Treat yourself or someone you love to a spa-scented shower experience with easy-to-create “Shower Steamer” tablets. Shower steamers use all-natural salts (typically baking soda) and essential oils. These little aromatherapy pucks can turn your shower into a spa-like experience. It is a simple product made up of just a few household ingredients and your favorite essential oils. The tablets dissolve slowly as you shower to create a lasting aromatherapy experience and the warm steam helps diffuse the scent. You can select scents that will energize, relax, or help with seasonal congestion.

To use a shower steamer, place it on a shower shelf near your head or hang it in a cotton muslin bag from your shower head for a stronger diffusion. They can also be placed on the shower floor for a more subtle diffusion of scent.They are designed for the shower, so they are safer than using a bath bomb. Bath bombs often contain natural oils that can make your tub a bit slippery as they dissolve. Shower steamers are meant to dissolve completely and even help cleanse and deodorize your bathroom. You can also use them in your bath for a relaxing soak or in a foot bath to soften rough skin. Some people add citric acid powder to their steamers to give them a bit of “fizz” but that really is not necessary. Here are a few recipes for you to try. Enjoy and have fun experimenting with your favorite scents or blends at home.

Basic Shower Steamer

Makes approximately eight 1-oz. tablets.

Shower steamers are basically baking soda tablets that can be scented with your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend. Store them in a dry spot in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. The scent may fade after a few months but can easily be re-energized with the application of more essential oil(s). The tablets are baked so they can be used right away but if you wish to let them air dry you can do that. Just let them sit out for a few days in a warm spot until completely dry. Household items like mini-muffin tins, ice cube trays, or candy molds all make perfect tablet shapes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 /4 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
2. In a small bowl mix together the baking soda and water with a fork until well blended.
3. Using a spoon or small scoop place 1 Tbsp. of the mixture into the mold(s). Press firmly.
4. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool and remove from the mold. These are your shower steamers tablets.

To Use: Add 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil onto a steamer puck and place in your shower.

Pro Tips

• For a stronger scent place near your head on a shelf or hanging from your shower head. For a more subtle scent, place on the shower floor.
• You can also use a shower steamer tablet in the bath.

Invigorating Shower Steamers with Ginger & Lemon

Makes approximately eight 1-oz. tablets.

Ginger is often used in bath products as a “warming” herb as it can boost our senses and circulation. In the shower, its energizing scent pairs well with citrus or lemon and is the perfect way to start your day! You may use freshly grated ginger root or powdered ginger. Ginger essential oil added just before showering will give your tablets a bright energizing scent.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 /4 cup water
• 1 tsp. organic ginger root powder
• 1 /2 tsp. lemon zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
2. In a small bowl mix together the baking soda, water, ginger root powder, and lemon zest with a fork until well blended.
3. Follow steps 3-4 in basic shower steamer recipe.

To Use

Place 4-5 drops of organic fresh ginger essential oil onto a shower steamer and place in your shower.

Lavender Shower Steamers

Makes approximately eight 1-oz. tablets.

When it comes to a relaxing and healing scent nothing can compare to lavender. It has become a favorite for individuals wanting to relax and unwind after a long day. It also works well in the evening to help you sleep. You may add some fresh or dried lavender buds to your tablets and these make a lovely gift from your garden. You may also use in foot baths, as lavender will help soothe and soften tired feet.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 /4 cup water
• 1 tsp. dried organic lavender buds (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
2. In a small bowl mix together baking soda, water, and lavender buds with a fork until well blended.
3. Follow steps 3-4 in basic shower steamer recipe.

To Use: Place 4-5 drops of organic lavender essential oil onto a steamer puck and place in your shower.

Looking For More Fun Recipes From Janice?

Check Out These Natural Scalp Treatment Recipes From Her Book Natural Beauty from the Garden (Ogden 2018).

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