Behind the scenes at Alpine Apothecary

If you’ve ever wondered why some days I make mountains of bath bombs… and other days I make none at all… this one’s for you.

Bath bombs might look cute and simple, but behind each perfectly smooth dome is a very real battle with science, weather, and timing - especially here in the Snowy Mountains.
At 1,200 metres elevation, with wild humidity swings, icy winters, and sudden snowfalls, making bath bombs is closer to baking soufflés in unpredictable alpine weather.

Here’s what really goes on behind the scenes.

Bath Bombs Have One Enemy: Moisture

The moment humidity rises over about 50–60%, the citric acid and bicarb soda inside a bath bomb start reacting with the moisture in the air.

Even a tiny rise in humidity can cause:

• premature fizzing

• cracked sides

• bumpy, warty surfaces

• crumbly domes that won’t unmould

• bombs “growing” or expanding overnight

This is why a bath bomb that looks perfect in the morning can start misbehaving by afternoon.

Humidity isn’t a suggestion — it’s the boss.

Winter in the Snowy Mountains Makes It Even Harder

Most people imagine winter as “dry air”.
Not here.

Cold alpine air holds less moisture, so humidity shoots up. A normal winter day in Jindabyne can sit between:

• 80% and 100% humidity — all day

• Even higher when snow is falling or about to fall

• Fast swings from 40% to 90+% within a couple of hours

This means some days, there is literally no window at all to make bath bombs.
If I try — they foam, crack, or melt before I even unmould them.

So yes… I can tell when snow is coming just by watching my bath bombs misbehave.

Then Summer Arrives — But Don’t Think It’s Easier

Summer brings warm days… and just as wild humidity swings.

A dry morning might sit at 43–47%, which is perfect.
But by lunchtime the humidity can jump into the 70–90% range again.

That leaves me with a tiny “make it now or never” production window.

Sometimes it’s one hour.
Sometimes it’s ten minutes.
Sometimes it doesn’t exist at all.

This is Why My Bath Bomb Days Seem Random

People often message me saying:

“You made 100+ today! Do you do this every day?”

I wish.

When the humidity graph finally hits the sweet spot, I drop everything — and I mean everything - and start mixing, moulding, pressing, and tray-lining as fast as I can.

That’s why you’ll see me post huge batch days out of the blue.
It’s because the weather finally cooperated.

Behind the Scenes: What a Good Humidity Day Looks Like

Here’s a peek into my actual workshop on a perfect “go time” day: This day I managed to make 80 bath bombs. i had a great humidity window this day. 

When the humidity aligns, everything works.
The bombs press cleanly.
They stay smooth.
They tighten as they dry.
They come out looking like little domes of art.

And when the humidity doesn’t align?
You won’t see me making a single one.

Why This Matters for You

This isn’t mass production.
This isn’t factory humidity control.
This is real, small-batch, climate-sensitive crafting in the Snowy Mountains.

Every bath bomb I sell has had:

• the right weather

• the right precision

• the right timing

• the right ingredients

• and the right conditions

They’re not rushed.
They’re not cut with fillers.
They’re made with intention - and patience - whenever the alpine climate gives me a chance.

Want More Behind-the-Scenes?

If you love seeing how things are made — the real, messy, honest parts visit our Alpine Apothecary Skools community here 

• batch days

• fails and wins

• the science behind each product

• how humidity, altitude, and weather shape my work

• what it’s really like crafting at 1,200m in the Snowy Mountains

Your support lets me keep doing this slow, thoughtful, handmade way of creating — and I’m so grateful.