Are you curious about how to make shower steamers? Imagine transforming your ordinary shower into a blissful spa-like experience. Shower steamers are delightful discs that release aromatic scents and essential oils when exposed to water and steam. Indeed, they create a soothing and invigorating atmosphere, turning your daily shower routine into a moment of relaxation and self-care.

Shower steamers offer the benefits of aromatherapy, relieving stress and promoting relaxation. As the steam rises, the shower steamers dissolve, releasing their captivating scents and therapeutic properties. Combining essential oils and steam creates a sensory experience that uplifts your mood and enhances your well-being.

So, why choose to make shower steamers rather than buy them? Well, there are times when I am in a creative mood. I have more time on my hands during the summer or a long holiday weekend, so I like to make things like essential oil blends, candles, soap, shower steamers, bath bombs, etc. I also give these items as gifts during the holidays or other special occasions. Shower steamers are one of my favorite things to make because I have most of the ingredients on hand.

In this blog post, I provide the ultimate DIY guide on how to make shower steamers with your signature essential oils and colors. I will also show you how to choose the right ingredients, mix them, and mold the steamers.

What Are Shower Steamers?

Shower steamers (or shower tablets or shower melts) are small, aromatic discs or cubes that enhance your shower experience. They are activated when exposed to water and steam. As the steamers dissolve, they fill the air with delightful scents, providing an aromatherapy experience. The combination of steam and essential oils may relieve nasal and chest congestion, boost your mood, or ease stress and anxiety. Of course, these benefits depend on the selected essential oils.

Homemade shower steamers are a popular DIY project for self-care enthusiasts and can be customized with various scents, colors, and shapes to suit personal preferences.

Are Shower Steamers the Same as Bath Bombs?

No, they are not the same. Many people confuse shower steamers and bath bombs. While both shower steamers and bath bombs offer enjoyable and aromatic experiences, they have distinct differences in terms of usage, activation, effects, and cleanup. Shower steamers are also flat, whereas bath bombs are round. Here’s more on how they differ.

Usage

Shower steamers are designed specifically for bathing under the shower. Now, you don’t want to miss this. It’s important to place the steamers in a corner of the shower floor. The indirect water flow activates them, releasing their aromatic scents and essential oils into the steam. Bath bombs are very cool to use in the bathtub. You drop them in the bathtub and wait with anticipation to see the fizzy and effervescent explosion. The mini explosion releases color, fragrance, and skin-nourishing ingredients.

Activation

Shower steamers are activated by the steam and water droplets in the shower. As they dissolve, they release aromatic scents and essential oils, transforming the shower into a fragrant and therapeutic space. On the contrary, bath bombs are activated by the water in the bathtub. Once dropped into the water, they effervesce and create a fizzy reaction, dispersing colors, fragrances, and moisturizing oils throughout the bath.

Effects

Shower steamers primarily focus on essential oils’ aromatic and their therapeutic benefits. As they dissolve in the shower, they release scents that uplift your mood, promote relaxation, or energize you. On the contrary, bath bombs offer a multi-sensory experience. Notably, they provide effervescence, release fragrances, and add color to the water. They also contain skin-nourishing ingredients like oils, body butters, or salts. Thus, bath bombs provide a luxurious bathing experience while moisturizing the skin and soothing tired muscles.

Clean Up

Shower steamers typically dissolve completely during use. Notably, they leave little or no residue behind, minimizing cleanup. On the other hand, bath bombs often leave some residue, such as flower petals or glitter. Thus, bath bombs require a deeper cleaning of the bathtub.

Essential Oils for Making Shower Steamers

Most people make shower steamers using one or more essential oils. Are you captivated by the enchanting scents of lavender, eucalyptus, roses, jasmine, vanilla, or lemongrass? Well, these delightful aromas are derived from the aromatic compounds found in essential oils. The essential oils you choose for your shower steamer recipe will depend on your mood and energy level.

Relieve Nasal and Chest Congestion

• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Tea tree essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Clove essential oil
• Ginger essential oil
• Camphor essential oil
• Holy Basil essential oil
• Sweet Basil essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Oregano essential oil

Read: 11 Essential Oils for Nasal and Chest Congestion

Get Energized

• Bergamot essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Grapefruit essential oil
• Orange essential oil
• Lemon essential oil
• Lime essential oil
• Spearmint essential oil
• Pine essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil

Get Calm and Relaxed

• Chamomile essential oil
• Lemongrass essential oil
• Patchouli essential oil
• Valerian essential oil
• Yuzu essential oil
• Holy Basil essential oil
• Sweet Basil essential oil
• Lemon Balm essential oil
• Jatamansi essential oil
• Geranium essential oil

Basic Ingredients and Tools to Make Shower Steamers

You need certain key ingredients and tools for the DIY shower steamer recipes.

Key Ingredients

1. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, creates the fizzing effect when the steamers come into contact with water.
2. Citric acid reacts with baking soda to create the fizzing action. Indeed, it adds an effervescent element to the shower steamers.
3. Cornstarch provides a binding and stabilizing effect. Specifically, it helps the mixture hold its shape when pressed into molds.
4. Mica powder or natural food coloring provides color (optional).
5. Essential oils contribute significantly to the aromatherapy shower spa-like experience. The oils give the shower steamers their delightful scents and therapeutic properties. They can be chosen based on personal preferences and desired effects, such as relaxation, energizing, or sinus relief.
6. Witch hazel or water moistens the mixture and binds the ingredients together. It helps achieve the right consistency for molding shower steamers. The water is usually sprayed onto the mixture gradually while stirring until it reaches a damp sand-like texture. This moisture is essential for the shower steamers to hold their shape and dissolve properly when exposed to water and steam in the shower. Alternatively, witch hazel can be used instead of water as it provides additional benefits and helps with the binding process.

Tools

1. Gloves
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Spray bottle for water or witch hazel water to moisten the mixture
5. Small silicone molds (or ice cube trays) for shaping
6. Mixing bowl (plastic or stainless steel)
7. Whisk, fork, or small spatula for blending

How to Make Shower Steamers

There are two basic recipes for shower steamers, one with mica powder and one with coloring. Experiment with either to create your signature colors and complement the essential oil.

Basic Recipe

1. 1 cup Baking Soda
2. 1/2 cup citric acid
3. 1/4 cup cornstarch
4. 20-30 drops of essential oils (adjust according to personal preference)
5. Food coloring or mica powder (as needed)
6. Witch hazel or water (as needed, sprayed gradually)

Basic Directions With Mica Powder

• Put on gloves.
• Pour the witch hazel into the spray bottle, and set aside.
• Add the baking soda and citric acid and mix well.
• Use a 1/4 teaspoon of mica powder to gauge the intensity of the color; use more if needed and mix well with a whisk, fork, spatula, or your hand.
• Add the essential oils and stir to combine.
• Spritz a little witch hazel over the mixture and mix well.
• Continue spritzing lightly with witch hazel and mixing until it feels like wet sand and squeezes into a loose ball.
• Fill the silicone cups with the shower steamer mixture.
• Press lightly with your hand or spoon until firm, and let it dry overnight.
• Pop steamers from the silicone mold and store them in an air-tight container.

Basic Directions With Food Color

• Follow the above directions but do not add mica powder to the baking soda and citric acid.
• Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to the mixture to gauge the intensity of the color; use more if needed.
• Follow the rest of the directions.

The number of shower steamers you get from this recipe depends on the size of the molds or ice cube trays used. However, as a general guideline, this recipe makes 6-8 shower steamers.

How to Store Shower Steamers

To ensure that your shower steamers remain fresh and maintain their scent, it’s important to store them properly. Here are some guidelines for storing shower steamers:

1. Airtight container. Place the shower steamers in an airtight container or a resealable bag. This will help prevent moisture and air from affecting their quality and fragrance.
2. Cool, dry place. Store the container of shower steamers in a cool and dry area, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Unfortunately, excessive moisture can cause the steamers to dissolve or lose their effectiveness.
3. Labeling. Put the date made, the name of the recipe, and the essential oils used. Indeed, this help to identify each variation easily.
4. Individual wrapping (optional). If you prefer to separate each shower steamer, you can wrap them individually in plastic or small pouches. This can help preserve their scent and prevent them from sticking together. Wrapping also works when you give them as gifts.
5. Use within a reasonable timeframe. While shower steamers can last for several months when stored properly, using them within 3-6 months is recommended for optimal freshness and effectiveness.

Homemade Shower Steamers Recipes

Breathe Easy Sinus Soother

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 12 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil
• Dried eucalyptus leaves (optional)
• Green food coloring or green mica powder

Citrus Sunrise

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 12 drops of sweet orange essential oil
• 8 drops of bergamot essential oil
• 8 drops of grapefruit essential oil
• Dried curls of citrus rinds (optional)
• Orange or yellow food coloring or mica powder (optional)

My Enchanted Forest

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 12 drops of fir needle essential oil
• 8 drops of cedarwood essential oil
• 5 drops of patchouli essential oil
• Dried rosemary sprigs (optional)
• Deep green food coloring or mica powder (optional)

Zen Garden

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil
• Dried rose petals (optional)
• Blue or green food coloring or mica powder)

Frequently Asked Questions

Now, It’s Your Turn

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning how to enhance your shower experience by making your own shower steamers. Please note that this information is not meant to contradict advice from your healthcare provider.  I think you will also enjoy the blog posts on essential oils for anxiety and stress relief, aromatherapy for self-care, adding journal writing to your self-care routine, and box breathing to calm and energize you. 

Well, we look forward to hearing about your experience in the comment section of this blog.  And you can join the conversation on the Keep It Tight Sisters Page.

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