Turn your shower into a treat with these DIY shower steamers

Who says baths are the best way to relax? 

A soak in the tub is a marvelous way to de-stress, but what if you could turn your shower into a spa-worthy experience? Now you can, thanks to our latest creation: DIY shower steamers! You use these homemade steamers much like a bath bomb. Pop one into the corner of your shower, before turning it on. The humidity will cause the steamer to dissolve, releasing its wonderful scent, for an exhilarating aromatherapy experience complete with the benefits of essential oils.

Tempted yet? Just wait until you hear how easy they are to make. The basic recipe calls for only three ingredients, which you scent as you choose. Would you like your showers to be peaceful havens? Or for your morning rinse to energize you for the day with a refreshing aroma? Follow the seasons and your tastes! There’s a world of possibilities, which is one reason why we really love this recipe.

These DIY shower steamers are so wonderful and simple, we wonder why we didn’t think of them sooner. Read on to learn how to make your own!

How to make your own shower steamers 

Ingredients

• 244 g baking soda 
• 130 g citric acid
• 40 g arrowroot starch
• 18 g essential oils of your choosing
• A spray bottle with demineralized, filtered, or distilled water, or the hydrosol of your choosing

Tools

• Pair of gloves
• Scale, accurate to 0.1 g
• Components to make a double boiler
• Large stainless steel bowl (24 cm)
• A few spoons
• A few pipettes
• Small individual molds

Good to know!

• The baking soda, citric acid, and arrowroot starch mixture serves as the base for these DIY shower steamers. This mixture allows the essential oils to diffuse. 
• You can choose your own essential oils to give your homemade shower steamers the benefits you’re looking for. Here are a few examples:
  • Invigorating: eucalyptus radiata, ravintsara, or rosemary ct cineole 
  • Relaxing: true lavender, ylang-ylang, or chamomile (10%) 
  • Inspiring boost: pink grapefruit, sweet orange, or bergamot

Suggested essential oil combos to try in your shower steamer recipe

For sinus-clearing freshness

• 4.5 g (25%) true lavender essential oil
• 9 g (50%) eucalyptus radiata essential oil
• 4.5 g (25%) peppermint essential oil

For a revitalizing rinse 

• 6 g (33%) sweet orange essential oil
• 6 g (33%) rose geranium essential oil
• 6 g (33%) peppermint essential oil

For a relaxing steam

• 9 g (50%) true lavender essential oil
• 9 g (50%) red mandarin essential oil

Steps to follow

1. Pour the baking soda, citric acid, and arrowroot starch into the large bowl. Mix to combine.
2. Add the essential oils of your choosing. Mix thoroughly to incorporate them into the powder base. 
3. Wearing gloves, gradually add water as follows: spritz the mixture five times, then mix well using your gloved hands. Spritz another five times with water and mix by hand again. Repeat until the mixture has the texture of wet sand. Be sure not to spritz the mixture more than five times at once, or it may foam up.
4. Transfer the mixture to the molds. Pack the mixture in well, tamping it down with your hands or a spoon. 
5. Leave at least 24 hours before unmolding. If the steamers are still not dry after 24 hours, wait until they are before unmolding. 

Use and conservation

One shower steamer will last one and a half showers. 

How to use your shower steamers: Place one steamer on the floor of your shower, in the corner or anywhere it won’t be directly hit by the shower stream. If it comes into direct contact with water, it will steam up very quickly and won’t last as long. Upon contact with humidity, the essential oils will diffuse their lovely scent. That’s when the magic happens! 

Store your homemade shower steamers in a dry place, ideally a sealed container. When made in optimal sanitary conditions, they will keep for two to six months, depending on their storage.