Step 1

Decorate mold.

Step 2

If desired, place a decoration into your mold before you begin, such as colored Epsom salt or cookie sprinkles. This step is optional, and only necessary for the sugar cookie shower bombs.

Step 3

Measure liquid ingredients. You’ll need 3 small containers or beakers for this step. In one beaker, pour in the emulsifier. Measure the liquid into another beaker, whether that’s water, alcohol, witch hazel, or food coloring. Finally, in the last beaker, add the essential oil blend. Set all beakers aside.

Step 4

Combine dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, simply combine baking soda, citric acid, and Epsom salt. These ingredients don’t tend to clump, so there’s no need to use a sieve. Mix gently with a wooden spoon (or a gloved hand) to combine. If using a powdered colorant such as clay, add it during this step.

Step 5

Add emulsifier and essential oils. Put on your gloves to protect your hands. Pour the emulsifier into the dry ingredients and mix well to evenly coat the mixture. Then, add the essential oils and mix again. At this point, the shower bomb mixture will form a grainy, paste-like texture.

Step 6

Add liquid. This step is pivotal, so be prepared to work fast. Once you introduce water into the shower bombs, you will need to mix quickly to avoid too much fizzing.Grab the beaker you filled with liquid during step 2, whether that’s water, alcohol, or food coloring. Pour the liquid into your gloved hand, then quickly knead it into the mixture. Continue kneading thoroughly until evenly incorporated, and be sure to knead out any uneven splotches of food coloring.Tip: Pouring the liquid onto your hand first is preferable to pouring directly into the bowl, as it helps cut down on too much fizzing.

Step 7

Fill the mold. Pack the mixture tightly into the silicone mold. Then, use a plastic scoop to smooth out the top of each tablet. If the shower bombs expand a little bit in the mold, don’t panic – keep pressing the tops down with the scoop until they lie flat. This won’t take long, and the tablets will begin to harden quickly.Continue to fill each mold cavity, pressing the tablets down as you go. Once they have stopped rising and started hardening, you can move on.

Step 8

Leave to dry. Set the shower fizzies aside to dry in a safe, well-ventilated place where they will not be disturbed. Epsom salt shower bombs harden quickly, so during the summertime (or in a hot climate), they may be ready in as quickly as 12 hours (or overnight).However, during the wintertime (or in cool climates), they may still be a little sticky to the touch if not given ample time to dry. For best results, leave them to dry for at least 24-48 hours or until they’re hard and dry to the touch. When they’re fully dry, the shower fizzies should feel like hard salt rocks.

Step 9

Remove from mold. Carefully remove each shower bomb from the mold. If you used a silicone mold, slowly and carefully pop each mold cavity inside out to gently release each tablet. Be gentle here – round shaped shower tablets are pretty durable, but certain molds (such as snowflake shapes) may have more delicate edges.

Step 10

Wrap or package. Immediately wrap and package your homemade shower bombs to protect the essential oils’ fragrance and potency (see notes below). They’re ready to give as holiday gifts, or simply to enjoy yourself!