- Bath bomb
A bath bomb, one form of bath fizzie, is a bolus which, when placed in bath water, dissolves partly or completely and effervesces, also in some cases adding scent, color, and/or other properties or materials to the water.
Composition
Bath fizzies are composed primarily of
sodium bicarbonate and/or other soluble carbonate, sesquicarbonate, or bicarbonate, andcitric acid and/or other organic acid, which create an acid-base 'fizzing' when the solid reacts with water as it dissolves, producing carbon dioxide gas and strewing its interior contents, which can include aromatic elements or possibly small fragments of sparkling glitter, into the bath.Bath bombs come as a large single-use tablet or ball, distinguished from other fizzies which come as grains.
The bubbles tickle as they nucleate on, and then release from, the skin and hair of the bather. Bath bombs may be considered therapeutic to the extent they contain essential oils to help a bather become energized or calm, such as mint or lavender. They can also contain cleansing agents like sea salt or surfactants.
Basic Formula
The simplest bath bombs would contain two parts sodium bicarbonate to one part citric acid, with just enough moisture to make the powder stick together--much like new-fallen snow packs into a snowball. Good bath bombs are formulated with oils and butters, such as almond oil and shea butter, for moisturizing the skin. They also tend to contain either essential oils or fragrance oils and pigment to color the bath water.
Dead Sea salt may be added for its therapeutic properties. Sometimes, manufacturers hide tiny toys or printed messaged inside, or include dried botanicals that are released into the bath as the bomb dissolves.A bath bomb can be made in a "Bath Bomb Press"http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2728480835_d58e7d39b4.jpg
References
* [http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/bathbombs Not Martha: Bath Bombs]
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