The relationship between the temperature of the water and the rate of dissolution of bath bombs

What Is the Ideal Bath Temperature?

The ideal temperature for your bath is somewhere between 90° F and 105° F (32° C – 40° C), which is just above the average body temperature.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to get a thermometer to measure the temperature. Simply hold your wrist, not your hand, in the water. If it feels comfortable to you, you’re in the right temperature range.

Does an Ideal Bath Temperature Have Health Benefits?

A warm bath has quite a few health benefits, including better sleep, potentially lowering your blood pressure, and relieving stress (but you already knew that one).
If you’re active, a warm bath helps to relieve tired muscles, and some studies show that it may even improve your heart health. Learn more about the benefits of a warm bath and know that you’re doing good for your entire body next time you get in the tub!

What’s the Right Bath Water Temperature for Your Bath Bomb Soak?

Ever watched a bath bomb go wild in the tub, putting on a miniature fireworks spectacle? What makes some fizz and others fizzle out? Time to dive into the temperature connection.

A bath bomb’s fizz comes from a chemical reaction. Bath bombs contain sodium carbonate which is a base and citric acid with is an acid. These two components start reacting to each other when they are activated by water.

The hotter your bath water, the faster your bath bomb will fizz. Heat adds thermal energy to water making individual water molecules bounce around like energetic toddlers.

These bouncing hot water molecules cause the basic and acidic components of the bath bomb to collide together more frequently than cold water molecules do. Hence, the increased thermal energy hastens the chemical reaction making the fizz bomb bubble over fast.

Numerous science fair experiments have been conducted to connect bath bomb fizz to water temperature. You can watch a bomb’s fizz development based on water temperature in a visual experiment here.

Take note of the three water temperatures in the experiment. The hottest water is over 179 degrees Fahrenheit. That is way too hot to take a bath in. The warm water is just over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Given 90 degrees Fahrenheit is more than 8 degrees below normal body temperature, that’s too cool for a hot bath.

However, at the two-minute mark, the warm water’s fizz is just starting to bubble over whereas the hot water is all fizzed out. The sweet spot for your luxurious bath is somewhere between these two temperatures.

Why would the Bath bomb react faster in hot water?

The amount of energy the water contains. The easiest way to add energy to water is to heat it (thermal energy). The hotter the water is, the more the individual water molecules move around and collide with each other.

The perfect water temperature for a bath bomb use

The ideal water temperature for using a bath bomb typically falls between 97°F (36°C) and 100°F (38°C). This range is warm enough to help the bath bomb dissolve fully and release its aromatic oils and other ingredients effectively. It also allows for optimal absorption of moisturizing and nourishing components by the skin.
However, preferences may vary, and some individuals may enjoy slightly warmer or cooler water temperatures. It's essential to find the temperature that feels most comfortable and relaxing for you while still allowing the bath bomb to work its magic.