Can You Use A Bath Bomb In The Shower?

Did you receive a luxurious bath bomb as a gift, yet have no tub in your bathroom? Wondering if you can still use a bath bomb? We've done research on how to effectively use a bath bomb without needing a tub.

You can absolutely use a bath bomb in the shower, just place the bath bomb on the floor of the shower as you would a shower bomb. The bath bomb will still have its classic chemical reaction and release its scent into the shower.

Have a few more questions about bath bombs? Continue reading for more information about using a bath bomb in the shower along with other surprising ways to use bath bombs without having a tub involved!

What exactly is a bath bomb?

Bath bombs are generally made from three key ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Citric acid
• Cornstarch

Added to these ingredients is usually some Epsom salt along with one or more carrier oils like coconut, almond or jojoba, and essential or fragrance oils for scent. The bombs are often colored with colorants (typically mica), decorated with organic plant matter, glitters, or other decorations. The fizzy effect of bath bombs comes from the chemical reaction of the baking soda and citric acid interacting with the water.

Check out this set of bath bombs on Amazon.

How do you use a bath bomb without a tub?

Here are some more surprising ways you can utilize bath bombs without a tub!

1. Shower Base

• As we mentioned, you can simply place your bath bomb on the floor of your shower.
• The bath bomb will still fizzle and release its scent. It might not be as dramatic and colorful as in the tub, but you can still enjoy it!

2. Shower Head

• You can pop your bath bomb into a mesh bag (ideally an organza bag).
• Tie the organza bag onto the showerhead. The steam and water activate the bath bomb and you can enjoy the aroma!

See this organza bag on Amazon.

3. Foot Soak

• Take a simple butter knife and cut your bath bomb into four equal pieces, they're surprisingly easy to cut. You'll be able to utilize your bath bomb for four separate foot soaks.
• Put the other three pieces into a ziplock container to prevent any moisture from reaching the bath bomb.
• Fill a bucket or a dish basin with warm water.
• Drop one bath bomb piece into the basin.
• Soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing your feet to soak in the oils provided from the bath bomb.
• Dry feet thoroughly after the soak.

4. Repurposing

One of those three main ingredients we talked about the bath bombs containing is baking soda. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. Place the opened bath bomb in an organza bag and place it in a closet or drawer to fill the space with wonderful fragrance while simultaneously absorbing odor.

Are bath bombs and shower bombs the same?

Bath bombs and shower bombs, also known as shower fizzies or shower steamers, are very similar yet are not the same things. There are a few key differences between bath bombs and shower bombs.

The shape between bath bombs and shower bombs tends to differ. Bath bombs have a classic round ball shape. Shower bombs tend to have a tablet look to them. Though both products can be molded into different shapes, objects, and sizes.

Click here to see this set of shower steamers on Amazon.

The amount of essential oils or fragrance oils are less prominent in bath bombs, these ingredients having a reputation for irritating the skin. Bath bombs are made with the knowledge that they are coming in direct contact with the skin. Therefore they contain less essential and fragrance oils and typically more carrier oils to moisturize the skin they're coming in contact with.

Since shower bombs are not designed to have direct contact with your skin, they are able to have much higher concentrations of essential oils and fragrance oils in their mix. They are generally marketed as an aromatherapy experience. Generally, the ratio of the three main ingredients differs slightly in bath bombs vs shower bombs as well.

Are bath bombs bad for your tub?

There are a few risks associated with using bath bombs regularly in your tub. First, you should never use a bath bomb in a jetted tub or a hot tub. The bath bombs are not designed for the jets and can damage the jetted systems. Below are some other risks and recommendations for how to avoid said risks.

Staining

Some bath bombs can stain your tub. To prevent staining of the tub, we recommend you stay away from bombs with bright colorants. The deeper the color of the bath bomb the more likely it will stain the surface of the tub. This is especially true of porcelain and enamel tubs. To prevent any staining, it is recommended you clean your tub thoroughly after each use with a bath bomb.

Plumbing

There are a few ways bath bombs can have a negative effect on your plumbing:

• Salts- many bath bombs contain different salts. If those salts do not fully dissolve, they can get trapped in your drains and pipes, accumulating hair and other debris developing into a clog.
• Oils- if a bath bomb contains oils that liquefy in warm temperatures but harden in cooler temps, such as coconut oil, this has the potential to harden in your drain, creating a clog.
• Debris- many bath bombs contain decorative glitters, organic dried plant matter, and sometimes even toys or jewelry. These can all accumulate or get stuck in your drain and clog your pipes.

There are, however, some simple steps you can take to mitigate the risk of clogged pipes and drains due to bath bombs:

• Always place the bath bomb in an organza bag to prevent debris from going down your drain.
• You can do a vinegar flush after bathing with a bath bomb. Simply pour white vinegar down the drain, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, and then flush with hot water. This will help clear out any residual oils left in the plumbing from the bath bomb.
• You can also choose to use a removable drain filter. This should collect any debris going down the drain and prevent any clogs from the bath bomb. They make them for both tubs and showers.

Check out this drain filter on Amazon.

Check out this drain filter on Amazon.

Can you use a bath bomb and bubble bath together?

You can use a bath bomb and bubble bath in conjunction with each other. Though if you are going to do this, we recommend you use complementary scents and the same brand due to the fact that typically one product will overpower the other.

Are Bath Bombs single use?

Bath bombs are designed as a single-use item. If you would like to get more uses out of the bath bombs, we recommend cutting the bath bomb in half or into quarters. Store the unused portions in a Ziploc container so moisture does not activate the bath bomb. Once moisture comes in contact with the bath bomb, it needs to be placed in water and used immediately.

Should you shower after a bath bomb?

This boils down to personal preference. There is no need to shower after using a bath bomb. The bombs are designed to disperse skin conditioning oil into the bath to leave your skin silky and smooth. Though if you prefer, feel free to shower after using the bath bomb. Some people like to get their hair wet in the bath and don't enjoy having the oils in their hair or don't enjoy the oils on their skin.

Time to enjoy!

Even though you're most likely reading this because you don't have a tub, don't let that stop you from enjoying a bath bomb. Or, if you do in fact have a tub, we hope we've given you some more ideas for utilizing those bath bombs and enjoying a luxurious spa day at home.

If you enjoyed this article, consider these for further reading:

Do Bath Bombs Expire? [ How Long Do They Last?]

Can A Bath Bomb Dye Your Hair?

How Long Should You Stay In A Steam Shower?