This is an important question! Fortunately, I’d say that generally speaking, unless you’re using bath bombs everyday it’s nothing to worry about. However, it’s still really good information to know, and it never hurts to take extra good care of your pipes. How bath bombs impact your system depends on the ingredients, frequency of use, and your plumbing.
Ingredients.
Most bath bombs are made of baking soda + oil + add-ins. Baking soda is perfectly fine for your pipes, and can even be used to clean sinks and toilets. What you need to look out for are oils and various other add-ins.
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Oil.
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Any oil that is solid at room temperature runs the risk of re-solidifying and clogging pipes. Many bath bombs are made with a base of coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter (especially ones marketed as “moisturizing”). Oil has the potential to harden in a drain. For example, if a bath bomb contains an oil that liquefies in warm water, but solidifies at room temperature you could get trouble.
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Glitter
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. Almost all glitter in bath bombs is some form of mica (sometimes labeled as “synthetic fluorphlogopite”). “Biodegradable” glitter is usually false advertising to some degree. Mica is a mineral that does not dissolve, and can run the risk of collecting in the pipes.
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Plant matter.
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Lots of “natural” bath bombs include chunks of dried flowers, herbs, or oats, which should ideally not go down the drain. This one has an easy fix: just wrap your bath bomb in a cloth before dropping (just like this).
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Salts
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If the salts don’t fully dissolve, they can end up clogging your drain. Undissolved pieces can get caught in your pipes, which can then trap hair and other debris, that will lead to a clog. Undissolved pieces can get caught in your pipes, which can then trap hair and other debris, that will lead to a clog.
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Frequency.
Most people don’t take baths every day, let alone every week. Well maybe you do for your kids so don’t use a bath bomb for every bat time routine with the kids. Even if you use a bath bomb that has all three of the above ingredients, it won’t do much damage on its own. Using bath bombs at a normal frequency is usually enough to mitigate any potential damage.
Spa Baths
If you have a spa style bath then we do not recommend that you use any bath bombs in there. Bath bombs and hot tubs or jetted bathtubs do not mix! That’s because the additives in the bombs can quickly clog up the hoses and jets while oils and other ingredients can damage sensitive components. If you decide to go ahead and use bath bombs in your hot tub anyway, be sure to check the manufacturer’s manual or website to make sure you don’t void your warranty by doing so. Same for the Jacuzzi, no bath bombs in there.
Plumbing.
To my knowledge, your average plumbing system can handle bath bombs with all sorts of ingredients. Septic tanks are a lot more sensitive to these kinds of things, so you’ll want to stick to only the
most basic formulas and take baths less frequently. All that said, I have to add the disclaimer: I AM NOT A PLUMBER. I’m not an expert by any means,
Use With Caution
Does that mean you can’t use bath bombs at all? This is false! You don’t have to worry, you can enjoy your relaxing retreat regularly by simply following these easy suggestions:
- Put your bath bomb in a nylon cover to keep any decorative materials from going down the drain that can lead to a clog. The new reusable veg bags you can now get in supermarkets are perfect for this. Or you could use the bottom part of the leg from a pair of tights but this doesn’t look very attractive.
- Another way to prevent a plumbing disaster is to use a removable drain filter inside your tub to keep any debris from going down the drain. Or you could make your own bath bombs so you know exactly what is in there.
- Clean the bath regular with vinegar, pour down the pug hole and allow to sit for a couple of minutes. Then flush with hot running water to help clear any debris
- Regularly clean the plug/drain of the bath with a cleaning product. Or to save money make your own. You can clear light clogs with baking soda and vinegar. First, heat some water on the stove and pour down your drain. Add 1 half cup of baking soda, 1 half cup of white vinegar, and let sit for at least five minutes. It will fizz and help clean out the drain. When you’re done, just flush with hot water from the faucet and you’ll be good to g0
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