DIY Shower Steamers 🛁 Bath Melts

i’ve been taking in the last whispers of summer while feeling that unmistakable shift in the air ~

you too?

as we move into fall and the days start getting shorter, and a whole lot cooler, finding small ways to invite comfort and joy into our routines can be especially nice.

these do-it-yourself shower steamers/bath melts are affordable, easy to make (a great project for young hands), smell divine, and offer plenty of options for changing up the aromatics and botanicals to suit your personal preferences and the seasons — they’re a wonderful pick-me-up (and you’ll never have to fight to get your little one in the bath with one of these fizzies on hand!)

i’ve added epsom salt to the mix which makes these fragrant rounds suitable for both the shower and the bath (including a soothing foot bath); the idea behind epsom salt’s effectiveness is that magnesium and sulfate dissolve in warm water, absorbing through the skin in the bath and through inhalation (steam) in the shower, so both methods offer beneficial portals into the body.

for this batch, i decided to go with a combination of calming lavender and the earthy, slightly herbaceous fragrance of clary sage (it’s one of my favorite combinations, but you can change it up however you like, sweet orange is another great pairing with lavender).

i’ve also added calendula flower, known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a nourishing addition for the bath ~ and calendula is just so, well, pretty… i love the vibrant pops of colour here.

the combination of ingredients is soothing and grounding, a perfect way to start your day or wind down at night; a little luxury to transform your every day soak into a delicious sensory experience.

Supplies & Ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe:

please note: many of these are inexpensive and will last a very long time (or forever) once acquired

• baking soda ✔️
• citric acid ✔️ a natural compound found in citrus fruit that helps create the fizzing reaction when the steamer comes into contact with water (available at grocery / hardware store where they keep canning/preserving supplies — you can also purchase online)
• epsom salt ✔️ (magnesium sulfate) — those wonderful salts used in the bath to release stress and relax muscles (available at pharmacies/ grocery stores or online)
• essential oils ✔️ i’m using lavender and clary sage — feel free to use any combination (or regular essential oil) you like!
• botanicals ✔️ entirely optional but they do add to the presentation ~ i’m using dried lavender and calendula flower threads
• witch hazel ✔️ (water-based solution distilled from plants) — witch hazel is used to moisten the mixture before you put it into each mold (you can sub rubbing alcohol) — witch hazel and alcohol are preferred to water as a moistener because they evaporate more quickly than water which prevents the mixture from fizzing prematurely – (witch hazel is available in department stores (target/walmart) and online)
• silicone molds ✔️ i’m using a tray of 12 x 2.1″ round molds 

❥ for best results, please read through the full instructions before making these steamers/ melts

DIY Shower Steamers 🛁 Bath Melts

 

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add a little fizz and fun to your day! these homemade shower steamers/ bath melts are infused with soothing aromatic essential oils and botanicals (they smell divine) and are super easy to make for the bath or shower ~ great for gifting too.

Author: kelly

Recipe type: DIY

Serves: 12-14 steamers

Ingredients

• ❀ 1 + ½ cups (350 g) baking soda
• ❀ ¾ cup (150 g) citric acid
• ❀ ½ cup (120 g) epsom salt
• ❀ 20 drops lavender essential oil
• ❀ 7 drops clary sage or sweet orange essential oil
• ❀ 2 Tbsp dried lavender (about 3 g)
• ❀ 2 Tbsp dried calendula threads (about 1 g - very light!)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine: baking soda, citric acid and epsom salt using a spatula to mix together and work out any clumps.
2. Add approx ¾ (1.5 Tbsp) of the lavender and calendula flower to the dry mixture, stirring to combine -- the remaining flowers will be placed at the bottom of each mold cup (this ensures you have a pretty pop of color at the top of each steamer).
3. Add essential oil of lavender and clary sage or sweet orange to the mixture, mixing to combine.
4. Now we'll need to moisten the mixture delicately (we want it to be barely damp not wet) -- using a small spray bottle, lightly spritz the mixture with witch hazel or rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) while continuing to stirring constantly - i like to use my hands for this part - you're looking for a sand like consistency, just moist enough to hold together when compressed but not lumpy/wet (which will prematurely activate the fizz). You'll notice as you lightly spritz that the mixture becomes slightly damp and moldable as you work it - be careful here because the mix goes from barely moist to wet quickly so spritz slowly and continue to test the texture before adding more (you can always add more moisture, removing it is not possible).
5. Now you're ready to pack your molds with the fragrant mixture -- place the remaining lavender/calendula flowers at the bottom of each mold dividing between the 12 cups and then transfer some of the mixture into each cup pressing it down into the molds as you go along -- once you've packed the mixture, use the back of a generous sized spoon to finish by pressing it all down evenly and smoothly.
6. Allow the steamers to set and fully dry for at least 4 hours before gently and carefully removing them from the silicone mold (you can tap on them gently before removing to ensure they are hard/set).
7. Store the steamers in an airtight container away from direct sunlight until you're ready to use them.
8. For the shower, lay your steamer on the shower floor in a spot that is not directly under the stream of water (you can lay the steamer on a soap tray if you like). It should begin to fizz from the warmth and residual water that touches it - the result is a heavenly scented steam as it melts.
9. For the bath, simply add the melt to the bath water and watch it fizzzz!
10. Enjoy the magic ✨
11. This recipe will make approx 12 steamers using a 2.1" round mold as pictured.

3.5.3251

wellness through water — sanus per aquam (spa)