Use these bath bomb troubleshooting tips to get gift worthy bombs every single time.
The thing about making bath bombs is that they’re a little finicky and definitely take some practice and skill for beginners.
Practice definitely makes perfect as does understanding how to fix common mistakes for better bath bombs going forward.
How to Make Bath Bombs Harder
Crumbly and soft bath bombs are some of the most common problems when making homemade bath bombs. Each are likely due to moisture issues:
Crumbly Fixes
Bath bombs that crumble apart could be too dry. There are a couple of ways to fix this:
First, tweak the recipe ever so slightly by adding a bit more oil or butter (shea, etc.). Alternatively, spritz the mixture with a bit more witch hazel before packing molds.
Bath bombs also often crumble if the molds are packed too lightly. They get fragile when not packed well so make sure to get those molds packed.
Soft Fixes
If the bath bomb can hold an indentation from your finger after 24 hours, it is too soft. This is likely caused by too much oil or butter in the recipe.
Tweak the recipe by adding just a little less oil or better and proceed.
Cracks in Finished Bath Bombs
Those tiny or even large cracks in finished bath bombs is another moisture problem.
If your work area is dry or warm, the bath bomb is likely drying too fast and causing cracks. Try working on cooler days and keep that witch hazel spritz bottle handy.
If the mixture is too wet before packing into mold, it may crack and expand as it dries. Again, practice with finding just the right amount of moisture for perfect bath bombs.
Bumpy or Warty Bath Bombs
Like most other issues, those bumps are likely caused by too much moisture.
Be sure to add essential oils to your recipe by mixing it thoroughly with the oil and pouring it all into the dry ingredients together. Don’t add essential oils by the drop to the mixture.
Also be sure to mix everything very thoroughly and carefully – use your hands to make sure there are no unmixed bits or clumps before packing into molds.
Flat Bottoms
If you remove the bath bombs from round molds too early and leave them sit on the table they will likely get flat instead of staying round.
Make sure to leave the bath bombs in the molds for at least 15 minutes before removing to keep their shape.
Growing Bath Bombs
When bath bombs visibly grow out of its mold or even after unmolding it’s a sign that the mixture has too much liquid. Spritz with less hazel to prevent this from happening.
What to Do with Failed Bath Bombs?
A batch or several of failed bath bombs likely happens to everyone now and then and certainly for beginners.
Those failed bath bombs are not trash, however.
Crush the failed bath bombs completely and store in an airtight container. Then simply use the powder in your bath instead of the bomb. It will fizz and be wonderful all the same.
Heck, put it in a pretty jar, add a few sprigs of dried herbs, slap on a pretty label and pretend you meant it to be a fizzy bath powder to give as gifts (no one will know the wiser).
In some cases, you can crumble it all back up and try tweaking the recipe, this can often be very finicky however and using the powder in your bath is likely much easier and less frustrating.
Want to learn more about making natural bath bombs? Find our favorite resource full of recipes, tips, and more here.
