Livelovebath Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 ok silly question. I made some of these yesterday (to switch up from my normal way and try something new) I was just wondering how rock hard they get. Mine are dry and hard.. but would crumble with pressure i think. I just wanted an idea to compaire to.. are you air tight packaging them to keep them from crumbling etc... sorry for all the questions. I love the feel of them in the tub and they were so simple that I can see this being something that I could definatly work with more often. I am just wondering if my end result is the same as other peoples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristineG Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 I've been making these for some time now and the process has become sort of a habit. I made a batch last nite and here's exactly what I did. I measure all my dry ingredients in a deep stainless bowl. Then, I measured all of my "wet" ingredients in a glass measuring cup. I subbed the safflower oil with sweet almond oil (sometimes I use jojoba) and I used fragrance oil but used the exact measurment that the recipe states. I then sat on the floor indian style to allow my legs to hold the bowl. I SLOWLY poured the oil mixture into the dry mixture, a little at a time while constantly stirring with a wire whisk. Just add a little drizzle at a time but don't stop stirring (yes, your arm will get a major work out). Take your time pouring the wet phase into the dry phase to assure your stirring thoroughly. Once all the mixture is stirred thoroughly (it will feel like dampish wet sand), I started making the bombs quickly. I use the large bb press from KB. When using this press, I've found that you don't hold them open to scoop up the mixture. I keep it closed and pack the mixture through the little holes. As it gets full, I stick my finger into the hole to make sure it's packing tight. I know mine are ready when I can't get my finger through the hole at all. I then tap the press, kinda hard, on the counter a couple of times and then release only one side of the press, turn it over in my hand and let the bomb fall out of the other side. As far as hardness, mine are rock hard and they dry rock hard. I lay them all out on a brown paper grocery bag and let them sit for about a week. I've packaged them, individually, in cellophane bags and tied a bow on them and I've shrink wrapped them. I prefer the bag type packaging. One more thing...I NEVER use witch hazel like others have done. I tried it once and it tended to make mine loose and gritty. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livelovebath Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 ha ha well I guess I was just impatient or, possibly too early as they are ROCK hard now lol... thanks for the reply! I am loving these its all I can do to stay out of the tub lol.. Definatly adding them to my love list lol... I will keep my other recipe for bubble bombs and do this one as regular. I tweaked the oil though to include coconut oil and grapeseed...and added some dead sea salt to the ones I just made... its wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickchick Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 I was wondering if anyone knew if the water will cause nasties to grow? I've heard that anytime you mix the water with oils, you have a chance of bacteria growing. Does anyone know?? I would appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Not an issue - first the very low pH (citric acid) is a good protectant. Second there is so little water that the other materials bind it up leaving nothing for the beasties to grow in. The beasties need a certain amount of active water to live, and this is an extremely low water activity product. Like jam - the tons of sugar in there "bind" the water so the fruit doesn't go bad... cept in this case we have something even better - acid & baking soda!ETA: My degree finally paid off! I've waited 22 years to use the phrase "low water activity"!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerina Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickchick Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Not an issue - first the very low pH (citric acid) is a good protectant. Second there is so little water that the other materials bind it up leaving nothing for the beasties to grow in. The beasties need a certain amount of active water to live, and this is an extremely low water activity product. Like jam - the tons of sugar in there "bind" the water so the fruit doesn't go bad... cept in this case we have something even better - acid & baking soda!ETA: My degree finally paid off! I've waited 22 years to use the phrase "low water activity"!!THANK YOU! Wow, that's a great explanation, LOL ! I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffancy Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 If I wanted to add in some Dead Sea Salts to the recipe which of the dry ingredients would you suggest altering and in what ratio?Will the DSS make the bombs fall apart or crumble? I bought the fine grain in hopes of using them in bath bombs but if it's going to cause problems I'll find another use for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livelovebath Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I use dead sea salts with great results. I subed out some baking soda and put in sea salts.. I didnt add a ton though its up to you how much you want to add but I would start small... try 1/3 cup. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 be cautious removing baking soda or citric acid - it's the combination of those two in the right proportion that fizzes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffancy Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I tried a few different variations last night and think I came up with a winner. The bombs packed very well and so far no cracks or crumbling. I'll be testing in the bath this evening to make sure it all dissolves.Dry Phase2 cups baking soda1 cup citric acid1/2 cup cornstarch1/4 cup dry milk1/4 cup dead sea salts (fine grain)Wet Phase1/3 cup Safflower oil 1 T. Fragrance 2 1/4 T. water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livelovebath Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 lol yep your right carebear but I have found that you can play with both slightly... I like to mix things up and will try out things until i break them down to learn how they work lolThis one will work still with a bit less BS or a bit less CA (I wouldnt take out as much of this though). lol ask me how I know lol... I stayed away from removing any CS though after reading what others on this thread had to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 The answer might've been buried in here somewhere, but I didn't see it...How long do these take to harden up? I'm afraid to touch them. I made them a couple days ago and just touched a little clump that was on the paper towel and it disintegrated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesprite7 Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I made these last week, I think they took a couple of days to really harden up They did stay together but have big cracks in them... I do like them though!I used this recipe:Dry Phase:2 cups baking soda1 cup citric acid1 cup cornstarchWet Phase:1/3 cup Safflower oil2 teaspoons FO2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera JuiceAloe Vera Juice in spray bottleI also used the 80mm ornament balls.How do I keep them from cracking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 try less aloe vera juice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesprite7 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 try less aloe vera juiceWill do Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerina Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 It's a pretty safe bet that if they haven't hardened up with in 2-3 days max, they won't continue to get harder after that. At least, this is what i've learned in my minimal batches with quite a few failures in that dept, lol. The good ones will be hard the next morning/day and it will be obvious that they worked out.I think the trick to preventing the cracks- in theory- is to be sure you are truly overstuffing the mold. Seems my cracks always begin at the point of adhesion (2 pc ornament) where it must not get equal pressure as the top and bottom points.And i'm sure SOMEONE knows an ingredient that would also help in this area, lol. Gotta be a trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffancy Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I haven't tried it myself but I've read quite a few places that Kaolin Clay will stop the cracks. I plan on getting some the next time I order my bb supplies to give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 It's a pretty safe bet that if they haven't hardened up with in 2-3 days max, they won't continue to get harder after that. This is NOT good news Maybe I can crumble them up, put it in bags and call it fizzy bath powder....LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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