Shower Steamers with Eucalyptus and Menthol for Congestion

5 min read

Shower steamers turn an ordinary shower into a steam room with eucalyptus and menthol. Unlike bath bombs, steamers sit on the shower floor and release scented vapor as water splashes over them. The eucalyptus clears a stuffy nose, and the menthol adds a cool tingle that wakes you up. A batch of steamers costs little and makes a thoughtful gift for anyone with a cold.

Shower steamers use the same basic chemistry as bath bombs: baking soda and citric acid fizz when wet. The difference is the shape and the scent strength. Steamers need a strong scent because most of it escapes with the steam. Use pure essential oils, not fragrance oils, for a scent that feels clean and natural.

Ingredients and Safety

For twelve steamers you need

1 cup of baking soda
half a cup of citric acid
half a cup of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of eucalyptus essential oil
1 tablespoon of menthol crystals dissolved in the oil

Wear gloves when you handle citric acid and menthol, because both irritate skin and eyes. Work in a ventilated room and keep the mixture away from your face.

Use a silicone mold with round cavities, or a muffin tin lined with paper cases. A spray bottle of witch hazel or water binds the mixture. Add the liquid a few sprays at a time: too much liquid starts the fizz early and ruins the batch. Keep pets out of the room while you work with essential oils.

Mixing the Steamer Dough

Whisk the baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch together in a large bowl until no lumps remain. Break up any clumps of citric acid with a fork, because lumps make weak spots in the finished steamer. Stir the menthol crystals into the eucalyptus oil until they dissolve, then pour the oil into the dry mixture and stir quickly.

Spray the mixture with witch hazel, three sprays at a time, stirring after each round. The mixture is ready when it clumps together if you squeeze a handful, like damp sand. If it crumbles, add two more sprays. If it fizzes, you added too much liquid; work fast and press it into the mold before it weakens.

Molding and Drying

Press the mixture firmly into each mold cavity, packing it down hard with your thumbs. A loosely packed steamer crumbles in the shower. Fill each cavity slightly above the rim, then press a flat lid or a second mold on top to compact it. Let the steamers dry in the molds for 24 hours in a dry room.

Pop the steamers out of the molds and check that they feel hard and dry. If a steamer cracks, crumble it back into the bowl, add a few sprays of witch hazel, and press it again. Store finished steamers in an airtight jar away from moisture. Damp air softens them and dulls the scent.

Using Shower Steamers

Place one steamer on the shower floor away from the direct stream of water. A corner of the shower works well. The splashes release scented steam without dissolving the steamer in one minute. One steamer lasts for a full shower, and a strong one scents the bathroom for an hour after.

Do not stand on the steamer, because the oils make the shower floor slippery. Rinse the shower floor after use to remove any oily residue. With a jar of homemade steamers on hand, every shower can feel like a spa visit.

Scent Blends for Shower Steamers

Eucalyptus and menthol are a classic pair, but other blends suit different moods. Lavender and chamomile make a calming steamer for an evening shower. Peppermint and rosemary make a brisk morning steamer that wakes you up. Lemon and tea tree make a fresh steamer that suits a summer shower. Keep each blend to two oils so the scent stays clear instead of muddy.

Start with a total of 3 tablespoons of essential oil per batch of twelve steamers. Use 2 tablespoons of the main oil and 1 tablespoon of the supporting oil. Too much oil weakens the steamer and leaves the shower floor slippery. Too little oil leaves the steamer faint. Write each blend on the jar label so you can repeat the ones you love.

For a gift set, make three blends in three colors: a blue lavender steamer, a green peppermint steamer, and a yellow lemon steamer. Pack four of each in a jar with a label for each scent. A set of scented steamers makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves a long shower.

For a stronger scent

For a stronger scent, place two steamers in the shower instead of one. Two steamers release twice the vapor and suit a large shower or a bad cold. Keep the second steamer on the far side of the shower floor so the scent fills the whole space.

A steamer stored in a sealed jar keeps its scent strong for months. Damp air weakens the scent and softens the steamer. A dry jar on a bathroom shelf works well.

A steamer used in a steamy bathroom scents the whole room. Close the door while you shower to hold the vapor. A closed door makes the scent last longer.

A steamer placed away from the direct stream lasts the whole shower.

More ideas, fewer dead ends: the related guides below continue this thread, beginning with Bath Bomb Crafts for Beginners: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide.

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