Quick guide: DIY Shower Steamers

Do you want to make your own DIY Shower Steamers? A shower steamer is a little bar that dissolves in water while releasing soothing essential oils while you shower. It is a quick personal care treat and the easiest way to include aromatherapy shower steamers DIY in your day. A homemade shower steamer took 30 minutes to make and can last for few weeks. Make a big batch each time, and it can last you longer.

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How to Make Shower Steamers

How do you make a homemade shower steamer? You would need baking soda, citric acid, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, essential oil, witch hazel (I use this ), Mica Powder, and silicone mold. The shower steamer recipe is available at the end of the post. Click here to check the recipe.

Ingredients for Shower Steamers

Baking Soda – This is used in the recipe to create the fizzing reaction when the little bar dissolves in water
Citric Acid – We use this so the shower steamer will hold up better and also create the fizzing reaction. You need to use refined citric acid, or else it would not hold. You can also opt-out this ingredient to make DIY shower steamers without citric acid (link to DIY article)
Arrowroot Powder – To stabilize the DIY shower melts and the fizzing reaction. You can also use cornstarch to get a similar effect.
Kaolin Clay – You can add this to the recipe to make the shower steamers last longer
Essential Oils – This is the main ingredient, and all the benefits of the shower steamer come from. Different essential oils will have a different effects and amazingly helps you. You can learn all about the basic essential oil here.
Witch Hazel – I usually use this to combine the essential oil with water for making a homemade room spray. For this recipe, witch hazel will help to form the mixture. You can also use water if you don’t have it.
Mica Powder – It is optional, but it adds color and beautifies your shower steamers.
Dried flower petals/buds – This is also optional and merely aesthetic. You can add this on if you are making the shower steamers as a gift.
Shower Steamer Molds – There are so many designs of silicone mold to choose from here. Choose fun and funky molds and make your shower melts irresistible.

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers DIY

First, you need to mix the baking soda, citric acid, arrowroot powder, and kaolin clay gradually into a glass bowl. Ensure you wear a glove and swirl it around with your hands until it is thoroughly mixed.
Secondly, add the essential oils to the mix. If you prefer to add more than the recommended amount for stronger scents, you can!
Next, spray a little witch hazel or water to the mixture, and combine immediately to avoid a reaction. Swirl it around and slowly adding more witch hazel until the mixture reaches a “barely wet sand” consistency.
You can also sprinkle witch hazel using a teaspoon if you do not have a spray bottle.
Add the dried flower petals to the mold before filling it with the mixture. Press the mixture into the mold firmly.
Put the silicone mold into the freezer to dry and set. The shower steamers should be ready in about an hour. Pop it out of the silicone mold and into glass jars with a tight seal. Or leave it out to dry for 24 to 48 hours, and it should be solid hard.
If you live in a humid country, the drying time may be longer, and it is recommended to pop it into the freezer instead.

How To Use Shower Steamers

Arrange 1-2 DIY shower melts just outside the shower stream on the floor of the shower cube. The hot water and steam will eventually melt it, and the scents will waft out. It will create a spa-like treatment even though you are in a shower.

One of the best times to use it is when you have a cold and need to clear your stuffy nose. Or you can pop it on the days you need a boost. It all depends on which recipe you choose to make and enjoy.

How To Store Shower Steamers

The shower steamer benefits came from the essential oils. It is best to store the shower steamers in an airtight glass jar, away from direct sunlight, to avoid the essential oil evaporate.

Also, make sure the jar is away from water or moisture, and it can last you for 6-12 months. Over time you might notice the scent of the essential might be getting mild. Just add on a couple of essential oils and pop it in the shower.

Benefits of Shower Steamers

The benefits of homemade shower steamers come from the essential oil you choose to include in the recipe. It varies from boosting your energy, refreshing, balancing, and calming.

For example, lemon and peppermint shower steamers can stimulate and boost your spirit. While Lavender, Bergamot, and Ylang Ylang will provide a very comforting feeling to help you relax after a long day.

You can also make a particular batch of shower steamers for wellness and well-being. Essential oil such as Eucalyptus Globulus supports unclogs sinus and stuffy nose. Rosemary and German Chamomile have soothing properties to help with headaches and migraines.

Frequently Asked Questions When Making Homemade Shower Steamers

Why are my shower steamers crumbling?

The homemade shower steamers are a relatively easy recipe to follow. However, for beginners, it might be a challenge to get the right consistency. Shower steamers will crumble if you do not add enough witch hazel or water to the dry ingredients.

If you add too much witch hazel or water, there is a risk the shower steamers will be activated before you are ready to use them.

Can you use fragrance oils in shower steamers?

Yes and no. Fragrance oils do not have the same benefits as essential oils. Fragrance oil is designed to mimic the scent of flowers or citrus, for example. As an avid use of Young Living Essential Oil, I recommend making your DIY shower melts using essential oil as the benefit outweighs the price tag.

Are shower steamers safe?

Shower steamers are safe to be used by adults and children. The essential will have no direct contact with the skin, and you can use it safely without diluting the oils first.

The shower steamer is bubbling up. What can I do now?

You probably add too much witch hazel or water to the mixture. Just pop it back into the glass bowl, add baking soda, and keep pressing until you get the correct texture.

What is the difference between Shower Melts and Bath Bombs?

Shower melts can be used in the shower and will not have direct contact with your skin, and you will benefit from breathing the scents while showering.

Bath bombs require a bathtub, soaking your body with the goodness to benefit from it.

How much essential oil do I put in a shower steamer? Can I Use More than the recipe?

Yes, you can add more if you find the scent is not as strong as you like it. As there will be no direct contact of the shower steamers with your body, you do not have to worry if the essential oil might irritate your skin.

Shower Steamer Recipe

Eucalyptus Shower Steamer Recipe

1 cup of baking soda
½ cup of citric acid
⅓ cup arrowroot powder
⅛ cup kaolin clay
20-25 drops of Eucalyptus Globulus
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle
Dried flower petals (optional)

DIY Shower Steamers without Citric Acid

1 cup of baking soda
10 drops Peppermint essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Eucalyptus Globulus essential oil
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle

Inspiring Morning

1 cup of baking soda
½ cup of citric acid
⅓ cup arrowroot powder
⅛ cup kaolin clay
15 drops Lemon
10 drops Peppermint
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle

Relaxing Night

1 cup of baking soda
½ cup of citric acid
⅓ cup arrowroot powder
⅛ cup kaolin clay
15 drops Lavender
10 drops Vanilla
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle

Kids Friendly Shower Melts

1 cup of baking soda
½ cup of citric acid
⅓ cup arrowroot powder
⅛ cup kaolin clay
20-25 drops Lavender or Spearmint
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle

Bye-bye Congestion

1 cup of baking soda
½ cup of citric acid
⅓ cup arrowroot powder
⅛ cup kaolin clay
10 drops Lavender
15 drops Eucalyptus Globulus
Witch hazel/water in a spray bottle

Please click here to download the recipe card.

Check out my other DIY recipes too

If you feel like owning a readymade other than DIY shower steamers, you can get it below. Furthermore, click here to learn more about sugar scrubs. :