Captain Clareways

Star date: 05/04/14

HOW TO....make bath bombs!

Let's kick off the blogging ball with a quick 'how to' on how to make yourself some bath bombs. No need to pay extortionate amounts of money for these bad boy bombs, using these simple steps you can have loads whipped up in minutes. 

You will need; Bicarbonate of soda; Citric acid; Water sprayer - like an old pump action hair spray bottle (rinse clean first!); Essential oil of your choice; Metal bowl; Silicone ice tray, cupcake moulds or proper bath bomb moulds; rubber gloves (wear throughout)

Optional extras; Shea butter; Natural dye or food colouring; Glitter (make sure it's suitable for use in the bath); Rose petals/lavender

IN THE metal bowl measure out two cups of bicarbonate of soda. To this add one cup of citric acid. Mix. If using a colour add a few drops depending on how deep you'd like the hue. Mix.

At this point if you like you can add Rose petals, glitter or another dried flower to your bath bomb recipe. Just add a tablespoon at a time and mix through throughly.

NOW ADD your essential oil. You'll only need a couple of drops for this amount of mixture. I like to use two drops of Otto Rose and two drops of Geranium, but have a play around with what you fancy. Tip - you can always test the oil scents together in a little pot or saucer before adding to the bicarbonate mixture. Once oils are added mix thoroughly.

Now for the fun bit! With your water sprayer spray two squirts of water into the mixture in the bowl. You should start to hear a low fizzing sound, this is the soda and acid starting to react to the water. Mix through with your hands.

REPEAT THE process of spraying water and mixing until you can squeeze a handful of the mixture in your fist and when you release your fingers the mixture remains compact in the ball of your fist. If it crumbles a lot it needs another burst of water. On average I'd say I usually give my mixture two or three rounds of water sprays. When you're happy with the consistency take your moulds and pack them tight with the bath bomb mixture. Smooth off the top of any flat moulds with your fingers.

Leave to dry for one hour. Carefully peel back moulds and there you have it, your very own homemade bath bombs. All you need now is to run a bath and pop one in the water!

EXTRA EXTRA:-

If you'd like a silky smooth feel to your bath bombs then add some Shea butter to the mix just before you add the water. You'll need to mix it with your fingers until you have an almost crumble feeling consistency. Use however much you like but usually a tablespoon sized ball is enough.

Layering two different coloured mixtures gives you a stripy finished effect.

HAVE FUN! xx The Captain