Transform your shower into a spa with homemade shower steamers. These copycat DIY “Vicks” shower tablets are an easy, budget-friendly way to enjoy aromatherapy, ease congestion, and add relaxation to your daily routine without spending much.
I don’t know about you, but cooler weather for me means dry sinuses that often leads to congestion and most of the time sinus infections. When that happens, I want to do as much as I can to help relieve those symptoms. That includes using shower steamers to help open up my nasal passages.
But I don’t like paying the price for the name brand ones and generic ones are just as expensive. Not to mention that I can’t pronounce most of the ingredients in them. So, I prefer to use a natural DIY shower tab with ingredients that I know are clean and that cost a fraction of the cost.
This DIY shower steamer recipe gives you small, fizz tablets pack a lot of power for their size. They’re easy to make, simple to use, and they are great as a way to help with congestion while you’re taking an otherwise ordinary shower. Whether I’m dealing with sinus congestion, stress, or just need a little pick-me-up, having a jar of shower steamers ready to go makes all the difference.
Why Homemade Shower Steamers Work So Well
The reason these shower steamers work so well is the ingredients. While the store bought ones may have ingredients such as menthol, these use all natural essential oils. Toss one onto the shower floor and as the shower steamer dissolves, those essential oils are then released into your shower steam creating a self made aromatherapy shower. As they melt, the EO in it starts to release their scent helping you to be able to breathe.
The beauty is that they’re completely customizable, and you know exactly what’s going into them. That’s not always the case with store bought versions, which can sometimes include fillers or artificial scents.
I’ve used these shower melts s in different ways depending on what I need most. Peppermint and eucalyptus are my go-to when I’m stuffy or fighting off a seasonal cold. Citrus oils are amazing when I need an energy boost in the morning. Lavender is my favorite at night when I want to wind down before bed.
DIY Vicks Shower Tablets
One of the most popular variations people love making are what some call DIY Vicks shower tablets. They’re essentially homemade shower steamers that mimic the scent of vapor rub. The idea is to use oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and menthol to open the airways and make breathing easier.
If you’ve ever rubbed vapor rub on your chest when you were sick, you know how comforting that cooling, clearing sensation can be. These shower tablets create a similar experience without the sticky residue. They’re especially helpful during cold and flu season when you want relief but don’t have the time or energy to run a steamy bath.
I keep a small jar of these on hand all year, but especially in the winter months and during allergy season. They’ve come to to my rescue more often than once.
Storing Homemade Shower Steamers
Since light and moisture are the enemy of these, it’s best to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and because these have essential oils in them, you’ll want to use amber glass jars with lids, but resealable bags also work in a pinch. If they’re stored properly, they last for months without losing their scent.
Tips for Making the Most of Them
- Placement matters. Put the steamer where it will get splashed but not soaked. Too much water and it will dissolve too quickly, too little and it won’t activate. I usually use the back of the bathtub.
- Ventilation counts. If your bathroom fan is running, turn it off while using a steamer so the scent stays concentrated in the shower.
- Experiment with blends. Don’t be afraid to mix oils. Lemon and peppermint together, for example, make a refreshing and energizing combination.
If you’ve never tried making your own, homemade shower steamers are worth the effort. They’re easy, budget-friendly, and versatile. You can make them as simple or as specialized as you like, from calming lavender tablets to DIY Vicks shower tablets that help you breathe easier.
The next time you’re looking for a way to stretch your dollars while still adding a little comfort to your day, consider giving them a try. They’re proof that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
Homemade Shower Steamers
Ingredients
- ½ C. baking soda
- ½ C. citric acid
- ¼ C. cornstarch
- ¼ C. coconut oil
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- Blue food coloring optional
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl combine dry ingredients and mix well.1/2 C. baking soda, 1/2 C. citric acid, 1/4 C. cornstarch
- Add about four drops of blue food coloring to your bowl and mix with your fingers if you want your homemade shower steamers to be colored.Blue food coloring
- Add 2 drops of each essential oils and mix with your fingers again.3 drops peppermint essential oil, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- Heat 1/4 cup coconut oil in the microwave for about 20 seconds.1/4 C. coconut oil
- Add just a little coconut oil at a time and continue to mix with your fingers. It should feel like wet sand when fully combined.
- Start filling your silicone mold with your shower bomb mixture
- Press your mixture firmly into your molds.
- Let dry for about 12 hours before popping your shower steamers out of the mold.
- To use: place one in the bottom of your shower or in your warm bath tub to release your bath bomb.