Table of Contents
- Do you know anyone who doesn’t fancy bath bombs? This unique form of entertainment made of ingredients like salts, baking soda, and citric, is designed to provide an ultimate pleasure and softness to your skin.
- Put your sexy bath bomb in the bath tub—and help it dissolve under running water, by swirling it around or playing with it in the tub. Watch as they slowly fizz. Then, get yourself inside the bath tub as well! The delight of a warm, colorful bath won’t let you down.
- Is there any expiration date for bath bombs? Can you use old bath bombs? Continue reading to find out answers to these questions and avoid expire bath bombs.
Life of bath bombs
Bath bombs are gorgeous. They look like ice creams. They appear so tasty it’s hard to resist eating them! Actually, we should call them “awesomeness bombs” instead.
Sometimes, they are the only reason to have a bath. The incredible smoothness they offer to our skin, their smell, colors, atmosphere, bubble—it’s all conceived to send us to the planet of delight in an instant.
In our recent posts, you could read about various ways to fix your household issues (Does baking soda kill bed bugs?, Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?, How to Clean Primo Water Dispenser?). In this article, we’re digging into the bath bomb’s lifespan. While this problem may seem less crucial, our love for bath bombs calls for immediate answers!
Keep reading to find out the answer to the eternal question: Do bath bombs expire?
Use bath bombs
Here is what to do to make 100% use of these splendid bathroom gadgets.
Follow the steps below to turn your casual bath into an extraordinary adventure:
1. For starters, fill your bathtub with warm water.
2. Then, drop the bath bomb in.
3. Now, wait and enjoy the colorful show of the chemical reaction taking place.
Important: What happens when the bath bomb comes in contact with water? The baking soda (i.e., sodium bicarbonate) and citric acid react to make carbon dioxide bubbles (acid-base reaction). Baking soda is a weak base and citric acid is a weak acid.
4. After your bath bomb dissolved and left a multicolored layer on the surface of your bathwater, come inside and enjoy the unforgettable feeling!
Bath bomb ingredients
Bath bombs are usually made from three key ingredients: baking soda and citric acid, and cornstarch. They often include also dyes and perfumes, and sometimes they have Epsom salt.
Now, let’s say you want to make a bath bomb all by yourself. How to make it happen?
To make four half-balls, you need only 30 minutes and 2-4 hours for setting. Grab these ingredients:
- 100g bicarbonate of soda
- 50g citric acid
- 25g cornflour
- 25g Epsom salt
- two tablespoon oil (sunflower, coconut, or olive oil)
- quarter tablespoon essential oils (orange, lavender, or chamomile)
- a few drops of liquid food coloring
- orange peel, lavender, or rose petals—for decoration
And other accessories:
- mixing bowl
- a whisk
- plastic mold
Tip: While making bath bombs, ensure you use liquid food coloring. Don’t use gels, because added to the bicarbonate, they would clump too strongly together and wouldn’t mix.
Important: Scientists discovered some bath bomb ingredients could be bad for you. Phthalates have been found to decrease hormone levels and sperm quality. They also linked these substances to obesity, ovarian aging, and some forms of cancer. Talc has been associated with an elevated risk of ovarian cancer. Some researchers also believe that parabens could disrupt the endocrine system.
In the light of these findings, some questions come to mind.
1. Can you wash your hair with a bath bomb in the water?
2. What effect will bath bombs have on your skin?
When it comes to washing your hair, bath bombs won’t affect them negatively. However, essential oils and citric acid in your bath have some effect—they are softening. Plus, a bath bomb with surfactant will have a cleaning effect.
As with the skin, bath bombs are mild—confirmed head of product development at Lush Jack Constantine. Unless you’re really sensitive—then bath bombs with loads of layers of bubbly mix may have some irritating effect on you.
For how long can you keep your bath bomb unused?
Now you know how to use these bath gadgets and how they are made. But how long can you store your bath bombs?
Let’s find out all there is to know about the shelf life of bath bombs.
Bath bombs that expire become less effective—claims an expert on the subject, Jack Constantine, head of product development at Lush bath bombs.
So how long does it take to have an expired bath bomb? How long do bath bombs last?
Bath bombs have expiration dates. It’s usually within one year.
Yet, you’d want to use your bath bombs within about six months.
After six months, a bath bomb may begin to lose its fizz. However, it’s still safe to use.
Keep in mind that if you make your DIY bath bombs and add bath bomb ingredients like essential oils or oatmeal or flower petals—they can cause a bath bomb to grow mold or rancid within one year.
When it comes to storage, how long can you store your bath bombs in the bathroom?
For starters, it’s best to avoid moisture at all costs. So, keep your bath bombs stored in a moisture-free empty glass jar or other air-free containers.
Tip: If the bath bombs are exposed to the cool air on display, they’re oxidizing. The citric and the bicarb ingredients start to bind, and the whole mixture can go bad. When the chemical ingredients of bath bombs change, they lose the potency and ability to conduct the chemical reaction so well. The right storing practice and keeping fresh ingredients of bath bombs active is crucial for their usage potential.
Bath bombs become less effective as time goes on. They’re best when used fresh. The fizzing, the scent—everything works as it should.
Some people adore their bath bombs so much that they keep them wrapped and in boxes underneath their bed for years. It’s not the best option. It’s about the freshness!
Mind that in the factory, the ruling freshness policy is 21 days.
If you buy bath bombs online, it would be two weeks to use them (to be in line with the manufacturer’s suggestions).
So, if your bath bomb is a year old, you chucked it in the bath, and it does nothing—now you know why.
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