DIY Bath Bomb Recipe with Cream of Tartar

This is it, the easy and simple DIY Bath Bomb recipe with cream of tartar. Plenty of fizz and a silky finish for great looking bath bombs. Let’s get to it and then see why we use these ingredients and the benefits.

• 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

I’ve gone for a lavender finish for this bath bob, but you can choose your own essential oil. Try perhaps Ginger, Ylang-ylang or Bergamot.

Why is Cream of Tartar Used in Bath Bombs?

With multi-uses, Cream of tartar is best used as an alternative to, or with Citric acid to activate fizziness expected in bath bombs.

A Very fine powder produces a silky finish to your ‘pre-dunked’ bath fizzy, resulting in great-looking products and supports the hardening process.

With less acidity, the reaction with the baking soda is lower offering a less vigorous fizzing action and a creamy, silky feel to your bathwater.

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What is the difference between cream of tartar and citric acid?

The obvious difference between the two products is their acidity.

Now, everyone remembers Chemistry lessons at school and the pH scale, right? If not let’s remind you and then we can see where cream of tartar and citric acid sit in the ‘percent Hydrogen’ Scale (pH)

pH Level
0-6	Acid
7[ish]	Neutral
8-14	Alkaline

• Cream of Tartar – 5
• Citric Acid – 2-3

So you can see citric acid sits with a higher acidity score than cream of tartar

WARNING: Cream of tartar is not tartaric acid

I often see cream of tartar referred to as tartaric acid. I have seen this in other bath bomb recipes with cream of tartar.

This is incorrect. It is a form of tartaric acid and a very close relative but if you were to substitute cream of tartar with tartaric acid, either in bath bombs, or baking the results would be disappointing, to say the least.

Acid	pH Level
Tartaric Acid	2.2
Citric Acid	3
Cream of Tartar	5

First up, cream of tartar is going to come a great deal cheaper than tartaric acid. If you cant get cream of tartar I would suggest using citric acid instead, but if there really is no alternative then use as you would citric acid with half the quantity.

Where to Buy Cream of Tartar

Any supermaket or grocery store should stock cream of tartar for picking up on your weekly shop from the shelves.

My recommendation for an organic and ethical product is PURE.

• ALL-NATURAL, NON-GMO, KOSHER
• ALL NATURAL & PURE: DOES NOT CONTAIN ADDITIVES, FRAGRANCES, ANIMAL PRODUCTS.
• DIY BATH BOMBS

They also offer a full satisfaction guarantee on all of their products. The cream of tartar is available online in various sizes

But you can also grab a full bath bomb package on Amazon from the PURE producers of this cream of tartar.

Why use Cream of Tartar in a Bath Bomb?

There is no specific essential need for using cream of tartar in your DIY bath bombs, other than a replacement or part substitute for citric acid.

The effect of replacing citric acid with cream of tartar is that it is a slightly milder form of acid, so the activation with the baking soda is less wild if you like.

It will create less of a reaction and thus fizz when met with the water. If you are looking for the fizziest bath bomb possible then, stick with citric acid.

In some cases, a milder reaction is desirable. I like less of a fizz with more aromatic bath bombs. I imagine creamer finishes, more subtle smells. For a mood bath bomb, sometimes, I like it to melt away in a more serene way.

Does Cream of Tartar Harden Bath Bombs

Yes. The hardening process is helped with cream of tartar and can compliments starches and clays for the process.

It is important to get your mix right and not too dry and the hardening process can and will produce cracks, and as the bomb hardens, if it is too dry you may find it powdering, cracking or chunks falling away.

This is something I am sure you have already got to grips with, but if, it practice makes perfect, and you will soon get the hang of the consistency you need to ensure your cream of tartar bath bomb sticks and stays together.

Best Bath Bombs with Cream of Tartar

The best bath bombs with cream of tartar will be the ones you make yourself with your DIY bath bomb-making skills.

Try variations on the recipe above. You can add a range of different colors, scents, dried flowers and more. The only limitation to your creations will be your imagination.

If you dont want to go down the DIY route making your own cream of tartar bath bombs, or you simply do not have time on this occasion, there is an inexpensive range of options available.

Here are some great ideas to add to your cream of tartar bath bobs for extra pzazz and luxury.

Dried Flowers

Select some dried flowers to add to the final press of your mixture to decorate the surface. You can use just about anything. Wheat of your bomb is cereal-based, perhaps lavender flowers for your lavender bath bomb. Let your mind roam wild and come up with some crazy creations

Colors

Colors are not essential but can add fun and feeling to your DIY Bath bombs with cream of tartar. Match the color to the scent of your bomb. Go for relaxing pastel shades for total relaxation with the lower fizz of this one.

Scents

Again, with cream of tartar bath bombs and the lower level of fizz produced I always like to imagine a more serene picture, so with the scent, go with a more subtle aroma, in a smaller quantity to that it doesn’t overpower but just hints at the flavor you have chosen.

Let your senses take it in, but work in total concentration and relaxation on the scent to keep your mind from wandering back to the stresses of the day.

Other Exciting Bath Bomb Recipes

For more exciting DIY bath bomb recipes, take a look at the recipe section, where I also cover options without citric acid, with Epsom salts, and offer advice on other ingredient variations.

This cream of tartar bath bomb is one of my favourites, but I have others dotted around the site too.

Finally, if you have found this recipe helpful, please feel free to share on your social media channels, with your family and friends. Hopefully they will appreciate it, and it’s a great elp for me too.

Till the next recipe, x