DIY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

Learn how to make these simple DIY aromatherapy shower steamers with simple ingredients, scented with your favorite combination of essential oils!

These shower steamers are great to have in the fall and winter months to help open up nasal passageways when the family has colds.

I find  it unbelievably relaxing and helpful to stand  in the shower  when my nose  is stuffy and throw one of these steamers in the corner of the tub as I shower.  They slowly dissolve and release their aroma while I wash up.

Though they are kind of similar to  bath  bombs, they aren’t exactly the same.

Unlike a bath bomb, you don’t want to put oils or melted butters in them  to hold  them together.  Doing that would make the shower floor slippery, which is not what you want to do at all.

Like bath bombs, these can be a little tricky to make. I actually think they are a lot easier because they require far less ingredients  (and less liquid!)

If you make these and don’t get the desired end result, don’t panic  – you can still use the steamers that don’t turn out. And learn from your mistakes and make another batch. Eventually you will get a better feel for them and feel comfortable making them.

Essential Oils in Shower Steamers

Consider using essential oils in  your shower steamer for aroma-therapeutic benefits. There are a few essential oils that would be wonderful options:

Lemon – clears a sluggish mind and helps promote alertness

Spearmint – a stimulant, also promotes positive emotions

Eucalyptus – clears the mind and helps improve focus

Orange  – promotes positive emotions and serves as a stimulant

If you are using essential oils, I highly recommend the Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Worwood. 

If you are expecting or have little children, it’s best to invest in this additional book by Debra Raybern as well.

How to Make Shower Steamers

Making shower steamers is quite similar to making bath bombs – with one exception. Avoid using shower steamers as bath bombs – simply because there is a higher concentration of essential oils in shower steamers that would not be suitable for use in a bath.

• 1 C. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp kaolin clay, rose clay (pink), French green clay (green) or even Rhassoul Clay (light brown)
• 1/2 C. non-GMO citric acid
• Witch Hazel in a small, glass spray bottle
• Metal bath bomb molds

Don’t have clay?

Feel free to substitute 1 Tbsp of arrowroot powder – though I can’t attest that this will result in the same outcome.

The clay helps to give the shower steamers some structure and hold them together. Kaolin clay is one of the most cost effective clays you can pick up  – find it on Amazon. Use it to make your own facial masks, as well as in your DIY deodorant as well.

Get started by stirring the citric acid, baking soda and clay together. Work out all the lumps with your fingers – you want a fine powder.

Add your essential oils, slowly, over the top  of the mixture. Gloves may be appropriate to avoid the high concentration of essential oils.  Spray the powdery mixture with witch hazel. 

I like to use a small, brown glass spray bottle – it took me 70 sprays with my small, glass spray bottle. You want the mixture to squeeze together into a ball without crumbling.

Pack the powder into metal bath bomb mold halves very firmly, then turn out  onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Allow them to dry before using (6-10 hours). 

*If you are using a silicone mold, you’ll want to keep them in the mold overnight until they are dry enough to pop out.

Once your  shower steamers are dry, you’ll want to tuck them a way into an enclosed bag or jar and keep in a dry area. If they remain in the open, exposed to air, the scent  of the essential oil will dissipate.

In that case, you may need to add a drop or two of oil to the top before your shower.

To Use Shower Steamers

Place the steamer in the far corner of your shower or tub when bathing. They will melt and fizz and soon you will smell the scent of the essential oil.

Even if your steamers didn’t turn out 100% perfect, you can still use them in the shower.

Tips & Notes:

• Not enough witch hazel? Your bath bomb will be a crumbly mess when you remove from the mold.
• Too much witch hazel? Your bath bomb will crack when you remove it from the mold, or show cracks as it dries on the parchment paper.

Using a spritz bottle may help you add just enough witch hazel to your mixture before packing into the molds.