Description
Citric Acid 250g
A ‘natural’ acid commonly found in citrus fruits. It is used for descaling appliances such as kettles, irons, coffee machines, shower heads & sterilisers.
- 250g Packet
- Limescale remover
- Ideal for hard water areas
- ‘Clean & Natural’ range
Check out our Colour Changing Bubble Bath
Bath Bomb Recipe
Makes 4 half-balls
Prep 30 mins, plus 2-4 hrs setting
- 100g bicarbonate of soda
- 50g citric acid
- 25g cornflour
- 25g Epsom salt (optional)
- 2 tbsp oil – such as sunflower, coconut or olive oil
- ¼ tsp essential oil, such as orange, lavender or chamomile
- a few drops of liquid food colouring
- orange peel, lavender or rose petals, to decorate (optional)
You will also need
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- plastic moulds (see below for ideas)
Method
1. Put the bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, cornflour and Epsom salt in a bowl, then whisk until fully combined.
2. Pour the base oil, essential oil and food colouring in a small bowl. Mix together well, combining the oil with the colouring as much as possible.
3. Very slowly add the oil mixture into the dry ingredients a little at a time, whisking between each addition. When all the oil is added, add a few tiny drops of water and whisk again (it will fizz when you add the water, so mix it in quickly). You’re looking for the mixture to slightly clump together when pressed in your hand and keep its shape – it shouldn’t be too wet.
4. If you’re adding peel or flower petals to decorate, drop them into the bottom of your chosen mould. Pack your mixture tightly on top, pressing down and smoothing out the top with a teaspoon.
5. Leave your bath bomb in the mould to dry for 2-4 hrs, then carefully remove it. It’s now ready to drop into the bath – watch it fizz away!
What can I use as a bath bomb mould?
You can use anything flexible as a mould for your bath bombs, so have fun looking around your home for things you could use. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Yogurt or pudding pots
- Christmas tree decorations (we used a star)
- Plastic packaging from toys
- Easter egg packaging
- Silicone ice cube trays
- Silicone cupcake cases
- Plastic biscuit cutters (place them on a tray)
For children, we suggest making half-shapes as it can be tricky to make a sphere that sticks together. If you want to make a complete sphere, you’ll need a two-sided mould. Slightly overfill each side with the mixture, then press firmly together and secure with elastic bands while it dries. Be very gentle when you remove them from the moulds.
Citric Acid Uses
Cleaning products
To protect your appliances descale them regularly to prevent build up; the harder your water the more regularly it will need doing. Left untreated, energy bills will rise as electricity is used to heat the limescale first. Build up causes damage. Limescale forms on heating elements & surfaces due to calcium salts in hard water. This increases running costs & shortens the life of the appliance. Some commercial products that contain citric acid are water-based and can cause corrosion on metals. To minimize and prevent rust from forming, dry the metal after cleaning it.
Flavoring and preserving food
Citric acid can be added to processed and packaged foods and drinks such as ice cream, sorbets, sodas and wine. It is added as a preservative, emulsifying agent and for flavoring. Citric acid is also added to many canned and jarred foods to help prevent botulism.
Antioxidant
Antioxidants, which are derived from citric acid, can help keep food edible over a longer period.5 For example, sprinkling lemon juice, which contains citric acid, over apples or bananas can help prevent them from turning brown. Ascorbic acid, better known as Vitamin C, is also found in citric acid and is often used to help protect and preserve soft drinks and meats.
