Aromatherapy DIY Shower Melts (4 Shower Melt Recipes) (2024)

Learn how to make aromatherapy DIY shower melts with essential oils! You’ll learn how to make and use shower steamers and receive 4 homemade recipes for wake me up citrus shower fizzies, eucalyptus shower bombs for colds, relaxing rose shower tablets and lavender shower melts for sleep. This tutorial is a guest post from Country Hill Cottage,and also includes tips for packaging and free printable labels for gift giving.

We all need a little wellness from time to time, and aromatherapy shower steamers are perfect to create an at-home spa experience in the comfort of your bathroom.

I sometimes prefer a quick shower over a long bath, and homemade shower melts are perfect for a little shower aromatherapy.

Whether you shower in the morning and need a little boost to wake you up, or take an evening shower to unwind from a stressful day – these little luxuries transform your everyday shower into a wellness retreat.

Sounds good? Then let’s make DIY shower melts.

Benefits of shower melts

Bath bombs, bath soaks, or milk baths are popular products to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils in the tub. But how do you use essential oils in the shower? By using DIY shower melts with essential oils!

When activated by water, shower melts fizzle away and release abundant fragrances that indulge your senses and relax the mind.

Aromatherapy shower melts, also called shower tablets, shower bombs, or shower steamers, are helpful for balancing your mind and emotions, relieving stress and nervous tension, and easing symptoms of headache or sinus congestion.

Materials and supplies for shower melts

Here is a breakdown of the basic shower melts ingredients:

• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and citric acid. Both ingredients are needed to create the fizzing effect. The reaction starts when baking soda and citric acid are exposed to water.
• Arrowroot powder. Arrowroot powder stabilizes the shower melts and helps tocontrol the fizzing reaction. Cornstarch can be used as well.
• White kaolin clay. Using clay is one way for making shower steamers last longer. For a recipe without clay, see these DIY shower melts for colds.
• Essential oils. The benefits of aromatherapy shower tablets come from essential oils. Read on to learn different shower melts recipes with essential oils.
• Silicone mould. I used a simple round mould. The size is perfect to create single-use melts that will last for one shower.

How to make DIY shower melts – step-by-step tutorial

DIY shower melts are easy to make! For exact measurements of each ingredient, don’t forget to consult the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For a detailed, step-by-step tutorial with process photos, see this guide to DIY shower steamers.

Let me show you how to make shower melts:

1. Mix the dry ingredients

Add the baking soda, citric acid, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay and mica or natural colourant (if using) into a large, non-metallic mixing bowl and whisk until combined.

2. Add essential oils

Next, drop the essential oils on the mixture and give the bowl a quick stir. The essential oils create droplets that will be dissolved in the next step.

3. Spritz with water

Spritz the mixture with a little water, alcohol or witch hazel and incorporate immediately into the mixture to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spritz bottle, you can also sprinkle water on the mixture using a teaspoon.

Tip: Wear nitrile gloves to protect your hands when kneading the mixture. Citric acid removes nail polish and can irritate sensitive skin.

4. Tips for the best consistency and troubleshooting

For perfect homemade shower melts, we have to add the right amount of water. The shower melt mixture should have the consistency of damp sand, and be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together.

• Too dry: If the mixture is too dry, the shower melts will be crumbly and can fall apart. You can still save the batch by breaking and crumbling the steamers into a bowl, reconstituting with water and moulding again.
• Too wet: If the mixture is too wet, the melts will expand, and the fizzing reaction will be affected. You can tell that the mixture has too much moisture when you hear a fizzling sound, indicating that the ingredients are reacting prematurely. The problem can be fixed by adding more arrowroot powder, one teaspoon at a time, until the sizzling stops.

5. Fill the mould

Now, fill a silicone mould with the shower melts mixture. Then 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 mixture. Try to keep larger decorations, such as dried rose petals, away from the edges as petals can cause breakage.

6. Dry and unmould the aromatherapy shower melts

Let the shower melts dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. The shower tablets should feel hard and solid. To unmould, carefully peel back the silicone and gently push the melts out of the mould.

Tip: Making shower tablets can be affected by humidity. If you live in a humid environment, the drying time may be longer.

And there you have it, pretty homemade shower melts with essential oils! Now that we know the steps, let’s have a little fun and explore four different recipes for energy, relaxation, sleep, and sinus relief.

Energising citrus wake up shower melts

Imagine waking up in a fragrant citrus orchard, surrounded by lemon, orange and grapefruit trees. Lovely, isn’t it?

My homemade wake-up citrus shower melts have a bright, uplifting aroma that will make you feel energised and start the day with positivity.

Essential oils for citrus wake me up shower melts

A refreshing blend of citrus essential oils gives these morning shower fizzies an invigorating fragrance. Here is what you will need:

• 100 drops lemon essential oil
• 80 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 80 drops grapefruit essential oil

Other materials for citrus shower melts

I didn’t colour the wake-up shower melts but used dried calendula petals as decoration. The cheerful yellow colour reminds me of sunrise, simply perfect for such an uplifting shower bombs recipe.

DIY eucalyptus shower bombs with menthol

Eucalyptus shower bombs with menthol crystals are one of my go-to natural remedies for colds, stuffy nose, headache and respiratory problems. When inhaled, eucalyptus essential oil has a soothing and decongestant effect on the sinuses and airways.

Essential oils for eucalyptus shower tablets

Here are the essential oils for this eucalyptus shower melts recipe:

• 100 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 50 drops peppermint essential oil
• 30 drops pine essential oil
• 15 drops thyme thymol essential oil

Kid-safe DIY eucalyptus shower tablets

Eucalyptus, peppermint and thyme thymol essential oils are perfect for easing respiratory problems in adults but aren’t suitable for children due to their high camphor content.

You can make DIY decongestant shower tablets kid-safe by using the following essential oil blend:

• 80 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 50 drops spearmint essential oil
• 20 drops pine essential oil

Other materials for shower melts with menthol crystals

The decongestant effect of this homemade shower melts recipe is further enhanced with the addition of menthol crystals. Menthol crystals are a solid compound derived from mint oil, and the strong menthol aroma is helpful to open airways.

Menthol crystals are highly concentrated, so please do not exceed the amount listed in the recipe card below. You should also omit the crystals for children under seven.

I coloured the eucalyptus shower bombs with a tiny amount of green mica and a sprinkling of dried herbs.

Uplifting shower tablets for relaxation and stress relief

The scent of these rose shower tablets is calming and balancing and will make you feel relaxed and refreshed. I love using these shower bursts before a meditation or after a workout.

Rose absolute essential oil lends the relaxation shower melts a floral and sensual aroma, perfect for unwinding and de-stressing in the shower.

Essential oils for relaxing DIY shower tablets

To create a calming and relaxing essential oil blend with rose, you will need:

• 100 drops rose absolute oil
• 60 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 30 drops vetiver essential oil

Other materials for homemade rose shower melts

Dried rose petals and pink mica seemed to be a wonderful choice for rose-scented shower melts. I imagine white shower bombs with rose petals would also be very pretty.

If desired, you can also colour your steamers with beet powder.

Homemade lavender shower melts for sleep

Another relaxing DIY shower melt recipe, however, this time with essential oils that can help promote sleep and deep relaxation.

These relaxing tablets are perfect to calm your mind before bedtime and encourage a good night’s sleep.

Essential oils for sleepy shower bombs

Let’s see what essential oils are needed for lavender shower tablets:

• 100 drops lavender essential oil
• 40 drops chamomile essential oil
• 40 drops neroli essential oil

Other materials for DIY lavender shower melts

These stress-relief shower melts were customised with blue mica and dried cornflower petals. Of course, this shower steamer recipe for sleep would also look beautiful with violet mica and dried lavender buds.

Alternatively, you could also use blue spirulina powder as a natural colourant.

How to use shower melts

Here are some tips on how to use shower tablets:

• It’s best to place the DIY shower melts away from running water and the drain. Ideally, only the bottom of the tablets should be wet. You can also put a shower melt in a soap dish.
• Breathe in deeply as the essential oils vaporise into the air, and enjoy the aromatherapy.

How long do shower melts last?

Small shower melts, like the ones I made for this post, will last for one shower, perhaps even two depending on the position and shower time.

How do you make shower melts last longer?

As I mentioned, keep the shower melts out of direct water – otherwise, the tablets will fizz down quickly, and the essential oils will poof away too fast.

Another way to make shower steamers last longer is by using clay. The kaolin clay in this recipe helps them last by slowing the reaction between the baking soda and citric acid.

Can you use a shower bomb as a bath bomb?

No, it is not safe to use shower melts as bath bombs. Steamers are meant to infuse the air with essential oils and aren’t suitable for skin contact.

Essential oils aren’t water-soluble, meaning if you add them to bathwater they pool on the surface, which can lead to irritation and skin rashes.

Bath bombs are usually made with an emulsifier that distributes EOs safely in the water. Shower steamers, however, don’t contain an emulsifying agent.

For more information about essential oil bath safety, see this article by the Tisserand Institute.

Homemade shower melts: a lovely beauty and wellness gift idea

Shower steamers are unique homemade gifts, and I have put together a few tips and ideas for gifting:

How to package shower melts for gifts

Store DIY shower melts in an airtight container or jar, away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. A dry cupboard is a good place to keep them. 4oz quilted mason jars or flip-top jars are cute packaging ideas for gift giving.

Shower bomb favour for weddings and parties

Shower bombs are also thoughtful and inexpensive favours for weddings or parties. You can, for example, put two to three shower melts into a small organza or muslin bag and attach a thank you tag for a pretty wedding favour!

Wellness gift set

Make your shower bombs part of a wellness gift kit! They’re a lovely handmade gift for a pamper hamper and a unique gift idea for natural beauty lovers.

For more beauty and wellness gifts, try these chocolate rose bath truffles, this luxurious milk and honey bath soak, or this pink lemonade tub tea.

Printable labels and gift tags

This homemade shower melts recipe includes free printable labels and gift tags, which you can use for packaging and gifting.

The round printable labels are designed to fit in the lid of 4oz mason jars. The gift tags include sayings for many occasions and a few holidays.

Simply use the email form below to sign up. Once you confirm your email, you’ll receive access to the free printable PDF.

Yield: 20 shower melts

Aromatherapy DIY Shower Melts with Essential Oils

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 1 day

Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes

Learn how to make 4 different kinds of DIY shower melts with essential oils: energizing wake up citrus shower fizzies, eucalyptus shower bombs for colds and congestion, rose shower tablets for relaxation, and lavender shower melts for sleep.

Ingredients

Basic Shower Melts Recipe

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/3 cup arrowroot powder
• 1/8 cup kaolin clay
• 1 spray bottle filled with water (can also use witch hazel)

Citrus Wake Up Shower Melts

• 100 drops lemon essential oil
• 80 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 80 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 1 tbsp dried calendula petals

Eucalyptus Shower Melts

• 1 tbsp menthol crystals
• 100 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 50 drops peppermint essential oil
• 30 drops pine essential oil
• 15 drops thyme thymol essential oil
• 1/8 tsp light green mica or green spirulina powder
• 1 tsp dried herbs

Uplifting Rose Shower Melts

• 100 drops rose absolute oil
• 60 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 30 drops vetiver essential oil
• 1/8 tsp pink mica or pink beet powder
• 1 tbsp dried rose petals

Lavender Shower Steamers for Sleep

• 100 drops lavender essential oil
• 40 drops chamomile essential oil
• 40 drops neroli essential oil
• 1/8 tsp blue mica or blue spirulina powder
• 1 tsp cornflower petals or or lavender buds

Equipment

• Round silicone mould
• Non-metallic mixing bowl
• Water, alcohol or witch hazel to moisten mixture
• Whisk for mixing
• Nitrile gloves to protect hands

Instructions

1. Add the baking soda, citric acid, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay and desired colourant into a large, non-metallic mixing bowl and whisk until combined.
2. Drop the essential oils into the mixture and give the bowl a quick stir. The essential oils create droplets that will be dissolved in the next step.
3. Spritz the mixture with a little water or witch hazel and incorporate immediately into the mixture to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spritz bottle, you can also sprinkle water on the mixture using a teaspoon.

   Tip: Wear nitrile gloves to protect your hands when kneading the mixture. Citric acid removes nail polish and can irritate sensitive skin.

4. Fill a silicone mould with the shower melts mixture. Then, 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 steamers mix. Also, try to keep larger decorations such as dried rose petals away from the edges, as petals can cause the steamers to break.

5. Let the shower melts dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Afterwards, the shower tablets should feel hard and solid. To unmould, carefully peel back the silicone and gently push each melt out of the mould.

   Tip: Making shower melts can be affected by humidity. If you live in a humid environment, the drying time may be longer.

Notes

Kid-safe eucalyptus shower melts

If making eucalyptus shower melts for kids, use the following kid-safe essential oil blend:

• 80 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 50 drops spearmint essential oil
• 20 drops pine essential oil

Tips for the best consistency and troubleshooting

For perfect homemade shower melts, it’s important to add the right amount of water. The shower melts should have the consistency of damp sand, and the mixture should be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together.

• Too dry: If the mixture is too dry, the shower melts will be crumbly and can fall apart. You can still save the batch by breaking and crumbling the steamers into a bowl, reconstituting with water and moulding again.
• Too wet: If the mixture is too wet, the shower melts will expand, and the fizzing reaction will be affected. You can tell that the mixture has too much moisture when you hear a fizzling sound, indicating that the ingredients are reacting prematurely. The problem can be fixed by adding more arrowroot powder, one teaspoon at a time, until the sizzling stops.

Storage and shelf life

Store DIY shower melts in an airtight container or jar, away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. A dry cupboard is a good place to keep the shower steamers. Shower melts can be stored for many months but may lose some fragrance over time. You can easily top up scentless shower tablets with a few drops of essential oils.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.

• 

  Silicone Shower Steamer Molds

• 

  Shower Steamers Essential Oils Set

• 

  Baking Soda

• 

  Citric Acid

• 

  Peppermint Leaf

• 

  Menthol Crystals

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

More shower melts recipes to try

• 12 DIY Shower Steamers Recipes
• Shower Bombs Recipe with Epsom Salt
• Lavender Shower Steamers for Sleep
• Allergy Relief Shower Bombs
• Pumpkin Spice Shower Steamers

For even more aromatherapy and essential oil recipes, follow A Life Adjacent on Pinterest! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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