ¼ cup
Epson Salt - ¼ cup
Wet Ingredients:
Shea Butter - .2 oz.
Cocoa Butter - .2 oz.
Alcohol - .5 oz.
Fragrance (1-2%) or Essential Oil (1%)
Basic Bath Fizzie Process
Step 1: Measure the citric acid, baking soda, arrowroot powder and epson salt into a mixing bowl. Break up any clumps and mix with a whisk to mix fully.
Step 2: Measure the wet ingredients (oil, alcohol & essential oil) into another container. If you are using an oil soluble colorant, add to the wet ingredients and mix with a mini-mixer. If you are using butters, melt.
Step 3: While using a whisk to mix, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Don’t dump, but don’t pour too slowly or the alcohol will evaporate. Pour it like you’re pouring creamer into coffee.
*When you start getting into higher production of bath fizzies, it really helps to mix in a stand mixer.
Step 4: Mix hard and fast with the whisk. If you mix too slowly, the mixture might start activating the reaction between the citric acid and baking soda. You want to get it incorporated fairly quickly.
Step 5: Once you think you have everything mixed, test the mixture. It should be similar to wet sand. When you clump some in your hand, it should hold its shape.
Step 6: Form using a bath fizzy scooper, bath bomb mold or soap mold of your choice.
Step 7: Let dry in a cool dry place.
Step 8: Package and enjoy!
Troubleshooting:Mixture does not stick together. Spritz with alcohol and mix. There is not enough liquid.
Mixture turns to a fizzing bowl of dough. Did you add too much liquid? Did you stir slowly? Stir fast as you add the liquid.
Bath fizzies start to wart and fizz. Use less liquid and make sure humidity is low in your workspace.
Mixture sticks to Bath Fizzy Super Scooper. Wipe with alcohol about every 4-6 bath fizzies. This should clear up a sticking problem.
Bath fizzies crumble when unmolded from soap mold. Make sure you are packing the molds tight. Fill about halfway full; press hard, especially around the edges. Fill some more. Press hard.
For more bath fizzy recipes, visit the
recipe library!
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