Teach Soap

I'm trying to get a perfect basic recipe for my bath bombs here. Can't be that hard, right? Well the ones I've done so far go flat on the bottom and after a day or so they get some major cracks in them? I'm using a 3in snowballer for the mold and they come out gorgeous at first. Can someone tell me what the problem might be?

This is my recipe:

1 C. baking soda
1/2 C. citric acid
1/4 C. sea salt

3 drops vanilla essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
1/4 t. olive oil
1 drop blue LaBomb colorant

About 3 spritzes of witch hazel

Thanks a bunch for any help

Cracking is usually a problem caused by too much moisture. Is it humid where you are? My first thought is that the salt is drawing moisture from the air. Try ditching the salt and replacing it with cornstarch (1/2 cup or so).

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Yeah, I'm in north Florida so that was gonna be my next question. Does humidity only matter when they're being made or does it affect them being stored as well

I live in an area that gets a lot of coastal fog, so I shrink wrap my bombs or they soften up during storage.

I still think the salt is just begging for trouble, especially in Florida.

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Thanks so much! I just tried a new recipe with no salt. No cracking so far! Very basic as far as softening additives goes. I would like a little something extra like maybe shea butter? Is there anything else I should particularly avoid for my climate?

Here's my latest:

1c. baking soda
1/2c. citric acid
1/2c. cornstarch

2 1/2 T olive oil
3/4 T. water
1/4 t. fragrance
LaBomb color

I would use a lighter oil. Olive can be pretty heavy and greasy. Do you have any fractionated coconut, or jojoba or even almond oil?

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

I'm a "fizzie-newby" but I LOVE making them!! Talk about addicting!!
The first two batches were flops (added too much witch hazel), but every batch since has been good (holding shape, no cracking or crumbling).

I am having really good luck with sweet almond oil.

Have fun with your fizzies!!

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

I would put your witch hazel in a spray bottle. That was as soon as you get the consistency that you want, you can stop.

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

Is your recipe similar to mine? Would you mind sharing it with me? Also can I find sweet almond oil in grocery stores? And no kidding it's addicting! I'm determined not to stop til I get it just right!

I got the recipe from a book called "Bath Bombs" by Elaine Stavert. I've read the book cover-to-cover and have had good luck with the recipes, so far. The basic recipe is:

* 300 grams citric acid
* 600 grams baking soda
* 1 teaspoon EO or FO
* 1 teaspoon herbs and/or liquid color
* 5 grams oil (or melted butter)

Binder - water, witch hazel or floral water in a spritz or spray bottle

After two flubbed batches (got WAY too carried away with the spritzer bottle!), I think that we got the knack of it. I use a silicone cup cake mold and my hubby helps pack the mixture solidly into the mold cavities. So far, so good. I think once you get the "knack", you will be a-OK!!

I'm trying the LaBomb colorants, too. I love the variety of colors available. I also love how a little bit of fragrance goes a long way.

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

I've been measuring my ingredients in cups and teaspoons since I don't have a scale. Sounds fun to try this one! Maybe tonight when the lil one is in bed Thanks a bunch!

Oh, sorry. Here you go:

* 1 cup citric acid
* 2 cups baking soda
* 1 teaspoon EO or FO
* 1 teaspoon herbs and/or liquid colorant
* 1 teaspoon oil or melted butter

Binder - Water, witch hazel or floral water in a spritz or spray bottle.

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

I agree with the olive oil being a bit heavy and greasy - especially in the bath tub. I use grapeseed oil in mine for some personal requests from my nieces.
Personally, I love a bit of cocoa butter

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OK, so I just tried them with almond oil! They did not crack! YAY! But...they still flattened on the bottom Is it just from not being packed tight enough? Also has anyone used Safflower oil? They had it at Walmart, so it would definitely be easier to get and a whole lot cheaper! I wanted to try a little shea butter in some. But how much does it take?

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