How to Make Your Own Bubble Bath

Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 References

Do you like taking bubble baths, but don't like all of the chemicals in many store-bought bubbles? You can make your own using just a few ingredients, many of which you might already have on hand. Making your own bubble bath will allow you to customize it further to it to make it meet your needs. This article will help you learn how to make your own bubble bath. It will also give you some recipe ideas. Keep in mind, however, that your homemade bubble bath may not produce as much foam as store-bought ones.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making Bubble Bath

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1
Choose a soap and add it into a bowl. Soap is the foundation to any good bubble bath. After all, that's where the bubbles come from. You will need ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) of any liquid hand or liquid body soap, so long as it is mild. You can choose a scented one or an unscented one. If you use an unscented soap, you can customize the scent later with essential oils. If you don't have any liquid hand or body soap, here are some other options:
- Dish soap, scented or unscented
- Liquid Castile soap, scented or unscented
- Mild shampoo, such as baby shampoo
Honey not only smells sweet, but it also helps moisturize your skin. You will need 1 tablespoon of honey. Be sure that it is the transparent, runny type.

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3
Consider adding some light oil. If your skin is very dry, consider adding 1 tablespoon of light almond oil. If you do not have any light almond oil, you can substitute any of the following:
- Olive oil
- Jojoba oil
- Milk
4
Add an egg white into the bowl. Egg whites in a bath may sound strange, but they will help create fluffier, longer-lasting bubbles. To get the egg white, you will need to separate it from the yolk first, and then add it to the rest of your ingredients. Here is how you can separate the egg white from the egg yolk:
- Crack open an egg and let the yolk settle into one of the shell halves. Hold both halves of the shell over a bowl, and pass the yolk back and forth between each one. Each time the yolk lands in a shell, a little bit of the egg white dribbles into the bowl. Do this until all of the egg white is in the bowl. You can discard the egg yolk or you can save it and use it for something else, such as cooking or a hair mask.
5
Consider adding some essential oils. If you want the added benefits of aromatherapy during bath time, add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Your bubble bath will smell divine and help you de-stress after a long day. Here are a few great bath oils:
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Rose geranium
- Sandalwood
- Vanilla
Once you have put all of your ingredients into the mixing bowl, stir them together gently. Do not over-mix your ingredients, or else the soap and egg white will start to stiffen and foam.
7
Transfer your ingredients into a container. You can store your bubble bath in any container you want, so long as you can close it tightly. You can use mason jars, glass bottles with screw on caps, or glass bottles with corks.
- Consider making a label for your container.
- Embellish your container by tying some string around it or decorating it with stick-on gems.
Your bubble bath contains egg white, which means that it is perishable. When you are not using your bubble bath, store it in your refrigerator and try to use it within a few days.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Making Vegan Bubble Bath

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Egg whites help keep the bubbles firm and honey helps moisturize the skin, but they are not absolutely necessary to make bubble bath; it is still possible to make bubble bath without them. This section will show you how to do it.
You can use a pot, a bowl, or even a jar to mix all of your ingredients. You will be pouring the ingredients into another container later.
3
Pour the soap into the bowl. You will need 1 ½ cup (337.50 milliliters) liquid Castile soap. You can use scented or unscented soap. If you choose to use unscented soap, you can add your own scent later with essential oils. If you do not have any liquid Castile soap, you can use other liquid soaps and shampoos instead, but they may not be olive-based or vegan. Here are some options:
- Mild, unscented dish soap
- Baby shampoo or other mild shampoo
- Liquid hand soap, scented or unscented
- Liquid body soap, scented or unscented
4
Add the glycerin and sugar. Measure out 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin and ½ tablespoon of sugar. Add both to the bowl. The sugar and glycerin help create larger bubbles and make them last longer.
- Note that your homemade bubble bath will not create bubbles as large and frothy as a store-bought one.
5
Consider adding some fragrance with essential oils. Essential oils are not necessary, but they can help make your bath more aromatic, pleasant, and relaxing through aromatherapy. Here are some ideas:
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Rose geranium
- Sandalwood
- Vanilla
Using a fork or spoon, gently stir your ingredients together. Do not over-stir your ingredients, or the soap will begin to bubble and foam.
7
Transfer your ingredients into a seal-able container. Pour your bubble bath mixture into a seal-able container—use a funnel if you can to. You can use anything for your container that can be closed tightly, such as: mason jars, glass bottles with screw on caps, or glass bottles with corks.
- Personalize your bubble bath bottle by making a label for it.
- Embellish your bottle by decorating it with stick-on gems or tying string around it.
- The glycerin may settle to the bottom of the container. This is normal, because it is heavier than both the soap and water. Simply give your bottle or jar a little shake and swirl before you use your bubble bath.^{[1]
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You will need to wait 24 hours before using your bubble bath. This allows the mixture to cure.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Using Other Bubble Bath Recipes

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1
Add a note of sweetness with vanilla and honey. Vanilla-honey bubble bath is popular, and it is not difficult to see why. It combines the sweetness of both honey and vanilla extract. It also uses almond oil, making it rich and nourishing. Here is what you will need:^{[2]
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- ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) light almond oil
- ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) mild liquid hand soap or body soap
- ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) honey
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2
Add lavender to your bubble bath. You can add some dried lavender inside your bubble bath bottle. It will help add a relaxing aroma and color the bubbles. Here's what you will need to make some lavender bubble bath:^{[3]
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- 1 cup (225 milliliters) clear, unscented dish soap
- 2/3 cup (150 milliliters) liquid glycerin
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 5 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil (consider using a scent that complements lavender)
- Several stems of dried lavender
3
Make a sweet-smelling bubble bath. You can create a bubble bath that is reminiscent of orange creamsicles using a combination of orange-scented soaps and extracts. After you have mixed all of the ingredients together, you will need to let the mixture rest for 24 hours before using it. Here is what you will need:^{[4]
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- ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) Castile soap (consider using an orange-scented one)
- ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) distilled water
- ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) glycerin
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4
Consider mixing essential oils . You can create your own, personalized scent by combining essential oils and adding them to your bubble bath bottle. Be sure to stir the bubble bath mixture before using it to combine all of the essential oils. Here are some blends:^{[5]
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- Lavender-Lemon: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops lemon, and 1 drop chamomile
- Citrus-Floral: 5 drops bergamot, 4 drops orange, and 1 drop rose geranium, ylang ylang, or jasmine.
- Lavender and Spice: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops patchouli or sandalwood, 1 drop clove (not recommended for sensitive skin)
- Rose Dream: 3 drops rose absolute, 2 drops palmarosa, 1 drop rose geranium
- Cool and Refreshing: 5 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops peppermint
- Relaxing Lavender: 5 drops lavender, 5 drops bergamot
- Calming Rose: 6 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 3 drops rose

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Using Your Bubble Bath

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Put the plug into the drain and start running the water. Use a temperature that you are comfortable with. Let the water run for a few minutes. Do not fill the entire tub just yet.
Measure out about ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) of your bubble bath mixture and pour it into the tub. Be sure that you are pouring it under the running water; this will help the bubble bath to foam up. You should see rich, frothy bubbles taking shape in your tub.
Let the water run until it is as deep as you like it. Remember, the deeper the water is, the longer it will retain its heat.
4
Agitate the water if necessary. To help fluff the bubbles up even more, stick your hand into the water and move it back and forth quickly. It is okay if you splash the water about. After a while you should see the bubbles begin to foam up even more.
- Keep in mind, however, that your homemade bubble bath may not produce as many bubbles as a store-bought one.
Lean back against the wall of the tub and sit in the water. You can choose to read a book or simply close your eyes and relax. Do this for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

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Question

Can regular shower gel be added?

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You can, but if your shower gel is very thick or heavy, you may want to consider diluting it with water first.

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Can you also put in the bath bomb after you put in the bubble bath mixture? Will the bath bomb clean my body or just make the scent?

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You can put the bath bomb in after the bubble bath mixture. Bath bombs are usually for scent and color, so still wash with soap as well. Bath bombs are just for enjoyment and relaxation purposes.

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Can I add food coloring to my bubble bath mix?

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Yes, you can.

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Tips

Note that most homemade bubble baths will not produce the same amount of bubbles as commercial or store-bought bubble baths. This is due to the lack of surfactants, which are responsible for creating suds and froth.^{[6]
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Create a soothing atmosphere by playing some music.

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Turn off the lights in the bath room and light some candles instead for a more relaxing effect.

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Warnings

If you light candles, keep an eye on them. Do not leave burning candles unattended.

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Do not lock the bathroom door, in case you slip, fall, and injure yourself. This way, someone will be able to help you.

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Soaking too long dries out your skin.

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If you're a female, be aware that bubble baths can lead to vaginal irritations.^{[7]
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Avoid taking bubble baths or hot baths if you are pregnant. Doing so may lead to complications in your pregnancy.^{[8]
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