Teach Soap

I was first having problems with my bath bombs sticking together in the mold, I would unmold and they would either crack in half or just fall apart. I assumed this meant they were to dry so I added more witch hazel to moisten until I could finally get them to stick together. I come in this morning and they have huge cracks going through them or some have cracked almost in half where they were stuck together. Most of the cracks though are not where they were stuck together though. Talking big cracks not little ones!
Recipe:
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup citric acid
2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup epsom salt
4 tablespoons of oil (SAO)
3 teaspoons fragrance
and witch hazel used from a spray bottle

I am using the large stainless molds from BB

Any help will be greatly appreciated! I have now wasted sooo much time and money to end up with about 20 bath bombs that I cant sell

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Melissa

Where are you located? Humidity can play a role in why they may have split. They also may be splitting because the fizzing action has been activated when you're molding. Are you using any kind of colorant? If it is water based, that could also be throwing things off. Also, the Epsom salt. I can't speak to that because I haven't used them in my bombs, but perhaps another factor?

I find that shrink wrapping them soon after molding also helps keep them together and then they are already wrapped and ready to go!

Don't lose heart. Bath bombs are tricky to perfect. Takes a lot of practice and wasted ingredients. You know what though? All is not lost. You can crush these ones up and try again. I get alot of satisfaction of obliterating failed bath bombs. It's like I'm getting my revenge.

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Rachel
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Central fl and it is very very humid here! I left them on the counter for the eve I think I should have put them into a tote instead!
I am using micas for colorant. I think I may have mixed a little to wet and then they got too damp being left out? Thanks

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Melissa

You might have also gotten them too wet before molding. One of the batches I made I accidentally went overboard on the witch hazel and they cracked and melted on me... which was fine because I tested them and they ended up having a lot of sediment fall to the bottom of the bowl I used (it was a recipe that included a lot of "other" powdered stuff) so I ended up dumping them...

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Tamra
New to soaping, long time crafter and artisan, avid learner of new things!

See, I don't use Witch Hazel at all anymore. I keep a nice moisturising carrier oil like Sweet Almond Oil on hand, and add a little more of that if it's too dry to stick together enough to mould. I've never had any trouble with including epson salts. I usually sit mine in front of my nice big east facing window overnight to set... so the sun gets them in the morning. London isn't nearly so humid as Florida though...! Best thing is to just keep trying, and experimenting till you find something that works for you.

Still... broken bath bombs = not feeling guilty about using them yourself and not saving them to sell!

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"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

When I went to take care of my mother at her house, I used to put the bath bombs in the oven to dry out as it was humid. That seemed to work well.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Hello

I'm new to bath bombs, and the board as well.

It sounds to me like maybe you're using too much liquid? 3 and 4 tbsp of liquid seems like a bit much to me? Between the fragrance oil, and the coloring (assuming it's liquid) it should be moist enough that you shouldn't need to use witchhazel.

I use baking soda, citric acid, sweet almond oil, fragrance and liquid coloring, and I don't need witchhazel because they're already moist enough. If you add too much liquid (any or all of the above) the fizzing action will begin mine turn into a large blob lol.

When you are making your bombs, I find it easiest to push and twist a little as you're pushing the 2 halves together. It also helps to pinch the mold a little when releasing. This makes it fall out, for me anyway. They're tricky little buggers, and nothing but trial and error will perfect your recipe (I probably went through 6lbs of citric acid before getting anywhere) Hope I helped

I would ditch the cornstarch to be honest. I've had nothing but trouble with it.
I'm in Australia and our weather is pretty temperamental so I started a weather diary. I recorded dates, humidity levels, temperatures, whether it was sunny outside etc, and the outcome of my bombs for that date. It has helped me get my bath bombs right everytime. I can even do unique things with my bombs now. Check out the link below for a handy little gem that helped me with my BB problems ( you name it, I had it). Good luck!

http://www.excellentlivingguide.com/200 ... ers-unite/