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DIY Baking Soda Shower Steamers For A Fresh Smell & Natural Relief

By Amanda Anthony
Shower head spraying water beeboys/Shutterstock

The common cold is never fun. While there's still no cure, many remedies have been invented to ease symptoms and offer relief. A steamy shower helps clear blocked sinuses, and adding plant extracts like eucalyptus oil is thought to loosen phlegm. The use of herbs and scented oils in cleansing water for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years to early Egypt and Babylonia. While over-the-counter products like UpNature Breathe shower steamers are available at Amazon for as little as $14.99, you can make your own relief with a few household items.

The bath and shower bomb as we know it today first came to light in 1989 when Mo Constantine, co-founder of Lush Cosmetics, was inspired by fizzy Alka Seltzer tablets. One of the amazing things about Lush is its use of natural ingredients. With this DIY, you can make a homemade shower steamer by baking a mixture of baking soda, water, and essential oils into compacted disc shapes. The original product included citric acid and French lavender, but it's completely customizable. Of all the ways you can use eucalyptus essential oil in your home, this is one of the most satisfying. Check out this crafty recipe for a revitalizing personal care product that will help clear your sinuses.

Mixing and forming homemade shower steamers

@bite

If you’re trying to fit more self-care into your life, you have to try this. You’ve heard of bath bombs, but have you tried shower steamers? Turn your next shower into an aromatherapy spa with this super simple recipe 👇YOU’LL NEED: • 1 Cup Baking Soda • 15-20 Drops Essential Oils • Oven-safe silicone molds • Muffin tin (if using a cupcake mold) • Mixing bowl • Water ✍️ HOW TO: 1️⃣ Mix baking soda and essential oils together. 2️⃣ Then slowly add in water until you get the consistency of wet sand. 3️⃣ Spoon the mixture into your molds and smooth everything down. 4️⃣ Bake for 15-20 mins or until the steamers are hardened and dried out. 5️⃣ Place on a rack to cool completely and then store in an air-tight container. 🚿 To use, place at the edge of your shower, away from the water stream, and enjoy a few minutes of aromatherapy as your steamer melts away. A FEW TIPS: 👉 Many shower steamer recipes contain extra ingredients like citric acid (to get it to foam up), epsom salt, or witch hazel. We made this recipe super simple so anyone can try! 👉 Play around with different essential oils. Try eucalyptus and peppermint for congestion, lavender for relaxation, or citrus scents for invigoration. The possibilities are endless! 👉 If you want even more aroma, feel free to add a few extra drops to the top of your steamer before placing in the shower. #selfcare #shower #showerhack #diy #diybeauty #showersteamer #aromatherapy #easydiy

♬ Chrissy - Dreamkid

Whether you're looking to create the perfect spa-like bathroom experience or you hope to relieve congestion, this is a simple and affordable solution. To craft your DIY shower fizzers, all you need is a box of baking soda, which you can grab at Walmart for $0.92, water, a muffin tin, and essential oils. For cold relief, eucalyptus drops, like the ones sold at Amazon for $8.99, are a great choice. With these supplies ready, it's time to shape your steamers. 

Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit, and mix 1 cup of baking soda and ½ a cup of water in a bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of lined muffin tins. TikTok user bite used silicone liners so the tabs wouldn't stick. You can get some for yourself at Amazon for $6.99. Next, bake for 15 minutes, cool, and add three drops of essential oil to each pod. Alternatively, you can stir 15 to 20 drops of oil into the mixture before forming the tabs. When you're ready to use one, place it on the shower floor, turn on the hot spray, and relax as the natural aromas invigorate your daily bathing routine. If you're looking for ways to create the perfect peaceful shower space and relieve sinus congestion at the same time, this could be it. Try making your own effervescent steamers in a variety of scents for different moods and purposes.

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