Teach Soap

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me...I'm new at making bath bombs, and I've had pretty good luck so far except for one thing: they fizz WAY too hard and fast! I make a 3 oz. bomb, pack it tightly in the mold, pop it out and let it dry for over 24 hours. When I drop it in the tub it only lasts about 15 seconds! I'm using 2 parts baking soda, 1 part citric acid, essential oils and witch hazel. They're not crumbly, they're not cracking...everything seems fine but they fizz like mad and are gone in the blink of an eye. Any thoughts on how to slow down the fizzing process? Thanks!

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Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

Maybe a few additives would slow it down?
Mine are about 4.5 - 5 ozs & they usually last a good 2 minutes or more. Your base recipe is pretty similar to mine other than extras. How much oil are you using? It's possible that has an affect too.

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In this world you can be either oh so smart or oh so pleasant. I used to be smart. I prefer pleasant. You may quote me. ~Elwood P. Dowd

I would try adding a little cornstarch, NatraBath or clay.

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

Thanks, MsB and soapbuddy! I will try the cornstarch...any particular kind of clay or other additives? Sorry, I'm totally new at this...
As for the amount of essential oil I'm using, it depends on the scent but an average of about 8 drops per 3 oz. bomb. So far I've tried cinnamon leaf EO and sweet orange EO. I've also tried making some with olive oil...they feel really moisturizing but still only last about 15 seconds and fizz so hard I'm afraid they're going to jump right out of the tub!

Thanks again!

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Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

The lighter the clay, the lighter the color will be. Have you thought of maybe making them bigger like MsB?

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

Hi soapbuddy! I will definitely eventually make them bigger, like MsB's...I was keeping them at 3 oz at first since I'm still just learning and experimenting with different combinations. As for the color of the bomb, it really doesn't matter to me...there are about a million different kinds of clays for sale on WSP and all these sites, I wasn't sure if some kinds were better than others in terms of perhaps slowing down the fizzing. I just googled NatraBath (I had never heard of it)...it's tapioca starch, correct? Is there a difference between modified and pure (besides modified being much more expensive)? Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!

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Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

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

I am not trying to be disrespectful of you or your recipe, but, Wow, 8 drops of Eo in 3 oz of product seems like a lot to me, especially when speaking of cassia or cinnamon leaf. Have you tested this? Have you tested the cinnamon in your bath?
I only use 3-4 drops of EO in 4oz of powdered product,and mine have strong scent, so I am just wondering.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

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Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

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

Well I am glad to hear that you use less of the cinnamon, and that you have tried it. I can rest easy now I know everyone has a different sense of smell, so what is strong to one is not necessarily strong to another, but with EO's, too much can physically hurt someone, so I felt that it should be brought up. I hope that you didn't take offense, none was meant.
You mention that your tub is big, so I still wonder about the average tub, but I am being my anal annie self, so please excuse me for bringing it up, (hoping to see no rocks flying, steps down, off the soap box now, looking sheepishly around)!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

_________________
Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

_________________
Steph
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Einstein

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy