It would be unusual to come across a home without at least one bath bomb, whether for a child’s bubble bath or an adult’s aromatherapy soak. However, did you realize that most of these bombing beauties could harm your plumbing? As you know, bath bombs are spherical, single-use mixtures of oils and extracts that are smooth and smell good that you can drop into the tub before taking a bath. The main components are citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which react once it comes in contact with water to provide the familiar fizzing sensation.
It includes Epsom salts in addition to alkali or acid substances, which are popular for relieving muscle aches, and oils like coconut, soybean, or olive oil to create a cohesive mass. The bath bomb melts and separates soon after the reaction, releasing delectable smells and emollients that smooth the skin and soften it and what is left are the salt crystals. Hair and other debris can get caught on partially dissolved salt granules and cause a clog in your drain. Here is everything you require to know when you use a bath bomb.
How do bath bombs cause drain blockages?
Many bombs contain pleasant and calming oils, which over time may accumulate in your pipes. Additionally, it may solidify as they pass through the drain, posing a worse issue by clogging the pipes. Drain clogs can be caused by oils. You’ve probably heard that flushing oil down the drain is a poor idea. Despite the fact that you can have a hot shower, after the initial 10 feet of the drain, the water-carrying pipes start to significantly cool, particularly if you live in a colder area. So if something is there in the outflowing water undissolved like oil, it will soon congeal. When oils are cold, they will solidify and cause obstructions. The time frame for the drain required to be snaked out increases when the salts and oils used in bath bombs are combined with the soap scum and the hair that collects in bathtub drains.
Salts, baking soda, and citric acid are supposedly soluble in water. It is likely that many of these substances only partially dissolve in the bath water because those are all added chemicals like oils. The real culprit is titanium dioxide because it cannot dissolve in water. Even though it makes up a small portion of these formulae, it is likely that over time it will gather in the crevices and cavities of the pipes or mix with other debris like hair and skin which will cause blockages. Besides the unique shapes and gorgeous colours, bath bombs occasionally include sparkly particles, flower petals and confetti. Although they appear attractive, these substances barely dissolve in water. The fragments of these glitters and petals can also clog pipes, mainly if they stick to the salt and oil particles.
Bath bombs with jetted bathtubs or hot tubs don’t go well together. This is due to the fact that although oils and other substances can damage delicate components, the chemicals in bombs can easily obstruct hoses and jets. Pumps are used in hot tubs and spas that have jets to draw water in and out of the jets. The foreign substances included in the bath bombs can’t truly be filtered by these systems. Even if you choose to add bath bombs to your hot tub, read the manual of instructions to ensure you handle it correctly. You could have to remove the entire tub if you impair the primary pumping system, which would be an expensive outcome. Additionally, regular use might harm the plumbing system since it can accumulate synthetic materials in the sewage tank and clog the discharge filters. Many bath bombs could be harmful to septic systems. Sewage obstructions or slow drains in bathrooms and other plumbing fixtures are the results.
Safe Ways to Use Bath Bombs
Would you often use bath bombs to relax after a hectic workday? When bath bombs are the best way to detoxify your skin, help in your relaxation, and stimulate rejuvenation, why should you forbid them from your home outrightly? You can take better care of your bathtub drains by being aware of the risks associated with using bath bombs and how you can avoid plumbing related issues. As a result, getting acquainted with its use is highly recommended. There are various methods to use bath bombs while also safeguarding your plumbing:
- Before dropping the bomb into the water, wrap it in nylon netting. When put into water, it will still work, but the netting will collect substances and foreign objects. Dress socks can either be used to hold any chunky or residual substance, preventing it from draining away.
- Every few weeks, use a white vinegar solution to clean the drains. Avoid using abrasive store-bought drain cleaners.
- To prevent hair and bath bomb fragments from entering the drain, use a strainer or filter for tubs that have removable stoppers. It will gather bits of particles like salts, which will otherwise clog the drain. You can easily take it out after a bath and then throw it in the trash.
- When cleaning your tub after a bath, use particular caution, specifically if the bath bomb includes glitter. Some glitter fragments have the potential to damage or scuff the finish of your bathtub. To be safe, take any noticeable glitter flakes out of the bathtub by hand first, then use a cleaner and brush to remove them.
- When you’re done with the routine cleaning using the solution of water and vinegar, it’s a good idea to run the hot water for a few seconds. Any residual ingredients will be more easily dissolved during this process.
A hot bath combined with the colourants, scent, and maybe the salts could dry out and irritate sensitive skin. It is possible to have a pleasurable experience with nothing more than a traditional bubble bath and some bath oils. So you can eliminate the need for glitter and colourants, both of which can leave a mess in the bathtub as well as the pipes. When choosing a bath bomb, choose one with the fewest components if you really want to give your bath some fizz. The fewer ingredients there are, the less of a mess it makes in your bathtub and your plumbing.
Although bath bombs don’t usually result in clogs, if you frequently use them, keep an eye out for signs that your tub drains appropriately. Get the assistance of a skilled plumber right away if you worry that your plumbing has been harmed by your regular bath bomb use. They can undoubtedly assist you in quickly getting your drains to flow freely.