How to Make Bath Bombs without Citric Acid

As one of the key ingredients to give your bath bombs fizz, you might think Citric acid is essential in bah bombs. Well, I’m here to tell you it is not and explain some alternatives.

DIY Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid

Here is an easy and simple DIY Bath Bomb recipe without citric acid, using cream of tartar instead. Plenty of fizz and a silky finish for great looking bath bombs.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup epsom salts
• 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons lavender essential oil
• Food coloring
• 3/4 tablespoon water
• dried lavender flowers

Method Intstructions

1. Combine your dry ingredients and mix well. The better you mix at this stage the better your bath bomb will turn out.
2. Mix the oils and food coloring
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients thoroughly and carefully, once again ensuring that the mix is as good as it can be for best results at the end
4. Once you mixture is of the right consistency, and that is that it will stick together and hold when dropped from an inch or two, it is ready to introduce to the molds
5. Get as much mixture into the mold as you possible can, and then a little bit more
6. PRO TIP: Want a spinning bath bomb? just dig your thumb into one side of the bomb, off centre, before putting the two halves together.
7. Leave in the mold for 24-48 hours before removing
8. Remove from mold and stand for a further 24 hours

What happens if You Don’t Use Citric Acid?

The most obvious thing that will happen if you do not use Citric Acid in your bath bomb will be no chemicle reaction with the baking soda. These are the two ingredients that when coming into contact with water produce the fizzing your expect from bath bombs.

I mean, who’s to say a bath bomb needs to fizz right? But, it is srt of the point and what we have come to know as a normal bath bomb behaviour, so to be non fizzy sort of make it pointless and you may as well be using bath salts instead.

That doesn’t mean you can’t make bath bombs without citric acid. Oh no, there are alternative ingredients if you either do not want to use Citric Acid, or if you have everything else to hand but no citric acid.

What Can You use Instead of Citric acid in Bath Bombs?

You can keep a citric acid element in your bath bomb by using Lemon Juice. Which of course contains citric acid. But there are additional alternatives to citric acid you can use, which create additional benefits.

Let’s take a look at some

Can I use Lemon Juice instead of Citric Acid?

Citric Acid naturally occurs in Lemon juice. This is why lemon juice is often used in cooking recipes, as the acid does it’s job, and you get the added benefit of the lemony flavour.

So powdered citric acid can be substituted in your bath bomb recipe with lemon juice.

I won’t go crazy into the recipe right here as I already have a page with a bath bomb recipe with lemon juice you can find.

Cream of tartar vs citric acid in bath bombs

In terms of quantity if you are replacing citric acid with Cream of Tartar in your bath bomb recipe then you will want to begin by using half as much. Too much and the mixture may become too thick and dry.

I have a recipe using cream of tartar as an alternative to citric acid

What does Citric Acid do in Bath Bombs?

Citric aid is the element that when combined with baking soda and introduced with water produces the fizz that we know bath bombs for. Citric acid can be sourced from other ingredients but will not be as effective as the readily available powdered application.

Is Citric Acid Bad for You?

Citric acid in whichever form it is derived is generally accepted as safe for use in bath bombs. Citric acid is found naturally in citrus fruits. The version used in bath bombs is likely to be a synthetic option created using molds. Whilst there may be a chance of some allergies based on the synthetic type, the chance is a little higher than with natural citric acid.

Where to Buy Citric Acid

Citric acid is readily available in most grocery and general stores. Online you can purchase citric acid from Amazon

I always recommend the eco friendly PURE range of ingredients given the nature of the product but also because there are a range of quantity options, which makes things easy whether you are making small or large batches.

What Kind of Citric Acid do you Use in Bath Bombs?

When making a bath bomb WITH Citric Acid I like an organic, eco-friendly citric acid option. Its better for the planet more ethical and although the risk if very slight, there is less chance for allergic reactions to synthetic versions

Best citric acid for bath bombs

The best citric acid for bath bombs is an eco-friendly organic, non-GMO, food-grade product from PURE. Available in a range of package sizes for your convenience.

Can I buy Citric Acid at Walmart?

Citric acid is readily available at Walmart in a range of sizes. From small to more bulky packs that will work well for bath bomb making, you can buy online. There are also eco friendly ranges available from time to time too.

Can I buy Citric Acid on Amazon?

Citric Acid is available on Amazon and next day free delivery with prime, will also help speed up the process if you need it quickly

Can I Make my Own Citric Acid?

You can’t really make your own citric acid in the form that you want for an ingredient for your bath bombs. When considering making citric acid, one might be trying to achieve the liquid form, which you would use the crystals and powdered form you want as a bath bomb ingredient in the first place.

Is Citric Acid Dangerous?

Citric acid is not dangerous in comparison to things like Hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid. It can help to kill harmful bacteria os infections on the skin, so in fact, it’s not just about the fizz in your bath bomb. Citric acid also has beneficial properties when used in bath bombs.

Does Citric Acid Kill Bacteria?

Citric Acid can kill certain bacterias and surface infections. It will have the same effect on many molds and mildews, thus it is a great product for the battle of disinfecting and cleaning.

Doesn’t that make you feel better about the little bit of Citric Acid you have in your bath bomb.

Other Bath Bomb Recipes without Citric Acid

I have a number of other bath bomb recipes on site including ones that create bath bombs with no citric acid

This bath bomb recipe with cream of tartar is one example.