Why Do Bath Bombs Stain the Bath Tub?

A Bath bomb is a large, round, cone- or cylinder-shaped solid that you can fill and often scented with various ingredients. The bath bomb falls into pieces and dissolves in water.

Most contain cornstarch and borax as the main ingredients to provide a foamy lather when you mix them in the water.

Bath bombs stain tubs when they contain some form of pigments, colors, gritty ingredients, metals, fragrance and certain oils in bath bombs can cause the mark or the ring. You can avoid this problem by removing the bath bomb before it dissolves completely and only go for safe colors.

The best thing you can do is ensure the color of the bath bomb doesn’t contain any pigments, and you’ll never have to worry about staining your tub.

As long as bath bombs are left alone in the tub, they won’t stain it, but if they’re left in the tub too long and dissolve completely, they will leave a ring or mark on the tub.

According to a bath bomb manufacturer, Lush, choosing a bath bomb without pigments is a good idea. That way, if it doesn’t dissolve completely, it won’t leave anything behind.

You’ll only have a problem when the product disappears and sits there for too long, so clean the tub as soon as you remove the bath bomb from the water.

If this doesn’t work for you, you can use baking soda to scrub off any leftover stains.

What Are Bath Bombs Made Of?

Bath bombs boast three main ingredients:

Corn Starch – This gelling agent helps when in itself:

Keeps the mixture wet.
Maintains a particular texture.

It prevents them from becoming too stiff or sticky.

Cornmeal is another gelling agent that helps thicken products without added preservatives like gelatin or maltodextrin.

You can do this with fewer chemicals by making smaller granules rather than large chunks.

Baking soda

This cleansing agent helps with the physical act of scrubbing dirt off your skin. It also makes the bombs fizzy and helps remove soap scum.

You can use Baking soda to wash dishes because it removes all the food particles, the grease and cleans without damaging your sink.

You can also add to liquid dish soaps for an extra whiter lather and better cleanse, but you should thoroughly rinse out afterward.

Citric Acid

This natural preservative keeps the bombs from turning into a slimy mess if you don’t use them within two weeks after being made.

Citric acid is used in many products like ice cream, pickles, and fruit juices.

Other possible ingredients include cornmeal, oil of clove, essential oils, fulvic acid, and various colors in food coloring.

How Do You Stop Bath Bombs from Staining The Bath?

Method	Description
Add An Emulsifier	An Emulsifier is an ingredient that breaks up a liquid into droplets dispersed into a continuous phase. Common Emulsifiers include soy lecithin and mono- and diglycerides.
Add A Teflon Coating	You can use Trivalent titanium dioxide to create a non-staining bath bomb. Trivalent titanium dioxide is a white pigment that contains titanium, oxygen, and carbon.
Use A Colorless Fragrance	To keep the bath bomb from staining, use a colorless fragrance. A chemical reaction happens when the two liquids are containing the color and scent mix together. This will happen because of the repulsion effect of the strong smell of the colorless fragrance. The chemical reaction will stop when you transfer all new liquid into another phase by emulsification.
Add A Dye	Adding brown dye tends to work, and a yellow dye also works. The key factor is that the bath bomb must be in the form of dry powders. If the bath bomb is too wet, it won’t disperse into droplets and can create a messy mess in your tub. Thus, you’ll have to wait for it to dry out to avoid staining.
Add Non-Staining Oil	You can use dry powders to avoid staining, but oil can help create a barrier between the pink liquid bath bomb and the tub. The bath bomb must be in the form of dry powders. If it’s too wet, you will have to wait for it to dry out to avoid staining.

Why Do Some Bath Bombs Stain Your Tub?

Oils– Oils you use in the tub can stain your tub if you don’t rinse them. These oils can sometimes seep into the pores of the tub and make a visible mark on the tub.

Colors– Some bath bombs contain dyes that can stain your tub if you rinse thoroughly from the bath bomb. This happens most often with reds, oranges, and bright pinks.

Metals-Some bath bombs contain a lot of different metals. You can often use them for color and fizz, but some metals can leave a mark on your tub if they don’t thoroughly rinse out of the bath bomb.

Fragrances – Perfume and essential oils in fragrant bath bombs will stain your tub if they are partially removed from the bath bomb. This is most common with bath bombs that smell strongly of perfume or essential oils.

Gritty Ingredients-If your bath bomb contains gritty ingredients, which are not thoroughly rinsed out of the bath bomb, this can leave marks on your tub.

Un-Absorbed Ingredients– If some of the ingredients in your bath bomb haven’t fully absorbed into the wet bath bomb, this can leave some mark on your tub.

This is especially true for glitter if it has yet to dissolve completely.

How Much Bath Bomb Should You Use?

Cut your bath bomb in a quarter, then use a quarter each time taking a bath. One bath bomb can last for up to two months with this method.

If you use more than one bath bomb, cut your favorite one in half and sprinkle some dust into the water before slipping it into your tub. You can also use this method to cut the amount of soap.

As much as you’d like, make sure the product is still shelf-stable, which is easier if you’ve cut it too small.

You can add a bath bomb to the water the first few times you take a bath with a new soap bar. The bar will be easier to use, and you will save it by prematurely cutting it in quarter.

In most of the cases I’ve seen, people use too much. They can add up to quarter a bath bomb to get the full effect. If you are trying something new, consider cutting it in quarter before you try it.

For sensitive skin, you may want to use less of the product that makes your skin burn and itch. You can strip the outer layer of sensitive skin off quickly by overuse of certain ingredients.

So if you want to use a bath bomb, I recommend cutting it in quarter.

Bath Bombs	Amount
Citrus Bath Bombs	1/4
Cosmic Bath Bombs	1/4
Cupcake Bath Bombs	1/4
Lavender Bath Bombs	1/4
Green Tea Bath Bombs	1/4
Cocoa Butter Bath Bombs	1/4
Ice Cream Scoop Bath Bombs	1/4
Kid Calming Bath Bombs	1/4

How to Clean Bath Bomb Stains from the Bathtub

Mix equal parts baking soda, white vinegar, and warm water to create a paste that you can apply to your stain.

Then scrub the mixture on the tub with a soft cloth or sponge covered in the past; let it sit for five minutes, then rinse it off.

If the sting is still there, make another batch of paste with baking soda and white vinegar and scrub it over the stain again.

Hard water stains, considered carcinogenic, are often found in bathroom fixtures. The mineral build-up and filth are something that most of us can live with.

But if you have become too aware of the implications, then its best to clean it away with a steaming solution regularly.

If your tub’s stains are more than just yellowing caused by hard water, you will need something more substantial than baking soda and vinegar. You can do this in a bathtub, but you must get rid of the water first.

Pour some white vinegar and warm water into the tub, making it just under the surface of the water. Restrict this mixture to a small area to prevent overflows.

Once that is done, wet a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Now scrub on your stain with the baking soda until it disappears.

You may need to reapply this paste over your whole tub if you notice any arising stains after cleaning it up for the first time.

Do You Take the Wrappers Off Bath Bombs?

If you’ve ever used a bath bomb, you know that it can be a bit messy. The fizz and foam can get everywhere, including on the floor and in your hair.

But did you know that taking the wrappers off bath bombs can make them less messy and more enjoyable to use?

Here are a few reasons why you should take the wrappers off bath bombs:

It allows the ingredients to mix more evenly. When you remove the wrapper, the ingredients inside the bath bomb can mix more evenly. This means that you’ll get more consistent results when using the product.
The scent will be stronger. If you want to enjoy the full aroma of your bath bomb, then taking the wrapper off is a must.

Once the wrapper is removed, the essential oils inside the bath bomb will be released, filling up your bathroom with a lovely scent.
Taking the wrapper off also prevents potential staining if the bomb’s colorant seeps through the paper.
So, next time you’re getting ready to enjoy a relaxing soak, make sure you take the extra step of unwrapping your bath bomb for the best possible experience.

Why Are Bath Bombs Wrapped In Plastic?

There are a few reasons for this:

To keep the bath bomb dry: If a bath bomb gets wet, it can dissolve before you even get a chance to use it! Wrapping it in plastic helps to keep it dry so that it’s ready to use when you are.
To prevent staining: Some bath bombs can contain ingredients that may stain your tub if they come into direct contact with it. Wrapping the bath bomb in plastic helps to prevent this from happening.

To create a barrier: When you add a bath bomb to your tub, it starts to fizz and release its fragrance into the air.
If you don’t want the fragrance to be too strong, wrapping the bath bomb in plastic can help to create a barrier so that not all of the fragrance is released at once.
To prolong the life of the bath bomb: If you want your bath bomb to last longer, wrapping it in plastic can help.

This is because the plastic will help keep the moisture in, preventing the bath bomb from drying out too quickly.

To make transportation easier: If you’re taking your bath bomb with you on vacation or to a hotel, wrapping it in plastic can make transportation more accessible and less messy.

Can You Wrap Bath Bombs in Aluminum Foil?

Yes! You can wrap bath bombs in aluminum foil, but there are a few things to remember.

First, make sure the bombs are completely dry before wrapping them. If they are even slightly damp, the foil will stick to the bomb and be challenging to remove.

Second, use a thin layer of foil so that it doesn’t add too much weight to the bomb. You don’t want the bomb to sink to the bottom of the tub.

Third, if you’re using essential oils in your bomb, be aware that some can react with aluminum foil. Test a small area of the bomb first to ensure no reaction before wrapping the entire bomb.

Wrapping bath bombs in aluminum foil is a great way to keep them together and prevent them from fizzing too quickly.

Just be sure to dry the bombs entirely before wrapping, use a thin layer of foil, and test for reactions with essential oils before wrapping the entire bomb in foil.

Why Are My Homemade Bath Bombs Cracking?

1) Too much heat – When making homemade bath bombs, it’s essential to ensure that they are not exposed to too much heat while drying out.

If your bath bomb cracks because of too much heat, try placing them in an airtight container or covering them with a damp cloth until they dry out.

2) Too much moisture – If your bath bomb cracks because of too much moisture, try adding more baking soda or cornstarch to the recipe next time, and make sure that the mixture has been baked for long enough before adding any liquids.

3)The mixture is too dry- If you add too much water and not enough oil, your mixture may be too dry and start to crack.

3) Too many hard ingredients- You should add only gentle ingredients into the mix, or it may cause your bath bomb to crack.

4) Too many essential oils- Essential oils should only make up 10% of the total volume of the mixture. Otherwise, it could cause cracking.

5) Too much fragrance oil-Fragrance oils should only make up 3% of the total volume of the mixture.

Conclusion

Bath bomb staining is a common problem for many people.

If you want to prevent bath bomb staining, you can use these common solutions to get rid of stains and enjoy the smells that your favorite brands offer.

Or, if the stain is large and needs additional treatment, you can keep it from happening in the future with some homemade recipes.