Are Bath Bombs Bad For Plumbing?

The weather is chilly because it’s wintertime, and you’re searching for methods to alleviate the seasonal aches and discomforts.

What better way than to take a hot bath?

Bath bombs offer an interesting twist on this time-tested tradition by fizzing in your tub and adding aromatherapy benefits as well.

However, many people do not know if these products are safe for plumbing systems or not, and if you don’t take the time to learn all about this, you might end up calling a plumber in no time.

This article will explore both sides of the argument so you can decide if using bath bombs is good or bad for your pipes!

Bath Bombs: Are They Harmful?

Bath bombs have become one of the most popular ways to take an aromatherapy bath. What is interesting about these products, however, is not how they smell or the benefits of their essential oils – it’s whether or when you should use them.

Bath bombs are often made with baking soda and citric acid which can react to water in different ways depending on what your pipes are constructed of. There are also bath bombs that contain a variety of ingredients such as scents and oil.

So where do all of these ingredients go after you take a dip into your bath bomb? They actually go down your drain and into your pipes. When the ingredients mix, they can cause corrosion on metal or create a reaction with sediment that builds up in pipe walls.

If you have metal pipes then bath bombs are not recommended as they may lead to damage over time. If you have plastic pipes then it is fine to use them but only when you make sure that the ingredients are safe on plastic pipes.

Bath bombs aren’t always harmful since there are types that are made from safe ingredients for your pipes. It is important to make sure that you are careful about what you’re using in order to avoid any problems down the road.

Can I Still Protect My Plumbing System?

If you’re a huge fan of bath bombs, it could be a huge bummer to know that these things aren’t recommended to use.

But don’t feel down! You can still actually indulge in your beloved therapeutic bath but of course, there are certain things you need to do to protect your plumbing system.

You need to do proper research on the bath bombs you are using to know if they are safe for your pipes.

If you’re unsure of the ingredients, then it’s better to not risk it and just use a regular bath bomb instead. You can also try using water-soluble colors which will help release in the tub as opposed to being deposited on your pipes.

Lastly, make sure that you talk with your local plumber about your bath bombs and piping system so you can properly determine if the bath bomb and your plumbing system are compatible with each other.

How to Use Bath Bombs Without Risk of Clogs

Surprising as it may seem, there are actually several ways to use your bath bombs without the risk of clogs.

Clogging is a plumbing problem you surely don’t want to happen since it can lead to high water bills and piping damages.

Luckily, we have listed here the top tips you can keep note of so you don’t experience a nasty clogging issue:

• When using bath bombs, be sure to use bath bombs in the tub and not near or on a sink.
• After your bath, be sure to drain the tub properly and only use it again after 20 minutes to make sure the bath bomb has properly dissolved.
• Refrain from using bath bombs with solid ingredients such as rose petals or glitter because they will surely clog the drain.
• Use a strainer or a bath bomb catcher so you can avoid chunky ingredients.
• If you’re using a bath bomb with a lot of fragrance, be sure to run the tub for at least two minutes after your soak so that all the fragrances are flushed out and dispersed in water to avoid clogging issues.

The Final Words

We hope you’ve found this post useful. If not, let us know! 

We would love to hear your feedback—comment below or send a message if there was particular information missing that would help you in caring for your plumbing and pipes.

In the meantime, we recommend being cautious of those pesky bath bombs by keeping all of our tips and advice on how to use them without clogging drains and pipes so that they don’t cause any damage! Happy Bath Bombing!