whoa volcano
Feb. 16th, 2021 09:07 pmso it turns out that bath bombs are like making a volcano - acid + base + binding and coloring. the reaction is activated when it gets wet. most interesting thing in the kit from my POV was Polysorbate 80 - this is an emulsifier that keeps the contents of the bomb distributed in the bathwater and helps to keep it from adhering to the tub.
the kit called for the mixture to be colored with mica and then some surface painting with mica (mixed with alcohol). i packed the molds firmly, maybe more firmly than i was supposed to since the mixture made one bomb less than they suggested. my bombs are much firmer than commercial ones.
in the tub the fizziness was great, very long lasting. i choose to believe that was because of the higher density. the bombs are light purple in color with dark purple, pearly white, and gold paint; still there was very little color in the water. (honestly that's fine with me, i don't care for staining the tub.) the softness of the water was great. the scent was pleasant but not overpowering.
anyway, making them was fun, like packing molds with sand to build a sandcastle. the messiest thing was the mica coloring, which i wouldn't do again anyway. i ordered base ingredients for more and will make many fizzy smelly things with no added color.
the kit called for the mixture to be colored with mica and then some surface painting with mica (mixed with alcohol). i packed the molds firmly, maybe more firmly than i was supposed to since the mixture made one bomb less than they suggested. my bombs are much firmer than commercial ones.
in the tub the fizziness was great, very long lasting. i choose to believe that was because of the higher density. the bombs are light purple in color with dark purple, pearly white, and gold paint; still there was very little color in the water. (honestly that's fine with me, i don't care for staining the tub.) the softness of the water was great. the scent was pleasant but not overpowering.
anyway, making them was fun, like packing molds with sand to build a sandcastle. the messiest thing was the mica coloring, which i wouldn't do again anyway. i ordered base ingredients for more and will make many fizzy smelly things with no added color.