How Does it Work?
The “bomb” aspect of a bath bomb is the fizziness. But what’s going on in those spheres that make them so fizzy? Two of the key ingredients to a bath bomb are citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. You might also know sodium bicarbonate by its more common name, baking soda. These two ingredients are what cause the impressive and delightful fizz when the bath bomb enters the water.
When sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) comes in contact with water, the sodium (Na) molecules break off from the bicarbonate (HCO3). At the same time, the citric acid is dissolving, with a single hydrogen ion (H+) separating from the rest of the molecule. When the released hydrogen ion from the citric acid encounters the bicarbonate from the baking soda another reaction happens! This time, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is released as one of the end products. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles in the soap and bath water, and rushes to the surface with a delightful fizz.
Can Bath Bombs Expire?
As with food products, bath bombs too have ingredients with an expiration date and a recommended shelf life. The shelf life of bath bombs refers to how long you can store them, and they still maintain full effectiveness. A bath bomb has an average shelf life of about six months.
Common bath bomb ingredients include citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). While baking soda and citric acid both have long shelf lives, citric acid starts losing its potency as time passes. However, you can easily preserve the potency of the citric acid by storing it in a tightly sealed container.
When they are exposed to water or moisture, bath bombs tend to create an acid-base reaction. If they are exposed too much to the moisture in the air, they might not fizz anymore and would begin to lose their effective properties.
The fresher your bath bomb is, the faster they fizz, and the better they work. You can utilize tight bulk bath bomb containers to store your fizzies for a long time, and they'll still be usable, but they cannot work effectively as compared to fresh ones.
You should store bath bombs in a cool and dry place such as basements or cupboards. If you like in a humid environment, you can ensure your bath bombs are properly stored with a dehumidifier.
Can You Use Expired Bath Bombs?
Bath bombs expire, and they can be detrimental to your skin. Remember that an expired bath bomb loses most of its properties, so you have to be careful with them.
There is a possibility that you release dangerous compounds into your system if you utilize these expired products.
You can still use a bath bomb that is past its expiry date, depending on how long it has gone over the mark. The longer it stays, the more harmful it could be to your skin. You don't suppose an old bath bomb would have all its features intact.
A simple rule of thumb is never to use bath bombs that are way over one year old. You definitely don't want to use them if they have been sitting in a humid and damp place for over six months beyond their expiration date. Experts advise people to drop any bath bomb that has a faded color, smells rancid, or has mold on them.
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