How to Use Bath Bombs and Up Your Spa Day Game

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Relax in your bubbly brew

Co-authored by Carmine Shannon

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using a Bath Bomb

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Bath Bomb Tips and Tricks

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Alternative Uses for Bath Bombs

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Choosing a Bath Bomb

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Q&A

Bath bombs are a great way to enhance your bath. They come in many different colors, scents, shapes, and sizes, and are often filled with moisturizing and skin-nourishing oils and butters. But how are you supposed to use that dusty, crumbly ball?—it’s not like it came with instructions. This article will not only show you how to use a bath bomb, but also give you tips on how to choose one, and ideas for how to make your bath bomb experience bigger, better, and fizzier! Get ready for relaxation.

Things You Should Know

Fill the tub at least halfway with water before putting in the bath bomb.
Unwrap the bath bomb and place it in the water.
Get in and enjoy your soak with a book, drink, or a moment of meditation.

Section 1 of 4:

Using a Bath Bomb

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You have to have a bath to use a bath bomb! Draw a bath to your liking: not too cold and not too hot. When the tub is filled as high as you want, turn the water off.
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Put the bath bomb in the water. As soon as the bath bomb enters the water, it will start to bubble and fizz. Over time, the bath bomb will start to break apart and dissolve, allowing all the beneficial oils, salts, and butters to be released into the bath water.^{[1]
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- If you want to enjoy the colorful water works before you get in, put the bath bomb in after filling the tub halfway. You can watch the swirling colors as you add the rest of the water.
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Get undressed and step into the tub. You can enter the tub while the bath bomb is still fizzing, or you can wait until it’s finished.^{[2]
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- Getting into the tub while the bomb is still fizzing will allow your body to soak up more of the essential oils and skin softening ingredients.
Get into a comfortable position. You can close your eyes and relax, meditate, or even read a book.^{[3]
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Research source} The bath bomb will dissolve and fill the water with essential oils, moisturizing butters, and additional items, like flower petals, glitter, and color.
After a while, the water will start to naturally cool down. At this point, you can leave the bathtub and drain the water.
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Rinse off in the shower. You don’t have to shower after using a bath bomb, but you may want to if you’ve been soaking in a lot of glitter and dye. Simply drain the tub, then take a shower to rinse the oils and butters off your skin.^{[4]
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- Bath bombs are great for moisturizing, but not for cleaning your body. If the point of your bath was to, well, bathe, wash yourself off with soap in the shower.
- While they’re not bad for your hair, bath bombs aren’t made to clean it, either. Rinse your hair out entirely once you’re done.
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Clean the tub. Some bath bombs use dyes that may stain your tub, so clean them off quickly to save yourself some serious scrubbing.^{[5]
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- Cleaning your tub while it’s still wet will give you the best results.

Section 2 of 4:

Bath Bomb Tips and Tricks

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Bath bombs will keep their solid form as long as they’re kept dry; however, the fresher a bath bomb is, the more it’ll fizz when you drop it into the bathtub.^{[6]
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Research source} If you wait too long to use it, it won’t fizz as much.
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Make clean-up easier by wrapping the bath bomb with fabric. Some bath bombs include flower petals, which can get stuck in the tub after you drain the water out. You can prevent this from happening by putting the bath bomb inside a small cloth bag or a nylon stocking.^{[7]
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Research source} Once the bath is over, all you have to do is empty out the bag or recycle it.
- Wrapping a bath bomb still allows all the detergents, fragrances, and oils to pass through the fabric and mix with your bath water.
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Get two uses out of a bath bomb by cutting it in half. Bath bombs are expensive, but you can make yours last longer by halving it with a serrated knife. Use one of the halves for your bath, and save the other half for a future date.^{[8]
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- Store the other half properly by wrapping it in plastic and keeping it in a dry location. You can also store your bath bomb in an air-tight container, such as a mason jar. Make sure that the bath bomb is dry; and moisture will cause it to start to fizz.^{[9]
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- If a bath bomb makes an artistic effect in the water, it won’t be as noticeable if you cut it in half.
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Make a bubbly cocktail with other bath products. Take your spa day to the max by adding bubble bars, bath salts, bubble bath, or essential oils to your brew.
- You can even make your own bath bombs to really add some personal flare.
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Create a luxury spa environment. Make this more than just a bath by lighting candles, playing music, and pampering yourself with other products, like face masks. If you’re going to soak for a while, consider bringing something with you, like a book, a snack, or a drink.^{[10]
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- Fold a soft towel and place it behind your head, neck, and shoulders before you lean back in the bathtub. This will make things more comfortable.

Section 3 of 4:

Alternative Uses for Bath Bombs

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Sometimes, bath bombs can be almost too pretty to use! If you find it difficult to drop your beautiful bath bomb in the tub, consider displaying it in a dish in your bathroom. The fragrance released by the bath bomb will be subtle and not overpowering.^{[11]
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If you’ve been looking for the perfect exfoliator, look no further. Crumble your bath bomb until it’s the texture of bath salt, then mix it with coconut or olive oil. Now you can scrub off your dead skin while getting in a little aromatherapy.^{[12]
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You can still soak in bath bombs if you don’t have a tub, just make up a relaxing foot bath. Fill a tub with warm (or hot, if you’re into that) water and drop in your bath bomb. Plop in your feet and enjoy the fizzy show.^{[13]
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If you like to pamper yourself but dislike sitting in baths, use a bomb. Shower bombs are like bath bombs, but they contain fewer oils (so things don’t get too slippery). Place the bomb where the water can hit it, turn on the shower, and step inside. As it dissolves in the water it will release its fragrances.

Section 4 of 4:

Choosing a Bath Bomb

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Find a bath bomb that’s color and smell appeal to you most. If you have dry skin, look for one with additional oils and butters for extra moisture. If you have stuffy sinuses, look for one with eucalyptus oil. Here are some things you can expect to find in a bath bomb:^{[14]
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- Essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. These don’t just make the bath bomb smell nice—they can also help you feel relaxed or more awake.
- Skin softening oils and butters, such as almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. These are great for dry skin!
- Fun additives such as glitter and flower petals that float on top of the bath water. They’re mostly for aesthetic purposes but can really help enhance the mood.
- Salts, powdered clays, and herbs are also often found in bath bombs. They help soften, moisturize, and nourish your skin.

Community Q&A

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Question

How long should I stay in the bath for?

Community Answer

To avoid your skin going "pruny" and "wrinkly" you should stay in the bath around 20-40 minutes. But it depends on your personal preference.

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Can I wash my body with soap with the bath bomb in the water?

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Yes, you can. If the soap has a fragrance as well, you will get twice the effect.

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Will a bath bomb make my skin feel smooth?

Community Answer

Yes. Your skin will feel smooth, especially if the bath bomb contains moisturizing ingredients like eucalyptus oil.

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Warnings

Bath bombs can stain your tub and towel.

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There is no proof that bath bombs cause UTIs, but they can mess with your pH. If you’re especially prone to genital irritation, it may be best to skip this part of your self care routine.^{[15]
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Use caution if you have sensitive skin. Bath bombs often contain essential oils and other ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction to develop. If you tend to be allergic to other bath oils and bubble baths, then you may also be allergic to bath bombs.

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