DIY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers for a Relaxing Evening Ritual
Some evenings call for a small, uncomplicated reset: a warm shower, a clean towel and a scent that helps the room feel a little softer. These DIY aromatherapy shower steamers are made to sit on the shower floor and release a gentle fragrance as water catches them. They are not a skincare product and are not meant to touch your skin; think of them as a tiny scented ritual for the end of the day.
What are shower steamers?
Shower steamers are small tablets made with bicarbonate of soda and citric acid. A little water starts the fizz, carrying their scent into the warm shower air. They are often called aromatherapy shower steamers, but for Simmer & Stir the appeal is simply the atmosphere: a familiar fragrance, a little steam and a few slower minutes before bed.
DIY lavender and cedarwood shower steamers
This small batch makes around 8 shower steamers, depending on the size of your mould. Lavender and cedarwood make a soft, woody-floral combination that feels especially lovely in an evening shower.
You will need
150 g bicarbonate of soda
75 g citric acid
1 tablespoon cornflour, optional but helpful for a firmer tablet
10 drops lavender essential oil
4 drops cedarwood essential oil
A small spray bottle filled with water or witch hazel
A silicone ice-cube or chocolate mould
Method
Mix the bicarbonate of soda, citric acid and cornflour in a dry bowl until there are no lumps.
Add the essential oils and stir very thoroughly so the scent is spread through the dry mixture.
Mist the mixture with just a few sprays of water or witch hazel, stirring between each spray. Stop as soon as it feels like damp sand and holds together when squeezed. Do not make it wet, or it will start fizzing in the bowl.
Press the mixture firmly into the mould. Pack it down with the back of a spoon, then leave it somewhere dry for at least 24 hours.
Once fully hard, store the tablets in a lidded jar away from moisture.
How to use one
Place one shower steamer on the floor of the shower, towards the edge and out of the direct stream of water. Let a little spray reach it gradually while you shower. It should fizz slowly for a close, gentle scent rather than perfume the whole bathroom.
Make it a small evening ritual
Keep the rest of the routine deliberately simple: put your phone down, use a towel that feels good, dim the bathroom light if you can and let the shower be the transition between a busy day and a quieter evening. It is not about creating a perfect spa at home. It is just a small cue to slow down.
A few sensible safety notes
These are for scent in the shower, not for skin. Do not rub them on your body or add them to a bath.
Essential oils are concentrated. Keep both the oils and the finished tablets in a closed container, well out of reach of children and pets, and never ingest them.
Use one tablet at a time and place it well away from where you stand, so the shower floor stays clear and comfortable underfoot.
If fragranced products have ever caused you a skin reaction, headache or breathing discomfort, skip this DIY. Stop using it if it does not feel right for you.
Can I change the scent?
Yes, but keep the total number of essential-oil drops modest. A few drops of rosemary with lemon can feel bright for a morning shower, while a little sweet orange with cedarwood is cosy in winter. Make a small test batch first and choose scents you genuinely enjoy, rather than trying to make the fragrance very strong.
Why did my shower steamer crumble?
The mixture was probably a little too dry or was not pressed firmly enough into the mould. Next time, add one or two extra fine mists of liquid and pack each cavity down well. If the mixture starts fizzing before it reaches the mould, it has become too wet; it will still smell lovely, but may dry with a rougher finish.
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