Looking for a way to create a spa experience at home? Try this easy recipe for DIY Shower Bombs. Whether you are looking for a calming scent before bed or an energizing scent to start your day, shower steamers are a wonderful way to add a little aromatherapy to your life.
Tis the season. Unfortunately, I’m not talking about Christmas, I’m talking about cold & flu season. Both my daughter and I are starting to feel colds coming on. I’ve currently got a sore throat, and I know pretty soon I’ll be blowing my nose, hardly able to breathe… My daughter is in the same spot, so I thought I’d try making an easy shower steamers recipe that we can toss in a warm shower, allowing the scent of eucalyptus and peppermint to soothe.
What You Need to Make Homemade Shower Bombs
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Ingredients Needed for DIY Shower Steamers
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Essential Oil– See below for a variety of essential oil combinations you can use for various needs. I am using both Peppermint and Eucalyptus in this recipe, but you can also try a blend created to ease breathing. (Not sure where to buy essential oils? Check out this post.)
- Citric Acid– (Optional) I typically do not add citric acid to my shower bombs, however, if you are finding your shower steamers are crumbling or dissolving too quickly in the shower, you can add citric acid to get a harder shower bomb.
Supplies Needed for DIY Shower Bombs
- Glass Mixing Bowl– When working with essential oils, it is always best to use glass vs plastic.
- Silicone Mold– I used a mini muffin mold for this shower bomb recipe, but you can also use a silicone soap mold for more decorative shower steamers.
- Spray Bottle– (Optional) Aspray bottle allows for better control over how much water is added to the mixture
- Air-Tight Container– for storage
How To Make Shower Steamers At Home
Pour one cup baking soda into a bowl along with 1/3 cup Citric Acid*(optional).
* I have used Citric Acid in other “bombs” I have made: both toilet bombs and garbage disposal bombs, however, I have never added it to my shower bombs recipe. The addition of citric acid tends to create a harder texture to the shower steamers which may reduce the likelihood of crumbling.
Then add in 20-30 drops of essential oil and stir those in. (I used both Peppermint and Eucalyptus in equal amounts; 10-15 drops of each). Stir the mixture until well combined.
Slowly add water until the mixture forms moist clumps. (I know the word “moist” is disliked by many; add it to the word clumps, and it’s even worse. Sorry about that). While you can slowly pour water into the mixture, I have found that using a spray bottle allows for better control over how much water you’re adding. Note that the mixture may still appear powdery in the bowl, but if it holds its shape when squeezed, it’s ready. (If you happen to add a bit too much water, simply add in a little more baking soda to get the correct consistency.)
Once the mixture holds its shape when squeezed (as seen above) press the mixture into the a silicone mold, and allow it to completely dry at room temperature. This will take anywhere from 12-48 hours (depending on the temperature and humidity level in your home).
Once thoroughly dried, pop the shower steamers out of the mold and store them in an airtight container. I always like to add a label so people know what they are 🙂
When you are ready to use your shower bombs, simply place one (or two) bombs in the corner of the shower. As the hot water flows, it will slowly “melt” the bomb, releasing the aroma.
I sure hope you avoid the germs of the season, but if you happen to catch a little bug, go ahead and give these shower steamers a try.
Other Shower Steamer Recipes to Try
Energizing Shower Steamers
10-15 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil combined with 10-15 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
Calming Shower Bombs
30 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
Common Questions About DIY Shower Bombs
What Should I Do If My Shower Steamers Are Crumbly?
Shower Bombs can become crumbly if there wasn’t enough liquid added to the recipe. Unfortunately, if they become crumbly after drying, there isn’t much you can do with the current batch; just know more water should be added to future batches. As mentioned above, you can also try adding 1/3 cup citric acid to the baking soda which tends reduce the likelihood of a crumbly texture.
What Should I Do If My Shower Bombs Don’t Have A Lot of Scent?
I have made shower bombs with certain essential oils that don’t give off much scent (or the scent reduces over time). There are two options to create a stronger scent. The first option is to add more essential oil when making your shower bombs (go with 40-50 drops instead of 20-30). If the shower bombs have lost their scent after being made, you can add a couple drops of essential oil to the top of the shower bomb to refresh the scent.
How you store your shower steamers is also important. Make sure they are stored at room temperature, in an airtight container, out of the sun.
Can I Add Color to This Shower Steamers Recipe?
You certainly can add color to your shower bombs recipe using pigmented mica powder. I have never done this, however, it seems to be a common practice. From my research, it looks like you would add about 1/4 teaspoon to the baking soda/citric acid mixture if you’d like to give it a try.
How Long Do the Shower Steamers Last in the Shower?
I recommend putting the shower steamer in the corner, on the shower floor. The steamer needs water to dissolve and release the scent, but you don’t want it to be hit directly or it will dissolve to quickly. The shower steamer placed out of direct water flow should last through a short shower.
What is the Shelf Life of Homemade Shower Steamers?
I wouldn’t expect homemade shower bombs to “go bad” necessarily; the bigger issue is the loss of scent over time. I would try to use them within 6 months of making them for optimal “scent factor”. If you don’t think you’ll use them that quickly, you can also make a half-batch.
Can I Use Shower Bombs as Bath Bombs?
No. Shower bombs would dissolve so quickly in a tub full of water, it wouldn’t be worth it. Use shower steamers in the shower and bath bombs in the tub 🙂
DIY Shower Steamers (Shower Bombs)
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Baking Soda
- ⅓ Cup Citric Acid Optional
- 20-30 Drops Essential Oil
Supplies
- Glass Mixing Bowl
- Silicone Mold
- Spray Bottle (optional)
- Airtight Container for Storage
Instructions
- Start by adding baking soda and citric acid (optional) to a glass mixing bowl
- Add 20-30 drops of essential oil to and thoroughly stir the oils into the mixture
- Add enough water to create a mixture that holds its shape when squeezed in your hand. Using a spray bottle is helpful as you have more control over the amount of water added.
- When the mixture holds its shape, press the mixture into a silicone mold and allow it to dry at room temperature for 12-48 hours (depending on temperature and humidity levels)
- Once completely dry, pop the shower bombs out of the mold and store them in an airtight container until ready to use
Nikki says
When the mixture is put into the molds, it starts to rise like bread dough. Are you supposed to compress or leave it?
Tris says
How do you make Toilet & garbage disposal bombs?
Erin says
You can find our recipe for toilet bombs here and our garbage disposal bombs here.
Ursula says
Question for anyone reading this article and/or having made some shower steamers: Can I replace the essential oils with food extract flavouring? I think that vanilla and lemon extract would work just as well but want to know if anyone has done this and was it successful. It would be more economical as well. Thanks in advance.
Robin Lane says
Do they need to be covered while they dry out?
Erin says
I don’t cover mine, I just let them sit on the counter and air-dry.
Mary Tumey says
THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR GREAT EXAMPLES OF HOW TO MAKE LAUNDRY SOAP AND THE FABULOUS BATH BOMBS! IM SOO EXCITED TO TRY THE BATH BOMBS BUT DUE TO “THE STAY AT HOME ORDER BY OUR GOVERNOR”, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY MINI MUFFIN PANS, BUT I MADE THE LAUNDRY SOAP AND I STARTED MY FIRST LOAD!!!
Tianna Eddy says
Hello! Can you tell me how many this makes? Or how many cups of mix? thanks 🙂 Can’t wait to try it!
Erin says
Hi Tianna-
Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. I actually needed to make more of these for the winter season, so I decided to make them first so I could give to an accurate amount. Using the silicone mold linked to in the post, I was able to make a dozen shower bombs. Each mold is approximately 1 inch in diameter, just to give you a feel. Hope that helps.
Tianna Eddy says
Thank you so much. I appreciate it!
Susan says
I hope you and your daughter feel better before Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am looking forward to more posts from you in 2016!!
Erin says
Thanks Susan! We are both doing a whole lot better, and luckily were able to make it to all the Christmas festivities. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year!… well, in a few days. 🙂