Once all the bath bomb recipe ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, spritz 1-2 times with the alcohol/witch hazel mixture. Mix quickly with your hands and check to see if it's ready. Use witch hazel instead of water.
Water will activate the fizziness and a reaction more than witch hazel will and you don't want the reaction to occur until you are ready to use your bath bomb in your bath water. Use your spray bottle to spritz with witch hazel. Stir constantly while you add liquid ingredients.
You can replace the witch hazel in the recipe with water, but the alcohol in the witch hazel helps to make the mixture drier when bonding the bath bombs. The witch hazel also helps to make the colour more pronounced. The bath bomb mix should be damp enough that it will hold together when squeezed.
If its too dry you may need to add a spray or two of the Witch Hazel. Just remember, that every time you add a liquid to the mix you chance setting off the citric acid, so always add with caution. Witch hazel is the most commonly used liquid binder for bath bombs, but you can also use a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol if you prefer (note: using alcohol as a binder may result in drier and more crumbly bath bombs depending on your climate).
Why does this combination work? The ultra-fine mist of witch hazel allows you to achieve the perfect "damp sand" consistency without prematurely activating the fizzing reaction. The cream of tartar acts as a powerful stabilizer, creating a much harder, more durable bath bomb that won't crumble in your hands. We also suggest wearing gloves, protective clothing, and a hair net while creating this bath fizzy recipe.
In addition, prepare your spray bottle, filling it with witch hazel. Bath Bomb Recipe Materials: ¾ cup citric acid (210 gms) 2 cups sodium bicarbonate (600 gms) witch hazel essential oil dye spray bottle metal or hard plastic mold Method: Blend citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), the better blended these are the better the bath bombs are. After blending really, really well add any optional dry.
Witch Hazel in a spritz bottle for wetting the mix (The alcohol content in the witch hazel will allow the bath bombs to release from the molds more easily - just using water as the moisturizing agent would have the fizzer take hours to release from the molds.). Use one hand to spritz with witch hazel and one hand to mix until it's the right consistency. If your bath bomb cracks after it's out of the mold, it's likely too wet.