Teach Soap

Alright, here's the deal, I am new to this entire soap-making stuff and in doing research on CP soaps and recipes and what-not, I tripped over some vids on bath fizzies and bath bombs. I must live a sheltered life because I've never seen or heard of such an animal before... so of course they fascinate me.

Anywho, the other day while at the grocery, citric acid was on sale due to end-of-canning-season and I snagged a few as well as the mondo box of baking soda. Now I'm ready to begin this endeavor and it seems I've got the basic do's and don't and a number of maybes but it seems there's one question I simply cannot find an answer on, thus my go-to gals, this one's for you:

What size do you like?

I have seen posts here where people are saying 7 1/2 is really big and in one video the lady claimed hers was over 11. Some youtubers said they break their Lush ones in half so as to experience it twice as one is just too big for a single time. Certainly all these are larger than an average bath needs. No?

What is big enough? What is too big? What is not enough? I know some people like a little more and some a little less but what is a good average range? I certainly don't want to make just a fire cracker but maybe a bomb would be a bit too much for the average bath. Perhaps a nice land mine size? What would that be? When you use them in your own bath, what feels best to you?

And if ingredients make a difference in what size works, my mind is thinking cocoa butter, cocoa powder, vanilla frag oil since everyone I'm making them for loves cocoa in the winter and MgSO4 for its soothing, relaxing quality.

I picked up some 2.5" clear christmas balls from AC Moore for my bath bombs. They come as two separate halves that are meant to be filled. I think they were 65 cents each. I believe they are about 5-6 oz each bomb.

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I use the same Christmas ornaments as Hestey, and I think they turn out great! I know you can make "mondo" ones that are bigger, but the seem excessive to me and I've heard that when you make them bigger it's harder to get them to turn out right.

Okay, thanks Hesty & Aria. Is that an average or regular size fizzy? Again, I'm not looking to sell so I don't need to "wow" anyone with a mega-bomb but I do want my loved ones to feel a little pampered.

If I might use an analogy, have you ever gone to visit someone and they offer you a cuppa tea or coffee? Some make it strong enough to strip paint while others leave you thinking you're drinking flavored water? I'm shooting for somewhere in the middle of that. A nice smooth relaxing bath with not so much "stuff" that the person is afraid to get in the water but enough that they know it was more than just an ordinary soap-and-water event.

And I just had an idea while typing this. What do you think about this? What if I made the fizzies the size of a Reese peanut butter cup and made a bunch of chocolate ones and a few "flavoring" ones such as peppermint, raspberry, coffee, etc. That way each person could use 2 chocolates and one flavor to get a bath of whatever cocoa they're feeling like indulging in. I think 3 of those size would be about equal to one of your 2 1/2 inch orbs. Yes? No?

It is average for what I've bought over the years, if that helps. I've used smaller and they're alright, but I prefer more fizz! I know a few folks here use a meatball press, but in my opinion, as an avid bath bomb user, those are a bit small. I usually use 2 that size. Good for mixing your own scent blend though! Like 1 lavender and 1 lemon or something!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Sorry for being late in here burr another option....plastic soap molds. Press your mixture in and let it sit to harden and then gently press out. Gives you more eye appeal options. .

Sushi rice presses also work, I have a hello kitty one

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist