Discovering how to make shower steamers with essential oils is a fragrant, steamy joy... Bring calm and focus to the start of your child's day at school or help them to prepare for blissful sleep.
Shower Steamers are perfect for relieving some of the annoying symptoms of colds and congestion. No longer confined to fancy and expensive spas, you can bring the spa into your bathroom and usual morning routine. Startlingly simple to make and easy enough for the kids to have a go.
Shower steamers combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, Witch Hazel, and essential oils. Compact the mixture as well as you can into the mold of your choice, and then give them some time to dry before packaging. Follow our professional tips and tricks for foolproof, wonderful results every time.
Bring the Spa to You
Recreate that luxurious and decadent spa experience in your home for just a few dollars with shower steamers. As the warm water hits them, they fizz and release a large dose of essential oils into the rising steam. This fantastic bathing experience is no longer confined to fancy and extravagant spas.
Shower Steamers give you the wonderful therapeutic benefits of essential oils without applying them to your skin and in a much shorter time than it would take to absorb the essential oils if you were in the bath.
They allow you to have a complete aromatherapy experience in the few minutes it takes to shower. They free up the rest of your day, saving you the time and money of costly spa treatments. Invigorating and enlivening, shower steamers fit perfectly with your normal busy morning routine.
Also Read: How to Make Bath Bombs at Home
Designed to Suit You
Whether you shower morning or night, you can design something that suits your needs.
The right choice of essential oils can help you clarify and detox your skin, clear out your sinuses or get you fired up or wound down for the day.
Got a Skin Condition and Can't Use Most Products?
Shower steamers can be a great entry product to try for those who are suffering from skin conditions. As there is no topical application, the product does not touch the skin and so is far less likely to be the cause of an adverse reaction.
If, like me, you can't use shower gel but miss that fragrant burst you get from products like that, this can be a fantastic alternative for you to try.
Experiment with ingredients slowly and carefully. Start using just one essential oil until your skin becomes used to it, then try to introduce another. Time and experimentation can open up the world of what you CAN use.
Also Read: How to Make an After Sun Lotion
Something For The Children
Again, because they don't touch the skin, shower steamers are one of the few products that can be adapted well for children.
Does your teenager need a bucket of water over them to get them going in the morning?
Are they anxious about going to school or for a test?
Perhaps they need calming and encouragement to focus…
All situations where the right essential oils can be used to bring benefit to your little morning beasties.
No slip-sliding around
The best thing here is that, unlike bath bombs, shower steamers do not contain carrier oils, moisturizing oils, or cosmetic butter. This is good because it also means they don't make your shower tray slippery either. Much safer than bath oils.
Also Read: How to Make Perfume with Essential Oils
Best Essential Oils for Shower Steamers
Peppermint Essential Oil
It is wonderful for shower steamers. Clean, fresh, vibrant, and fabulous at getting into your sinuses with all that menthol. One to make you feel alive and like you have 'arrived.'
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
It contains antimicrobial and antiviral constituents, so it's another good choice for cold and flu season. Eucalyptol, One of the chemical components of Eucalyptus, helps clear mucus and airways and acts as a natural cough suppressant. Avoid using this with very young children, please, since it can slow respiration in little ones.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
I call Tea Tree the 'anti-oil.' It is the one essential oil that fights just about everything going. The list appears endless with antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. When fighting a cold or a virus or 'you are not sure what,' this is always the first essential oil to reach for.
Lavender Essential Oil
It is great for those calming shower steamers. When you or your children need a calmer, more relaxed start to the day, reducing stress and anxiety at a big day's start can help you approach the day ahead in a more positive state of mind rather than arriving at the start out of puff and stressed to the hilt. Give yourself a fighting chance right from the off. I promise you will be awake at your desk by 10 am.
Using Your Shower Steamers
Placement is everything here. You want to place the steamer close enough to the plug hole that it washes away but not close enough that it will fall through.
Again, to stress, we don't want them touching your skin, including your feet.
Professional Top Tips
Planning
The mix's amount will entirely depend on the size of your mold. You want a mold that is no smaller than a golf ball. The hockey puck size is perfect.
If you have no mold… Worry not; you can shape them with your hands.
You will want to wear protective gloves, which require mixing and testing with your hands.
If you experience breathing issues or have respiratory conditions, wear a face mask as you will be agitating powders into the air, and you can breathe them in.
Making the Shower Steamers
When you get to the stage where you need to add the Witch Hazel, watch how much Witch Hazel you add at a time. HEAR ME ON THIS - It can go from perfection to ruination insanely quickly. Just be vigilant and don't get carried away, or you will be looking at a fizzing bowl of slop and wondering what happened.
You did not listen to me - that's what will have happened, lol.
When you are shaping the steamer into your molds, it is a case of the more compact, the better. Take your time here; it is not worth it. If it is loosely compacted, all that will happen is that it won't last 30 seconds in the shower and will be a bit of a damp squib. Squeeze it in tightly. The more compact the shower steamer is, the better and the longer it will last in your shower, and you can enjoy the wonderful scents and qualities of the essential oils for so much longer.
If it does not wash away entirely, pop it somewhere to drain and dry, then use it in your next shower. It's fine to use it more than once.
Drying and Packaging Your Shower Steamers
Drying and packaging are also things to be sure of here.
Drying your shower steamer is vital here and even more so when packaging your wonderful homemade goodies. If you package your shower steamers in plastic before they are totally dry, they are likely to condense, soften and degrade in the packaging...
Dry them for a full 24 hours in an ambient and consistent environment. If you plan to package them in plastic, I recommend drying them even further in a low oven with the door open or popping them into a dehydrator for a few hours...
Labeling your Shower Steamers
Clearly describing the intended use for your shower steamers is very important since they tend to contain more essential oils than similar-looking bath bombs. Shower steamers are NOT designed for topical use, so getting them on your skin would be a nightmare. The last thing you want is someone to make a mistake and have an adverse reaction. Meticulous and clear labeling avoids this.
On a safety note, avoid molds that look like sweet treats if you gift them to friends with children. Shower steamers like candy or cakes might look too tempting for curious hands and mouths.
Storing Your Shower Steamers
In a bathroom is not a great idea. It is a damp and steamy environment with moisture and condensation, pretty much everything that will degrade your shower steamer faster than me on the way to a date with Jason Momoa.
If you must keep them in the bathroom, pop them in a vacuum, airtight tub. Moisture absorbers like silica gel packets are a help here too.
Also Read: How to Make Body Butter with Essential Oils
How to Make Shower Steamers with Essential Oils - Professional Recipes
Equipment
- Sieve or sifter
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring jugs, cups, and spoons
- Stainless steel spoon or stirrer
- Small spray bottle.
- A small to the medium-sized mold of your choice
- Appropriate packaging
- Labels
- Protective gloves
Ingredients
- Baking Soda
- Citric Acid
- Cornstarch
- Witch Hazel
- Essential Oil Blend
- Colorant - optional
Method
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Shower Steamers with Essential Oils The Tried and Trusted Recipe |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Safety: This does not have a topical application but be aware of placing it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle so the product washes cleanly down the drain. But not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through! | |||
| Basic Ingredients for a Shower Steamer | |||
| 2 Cups of Baking Soda | 1 Cup of Citric Acid | 2 tbsp Cornstarch | 1 tbsp Witch Hazel in a Spray bottle. |
|
Essential Oil Blend - Start the Engine 120 drops = 3% dilution rate We recommend between 1-4% dilution rate |
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| 30 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis L) |
30 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) |
30 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) |
30 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi) |
| Method - How to make Shower Steamers with Essential Oils | |||
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Four Professional - Tried and Trusted - Essential Oil Blends
Wakey Wakey
This is the perfect blend to kickstart your morning with a positive boost and is full of citrus zing to get spring into your day.
| Wakey Wakey | ||
|---|---|---|
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120 drops = 3% dilution rate We recommend between 1-4% dilution rate |
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Safety: This does not have a topical application. Not safe for children in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Be aware of placing it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle, so the product washes cleanly down the drain. But not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through. |
||
| 60 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) | 40 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) | 20 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) |
Shoo Flu
Are you suffering from a cold, the flu, or congestion? Try this shower steamer designed to open up your airways and make you feel like yourself again.
| Shoo Flu | ||
|---|---|---|
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120 drops = 3% dilution rate We recommend between 1-4% dilution rate |
||
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Safety: This does not have a topical application. Not safe for children in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Be aware of placing it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle, so the product washes cleanly down the drain. But not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through. |
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| 60 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) | 50 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) | 10 drops of Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris) |
Mint Zing
Immerse yourself in this bracing blend of essential oils; this one will get your blood running and boost you.
| Mint Zing | ||
|---|---|---|
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120 drops = 3% dilution rate We recommend between 1-4% dilution rate |
||
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Safety: Not suitable for use on children or in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. This does not have a topical application but be aware of placing it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle so the product washes cleanly down the drain. But not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through. |
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| 40 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita) | 40 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) | 40 drops of Peppermint - Japanese Essential Oil (Mentha arvensis) |
Floral Paradise
Some mornings you need a whiff of paradise, an exotic floral sensation to envelope you and lose yourself for a few minutes. Shut the world out and dive into paradise.
| Floral Paradise | ||
|---|---|---|
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120 drops = 3% dilution rate We recommend between 1-4% dilution rate |
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| Safety: This does not have a topical application but be aware of placing it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle so the product washes cleanly down the drain. But not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through. | ||
| 30 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) | 40 drops of Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia) | 50 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium asperum var roseum) |
Safety Recap
Shower Steamers are not for topical application. However, you need to be aware to place it in line with the plug hole of the shower cubicle, so the product washes cleanly down the drain. Yet, not close enough for it to fall down the drain halfway through.
Please ensure through careful and considerate labeling that people understand the shower steamer for the similar-looking and textured bath bombs. There is a much higher essential oil content in these; therefore, they are not designed for topical use. They are designed to fill the steam with the molecules of the essential oils and then wash away.
Always wear gloves when mixing them up when making shower steamers with essential oils. There is a need for you to get your hands in there to monitor the texture and holding ability of the mixture.
Consider wearing a face mask if you have a sensitive respiratory system or suffer from things like asthma or COPD. The ingredients are powdery and will be agitated; you can breathe them in.
If you wish to design your blends, please do not make the mistake of imagining safety data does not apply. You are going to be standing in the solution your shower steamer produces. Avoid known skin sensitizers and adhere to the safety data recommendations for your essential oils. As a reminder, you can find detailed synopses of each other by going to the Vinevida product page for each oil and opening the documents tab, which can be found just below the oil picture.
What Are The Benefits of Making Your Own Shower Steamers With Essential Oils?
Natural Ingredients
I am a broken record regarding those natural ingredients. There is very rarely a time when I don't advocate for them.
Science shows that they are better for you and expose you to fewer chemicals and potentially harmful toxins. That has to be a bonus, right?
Buy the best-sourced ingredients you can afford. Even if you cannot afford much, you can make a little go a long way. You can bulk this recipe, making it cheaper by using more cornstarch. Check out our recent article Making your Money Go Further With Essential Oils.
Control and Trust
Making your shower steamers with essential oils enables you to control every single ingredient you choose to include.
When you buy your ingredients, please consider sustainability.
Consider the provenance of the essential oils themselves. VINEVIDA prides itself on its robust and hearty provenances. Carefully and thoughtfully, choosing essential oil producers that align with their ethos. These are essential oils that you really can trust and feel good about buying.
Think about the packaging it comes in and the lives of the people who produce these products. Can you make great choices for yourself and the planet? Every little helps, and together we can make a difference.
Tailored to You
If you are new to tailoring products to your own needs, let me warn you that once you start, you'll unlikely stop. I foresee you wondering why this is the first time you have done it.
You are taking control of your whole regimen. Design it from top to bottom. The change can be an absolute revelation, and shower steamers are a wonderfully easy place to start if you have never had a go. I recommend this quick and easy project. It gives you easy, effective, and pleasing results.
In designing yours, consider what it is that you want to feel. Which essential oils are the best choices to enable that? This article has plenty of blends to help get you started and give you a few ideas until you can formulate your own.
Final Word
If you have never tried shower steamers before, why not give them a go and try out that well-loved spa-like experience in your bathroom?
It is a very simple project, and following professional tips and tricks remove all the worry, and you can't go wrong.
It is so simple, but remember that you must go easy with adding those wet ingredients and watch it like a hawk.
Have fun designing your shower steamers for yourself, family, and friends, and see which become firm favorites. Make them for that family down the road that suddenly all have horrendous colds or those who need a kick up the derriere every morning to get going. Someone may need a lovely treat and cheering up.
Packaging and storing them correctly will make life so much easier in the long run and will lead to a perfect shower steamer every time.
Now that you know how to make shower steamers with essential oils and how startlingly easy they are, what are you still doing here? Go find your baking soda!
