Shower steamers elevate the ordinary act of showering into a rejuvenating sensory experience. In this guide, explore the diverse aromatherapy benefits of using shower steamers infused with essential oils and discover the step-by-step process to craft your own personalized DIY shower steamers! Opting for homemade steamers with natural scents triumphs over mass-produced alternatives laden with synthetic fragrances.
Transform your routine shower into an invigorating aromatherapy session! These natural scents can induce relaxation or provide an energy boost, enhancing the overall shower experience. Crafting your own shower tablets ensures quality and allows customization, making them delightful personalized gifts tailored to the recipient’s preferences
what are shower steamers
A Shower steamer is basically a bath bomb you use in a shower. They are also referred to as shower bombs, shower fizzies, shower melts or shower tablets. When using them, toxin-free scent is released during a shower.
How they Work
“Position the shower fizzy adjacent to the tub or near the shower drain. As the warm water cascades from the shower head, it gradually dissolves the steamer tablet. The ensuing reaction initiates a fizzing effect, allowing the steamer to melt away. This dissolution releases the aromatic essence of essential oils into the shower steam, which is then inhaled.
These chemical-free scents, diffused through the steam, offer a spectrum of benefits, from relaxation and stress relief to energizing and invigorating effects. Essentially, your shower metamorphoses into an aromatherapeutic oasis, delivering the restorative properties of therapeutic oils in a luxurious spa-like encounter.”
Benefits of Using Essential Oil Shower Steamers
Aromatherapy for Skin: Essential oils, like lavender or tea tree oil, possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially benefiting skin health when inhaled during a shower.
Stress Reduction: Reduced stress levels can positively impact skin health by minimizing stress-related skin issues such as acne breakouts or irritation.
Enhanced Relaxation: Stress reduction through aromatherapy can lead to better sleep quality, contributing to improved skin health and a refreshed complexion.
Hydration: Certain essential oils, when inhaled, can promote relaxation, potentially minimizing stress-induced dehydration effects on the skin.
Calming Skin Irritation: Essential oils like chamomile or rose can have soothing properties that may alleviate skin irritation or sensitivity.
Antioxidant Effects: Some essential oils boast antioxidant properties that, when inhaled, may indirectly support skin health by combating free radicals.
Mood Enhancement: Improved mood and reduced stress can positively impact skin health, creating a more vibrant and glowing complexion.
Customized Skin Support: Tailoring essential oil blends in DIY shower steamers allows for personalized choices that target specific skin concerns, such as acne, dryness, or dullness.
Detoxification: Certain essential oils, like eucalyptus or peppermint, have purifying qualities that may aid in the detoxification process, potentially benefiting skin health.
Overall Well-Being: Aromatherapy-induced relaxation during shower time contributes to holistic well-being, indirectly influencing skin health by promoting overall health and vitality.
step-by-step process: How to Make Shower Steamers
Creating DIY aromatherapy shower steamers proves simple and hassle-free. These require less sodium bicarbonate for fizzing action, streamlining the process. Here’s a guided walkthrough along with visual aids to craft your own shower bombs, whether for personal use or as thoughtful gifts for loved ones, ensuring an indulgent shower experience.
Time: This project typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete, followed by a few hours of drying time.
Yield: The recipe yields approximately 8 standard cupcake liner-sized tablets, each about ½ to ¾ inches thick.
You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
- Corn starch or arrowroot powder
- Essential oils
- Witch hazel (or water)
- Lavender buds or other dried flower petals for decorative touches. Alternatively, dessert sprinkles, colored sugar, or mica powder add playful options that rinse away easily.
Instructions:
- Combine the dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the mixture is free of any clumps. Incorporate your preferred essential oil scents.
- Gradually mist witch hazel while mixing until achieving a consistency akin to damp sand. Add only enough liquid to allow the mixture to clump in your hand when squeezed – no more than that.
- Press the prepared mixture firmly into molds or lined muffin tins. Allow them to air dry until firm, then carefully remove from the molds for complete drying before storage.
How to Store
To properly store your DIY shower steamers for long-lasting freshness and usability, follow these simple steps:
Choose an Airtight Container: Opt for an airtight storage solution like a mason jar, airtight plastic bags, or shrink wrap. Ensure the container effectively seals out moisture and air.
Place in a Dry Area: Store the container in a dry area away from direct sunlight and moisture. Exposure to moisture may cause the steamers to activate prematurely or degrade.
Label and Date: Consider labeling the container with the contents and the date of creation. This helps in tracking freshness and ensures you use them within a reasonable timeframe.
Gift Preparation: Airtight storage not only prolongs the shelf life but also preserves their readiness as potential gifts. Seal them well, ensuring they’re gift-ready whenever needed.
how to use shower steamers
Using shower steamers is simple and can transform your shower into a spa-like experience:
Place Strategically: Position the shower steamer at the corner or near the drain, ensuring it’s within the direct line of water but not directly under it. This allows the steamers to dissolve gradually.
Activate with Water: As the hot water cascades down during your shower, it activates the steamer. The steam and water droplets dissolve the tablet, releasing the aromatic essential oils into the shower space.
Inhale and Enjoy: Breathe deeply and inhale the fragrant steam to experience the therapeutic effects of the essential oils. Take slow, deep breaths, allowing the aromas to soothe, invigorate, or relax your senses.
Adjust Placement: Depending on your preference for a stronger or subtler scent, adjust the steamer’s placement or the amount of water splashing onto it.
Complete Your Shower: Allow the aromatic steam to envelop you during your shower, creating a spa-like ambiance. Continue your shower routine as usual, benefitting from the relaxing or invigorating effects of the essential oils.
Clean-Up: Once your shower is complete, any residue from the steamer should easily rinse away. These steamers are designed to dissolve and leave no residue behind.
Which Essential Oils to Use in an Aromatherapy Shower Steamer Recipe
The choice of oils used in your shower steamer plays a significant role in its effectiveness. To ensure optimal benefits, it’s crucial to utilize pure essential oils for scenting. Synthetic fragrance oils might smell pleasant, but they lack the therapeutic advantages of aromatherapy and may contain chemicals. It’s best to stick with natural oils for the intended effects.
When targeting cold symptoms, crafting an aromatherapy shower steamer blend with oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint, lavender, thyme, tea tree, and camphor can be incredibly beneficial. A tried-and-true homemade shower steamer recipe specifically designed for decongestion is available for reference.
Here are some suggestions to create your own personalized essential oil blend or refer to the printable recipe card:
Energizing Morning Oils:
Peppermint essential oil: Offers a refreshing menthol scent and aids in morning pep and focus.
Citrus oils (lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit): All possess a bright and energizing quality, perfect for mornings.
Rose oil: Renowned for mood enhancement and a pleasant fragrance.
Morning Blend Example:
A blend utilized in the video (halved for the steamer batch):
20 drops lemon oil
15 drops lemongrass oil
Himalayan salt (sprinkled generously throughout during molding)
Relaxing Bedtime Oils:
French or English lavender oil: Renowned for its soothing and stress-relieving aroma, aiding in inducing sleep.
Lemongrass oil: Known for potentially reducing anxiety and enhancing sleep duration.
Eucalyptus oil: Calming and effective in relieving tension, also beneficial for congestion and allergies.
For a romantic touch, consider using an aphrodisiac essential oil in your shower steamers.
What is the Difference Between a Shower Steamer and Bath Bomb?
| Shower Steamer | Bath Bomb |
|---|---|
| Designed for Use in Showers | Designed for Use in Baths |
| Activated by Shower Water | Activated by Bathwater |
| Releases Aroma in Shower Steam | Releases Oils in Bathwater |
| Provides Aromatherapy Benefits | Offers Relaxation & Skin Benefits |
| Dissolves Gradually in Shower | Dissolves Completely in Bath |
| Intended for Inhalation | Intended for Whole Body Soaking |
| Typically Smaller in Size | Often Larger for Bath Experience |
| Aims to Enhance Shower Experience | Aimed at Enhancing Bath Experience |
Benefits of Salt in Shower Bombs
Utilizing salt in shower bombs might not offer as extensive benefits as salt baths, but it does contribute positively. Similar to rock salt lamps emitting refreshing negative air ions, the interaction of hot shower water with salt in the tablet can create a delightful spa-like ambiance, enhancing the overall shower experience.
Gifting DIY Shower Steamers
Creating DIY shower steamers presents an excellent gifting opportunity. Whether presenting a batch of these shower steamers or curating a gift basket with other handmade items like a sugar body scrub or a simple melt & pour soap, recipients will appreciate the thoughtfulness behind such a lovingly crafted homemade gift set. To ensure the freshness of these shower steamers, proper sealing in airtight packaging is essential, and embellishing the gift basket with candles, ribbons, or dried flower petals can add an extra touch of care.
Addressing Bubbling During Drying
In case your shower steamers start to bubble up while drying, there’s no need for alarm. This occurrence could be due to excess liquid added or environmental humidity. A simple remedy involves pressing down on the steamer using the back of a spoon to flatten it. While this might reduce the fizz, it won’t significantly impact their functionality, unlike bath bombs.
Shower Steamer Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
¼ cup corn starch
30-35 drops of essential oil or blend
Witch hazel (sprayed on)
Dried flowers, candy sprinkles, or sea salt crystals (optional for topping)
Instructions:
Mix baking soda, citric acid, and corn starch. Add essential oils.
Mist the powder mixture with witch hazel while stirring until it clumps in your hand.
Fill molds with the shower steamer mixture, pressing down firmly. Add decorations to the bottom of the mold before filling, if desired.
Air dry the shower steamers thoroughly, then store in airtight packaging or a sealed jar to maintain the fragrance.
Notes:
Yields 8 tablets as shown, but the actual yield varies based on mold size.
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Can you make shower steamers with fragrance oil?
Yes, you can use fragrance oils, but they may not offer aromatherapy benefits like essential oils.
Is citric acid necessary for shower steamers?
Citric acid contributes to the fizzing reaction in steamers and helps maintain their structural integrity.
Can I use vinegar instead of citric acid?
Vinegar might not have the same properties as citric acid in shower steamers and could alter the final product’s effectiveness.
What can I substitute for citric acid in shower steamers?
Tartaric acid or cream of tartar are potential substitutes, but they might affect the fizzing action differently.
How do you make your own citric acid?
Citric acid is typically produced commercially and isn’t easily made at home.
Is apple cider vinegar a citric acid?
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, not citric acid.
Why use witch hazel in shower steamers?
Witch hazel is often used as a binding agent and helps maintain the shape of shower steamers.
What does citric acid do in shower steamers?
Citric acid initiates the fizzing reaction when exposed to water, creating the effervescent effect in steamers.
How much citric acid do I put in my shower steamer?
The amount varies, but a common ratio is about 2 parts baking soda to 1 part citric acid.
Can you make shower steamers without citric acid?
You can try alternative acids, but they might not replicate the exact fizzing effect of citric acid.
Can I use Epsom salt as a shower steamer?
Epsom salt might not create the fizzing reaction but can be used for other benefits in a steamer.
What is the point of a shower steamer?
Shower steamers release aromatherapy scents, promoting relaxation or invigoration during showers.
How does a steamer work in a shower?
The hot water activates the steamer, releasing scents into the steam for inhalation.
Are shower steamers any good?
They’re appreciated for their aromatherapy benefits and turning a regular shower into a spa-like experience.
What effect do shower steamers have?
They offer aromatherapy benefits, potentially aiding relaxation or invigoration.
How long do shower steamers last in the shower?
Typically, one steamer lasts for a single shower.
Do shower steamers last more than one shower?
Generally, steamers are designed for one-time use per tablet.
Can you use shower steamers more than once?
They are typically intended for single-use.
Are shower steamers better than shower bombs?
Both offer different experiences; steamers release scents in showers, while bath bombs are for baths.