DIY Fizzing Fall-Scented Pumpkins Bath Bombs
There is something about autumn that makes you want everything to smell warm, spicy and cosy. These DIY fizzing fall-scented pumpkin bath bombs are an easy little project that brings those autumn vibes straight into the bathroom.
Shaped like mini pumpkins and scented with your favourite fall fragrance, they are perfect for a relaxing bath on a chilly evening. They also make lovely homemade gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving or simply as a little autumn treat.
Best of all, you only need a few basic ingredients to make them.
What You Will Need
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup Epsom salt
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil
- A few drops of orange bath-safe cosmetic colouring
- Pumpkin spice, cinnamon, vanilla or another skin-safe fragrance oil
- Witch hazel or water in a small spray bottle
- Pumpkin-shaped silicone mould
Always choose colouring and fragrance specifically labelled as suitable for bath or cosmetic products.
How To Make Pumpkin Bath Bombs
Add the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch and Epsom salt to a large bowl.
Mix everything together well, breaking up any lumps with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Add your chosen oil, a small amount of orange colouring and a few drops of your favourite fall fragrance. Mix again until the colour is evenly distributed.
Now comes the important part.
Lightly mist the mixture with witch hazel or water while continually mixing it with your hands. Only add a tiny amount at a time. If you add too much liquid, the citric acid and baking soda will start reacting before the bath bombs reach the bathtub.
You are looking for a texture similar to slightly damp sand. When you squeeze some mixture in your hand, it should hold together.
Shape Your Little Pumpkins
Firmly pack the mixture into your pumpkin mould.
Press it down well so there are no large gaps or loose areas.
Leave the bath bombs in the mould until they feel firm enough to remove without crumbling. Once removed, place them somewhere dry and allow them to completely harden, ideally for 24 hours.
Once dry, they are ready to use.
How To Use Them
Fill your bathtub with comfortably warm water and drop one pumpkin bath bomb into the water.
It should immediately begin fizzing and slowly dissolve while releasing its colour and autumn fragrance.
Then simply climb in and enjoy your cosy fall bath.
Make Them Look Even More Like Pumpkins
You can have a little fun decorating these.
Try making most of the bath bomb orange and adding a tiny amount of green-coloured mixture to the top of the mould to create a pumpkin stem.
You could also make several different shades of orange, cream and pale green for a basket full of autumn-inspired bath bombs.
Great For Homemade Fall Gifts
These pumpkin bath bombs can also make inexpensive homemade gifts.
Once completely dry, place a few in a small gift box, glass jar or clear gift bag and add some ribbon or twine.
They would be perfect for:
- Halloween gift baskets
- Autumn birthdays
- Teacher gifts
- Thanksgiving hostess gifts
- Homemade Christmas presents
- Cosy self-care baskets
Just make sure they are stored somewhere completely dry until they are used.
A Few Helpful Tips
Do not add too much liquid when making your mixture. This is probably the most common reason homemade bath bombs start expanding or fizzing before they have dried.
Pack the mould firmly. The tighter you pack the mixture, the less likely your pumpkins are to crumble.
Keep finished bath bombs away from moisture and humidity. An airtight container is ideal.
If you have sensitive skin, keep the recipe simple and avoid heavily scented fragrance oils or irritating spices. Always use ingredients designed for cosmetic or bath use.
Why Do Bath Bombs Fizz?
The fun fizzing reaction comes from the baking soda and citric acid.
When the dry bath bomb hits the bathwater, the ingredients begin reacting and release carbon dioxide bubbles. That is what creates all those little bubbles and gives bath bombs their familiar fizz.
A Simple Autumn DIY To Try
You do not need to spend a fortune on fancy seasonal bath products.
These DIY fizzing fall-scented pumpkin bath bombs are inexpensive, easy to customise and a fun way to bring a little bit of autumn into your home.
Make a batch for yourself, package a few as homemade gifts, or experiment with different autumn colours and fragrances.
Just be warned. Once you start making your own bath bombs, you may find yourself creating different shapes and scents for every season!