Are Bath Bombs Safe? | Plumbing Questions (2024)

Back To Blog

Bath bombs are all the rage right now. They are the bomb… ok, bad pun. Our sad humor aside, bath bombs are fun, colorful, smell good and can be packed with essential oils and other things to help you relax and make your skin feel great! But what exactly makes up a bath bomb, and is it safe for your plumbing? We’re glad you asked. Before you settle in for a relaxing soak with your Unicorn Double Rainbow Paradise Bath Bomb (who comes up with these names?), take a look at this article.

Got Glitter?

Are Bath Bombs Safe? | Plumbing Questions (1)

Bath bombs are filled with additives like glitter, flower petals, oils and butters. These additives can be great for your body, they smell awesome, can make your skin smooth and even improve your mood. There are benefits to these additives, but as the saying goes, ”it isn’t always rainbows and butterflies” (I know your bath bomb has rainbow in the name but just trust us on this one). These items will wreak havoc on your drains, causing clogs or trapping scents; you’ll wish you had just taken a shower!

Glitter

Glitter is sparkly, shiny, fun and a killer. A Cold. Blooded. Killer… of drains that is. Glitter is a small but hard substance that does not biodegrade very well. Glitter can get clogged up in your drains with other objects like hair and can create major blockages that are going to cost you time or money.

Flower Petals

Flower petals, like glitter, will clog your drains. Because these flower petals are so large they will not easily go down your drain and get stuck on buildups in the drains like the glitter clog you may have started from your last bath.

Oils and Butters

Oils and butters can really be great for your body and they usually smell great! Oils and butters generally aren’t a problem, but butters can sometimes solidify and create a blockage in the same way grease can in a kitchen sink.

But I Love My Bath Bomb!

We understand, we do too. There are a few things you can do to keep your plumbing working properly and still get to enjoy your favorite way to relax. If you have a bath bomb that has additives like glitter or flower petals you can put the bath bomb in a thin sock or panty hose and use them as a strainer. In addition to this you can get a mesh stopper and put it in the drain when you empty the tub. As for butters, a rule of thumb is to make sure to run a little extra hot water down your drain so that the butters don’t solidify, and you can clear out your drains.

Be smart when using bath bombs and pay attention to what is going down your drain and you will be good to go. However, if you do have a drain that is giving you some problems give the expert plumbers at Superior Drain a call. Request an appointment today to have clog-free drains tomorrow!

Are Bath Bombs Safe? | Plumbing Questions (2024)

FAQs

Are Bath Bombs Safe? | Plumbing Questions? ›

Oils – These ingredients are usually added to bath bombs in order to moisturize the skin, as well as to provide a fragrant scent. Even a little bit can cause issues with your plumbing, however – the oil can congeal and stick to the insides of your pipes, causing clogs.

What are questions about bath bombs? ›

Bath Bombs Expert Interview Questions
  • Why do the specific ingredients of bath bombs create the reaction that it does?
  • Does the temperature of the water a bath bomb is placed in impact its reaction? ...
  • Do stress-relieving bath bombs have different ingredients causing different reactions?
Oct 16, 2016

What are the safety precautions when making bath bombs? ›

Normal safety precautions should be taken when working with this product such as safety goggles, dust mask and gloves. This should be done when you make your Bath Bombs regardless whether you use this product. Citric Acid in the eye can be quite irritating.

Are bath bombs safe for drains? ›

While they do dissolve in hot bathwater, once they're down the drain and reach cooler temperatures, they can still solidify again and slowly clog your plumbing over time. Sometimes, the partially dissolved chunks from the bath bombs can also cause problems to your plumbing.

Is it OK to bath with a bath bomb? ›

Warm baths offer loads of benefits, but adding a bath bomb is our favorite way to draw the perfect, luxurious bath. "Bath bombs often contain hydrating oils that can help moisturize your skin. They can also heighten the experience of your bath by causing water to fizz and release a stream of colors," explains Dr.

Why do bath bombs fall apart? ›

Bath bombs crumble or fall apart if too little force or too much force is applied during the moulding process. They will also crumble if they are too wet when removed from the mould. Moreover, if the bath bomb mixture is too dry when formulated it may disintegrate on release from the mould.

How do bath bombs react to water? ›

Bath bombs 'explode' in water because of a chemical reaction taking place between ingredients. Baking soda and citric acid are like peanut butter and jelly: better together. Combines, they create all kinds of wildly fizzy bubbles filled with carbon dioxide gas.

Why do bath bombs need water? ›

When a bath bomb comes in contact with water, the baking soda and citric acid react to make carbon dioxide bubbles. This is an acid–base reaction, where baking soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) is a weak base and citric acid is a weak acid.

What affects bath bombs? ›

Bath bombs are sensitive to moisture - they can crumble, fall apart, or fizz incorrectly.

Do you need soap if you use a bath bomb? ›

If you love the scent of your bath bomb, then you might not want to wash it off with soap and water. Instead, simply rinse your body with warm water and let the fragrance continue to enhance your day.

Are bath bombs bad for the environment? ›

One of the environmental concerns with bath bombs lies in their packaging. Many bath bombs come individually wrapped in plastic or enclosed in plastic containers. This excessive use of plastic packaging contributes to the already problematic issue of plastic pollution.

Do bath bombs dissolve in water? ›

Even when you buy bath bombs cheap, they will quickly dissolve in the water and mix together. This effect is also what's has made bath bombs popular. How does this happen? The ingredients present in all fizzy bombs are sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, magnesium sulfate, and cornstarch.

Does the plastic come off a bath bomb? ›

Do you unwrap the plastic in a bath bomb? If the bath bomb came in its protective plastic casing, you need to remove it before you toss it in the tub. The shrink wrap is meant to protect the bath bomb from moisture or humidity that will cause it to prematurely fizz before you even have a chance to experience it.

What are the disadvantages of bath bombs? ›

Danger #1 - Skin Irritation

For starters, artificial dyes like FD&C Yellow #5 and Red #4 that are used to make bath bombs are known allergens. Also known as tartrazine, Yellow #5 can cause hives and rashes, while Red #4, also known as carmine, can trigger allergic contact dermatitis.

Can bath bombs expire? ›

Just like food, bath bomb ingredients have a recommended shelf life with expiration dates. Shelf life refers to the allowable time for any product can be stored without it losing its effectiveness. The average shelf life of bath bombs is around six months.

Should you rinse off after a bath bomb? ›

Making the decision to shower or not to shower after a bath bomb is all about personal preference. If your skin feels like it could use a good rinse to get rid of glitter, funky colors or other residue, by all means go for it.

What makes a perfect bath bomb? ›

The most important ingredients in your recipe are baking soda and citric acid. Bath bombs are generally made with an approximately 2:1 ratio of baking soda: citric acid, though I've found that a 2.25:1 ratio is also acceptable and cuts your costs a bit. Baking soda is readily available from the grocery store.

What does a bath bomb actually do? ›

The Bath Bombs release minerals and emollients into the soapy warm water, allowing them to refresh and rejuvenate your skin while leaving you looking and feeling great.

What is the purpose of making bath bombs? ›

Aiding a range of skin types, from sensitive to dry skin, bath bombs contain ingredients that can work to help relax and rejuvenate your body. Some of the more notable health benefits of using a bath bomb include: Smoothing and soothing dry skin with an extra hit of moisture and loosening damaged skin layers.

How long do bath bombs last? ›

Bath bombs don't expire in the sense that a carton of milk does, but they will definitely lose their fizz and scent over time. After six months to a year, they'll be less effective, so it's best to use them within six months. If your bath bomb wasn't stored properly, though, you may want to skip out on using it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6279

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.