DIY Shower Melts for Health and Wellness

Enjoy the benefits of shower aromatherapy with 3 easy DIY shower melts for health and wellness! In the easy step-by-step tutorial, you learn how to make and how to use homemade shower melts. Included are simple recipes for sinus relief eucalyptus shower bombs, cold and flu shower fizzies, aka DIY Vicks vapor rub shower melts, and shower disks for headaches and migraine.

3 easy homemade shower melt recipes for health and wellness

After sharing plenty of bath bomb recipes, it’s high time for essential oil shower aromatherapy! And with cold and flu season in full swing what could be better than 3 easy shower melt recipes for health and wellness? In this post, you’ll learn how to make:

• eucalyptus shower tablets that are perfect for relaxation and to deal with clogged sinuses and a sore respiratory system.
• peppermint shower fizzies with menthol crystals, whichcan help to easy the more severe symptoms of a cold or flu.
• headache shower melts that are formulated to help alleviate headaches and migraines.

These easy DIY shower steamer recipes provide benefits without the long list of side effects that prescription medications can have. Plus, homemade shower melts are easy to customise, and I’ll show you how to make shower tablets step-by-step.

What are shower melts?

What is a shower bomb? Shower melts, also known as shower steamers, shower tablets, shower fizzies, shower bombs or shower soothers, are basically bath bombs for the shower. Shower tablets dissolve in water and are a very convenient way for how to use essential oils in the shower.

Shower bombs are great when you want to enjoy a quick essential oil aromatherapy shower, no need to draw a full bath. Just hop in the shower and enjoy the wonderful scent while the homemade shower melts fizzle away. The aromatherapy shower steams can help to relieve stress and alleviate symptoms of cold and flu, headache and sinus congestion.

So, what is the difference between a shower bomb and a bath bomb? And, can you use shower steamers in a bath?

Shower melts and bath bombs are similar but not the same. Bath bombs provide skincare and aromatherapy benefits. They are skin-safe as they usually contain an emulsifier that safely distributes the essential oils in the bathwater.

Whereas shower steamers are meant to infuse the air with essential oils and provide shower aromatherapy only. Shower melts contain no emulsifying agent and aren’t safe for skin contact, meaning you shouldn’t use shower steamers as bath bombs.

DIY shower melts ingredients – Materials for homemade shower steamers

Shower steamer tablets are an easy way to enjoy at-home wellness in the comfort of your shower. DIY shower tablets are very relaxing and a perfect bathroom gift.

Below, you’ll see the ingredients to make shower bombs:

• baking soda and citric 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.
• arrowroot powder – Arrowroot powder helps to stabilise the DIY shower steamers 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 steamers!
• mica – Mica powder adds visual appeal to your DIY vapor rub shower disks. If you omit it, the cornstarch shower melts will be white.
• silicone mould – I used this simple round mould. The size is excellent to create single-use shower melts that will last for one shower.

How to make shower melts – Easy DIY shower tablets recipe for cold and flu

How do you make a homemade shower melt? While the recipe for these DIY aromatherapy shower tablets may look a bit daunting, I promise shower steam melts come together in a cinch. These cold kicking shower melts can be made in advance, so you have them ready when needed.

Here’s how to make shower steamers with essential oils:

Combine the dry ingredients (1)

Add all dry ingredients in a large, non-metallic mixing bowl and whisk until blended.

Add essential oils (2)

Next, 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 with water (3)

Using a spritz bottle, spray the mixture with a little water and incorporate immediately to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spritz bottle, sprinkle water 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.

Tips for the best consistency and troubleshooting (4)

For perfect shower aromatherapy bombs, you have to add the right amount of water. The DIY shower melts recipe should feel like damp sand and be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together.

• too dry: 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 water and mould again.
• 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.

Fill the mould (5)

Now, 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.

Dry and unmould the aromatherapy shower steamers (6)

Allow the homemade shower melts 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 melts can be affected by humidity. In a humid environment, the drying time may be longer.

High-five, our DIY shower melts are ready! Now that you’ve learned how to make shower bombs, let’s try 3 fun shower steamer recipes: eucalyptus shower tablets, DIY shower melts for colds and flu, and headache shower bombs.

Eucalyptus shower tablets – Eucalyptus shower bomb recipe

What can I put in my shower to open my sinuses? First up is my recipe for eucalyptus shower bombs. Homemade eucalyptus shower melts are among my favourite shower steamers. Not only do they smell refreshing and help to clear your mind, but inhaling the steams from eucalyptus shower melts is also soothing for your airways and can help with headaches and clogged sinuses.

If you like more eucalyptus essential oil recipes, try my eucalyptus bath bomb recipe.

Materials for eucalyptus shower steamers

For amazing eucalyptus steam shower aromatherapy tablets, follow these tips:

• For the best DIY eucalyptus shower melts, use eucalyptus globulus essential oil. It has a strong, natural eucalyptus smell and is excellent to open a stuffy nose and balance the mind.
• If the eucalyptus shower bombs are intended for children, use eucalyptus dives or lemon eucalyptus, which are kid-safe eucalyptus essential oils.
• You can also customise this easy eucalyptus shower steamer recipe and make lemon eucalyptus or peppermint eucalyptus shower tablets.

I coloured the shower steamers with green mica and added crushed dry eucalyptus leaves to the shower melt mixture.

Uses for DIY eucalyptus shower tablets

Homemade eucalyptus shower melts are great when you want to:

• unclog a stuffy nose or sinus
• soothe your airways
• clear your mind and find mental focus
• or simply relax after a stressful day

Another idea is to use your homemade eucalyptus shower tablets for a steam room.

Decongestant peppermint shower fizzies with menthol crystals for sinus relief and congestion

How do you make Vicks vapor rub shower melts? You have a cold or flu. So regular shower steamers simply will not do. Decongestant shower melts to the rescue! They are a DIY version of Vicks shower melts. And there’s a lot to love about these cold and sinus relief shower fizzies.

Materials for cold and sinus relief shower bombs

Here is what you need to know about the ingredients in these menthol shower bombs:

• peppermint essential oil: The essential oil is both invigorating and soothing, making you feel energised and calm. The essential oil provides relief from respiratory problems, headaches, and coughs.
• menthol crystals: Menthol crystals are a solid compound derived from mint oil, and the strong menthol aroma is beneficial to open airways.

To make these peppermint shower melts safe for kids, use spearmint essential oil. Menthol crystals are very concentrated, so don’t exceed the amount specified in the DIY card below. You should omit the crystals for children under seven.

Because bland is boring, I tinted the DIY Vicks shower tablets with aqua mica. The colour highlights the menthol crystals and makes the homemade shower steamers even prettier.

When to use these DIY Vicks shower melts

This DIY Vicks shower melts recipe is made with menthol crystals and peppermint essential oil, two ingredients that can:

• provide relief for a sore throat and cough
• be decongestant for chest and sinuses
• relieve headaches

DIY shower melts with essential oils for headache

MY third DIY shower fizzies recipe is specially formulated for headaches. Some essential oils can reduce stress, which can alleviate tension headaches, or soothe the discomfort associated with migraines.

Shower melts essential oil blend for headache relief

The secret to these DIY shower steamers for headaches is a simple, but effective essential oil blend for headaches and migraine:

• rosemary essential oil: The EO improves circulation, and its soothing properties may help to reduce the pain associated with headaches and migraine.
• peppermint essential oil: Peppermint is a great essential oil to reduce the symptoms of migraine and tension headaches.
• chamomile essential oil: Chamomile helps to relax and unwind and may improve headaches caused by stress and anxiety.

I left the headache shower melts white and decorated them with dry eucalyptus, cypress, and dried, ground herbs.

When to use the headache buster shower steamers

These wellness shower melts are a good choice when you’re suffering from a migraine or headaches caused by stress, anxiety or tension. If your headaches are sinus related or the result of a cold or flu, use my eucalyptus shower tablets or peppermint shower melts.

How to use shower melts

How do you use shower tablets? Here are some tips on how to use shower steamers:

• Before use, let warm water run for several minutes to moisturise the air.
• It’s best to place the DIY shower steamers away from running water and the drain. Ideally, only the bottom of the tabs should be wet. You can also put a shower melt in a soap dish.
•  Breath in deeply as the essential oils vaporise into the air.

How to store shower melts

Store the homemade shower melts in an airtight container or jar and ensure that the steamers aren’t exposed to water or moisture.

The shelf life of DIY shower tablets is 1 year. You can top up the shower steamers with a few drops of essential oils if you notice that the fragrance has lessened.

More DIY shower steamer recipes and bath bombs

And if you like to learn more DIY shower steamers recipes, check out the following shower tablet recipes!

• DIY shower steamer {8 scent recipes}
• energizing wake-up shower bombs
• aromatherapy shower tablets for sleep and relaxation

And in the meantime, 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