After a long, exhausting day, I love to unwind with a nice, lengthy shower. Shower steamers are fantastic for making that experience even more relaxing! They’re somewhat like bath bombs, but meant for the shower instead. Here’s how you can craft your own scented shower steamers for a soothing spa-like experience at home.
These steamers have a stronger scent than most skincare recipes because they’re not meant for direct skin contact. They’re a great way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy during your self-care time. Plus, they make lovely gifts for occasions like Christmas or birthdays.
Also called shower bombs or melts, these work similarly to bath bombs. You place one on the edge of the tub where the shower water can reach it, releasing its scent.
Homemade shower steamers kick in when they get wet, fizzing up and filling the shower with fragrance. Unlike bath bombs, which also enhance the skin, shower steamers focus more on the aromatherapy experience.
They’re made using a mix of ingredients like baking soda, Epsom salts, citric acid, essential oils, and witch hazel. Some recipes may also include clay, botanicals, food coloring, fragrance oils, and mica powder or colorants.
My recipe starts with baking soda and citric acid as the base. Epsom salts help harden them, and castor oil acts as an emulsifier to prevent crumbling. Kaolin clay adds hardness and a touch of color. You can also incorporate mica powder or natural food coloring if you like.
Using a mini muffin-sized mold ensures the steamer lasts through a standard shower. Smaller molds might require two steamers.
Place the steamer in the shower where it can get wet but not wash away immediately—ideally on a bathtub ledge or a shower shelf. If the floor is your only option, position it as far from the shower head as possible.
To simplify the process, you can use a pre-made blend from your favorite essential oil company. However, I’ve created a few recipes that offer fantastic benefits and wonderful scents!
Breathe Better Blend
This invigorating mix helps open up your sinuses. It’s not suitable for young children, but older kids and adults can enjoy it. For a child-safe option, try the Sniffle Stopper blend.
Springtime Blend
This mood-lifting blend helps with seasonal allergies. Lemon brightens your spirits and can help clear congestion, while lavender provides calm and acts as an antihistamine. Even if you don’t have allergies, it’s worth trying!
Earthy Blend
This blend uplifts and grounds your emotions. Studies suggest that just smelling grapefruit could support healthy weight management. Bergamot helps relieve anxiety and stress, while cedarwood eases nervous tension and assists with coughs and mucus.
While the recipe uses simple ingredients, making shower steamers can be tricky for beginners. I’ve picked up a few tricks to help improve the process if you face challenges.
Citric acid creates the fizz in the recipe, but if it gets too wet during mixing, it may activate too soon, and the steamers won’t stick together.
You can use either 80-proof vodka or witch hazel for just enough moisture to bind the steamers. This wets the dry mix enough to hold together while preventing too much moisture, thanks to the alcohol’s drying qualities.
Make sure to thoroughly mix the powder before adding the wet components. Sifting the dry ingredients (except the Epsom salts) beforehand can make this step easier.
Witch hazel contains some alcohol, which is why it works here. Vodka is another good choice. Don’t worry about the alcohol smell; it disappears as they dry, and I barely notice it while pressing them into molds.
Don’t remove them from the molds too soon, or they’ll crumble. They need 12-24 hours to dry completely at room temperature. Using too much liquid can also cause them to fall apart.
If your environment is very humid, as in summer or particular climates, use less vodka or witch hazel. The dry ingredients will absorb moisture from the air, so adjust the liquid accordingly.
What scents do you love using for DIY bath and shower products? Have you ever made shower steamers before? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
