Shower steamers (AKA shower steamer bombs) can boost your shower experience by adding delightful fragrances that can transform your daily routine into a spa-like retreat.
Shower steamers are an excellent way to introduce or improve your self-care, working whether you’re short on time or like to take your time in the shower.
Making your own shower steamers with perfume is a simple and cost-effective way to enjoy your favourite scents. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make shower steamers using perfume.
Why Do People Use Shower Steamers, and Who Might Benefit Most?
People use shower steamers as an aromatherapy tool, aiding symptom management though the use of aromatherapy shower steamers as clinical treatment is disputed.
Shower steamers can aid mental wellness, creating a spa-like atmosphere at home. This is helpful if you’re tired, on a fixed income, or suffer from anxiety. Scents can be chosen to calm and comfort after stress and setbacks, or stimulate and invigorate for the challenge ahead.
Shower steamer bombs are also a subtle way to scent your bathroom, as the scented steam will linger in the air for a while after your shower.
What is In Most Shower Steamers and Why?
Most shower steamers contain baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and sometimes kaolin clay.
Baking soda and citric acid create a fizzing reaction when exposed to water, releasing the fragrance into the air.
Cornstarch adds bulk to help control the reaction rate, for a more gradual scent release. Kaolin clay can improve the tactile feel of your steamer and nourish your skin.
Why Might People Want to Use Perfume, as Well as Or Instead of Essential Oil?
Perfume offers a wider range of scents and more complex fragrance profiles compared to essential oils. People might prefer perfume for its long-lasting scent and the ability to replicate their favourite perfumes in the shower steamer format. Additionally, perfumes can provide unique and customized scent experiences, particularly when combined with custom scenting options.
Are there Any Tradeoffs When Using Perfume in Your Shower Steamer?
Many perfumes contain alcohol, which can be irritating when inhaled in large quantities, especially in the steam-filled environment of a shower. This could potentially cause respiratory discomfort for some individuals. You should test with a small amount of perfume, and use perfumes with a higher concentration of scent such as parfums and EDPs.
The alcohol in perfumes can make your shower steamer mixture drier, and potentially more crumbly. This can affect the final product's texture and stability. Dry and crumbly mixtures are covered later in this article.
Perfumes generally have a more potent scent than essential oils, due to their volatile nature. Using too much perfume can result in an overpowering scent, which may be unpleasant for some users. It’s important to start with a small amount and adjust as needed.
If you plan to mix your perfume with several scents, it can be tricky to get the right balance due to your perfume’s more complex composition. Achieving the desired fragrance profile may require some experimentation.
DIY Shower Steamers Recipe with Perfume
Ingredients
· 1 cup baking soda
· 1/2 cup citric acid
· 1/2 cup cornstarch
· 2 tablespoons kaolin clay (optional, for added texture)
· Perfume of your choice
· Water or witch hazel (in a spray bottle)
Apparatus
· Silicone mould (for shaping the steamers)
· Mixing bowls
· Gloves (to protect your hands from the perfume and citric acid)
· Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you start, gather all your ingredients and materials. Measure out the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and kaolin clay (if using). Make sure your silicone mould is clean and dry, ready to be filled with the shower steamer mixture.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and kaolin clay. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated. The baking soda and citric acid will react when in contact with water, creating the fizzing effect that makes shower steamers so enjoyable.
Step 3: Add Perfume
Wearing gloves, add your chosen perfume to the dry mixture. Start with about 1-2 teaspoons of perfume and mix well. You can add more perfume if you prefer a stronger scent. Mix thoroughly to ensure the perfume is evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Moisten the Mixture
Fill a spray bottle with water or witch hazel. Slowly spray the liquid into the dry mixture, stirring constantly. Be careful not to add too much liquid at once, as this can cause the mixture to start fizzing prematurely. The goal is to achieve a consistency similar to damp sand, where the mixture holds its shape when squeezed together.
Step 5: Fill the Moulds
Once the mixture reaches the right consistency, start packing it into the silicone moulds. Press the mixture firmly into each mould cavity to ensure there are no air pockets and that the steamers will hold together well. You can use the back of a spoon or your fingers to press the mixture down.
Step 6: Let Them Dry
Allow the shower steamers to dry in the moulds for at least 24 hours. If you live in a humid environment, it may take longer for them to dry completely. Once they are dry and hard, carefully remove them from the moulds.
Step 7: Store the Steamers
Store your shower steamers in an airtight container to keep them dry until you're ready to use them. Moisture can cause them to fizz prematurely, so ensure they are well-sealed.
How to Use Shower Steamers
Simply place one of your shower fizzies on the floor of your shower, away from the direct stream of water but close enough that it gets wet. As the water hits the steamer, it will begin to fizz and release the fragrant steam, filling your shower with the delightful aroma of your chosen perfume.
Tips for Success
Perfume Selection
Choose a perfume with a scent profile that you love and that holds up well in steam. Citrusy and floral notes tend to work well.
Avoid Over-Wetting
Be careful not to add too much water when moistening the mixture. It should be just enough to hold the ingredients together.
Experiment with Scents
Don't be afraid to experiment with different perfumes and scent combinations to create a personalized shower experience.
Test Small Batches
If you're new to making shower steamers, start with a small batch to test the scent strength and formulation.
Add Essential Oils
For added benefits, consider adding a few drops of complementary essential oils to the mixture.
Conclusion
Using your homemade shower steamers will turn your bathroom into a spa. You’ll improve your mental wellness with barely any change to your routine or budget. When you use these with your favourite perfume, you recall your best scent memories with each fizzy bar. Enjoy, and check out the FAQs below for additional tips and guidance.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Get the entire perfume range of 6 handcrafted EDPs, from CELIE & COUCH. Free UK shipping.
Shower Steamer FAQs
What Else Can I Put in My Shower Steamers?
Sprinkle dried flowers or herbs into the moulds before adding the shower steamer mixture. Dried flowers and herbs not only add a natural and beautiful aesthetic but can also contribute to the fragrance and provide mild aromatherapy benefits.
Add a layer of bath salts to the bottom of the mould or mix them into the shower steamer mixture. Bath salts can add a decorative touch and may dissolve during use, providing additional skin benefits like exfoliation and mineral enrichment.
Mix powdered spices into the shower steamer mixture or sprinkle a small amount on top. Common spices used are cinnamon, turmeric, and ground ginger. Spices can add natural colour and subtle fragrance. Some spices, like cinnamon, also have invigorating properties.
Sprinkle cosmetic-grade glitter powder into the moulds before adding the mixture or mix a small amount into the batch. Glitter adds a sparkling, festive look to your shower steamers. Use biodegradable, skin-safe glitter to avoid environmental impact and skin irritation.
What Other Uses Are There for Shower Steamers?
Apart from enhancing your shower experience, shower steamers can be used as air fresheners in small spaces like closets or drawers. They can also serve as thoughtful homemade gifts.
Do Shower Steamers Expire?
When stored in an airtight container in a dry place, homemade shower steamers can last up to six months. Proper storage is crucial to prevent premature fizzing due to moisture.
How to Enhance the Scent in My DIY Shower Bombs?
If your shower bombs lack scent, try increasing the amount of perfume in the mixture. Start with small increments to avoid making the fragrance overpowering.
How Do I Add Colour & Texture to My Homemade Shower Bombs?
Yes, you can add colour to your shower bombs using food-grade colourants or mica powder. Ensure the colourants are safe for skin use and add them during the mixing of the dry ingredients. By layering different colours in your mould, you can achieve rainbow and gradient effects or surprise pops of contrasting colour.
How Long Do the Shower Steamers Last in the Shower?
Shower steamers typically last for the duration of one shower session, gradually dissolving as they fizz and release their fragrance.
How to Fix Crumbly Shower Bombs?
If your shower bombs are crumbly, it likely means the mixture lacks sufficient moisture. Add small amounts of water or witch hazel gradually until the mixture holds together like damp sand.
Can I Use Shower Bombs as Bath Bombs?
While shower bombs and bath bombs contain similar ingredients, shower bombs are formulated to release fragrance in a shower environment and may not dissolve as effectively in a bath.
Heading
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Subheading
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Subheading
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Subheading
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Subheading
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Conclusion
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Get the entire perfume range of 6 handcrafted EDPs, from CELIE & COUCH. Free UK shipping.
Comments