How to deal with bath bombs that do not dissolve in water

How Does a Bath Bomb Work?

Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are the ingredients that make bath bombs fizz. They tend to be inactive when dry, but as soon as you toss the bath bomb into the water, the magic happens, and they react to form carbon dioxide and sodium citrate. The ingredient list of bath bombs is incomplete if we don't include moisturizing butter such as shea butter and cocoa butter or Essential Oils like coconut and olive oil.

While the carbon dioxide bubbles out as a gas and helps the bath bomb split up, the sodium citrate stays in the solution. This process allows for the release of the oils, perfumes, and detergents, as well as other ingredients that make up the bath bomb, to mix with your bath water.

Why Would The Bath Bomb React Faster In Hot Water?

The amount of energy the water contains. The easiest way to add energy to water is to heat it (thermal energy). The hotter the water is, the more the individual water molecules move around and collide.

How to deal with bath bombs that do not dissolve in water

Tossed a bath bomb in, excited for fizzy aromatherapy, only to end up staring at an unsinkable lump? Enough to make you pull the plug on the whole bath thing. But don't drain that tub yet! Let's figure out why some bath bombs go on no-dissolve strikes and what can fix it.

Bath bombs are baking soda and citric acid. When they hit the water, abracadabra! Fizzing magic. That's the joy of bath bombs—they transform regular soaks into spa experiences, a symphony of scents and oils with each plop and bubble.

So when that doesn't happen? Major letdown. Expectations subverted. Mood killed. But it's not the end of the world. There's usually a simple reason and, even better, a solution.

The Nitty-Gritty: Factors Affecting Dissolution

Why the no-show bombs? Sometimes, it's the environment. Humidity? Fizz kryptonite. Bombs absorb moisture in storage, and they prematurely react, fizzling out before bath time.

It could also be too tight a recipe. Overpacked or too little citric acid means no breakdown, like trying to dissolve a rock. The water goes cold, and that bath bomb boulder remains.

When the Fizz Fails: Dealing with Undissolved Bath Bombs

Bomb a flop? Don't let it ruin your soak! If it just floats there, give it a hand—break it up, swirl it around, and coax the party started. Sometimes, they need encouragement.

Feeling DIY? Try rescuing it. Fish out, dry off, and crumble into a paste with water or oil. It's not the fizzy fun you wanted, but it gets the ingredient benefits without waste.

Homemade Fixes: Tweaking Your Bath Bomb Recipes

Making your own sinker bombs? Back to the drawing board! Adjust the baking soda and citric acid ratios. Don't overdo the liquids. The goal is a firm but not wet sand mix.

And go easy on packing molds. Like a snowball - firm yet loose. Find that sweet spot through trial and error for perfect fizz.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Dissolvable Bath Bombs

Insider advice: always store in a cool, dry place. Treat them like fine wine with no humidity! Zip bags or airtight containers are kept fresh and ready.