Teach Soap

I've never made bath bombs before, and I followed the basic bath bomb recipe on this site. I put the mixture in the molds, packed them in tight, and it said to wait for a few minutes before taking them out. I waited 3 or 4 minutes, and they slowly puffed up. They didn't get hard. Are they supposed to? Are they supposed to puff up like that? Am I supposed to leave them in the molds longer so that they solidify? Sorry I have so many questions, but I've never done this before. Thanks in advance for your help.

Edit: I also found on a post here that putting in too much witch hazel can make it "gummy". If that's what I did, can I add some corn starch now, or is it too late?

Once they start puffing up that means that the chemical reaction has started. Is it humid where you are? It could also be too much withch hazel in your mixture. I haven't had my Bb get gummy from using hazel. I don't think adding corn starch is going to make much difference now.

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

Well, I put some in the freezer and that helped pop them out. I also made another small batch and used a lot less witch hazel and they turned out perfect. The ones that got gummy hardened, and while they're not pretty, they're still usable.

Thanks for your help!

You're welcome. You want the mixture to resemble barely damp sand.

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

Hi I had the same problem too. I guess its practice practice practice...the kids aren't complaining

I was just going to post a question but I think its similar to this one. I just made a batch of bombs and they have become self rising dough!!! What causes that? Is it the witch hazel? I may have over done it. Its not humid today, I have waited months for fall to arrive to so I could make these again. But they are growing out of their molds like MONSTERS! LOL!

Ingredients: baking soda, citric acid, salt, glycerine, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, FO, color, witch hazel

My success with this recipe has been 50/50

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

No, I don't *have* to add the glycerin, why? It's a small amount, 2tsp in a 1 pound batch. It helps me to disperse my water based colorant into my fragrance oil. And it's moisturizing. This is for my extra moisturizing formula. I also don't have to add the cocoa butter but I think they are nice together. Do you think it coud be causing the problem?

I put them in the freezer for a few minutes last night, as 'esolling' had mentioned, and they stopped the expanding, so thank you esolling!!!

2 tsp. is not much. Here is what I was thinking.....glycerin is water soluble and along with witch hazel, it might speed up the fizzing process. I don't use glycerin because our weather here is extremely hot and the glycerin would just pull out moisture from the skin instead of giving it.

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

I think it's the glycerin, too. And glycerin will tend to make a more flexible dough, instead of a hard bomb. I'd take it out.

_________________
http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

Sorry for the untimely response (just started back on the Forum).

I agree - the cuplrit may be the gylcerin. What I found with fizzies (and I LOVE to make them!!!) is that it takes very little witch hazel - especially if you are adding almond oil and cocoa butter. I used to get the "rising dough" effect in the beginning until I cut WAY back on the witch hazel (I use just a tiny "misting" now).

Also, I've had really good luck with Bramble Berry's "La Bombe" colorants - formulated specifically for bath fizzies. I add the colorant + FO to my dry ingredients and then mix really well. I then add my oils (and/or melted butters). I

I have pretty good luck now and the fizzies turn out (and look good) about 75 - 80% of the time. But, I also keep my batches small and that helps, too.

_________________
HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS