Nobody wants a soft bath bomb. It is oddly satisfying watching a perfectly shaped bath bomb go down into the water and start fizzing while maintaining that shape. However, sometimes that can be hard to achieve when starting. So, how do you make bath bombs harder?
Make your bath bombs harder by using less water when making them, substitute water for witch hazel, and use more kaolin clay or cream of tartar. In addition, sealing them tightly will make sure they remain fresh and hard until it’s time to use them.
The real solution to this issue is two-pronged. You want to adjust your recipe to make sure the bath bombs are hard and you want to make sure you package and store them properly to keep them hard. Let’s take a closer look.
Bath Bombs Not Hardening
When bath bombs don’t harden, it is generally because they were either not mixed long enough or they have too much water in the recipe. If your bath bomb recipe includes oil, it can also be that the oil has separated from the rest of the mixture and is pooling at the bottom. This will make your bath bomb batter too wet and will cause it not to harden.
Make sure you mix the ingredients together long enough. This allows the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid to fully react and creates a harder bath bomb.
Ingredients That Harden Bath Bombs
Here are some common bath bombs ingredients known to make them harder.
Kaolin Clay
This is a soft clay that is usually white in color. It’s often used as a natural detoxifier and can help to absorb excess oil from the skin.
It is commonly used in bath bombs to give them a harder texture. It can also help give them structure and make sure that they hold together when removed from the mold.
Cream of Tartar
Cream of Tartar – This is a white powder that is a by-product of wine making. It’s an acid and acts as a stabilizer, thickener, and provides bath bombs with a foamy texture.
It is also known to make bath bombs harder. However, using too much can make them crumbly and can actually cause them a whole new set of stability problems. It is suggested not to use more than 5% in bath bombs.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel – This is a natural astringent that is made from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis Virginiana plant. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to soothe the skin.
It can also help to harden bath bombs by replacing some of the water in the recipe with it. This will make bath bombs less likely to crumble and fall apart.
Bath Bombs Not Staying Hard
Once bath bombs are mixed and have had a chance to set, they should be hard. If they are not, there are a few things that can cause this.
Not Storing Them Properly
Bath bombs can go soft if they are not stored properly. This is usually because they have been exposed to too much moisture.
To avoid this, make sure bath bombs are stored in an airtight container. A zip-top bag or a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid works well.
Another thing to keep in mind is that bath bombs can absorb moisture from the air. So, if you live in a humid climate, it’s important to store them in a cool, dry place.
Exposure to too much moisture can also cause bath bombs to dissolve. If this happens, they will not be hard when you go to use them.
Using Old Ingredients
Another reason bath bombs might not be staying hard is that the ingredients are old. Baking soda, citric acid, and kaolin clay can all absorb moisture from the air and become hydrated. This will make them less effective and can cause bath bombs to fall apart or dissolve.
To avoid this, make sure you are using fresh ingredients. It’s also a good idea to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Use Trial and Error
The truth is when you are trying your own recipes or trying to add your own spin to an already established recipe it might take a little bit of trial and error to get the recipe just right.
You might encounter problems such as bath bombs that are not hard enough, and you will likely even see bath bombs that have become too crumbly. These are all normal and expected occurrences.
The important thing is to keep trying until you find a recipe that works for you and gives you the results that you want.
Tips For a Harder Bath Bomb
Now that we’ve gone over some of the common reasons bath bombs might not be staying hard, let’s look at some tips to help make them harder.
- Use fresh ingredients and mix them together thoroughly.
- Store bath bombs in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Add kaolin clay or cream of tartar to the recipe to help harden them.
- Substitute witch hazel for some of the water in the recipe.
Following these tips should help you make bath bombs that are harder and less likely to fall apart or dissolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to store bath bombs is in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Yes, bath bombs can be stored in the fridge. Just make sure they are in an airtight container so they don’t absorb any moisture from the air.
Bath bombs can get softer over time because the ingredients can absorb moisture from the air. This is why it’s important to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Yes, it is normal for bath bombs to fall apart. This can be caused by using old ingredients or not storing them properly.
If your bath bomb is too soft, you can try adding kaolin clay or cream of tartar to the recipe to help harden them. You can also substitute witch hazel for some of the water in the recipe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few reasons why bath bombs might not be staying hard. The most common reasons are that the ingredients are old or they have been exposed to too much moisture. To avoid this, make sure you are using fresh ingredients and storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
You can also try adding kaolin clay or cream of tartar to the recipe to help harden them. Substituting witch hazel for some of the water in the recipe can also help. If you keep having problems with bath bombs not staying hard, you can always reach out to someone in the community through forums and Facebook groups!
