Getting your children into the bathtub is a little easier when you tempt them with fun bubbles — but the cost can add up over time and some commercial bubble baths may be too harsh for kids with sensitive skin.

It might sound complicated if you’ve never done it before, but making your own bubble bath is an affordable and fairly simple process!

Why Should You Make Your Own Bubble Bath?

Making your own bubble bath lets you control exactly what ingredients your child is bathing in, says Janice Cox, author of the book “Natural Beauty at Home,” in Real Simple magazine. You can not only customize homemade bubble bath by avoiding ingredients that may irritate your child, but also let your child participate by choosing the essential oils to scent her bubble bath.

How Long Does It Take?

Bubble bath doesn’t take more than five minutes to prepare, but if you use ingredients with a short shelf life, such as egg whites, you’ll need to use your concoction within a few hours of making it. Bubble bath made from non-perishable ingredients can last indefinitely if you store the bubble bath in an airtight jar or container.

Directions

You can make homemade bubble bath a few different ways.

Quick & Easy Bubbles: Combine 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of cream of tartar and 1/4 cup of cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil.

Old-Fashioned Bubbles: Combine 1/2 cup of shampoo, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of honey.

Vanilla-Honey Bubbles: Combine 1 cup light oil (almond, sunflower, or canola), 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup mild liquid hand or body soap, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Choose Your Own Scent: Combine 4 cups of water, 4 ozs. of Castile soap and 3 ozs. of glycerin with your favorite essential oil. Customize your child’s bubble bath to suit his or her needs. If you’re planning to use your bubble bath at night, add a little lavender or vanilla essential oil to promote calm and sleepiness. During winter or any time your child has dry skin, mix in a little moisturizing oil, such as almond oil, to moisturize and protect.

Caution

Homemade bubble bath is generally safe, but if your child has a skin condition or other medical condition, it’s a good idea to check with your pediatrician about ingredients to either include or avoid. If your child does show symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling, shortness of breath or a fever, seek medical attention immediately.