A bubble bath is such a fun part of childhood, but how do you avoid the pesky and irritating ingredients like numbered dyes, harsh preservatives, and synthetic fragrances? Most mainstream bubble baths contain several harsh ingredients that can irritate little ones, and that’s why so many parents are looking for cleaner, non-toxic bubble bath for their kids. Myself included!
Here are the brands of clean bubble bath that I’ve reviewed or used myself. I would feel comfortable using any of these myself, with a strong preference for the fragrance-free versions on younger kids.
What Makes a Bubble Bath “Non‑Toxic”?
Look for products that:
- Use gentle or plant-based surfactants instead of sulfates like SLS/SLES
- Avoid artificial dyes and synthetic “fragrance” or “parfum”
- List all ingredients clearly (no secret “fragrance” hiding harsh chemicals)
- Are pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, and tear-free
- Are made by trusted brands that are well-known for making cleaner products
Best Non-Toxic Bubble Bath Brands for Kids
- Rowe Casa Organics Bubble Bath (use code GN20 to save 20% — new customers only)
- Carina Organics Bubble Bath
- Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Bubble Bath
- Zoey Naturals Bubble Bath
- Alaffia Bubble Bath
- Honest Sensitive Bubble Bath
- Hello Bello Fragrance-Free Bubble Bath
- California Baby Bubble Bath
As I mentioned above, I would feel okay with any of these brands for my little ones! I personally have been using the grapefruit scented bubble bath from Rowe Casa Organics for my kids and we have gotten a great bubbling foam out of this brand. We do have jets in our tub and that helps A LOT, but we were still able to get a good amount of bubbles even before I thought of turning on the jets.
Pro Tips for Maximum Bubbles
Getting a good lather from non-toxic bubble baths can take a little technique—since they often skip harsh foaming agents like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), you won’t always get that dramatic bubble mountain like conventional formulas. But with the right method, you can still create a super fun and bubbly bath your child will love. Here’s how:
Want to Save This Post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
1. Pour under strong, running water.
The easiest trick is to add the bubble bath directly under a strong stream of water — before the tub fills up. The water pressure helps agitate the formula and creates more foam. If you just pour it into still water, or you pour it into water that has already been running, you’ll end up with very few bubbles.
2. Use a detachable shower head or tub jets
If your tub has a handheld shower head, run it under the surface of the water while spraying the bubble bath. The added motion really amps up the foam, especially with gentler formulas. Better yet, if you have jets in your tub, turn those on after letting the water run for a few minutes to watch the bubble action take off… just make sure you are supervising your child(ren) because the jets can be very powerful and can create oversized bubbles.
3. Swish the water by hand.
Once the bubble bath is in and the tub has some water, use your hands to swirl the water around. This helps mix the product into the water evenly and gives the bubbles a chance to develop.
4. Add a splash of glycerin.
If you want even more bubbles, add 1-2 tablespoons of palm-free vegetable glycerin to the bath. It’s a natural humectant that helps stabilize bubbles.
5. Less is more.
Ironically, using too much product can sometimes weigh down the bubbles. Start with the recommended amount and only add more if needed. Spread the bubble bath solution around the tub if you do add more (vs just adding it to one spot).
6. Use warm (not hot) water.
Warm water is best for activating bubbles, but water that’s too hot can break them down. Lukewarm to warm is ideal for a safe, sudsy soak.
7. Use the tub sprayer for fun refills mid-bath.
Want to add more bubbles halfway through bath time? Grab the tub sprayer or shower head, run it again over the water surface, and watch the bubbles fluff back up.
Enjoy Bathtime!
You truly can’t go wrong with any of these options… so enjoy bathtime and making memories! As long as you are avoiding mainstream brands like Mr. Bubble, Noodle & Boo, Johnson & Johnson, Aveeno, Babyganics, Dove, and Dr. Teal’s, and shopping from safer brands like the ones I’ve listed above, I think you can safely enjoy bubble baths without worrying about irritation and UTIs!
Leave a Reply