Make these shower steamers using essential oils for a wonderful aromatherapy experience. An alternative to bath bombs for shower lovers. Pretty enough for gift giving too.
I'm not a bath person. Maybe if I had one of those gorgeous deep soaker tubs, that sits just under a window with a beautiful view. But, my master doesn't even have a tub, and the hall bathtub is not very deep, nor does it have a view. My girls love the bath and they loved the bath salts I gave them at Christmas, so I was thinking about making bath bombs. But, a recent common cold had me wanting something that I could enjoy in the shower. This is where the shower steamers come in.
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Nothing helps a stuffy nose or congestion like eucalyptus oil. The same or similar ingredients you find in vapor rubs and cough drops is this essential oil. It really helps clear the sinuses for those of us with colds or allergies.
I had a mini muffin tin and a plastic mini ice cube tray so I made two different batches. The first one was made with eucalyptus oil
and the second with bergamot oil
. Bergamot is the oil of an Italian orange and has an uplifting aroma.
Making Shower Melts or Steamers
Supplies
- 1 box Baking Soda (approx 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/3 - 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon of essential oil (~80 drops) (i.e.eucalyptus, bergamot, peppermint, lavender)
- a mold (I used a 12 mini muffin tin and 21 mini ice cube tray
)
)
The Process
- Using a large plastic bowl and plastic spoon, mix the water and baking soda together. You want it to mix easily but not become watery. This ended up being somewhere between 1/3 - 1/2 cups of water for me.
- Add your essential oils and mix well.
- Scoop into the muffin tins that have been greased a little with oil. I used olive oil, but you can use coconut or vegetable oil. You could even try using paper liners but that seems like a bit of a waste.
- Let them dry overnight. Then flip over the tin and tap out the steamers.
- Let them dry further (1-2 days more if necessary) until they are nice and firm, before storing in a covered jar.
This second batch barely had enough to fill the entire tray. This tray is nice because it has little bubbles on the bottom, making it easy to push the cube out of the tray. I used bergamot oil in this one because it's my favorite, and makes an invigorating citrus scent in the shower. I even added a little grated lemon zest on top for decoration. You could try lavender for a relaxing effect or a blend of a few of your favorite aromatherapy oils. Wouldn't they make a nice gift?
The Experience
Simply set one or two shower steamers at the bottom of your shower. Somewhere it will get wet but not pummeled with water, and let it dissolve. The water and steam from a hot shower will activate the essential oils permeating the air, giving you a home spa experience. When you are done rinse any remaining bits down the drain or leave them for the next shower.
More Bath and Body Tutorials
Homemade Shower Steamers Recipe
Make quick and easy DIY shower steamers that have all kinds of uses depending on the essential oils you use.
Materials
- 1 box Baking Soda (approx 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/3 - 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon of essential oil (~80 drops)
- A mold (I used a 12 mini muffin tin and a 21 mini ice cube tray)
Instructions
- Mix the water and baking soda together in a large plastic bowl using a plastic spoon.
- Add essential oils and mix well.
- Scoop the shower steamer mixture into the muffin tins greased with a little oil.
- Let them dry overnight.
- Flip over the tin and tap out the steamers.
- Let them dry until they are nice and firm.
- Store in a covered jar.
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Lucy
Hiya Patti, I do love these. Thank You for sharing with us all of your amazing ideas! You truly are a divinely inspired ANGEL 😇 on Earth! I used several oils in the shower fixers I made ~ Juniper berry, Frankincense, Rose Geranium & Sandalwood then added sage leaf for roughage and some lemon zest, but they turned brown upon drying. Must be the added sage do you think or too strong oils? The combo was perhaps too complicated? Midwintery Solstice Blessings to you and all X🌲💐🐬🌟🌙🎀
Patti Estep
Thank you, Lucy, for your kind words. I'm so happy to hear them. Regarding the shower melts, I do think the sage could be the culprit. Especially if it was fresh when you made the melts. But also I think Sandalwood may have a little color to it. You could test a drop of it on a piece of white paper to see. What a great combination idea. Maybe try using them anyway and ignore the color. It's the fragrance in the shower that you want anyway. Happy Solstice to you too!
Pat Schwab
Which oil scents do you use when you make these? Thanks, Pat S
Patti Estep
Hi Pat,
The large ones are eucalyptus because I was all stuffed up with a cold, and the small ones are bergamot because that's my favorite scent.
Pat Schwab
I have never heard of bergamot but love eucalyptus and peppermint.
Carole
This is a great idea Patti, hope you're feeling better and agree that eucalyptus oil is perfect for sinus relief. Essential oils are the best and really bring value to our overall health. Another great one and the presentation as always is perfect. Feel better!!
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
Thank you. They came in handy and now I'm hoarding them. Better get to the store for more baking soda.