Bath bombs have become so popular over the past couple of years to such a great extent that these have become  one of the 8 most gifted items in Amazon. 

People love bath bombs for the explosion of fun that provides a multi-sensory experience in the tub. When a bath bomb breaks in water, it explodes into a colorful and fragrant swirling motion of moisturizing oils, transforming a plain bathwater into a dreamy kaleidoscope that makes for a highly entertaining soak. Not only do they put on a magical effervescent show, but bath bombs are sanitizing, mood enhancing, and the ingredients are incredibly moisturizing and exfoliating.

Despite its popularity, not everyone has had a chance of soaking in a sudsy eye candy. Although most single family homes in the United States have at least one tub in one of the bathrooms, a majority consider themselves as ‘shower people’ because showers are generally a more ecological and convenient choice. For others, they simply don’t have a bathtub to soak in. 

Don't have a tub?

Whether you’re a member of the No Tub Club or sitting in a bath water doesn’t sound very appealing to you, you may be wondering what to do with all the bath bombs you've accumulated from Christmas, birthday (and even Valentine’s) other than keeping your drawers smelling nice.

As the average shelf life of a bath bomb is only between 6-12 months (ingredients like the oils and herbs can last up to two years), it could be high time to unwrap those balls of bliss and make good use of them. Don’t worry, there are alternative ways to enjoy the nourishing benefits of a bath bomb - no bathtub required!

Here are two of our favorite ways to enjoy the benefits of a bath bomb sans the tub:

TIP 1: Use your bath bomb as a foot soak

If you don’t have a bathtub to get a full body soak, a foot soak could be the perfect use for a bath bomb especially if you’re looking to relax your tired feet after a long day of hiking or walking. 

Benefits of a foot soak with a bath bomb

While you probably should choose a bath bomb that’s made with skin-benefitting ingredients, a foot soak with a bath bomb can be more than just relaxing your feet in warm water. 

• Prevents athlete’s foot
• Loosens the skin to remove splinters
• Treats toenail fungus
• Soothes pain from sprains
• Exfoliates dead skin on the feet
• Removes roughness

How to use a bath bomb for a foot soak

1. To start, grab a basin or a bucket and fill it with warm water to a comfortable temperature and deep enough to cover the feet up to the ankles. Generally, the temperature will depend on your preference and comfort level but according to the Arthritis Foundation, water temperatures between 92°F and 100°F are best to ease soreness.  
2. Next, unwrap a bath bomb and drop it in the basin or bucket! 
3. Place your feet in the basin and allow them to soak all the nourishing goodness for 20-30 minutes. 
4. Whip that book or take a sip of your favorite wine while the bath bomb does its magic on your tootsies.
5. However long you take, remember to end your foot soak with a nice moisturizer.

TIP 2: Create a body scrub with your bath bomb

While you probably shouldn’t make a body scrub with a darker colored bath bomb or with glitter adorned in them, it’s a great way to use an old bath bomb that’s just sitting in the drawer. 

Benefits of a bath bomb as a body scrub

Bath bombs are mainly a combination of baking soda and citric acid. These are the two crucial ingredients that allow it to create the iconic fizzing effect when dropped in water. While these two ingredients are used in bath bomb making for the purpose of achieving an amazing fizz, this powerful duo serves as natural exfoliators too!

Other than baking soda and citric acid, bath bombs contain other ingredients and extracts that are naturally great for the skin, as well as smelling great! These main ingredients will have your skin thanking you after a bath bomb scrub:

• Epsom salt offer a range of benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, muscle pain relief, improved circulation, exfoliation, and odor control. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt helps relax tired feet, soothe sore muscles, promote better circulation, gently exfoliate the skin, and neutralize foot odor, leaving your feet feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after each soak.
• Cocoa butter enriches foot soaks with its moisturizing properties, deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin to soften rough patches and repair damage like cracked heels. Packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, cocoa butter also shields the skin from free radicals, promoting overall foot health and maintaining a youthful appearance.
• CBD extract helps fight inflammation and improves skin tone. It’s also rich in antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-aging properties that help reduce signs of aging. 
• Olive fruit oil brings a multitude of benefits to foot soaks, acting as a natural emollient to deeply moisturize and soften the skin, particularly dry or calloused areas. Its rich content of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids nourishes and repairs damaged skin, helping to alleviate discomfort and promote overall foot health. Olive oil's antimicrobial properties can also help combat bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of infections and odors. Additionally, its soothing properties provide relief from inflammation and irritation, leaving the feet feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after each soak. 

Grab a light-hued bath bomb infused with Epsom salt and CBD oil for scrubbing goodness: Tub Therapy Soakshow CBD Bath Bomb in Oatmeal & Shea, $15 each with free shipping

How to use a bath bomb for a body scrub

1. Unwrap a bath bomb and place it inside a plastic bag. Seal the bag and depending on how hard your fizzies are, use a small mallet, hammer or fork to crush the bath bomb. 
2. Place the crushed bath bomb in a small jar. 
3. Add ½ cup of sugar.
4. Combine a drizzle of body oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil. 
5. Use a spoon to mix all the ingredients together. 
6. To use, massage over bare skin for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves and skin feels smooth and soft to the touch.

There are plenty of reasons why bath bombs are incredibly popular gifts! Not only are they widely available, more affordable and small enough to wrap, they magically transform an ordinary routine into a delightful experience.

However, if you don’t have a tub in your home or showers are where you find your peace of mind, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the benefits of these spherical delights. With a little bit of resourcefulness and creativity, you can turn all your bath bomb inventory into a foot care staple or a skin softener, thanks to the bath bomb’s skin-benefitting ingredients.  

Foot bath, anyone?