DIY Shower Steamers

This time of year, I feel like almost everyone is fighting at least a little case of the sniffles! Between the dry winter air, colds and flus going around, and here in Denver *lots* of pollution, breathing isn’t as easy as it should be. And while I make a point to sleep with a humidifier on and add in extra immune support to stay healthy, sometimes I need a little extra help. And that is where these DIY Shower Steamers come in! They’re full of ingredients that will fizz up and let out scent to help with congestion.

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Now, how do they work? Essentially a shower steamer is a bath bomb for the shower. I do love a bath in the winter, but when I am fighting congestion, I want the hot water on my head, not just my body. They are fueled by the same fizzing action caused by a reaction between baking soda, citric acid, and water, but instead of seeping into the bath, they react with the shower’s water streams and release their essential oils into the steam in the shower, helping to target the sinuses! Breathing in certain essential oils diluted in that steam has been proven to aid in decongestion!

DIY Shower Steamers: Choosing Your Oils

I am partial to eucalyptus and lavender when it comes to shower steamers, but there are a lot of different essential oils and additives you can use!

• Eucalyptus Oil: This one smells amazing, and contains a natural organic compound called Cineole in high amounts (70-90%) that acts as a mucolytic (loosens mucus), a bronchodilator (helping to open your airways), and an anti-inflammatory, helping to thin mucus so it is easier to clear from your nasal passages (aka easier to blow your nose!)
• Lavender Essential Oil: While lavender is most known for its ability to help you sleep (which is necessary for healing!) it is also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Plus, that soothing its known for? It will help to sooth irritated nasal passages.
• Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint’s active ingredient is menthol, which is great for helping to open sinus and nasal passages. (The menthol essentially tricks your nose’s cold receptors into thinking that its cold making the body perceive more airflow. However, if you’re sensitive to peppermint, having it surround you in steam can feel a bit much!
• Tea Tree Essential oil: My mom (who is a master herbalist) recommends tea tree! Tea tree can help to reduce swelling, and the reason my mom recommends it for a sinus infection, is because it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. However, again, if you are sensitive, it is recommended that you keep steam sessions (like a shower) to ten minutes or under. Which, when I’m feeling stuffy, is not long enough for a shower!

DIY Shower Steamer Ingredients

DIY Shower Steamer Method

Combine the baking soda and citric acid in a wide, relatively shallow bowl. Sift together to combine well.

Add the essential oils and mix well.

Using the fine-mist spray bottle spray 2-3 sprays on the baking soda mixture at a time. It will fizz as the mixture gets wet. You want to use the least amount of moisture possible, so that the reaction when you use the shower steamer is the best it can be!

After each spray, mix the dry mixture and grab a handful and squeeze hard. If the handful falls apart, add more water. Once a handful of the mixture keeps its shape, you’re ready to build your steamers!

In the cells of a silicone mold (I use a muffin-top mold) sprinkle a bit of the eucalyptus leaves and lavender buds.

Working with a couple of spoonfuls at a time, add the mixture to the silicone mold using a spoon to press the mixture down after each spoonful. You are building solid bricks. Fill, smash, fill smash, repeat. Pay special attention to the sides of the mold so they don’t crumble.

Once the molds are filled to the top, spray the back of the spoon with a small amount of water. Use the spoon’s back to smooth the top of each shower steamer. The water will help ‘seal’ the side of the shower steamer that is exposed to the air and allow it to harden.

Let dry for at least 24 hours, or until when you press a finger into the top of the shower steamers, they’re hard and hold their shape. Remove from the molds and store in a cool, dry place. Best within 6 months but can be kept up to a year!

To Use: Place a shower steamer on the floor of the shower right underneath the shower’s stream. As the water hits the steamer it will release scent!

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