See how to make aromatherapy shower bombs for energy and mood support! Homemade shower fizzies raise positivity and to enjoy a quick spa treatment at home. The shower bombs recipe tutorial shows how to make shower melts with essential oils, plus tips for use and storage.
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Shower aromatherapy
When I’m feeling stressed out, I love to draw a warm bath and relax for a while (usually with my milk and honey bath bombs or lavender bubble scoops). But sometimes there’s simply no time for a 30-minute soak in the tub. Because kids, work, and life!
Staying well and healthy is important for our mental and physical wellbeing. And I believe self care is a big part of that – especially when you’re busy and stressed! And that is where my DIY shower bombs recipe comes in! Shower bombs with essential oils are a quick self care treat and an easy way to include aromatherapy in your day.
The best part of shower soothers? You don’t have to carve out extra any time from your busy schedule. DIY shower melts upgrade everyday showers to a blissful at-home spa experience! Intrigued? Let’s learn more about homemade shower fizzies!
Homemade aromatherapy shower bombs recipe
In this homemade bath recipe, you’ll learn:
- what is a shower bomb
- the benefits of shower bombs
- how to make shower melts safely
- 3 easy shower disk recipes
- how to use + store shower steamers
- shower steamer troubleshooting (Your shower bombs are expanding? Find out why!)
What are shower bombs?
You probably have heard of bath bombs (and if not check out my bath bomb recipes!) – but what are shower bombs? Shower bombs, also called shower tables, shower steamers or shower fizzers, are little disks that dissolve in water and release out a soothing blend of essential oils in the process.
I love shower bombs because they are much quicker to use than bath bombs. No need to run a full tub. Just hop in the shower, let the water run and revel in the warm wafts of steam and essential oils. Shower aromatherapy at its best!
Benefits of shower bombs
Although shower steamers are somewhat new, steam treatments have a long tradition and benefit the body and mind in various ways. The benefits of shower steamers relate to the essential oil blend you use and can vary from soothing and balancing to stimulating and boosting.
In this post, I’m focusing on energizing shower bomb recipes. The kind you add to your morning shower to wake you up, boost your energy, and lift your mood. Think sunshine and happy thoughts!
To learn EO blends for headache and congestion, check out my wellness shower melts.
And if you want to wind down, try my DIY shower fizzies for relaxation (coming soon)!
Materials and supplies for homemade shower bombs
Curious about the ingredients in this homemade shower bombs recipe? Here all the details:
- baking sodaandcitric acid– Why use citric acid in shower bombs? Both materials are necessary to create the fizzing reaction, which starts when baking soda and citric acid come in contact with water. The granule size of the citric acid matters! Use fine citric acid, coarse materials won’t hold up as well.
- arrowroot powder– Arrowroot powder helps to stabilise the DIY shower melts and to control the fizzing reaction. You can also use cornstarch.
- kaolin clay– Using white kaolin clay is one method for how to make shower steamers last longer.
- essential oils– The benefits of DIY shower disks come from essential oils. Read on to learn different shower steamer recipes with essential oils and get essential oil blends for shower bombs!
- witch hazel – Witch hazel is needed to form the mixture. Alternatively, use water.
- mica(optional)– Mica powder adds visual appeal to your DIY shower disks. If you omit it, the cornstarch shower melts will be white.
- silicone mold– I used this simple round mould. The size is excellent to create single-use shower melts that will last for one shower.
The ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe box at the end of the post!
How to make shower bombs
How do you make a homemade shower bomb? Aromatherapy shower tablets need a day to dry, but it takes less than 30 minutes active time to make my easy shower bombs recipe!
Here’s how to make natural essential oils shower bombs:
Mix the dry ingredients
Add all dry ingredients in a large, non-metallic mixing bowl and whisk until blended.
Add essential oils
Next, add the essential oil, a couple of drops at a time, to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. The essential oils can create droplets, which will be dissolved in the following step.
Spritz with witch hazel
Using a spritz bottle, spray the mixture with a little witch hazel and incorporate immediately to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spritz bottle, sprinkle the liquid on the mixture using a teaspoon.
Slowly add witch hazel until the mixture feels like barely wet sand.
Tip: Put on nitrile gloves to protect your hands when kneading the mixture. Citric acid can irritate sensitive skin and damage nail polish.
Fill the mould
Now, fill a silicone mould with shower steamer mixture. Pressfirmlyinto the mould using your fingertips and pay attention to the edges.
Tip: If using dried herbs or flowers, add thembeforefilling the mould with mixture.
Dry and unmould the aromatherapy shower steamers
Allow the homemade shower melts recipe to dry for 24 to 48 hours. The shower soothers should feel hard and solid. To unmould, carefully peel back the mould and gently pop out the shower disks.
Tip: Making shower melts can be affected by humidity. In a humid environment, the drying time may be longer.
Troubleshooting
When I shared my eucalyptus shower steamer recipe, one question came up a few times:
My shower steamers are expanding, what am I doing wrong?
The problem is that the mixture is too wet. If the mixture is too wet, the shower fizzies will expand, and the fizzing reaction will be affected. You can tell that the mixture is too moist when you hear a sizzling sound, indicating that the ingredients are reacting prematurely. The problem can be remedied by adding more arrowroot powder, one teaspoon at a time, until the fizzle stops.
If the mixture is too dry, the homemade shower melts can turn out crumbly and fall apart. You can still save the batch, by breaking and crumbling the steamers into a bowl, reconstitute with witch hazel and mould again.
The best shower bomb recipes for energy and mood support
DIY Wake Up Shower Melts
This wake up shower melts recipe perfect to start the day right and will have you ready for the day ahead. I used peppermint, tangerine, Douglas fir, and lavender essential oil to create an invigorating scent and decorated the product with pressed flowers.
Uplifting citrus shower steamer
These uplifting citrus shower steamers are for those moments when you’re feeling down and need a little pick-me-up. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon essential oil come together in an uplifting citrus blend that will have you feeling happy and well.
I decorated the melts with dried calendula and granulated orange zest.
Energizing shower fizzies
When you feel tired and low on energy, try one of these energizing shower fizzies! Orange, peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus essential oil team up to boost your energy and wash stress down the drain.
For decorating, I mixed a gold mica and isopropyl alcohol into a thick paint and applied a broad stroke after the shower steamers had dried.
Shower tablets FAQ
How to use shower bombs
What do you do with a shower bomb? Shower steamers are so EASY to use. Just put one at the bottom of your shower, turn on the water and enjoy an aromatherapy shower. It’s that simple!
Here are my best tips to make the most of your homemade shower bombs recipe:
- Before use, let warm water run for several minutes to moisturise the air.
- It’s best to place the DIY shower steamers on the floor of the shower but away from running water and the drain. Ideally, only the bottom of the tabs should be wet. You can also put a shower bomb in a soap dish.
- Breath in deeply as the essential oils vaporise into the air.
- If you have a big shower, use 2 shower bombs.
How many times can you use a shower bomb?
Since these DIY shower bombs are pretty small, they will last for one shower.
How to store shower bombs
Essential oils are volatile. So, store the aromatherapy shower steamers in an airtight container or jar, away from direct sunlight. Ensure that they aren’t exposed to water or moisture.
DIY shower soothers last for 1 year. You can top up the shower steamers with a few drops of essential oils if you notice that the fragrance has fainted.
Why use citric acid in shower bombs?
The citric acid reacts with the baking soda to produce the fizzing reaction and release the essential oils into the air. Without it, you won’t get a reaction that produces this reaction. Another benefit is that citric acid hardens the shower soothers.
Can I make shower bombs without citric acid?
Yes, you can make shower melts without citric acid. If you live in an area with high humidity, you might get a better result if you omit the citric acid. Just replace the citric acid with the same amount of half arrowroot powder and kaolin clay.
One thing I noticed is that shower tablets without citric acid are softer and crumblier.
Shower bomb vs bath bomb – Are shower bombs the same as bath bombs?
No, shower bombs and bath bombs are not the same. Here are the main differences between shower steamers vs bath bombs:
- essential oil concertation – Shower melts have a higher concertation of essential oils compared to bath bombs. Shower bombs are an aromatherapy product, and their only purpose is to release essential oils into the air while you shower. They are not intended for skin care, and you should avoid direct skin contact.
- use – Bath bombs and shower melts have different purposes and are used differently. As mentioned, shower bombs are not a skincare product. Bath bombs, on the other hand, are intended for skin contact and
- ingredients – Although both start withsimilar ingredients (baking soda and citric acid), bath bombs often contain oils to make them nourishing. Shower bombs are made with water or witch hazel, but not oils to avoid a slippery shower.
- shape and size – While bath bombs are often round, shower bombs are usually flat so they don’t roll around in the shower. Shower steamers are also smaller than bath bombs.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Drop a comment below!
More DIY shower steamer recipes and bath bombs
If you like these shower bombs, you will also enjoy my other shower tablet recipes:
- DIY aromatherapy shower steamer
- DIY shower melts for health and wellness
- aromatherapy shower tablets for sleep and relaxation
Or try these bath bomb recipes:
- bath bombs without citric acid
- aromatherapy bath bombs for sleep and relaxation
- milk and honey bath bombs
- pink Himalayan salt bath bombs
- lavender bubble bar scoops
Shower Bombs Recipe {3 Aromatherapy Shower Melt Ideas}
Yield: 20 shower melts
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Drying Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes
Difficulty: easy
See how to make aromatherapy shower bombs for energy and mood support! Homemade shower fizzies raise positivity and to enjoy a quick spa treatment at home.
Materials
Shower bombs recipe
- 1 cup / 130 g / 4.6 oz baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1/2 cup / 60 g / 2.1 oz citric acid
- 1/3 cup / 40 g / 1.4 oz arrowroot powder
- 1/8 cup / 15g / 0.5 oz kaolin clay
- witch hazel in a spray bottle (can also use water)
Wake up shower melts
- 45 drops peppermint essential oil
- 30 drops tangerine essential oil
- 30 drops Douglas fir essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- pressed flowers (optional)
Uplifting citrus shower steamers
- 65 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 50 drops orange essential oil
- 35 drops lemon essential oil
- orange mica (optional)
- granulated orange zest (optional)
- dried calendula petals (optional)
Energizing shower fizzies
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients in a large, non-metallic mixing bowl and whisk until blended.
- Drop the essential oils on the dry ingredients and stir to combine. The essential oils can create droplets, which will be dissolved in the following step.
- Spritz the mixture with a little witch hazel and incorporate immediately to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spritz bottle, sprinkle the liquid on the mixture using a teaspoon.
Tip: Put on nitrile gloves to protect your hands when kneading the mixture. Citric acid can irritate sensitive skin and damage nail polish. - For perfect shower aromatherapy bombs, you have to add the right amount of liquid. The DIY shower melts recipe should feel like damp sand and be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together.
- Fill a silicone mould with shower steamer mixture. Press firmly into the mould using your fingertips and pay attention to the edges.
Tip: If using dried herbs or flowers, add them before filling the mould with the shower tablet mix. - Allow the homemade shower bombs recipe to dry for 24 to 48 hours. The shower tablets should feel hard and solid.
- To unmould, carefully peel back the mould and gently pop out the shower disks.
Tip: Making shower bombs can be affected by humidity. In a humid environment, the drying time may be longer.
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