Learn how to make stress relief shower streamers. Also called shower melts, these are like a bath bomb for the shower. It turns your shower into an aromatherapy spa with lemon and lavender essential oils.
Raise your hand if you feel stressed.
I see a lot of hands. As I type this, we are in well into 2020, and the holiday season is fast approaching.
It's a safe bet that we could all use some stress relief shower streamers right now. These also make great gifts.
As far as a DIY goes, these are fairly easy to make. They aren't quite as finicky as a bath bomb, and you really don't need a special mold.
You will need some common kitchen ingredients and some essential oils. Make several and place them in a mason jar or bag to gift to someone who could use some stress relief.
Teachers come to mind. Or friends. Or family. I mean, who wouldn't want the gift of stress relief?
How to Make Stress Relief Shower Steamers
What are Shower Steamers?
Shower steamers are sometimes called shower soothers or shower melts. They are similar to a bath bomb with the same ingredients, but they are made just for the shower.
As they melt, the essential oils turn your shower into an aromatherapy spa. You'll use a higher concentration of essential oils than you would for a bath bomb, so these are not for use in the bathtub.
Learn how to use essential oils in the shower for more ways to have an aromatherapy shower. You can also make an essential oil shower mist.
Where Should a Steamer Be Placed in a Shower?
For best results, wet this stress relief shower steamer slightly to activate it. Then place it at the end of the shower and where it won't get directly hit by the water.
If it's directly under the water, it will activate quickly and won't last as long.
Why Use Citric Acid in a Shower Steamer?
When citric acid and baking soda are exposed to water, they release carbon dioxide gas. This is what creates the fizzing.
The arrowroot powder or cornstarch is there to slow down the reaction so the shower steamer lasts longer.
Do You Need Citric Acid for a Shower Steamer?
No, you don't. However, baking soda and citric acid create the fizzing action when they get wet.
The fizzing isn't as important in a shower steamer as in a bath bomb, so you can omit it. You can follow this shower melt recipe without citric acid and change the essential oils.
How Long Do Shower Bombs Last?
This stress relief shower bombs will last on the shelf for about 6 months. For best results, store them in air tight container.
Moisture and humidity in the air can activate them. Do not store in the bathroom because of the high moisture levels.
Arrowroot Powder or Corn Starch
Most shower steamer recipes call for cornstarch. I don't use cornstarch because it's nearly all made with GMO corn.
Instead, I use arrowroot powder for DIY beauty recipes and for cooking.
You can use either in this recipe. I don't notice a difference between the two. Yes, I have tested using cornstarch to see what the difference is even though I don't prefer to use it.
You can also use tapioca flour, but I have not tested it.
No matter which one you use, it's used to decrease the reaction of the citric acid and baking soda. Without it, your stress relief shower melt will fizz too quickly.
Essential Oils
There are many essential oils that are said to promote stress relief. I used lemon essential oil and lavender essential oil to make these stress relief shower steamers.
I really like lemon and lavender together. You can also add peppermint essential oil if you're feeling spunky. I use that in my diffuser for allergies.
Lemon essential oil is uplifting. It's used for clarity and to promote happiness. Lavender essential oil is often used for calming. And they smell wonderful together.
You can also use one of the following oils or use them in a blend;
- Ylang ylang essential oil
- Bergamot essential oil
- German chamomile essential oil
- Ho wood essential oil
- Clary safe essential oil
For a premade blend, I also really like Peace and Quiet, Good Vibes, and Tranquility. I use both often in an essential oil roller bottle.
I used spearmint essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil in my stress relief bath salts recipe.
Coconut Oil
I don't always add coconut oil to my shower steamers, but I did with this stress relief shower steamers recipe.
Since coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, it will help these shower melts keep their shape.
Lavender Buds and Lemon Zest
I added both lavender buds and lemon zest to make them pretty. You can omit these if you want. You can use food coloring or mica to color them, but watch because food coloring can activate the fizzing.
For more information on natural ways to reduce stress, check out the Herbal Self-Care for Stress Management Course from The Herbal Academy.
For more shower melt recipes, check out these posts:
Stress Relief Shower Steamer Ingredients
- 2 cups arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1.5 cups baking soda
- 1 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
Tools and Supplies
- Half sphere mold
- Bowl
- Spoons
Directions
Step #1
Mix the baking soda, corn starch, and citric acid together.
Step #2
Melt and coconut oil. Slowly drizzle the melted coconut oil over the powders. Add in essential oils, lemon zest, and lavender flowers.
Step #3
Spritz with witch hazel and stir. Keep adding witch hazel until you can make a fist with the mixture in your hand it holds it shape.
Step #4
Press into your mold. Let dry overnight.
To use, place one in the shower away from direct contact with the water. It will slowly dissolve and release the essential oils.
Stress Relief Shower Steamers
materials:
- 2 cups arrowroot powder or corn starch
- 1.5 cups baking soda
- 1 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
tools:
- Half sphere molds
- Bowl
- Spoons
steps:
- Mix the baking soda, corn starch, and citric acid together.
- Melt and coconut oil. Slowly drizzle the melted coconut oil over the powders. Add in essential oils, lemon zest, and lavender flowers.
- Spritz with witch hazel and stir. Keep adding witch hazel until you can make a fist with the mixture in your hand it holds it shape.
- Press into your mold. Let dry overnight.
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