Glow in the Dark Bath Bombs (with Video)

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Today, we’re bringing you an amazing homemade bath bomb recipe like no other: A Glow in the Dark Bath Bomb that will change bath time in your house forever!

A super simple step-by-step tutorial for how to make GLOW IN THE DARK BATH BOMBS, including a how-to video.

DIY Glow in the Dark Bath Bomb Craft

I’m sooooo over negotiating with my 8 year old about bath time.

This girl loves her baths – she spends a minimum of two hours in there once she gets in – but getting her to stop whatever it is that she’s doing and agree to take a bath is like pulling teeth. It’s like she has short term memory loss and forgets that she actually loves baths.. until she gets in again.

Over the years, I’ve learned that having fun DIY bath products (like homemade jelly soap or bath time play dough) can actually get her excited enough about taking a bath that she forgets to argue. And this one? It’s going to be a game-changer.

Not only does this bath bomb glow in the dark, it actually makes the bath water glow in the dark after you use it! 

This DIY bath bomb would make a wonderful homemade gift – it’s so unique and fun!

We started making our own bath bombs just for fun but after paying $13 for a single bath bomb at a specialty store (you know the one) I now think of it as saving money, too!

Typically, a store-bought bath bomb will run you $5+ and buying all of the ingredients for bath bombs will initially cost probably about $25 if you have none of the ingredients on hands. However, that $25 is enough to make easily 100+ bath bombs – and you can use many of these materials in different ways:

  • Epsom salts can be used to make custom bath soaks, or just sprinkle it as-is in the bath after a work out or stressful day
  • Citric Acid is a food additive that can be used in DIY cleaners, canning food, or you can make your own fizzy sherbet with it (it’s also used in home brewing!)
  • Corn Starch is a great thickener used for sauces like gravy or with mac and cheese, or you can make oobleck with it (a fun sensory play material)
  • Baking Soda is great for cleaning, is used often in baking, and you can make fun fizzy science experiments with it
  • Coconut Oil is an awesome substitute for butter or oil in baking/cooking, and there are lots of holistic ways it can be used (I used to actually massage and wash my face with it when I had  some post-partum pimples and we often add it to our homemade sugar scrubs)

These ingredients all work together to create the perfect bath bomb experience, but if you’re really stuck for a couple ingredients here are some substitutions that you can make:

What can I use instead of citric acid in bath bombs? You can swap out the citric acid for cream of tartar, but note that the citric acid works to neutralize the baking soda in the bath bomb and helps your skin absorb the benefits of bath bombs. The nice thing about this swap is that additional cream of tartar will help to make an even sturdier bath bomb.

What can I use instead of epsom salts in bath bombs? Fine grain sea salt or Himalayan salt can both be substituted for epsom salts – personally, I prefer the Himalayan salt, if you have to swap it out. However, keep in mind that epsom salts are usually less irritating and help draw out lactic acid from our muscles (great for post-workout relief). Himalayan salt and Epsom salts both have a good amount of needed minerals, like magnesium, to help relieve stress and increase serotonin levels.

What can I use instead of corn starch in bath bombs? You can use additional cream of tartar, but your results may not be as good as corn starch is a softer binder/hardener. Also, corn starch helps retain the scent added to bath bombs so you may not like the final product as much.

Check out our quick video for how to make glow-in-the-dark bath bombs, and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable recipe:

 

Ingredients for Glow in the Dark Bath Bombs

  • Citric acid – if not ordering online, citric acid can be found at pharmacies, but we got the best deal ordering ours through a home brewery store — it is a food additive, nothing to be worried about. Citric acids serves to neutralize the baking soda in bath bombs and helps your skin absorb the benefits of the other ingredients
  • Corn starch – corn starch slows down the reaction time of the bath bomb and helps them retain their scent
  • Epsom salts – be sure to purchase quality epsom salts that are 100% magnesium sulfate. Cheaper epsom salts may contain unnecessary additives (we used this Coconut Lime scented Epsom Salt for this recipe)
  • Baking soda – this is the essential ingredient for those fizzy reactions. It also helps exfoliate and is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory
  • Cream of Tartar
  • Water – helps bind the bath bomb
  • Coconut oil – reduces the amount of water needed to bind the bath bomb. Any quality/edible oil can substitute
  • Essential oils* – optional, pick them for either their scent or suggested benefits
  • Polysorbate 80 – since we’re using a bit more dye than normal, this will help it not stick to your bath tub
  • Glow in the Dark Mica
  • Green Glow in the Dark Cosmetic Glitter

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: the savings with making your own bath bombs comes with buying in bulk – the initial cost may seem a bit daunting, but you will save so much money after a few batches and rest assured about the quality of the ingredients you are adding to your bath.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

How to Make Glow in the Dark Bath Bombs

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the baking soda, citric acid, cream of tartar and Epsom salts and whisk together.

Step 2: Add the coconut oil. This binds all the ingredients together, so you bath bombs don’t crumble when you touch them! Add polysorbate 80, which helps disperse the colorant and helps it not stick to the tub. [*The polysorbate 80 is mixed in with the coconut oil in the supplies picture.]

Step 3: Add in essential oil.

Step 4: Add in cosmetic glitter.

Step 5: Mix everything together thoroughly. You may need to use your hands to break down any lumps and make sure everything is mixed in. The mixture is perfect when it holds together when you press it into your hands and feels like wet sand.

Step 6: Separate mixture into 6 small bowls.

Step 7: Add 1 tablespoon of each mica powder into each small bowl. Mix in thoroughly. If you want a darker color, add in an additional tablespoon of color.

Step 8: Fill both sides of the mold with the mixture, until slightly overflowing. If mixture gets dry while making your bath bombs, mix in a spritz or two of the rubbing alcohol.

Step 9: Press molds together and grind to remove excess mixture.

Step 10: Gently tap each side of the mold to release the bombs. To avoid the bombs breaking during the drying phase, I put them in a mini muffin tin. They fit perfectly! Allow to dry a minimum of 24 hours. If your climate is wet or cold, allow an additional 24 hours. My rule of thumb is that when it is hard to the touch, they are ready for the tub! Store in an airtight container until ready for use.

Pin this Easy Glow in the Dark Bath Bomb recipe:

How to make glow in the dark bath bombs - a wonderful homemade gift idea or just a fun way to treat yourself at the end of the day. Turn your bath tub into Fern Gully!

Grab your free printable instructions for our glow in the dark bath bombs recipe:

Yield: 6 bath bombs

Glow in the Dark Bath Bombs

Glow in the Dark Bath Bombs

A super simple recipe for a DIY Glow in the Dark Bath Bomb - this one is going to change bath time forever!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup citric acid
  • 1/4 cup cream of tartar
  • 2 tablespoons Coconut Lime Epsom salts
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon polysorbate 80
  • 1 tablespoon green glow in the dark cosmetic glitter
  • 1 tablespoon each of 6 glow in the dark mica

Tools

  • Stainless steel bath bomb molds (I get mine from Amazon)
  • Mini muffin tin (optional) (I get mine from Amazon)
  • Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 6 small bowls

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the baking soda, citric acid, cream of tartar and Epsom salts and whisk together.
  2. Add the coconut oil. This binds all the ingredients together, so you bath bombs don’t crumble when you touch them! Add polysorbate 80, which helps disperse the colorant and helps it not stick to the tub.
  3. Add in essential oil.
  4. Add in cosmetic glitter.
  5. Mix everything together thoroughly. You may need to use your hands to break down any lumps and make sure everything is mixed in. The mixture is perfect when it holds together when you press it into your hands and feels like wet sand.
  6. Separate mixture into 6 small bowls.
  7. Add 1 tablespoon of each mica powder into each small bowl. Mix in thoroughly. If you want a darker color, add in an additional tablespoon of color.
  8. Fill both sides of the mold with the mixture, until slightly overflowing. If mixture gets dry while making your bath bombs, mix in a spritz or two of the rubbing alcohol.
  9. Press molds together and grind to remove excess mixture.
  10. Gently tap each side of the mold to release the bombs. To avoid the bombs breaking during the drying phase, I put them in a mini muffin tin. They fit perfectly! Allow to dry a minimum of 24 hours. If your climate is wet or cold, allow an additional 24 hours. My rule of thumb is that when it is hard to the touch, they are ready for the tub! Store in an airtight container until ready for use.

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Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

I hope your kids love this super fun glow in the dark bath bomb recipe as much as mine did!

Check out some of our other DIY Bath Bomb recipes:

You won't believe how easy these glow in the dark bath bombs are to make! Natural ingredients, amazing coconut lime scent and they actually glow in the dark!  A super simple step-by-step tutorial for how to make GLOW IN THE DARK BATH BOMBS, including a how-to video.  How to make glow in the dark bath bombs - a wonderful homemade gift idea or just a fun way to treat yourself at the end of the day. Turn your bath tub into Fern Gully!  You won't believe how easy these glow in the dark bath bombs are to make! Natural ingredients, amazing coconut lime scent and they actually glow in the dark!

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