How to Make Cinnamon and Clove Autumn Shower Steamers| Essential Oil Recipe
These cinnamon and clove DIY shower steamers are fun and fast to whip up. They are the perfect way to warm up on chilly mornings and add a touch of essential oil aromatherapy to your days. Plus, they are fantastic homemade gifts that give a spa-like experience to anyone this holiday season.
Spice up your life this autumn with homemade aromatherapy shower steamers featuring two fall aromas: clove and cinnamon. Shower steamers are perfect for those who prefer shower experiences over baths.
Like bath bombs, shower steamers melt and bubble when they come in contact with water. Instead of containing moisturizing oils for the skin, they have a high volume of essential oils for a revitalizing aromatherapy experience.
This recipe is scented with a clove and cinnamon essential oil blend and spices for a comforting olfactory experience. Clove is known for its warming and energizing qualities that enhance focus and concentration. Paired with the familiar aroma of cinnamon, this deepens the relaxation experience.
Homemade shower steamers are an effortless way to add aromatherapy and a little luxury to any self-care routine, plus they are simple to make. Shower steamers make unique gifts because they last for a long time and are beautiful. Store your shower steamers in air-tight containers and adorn them with ribbons and handmade labels.
This recipe makes 24 shower steamers.
What is the difference between Shower Steamers and Bath Bombs?
Unlike bathbombs, shower steamers contain a high amount of essential oils and no moisturizing ingredients like olive oil or coconut oil. Bathbombs are used directly in a bathtub and fizz when they touch the water. Similarly, shower steamers also fizz when they touch water, but they should never be submerged in a bathtub. Their high quantity of essential oils is meant for aromatherapy and not for direct use on the skin.
Shower steamers are placed on the shower floor where the water from the shower head splatters the steamer and releases the essential oil aroma. Not much water is needed to start the fizzing reaction of a steamer. Shower steamers are a great way to relieve sinus pressure and clear nasal passages due to their strong aromas. They have a similar effect to bathbombs, without the hassle of drawing a bath.
How Much Essential Oil To Add to A Shower Steamer?
Shower steamers contain high levels of essential oils to give them a strong scent. Unlike bathbombs which usually only conain up to 10 drops of essential oils, the best amount of essential oil for shower steamers is between 25 to 35 drops of each scent. For a total of nearly 50 drops of each scent. You can put a lot of essential oils into a shower steamer because you will not be applying the shower steam directly to your skin. Because they are not intended for direct contact, you do not need to add carrier oil to the recipe. While bathbombs are intended for direct skin contact.
Although dried aromatic herbs like bergamot and peppermint are wonderful alternatives to essential oils, essential oil shower steamers will have a stronger and longer-lasting smell. To keep the potency of the essential oil blends, shower steamers need to be kept in air-tight containers for up to 6-months to preserve their aroma.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR Cinnamon and Clove DIY Shower Steamers
YOU WILL NEED:
INGREDIENTS
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2 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 cup citric acid
1 cup cornstarch
3-5 TB. of water
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
50-100 drops of cinnamon essential oil
50-100 drops of clove essential oil
Optional: whole cloves, additional ground cinnamon, or whole cinnamon pieces for decorating the shower steamers.
TOOLS:
TO MAKE
- If decorating the shower steamer place the molds on a plate or cookie sheet and arrange the decorations inside the molds. Place whole dried cloves or whole pieces of dried cinnamon at the base of the molds, or dust the molds with ground cinnamon. Set the molds aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and ground spices.
- Add the clove and cinnamon essential oils and continue mixing with the mixing spoon, or combine the mixture by hand (be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from the essential oils).
- While continuing to mix the dry ingredients, slowly drip the first tablespoon of water into the dry ingredients to avoid causing the citric acid to react. Continue to add the water (up to 5 tablespoons) until the dry ingredients begin to stick together.
- Once the dry ingredients hold together like dough, spoon the mixture into the silicone mold. Fill the mold shapes ⅔ of the way full.
- Allow the shower steamer to dry for up to 24 hours in the silicone mold.
- The steamers are ready when they are dry to the touch. Delicately peel back the sides of the mold and push from the bottom of the mold to pop out the steamer. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight and in a cool dry place.
TIPS FOR Using Your Shower Steamers
Place a shower fizzy on the floor of your shower, and as the water touches the fizzy, it will begin to melt and release the essential oil aroma. Shower steamers are not recommended for use in a bathtub due to their high amount of essential oils.
- Shower steamers contain more essential oils than bathbombs and should not be used in baths, as they can cause skin irritation.
- If you’re sensitive to the oils included in this recipe, adjust the quantity or type of oils to your preference.
- Use small paper cups instead if you don’t have a silicone mold. Once dry, cut or tear the cup away from the shower steamer.
Get the step-by-step process!
Extend your shower steamer-making experience by watching the video tutorials for this shower steamer recipe.
The one-hour-plus tutorial includes video instruction for the clove and cinnamon shower steamers and herbal bathbombs.
WHAT OTHER Essential Oils WORK WELL FOR Shower Steamers?
Almost any essential oil will work well in a shower steamer. Some of the best combinations include essential oils that are supportive to the immune system and assist can support the body during cold and flu season. Others that strike a perfect balance can support focus or curate a calm and relaxing environment, which can be nourishing to the nervous system. Here are a few of our favorite essential oil recipes combinations:
- Lavender essential oil and rose essential oils
- Peppermint oil and eucalyptus essential oil (great for opening airways due to congestion)
- Ylang-ylang and Jasmin essential oils
- Lemon Verbena essential oil and Lavender essential oil
- Orange oil and Bergamot essential oil (for a very uplifting scent)
Where Can I Buy Safe Essential Oils?
There’s a lot of talk in the herbalism world about the safe, effective, and ethical use of essential oils. Essential oils require a lot of plant matter to just make a few drops of potent oils. Essential oils are also the most concentrated versions of their plant parts. Essential oils in natural skin and body care must be used cautiously. There are incredible health benefits of using essential oils, but like all things that have their benefits, it’s important to pay attention to their cautions too.
All of that said, sourcing your essential oils can feel like an overwhelming experience.
One of our favorite ways to get acquainted with essential oils has been enjoying the essential oil boxes from Simply Earth.
Simply Earth is a subscription box company specializing in essential oil DIY recipes and provides all the materials right to your door! Plus, they provide incredible essential oil education. A great way to learn about essential oils, whether you’re a beginner or not.
Other places we enjoy buying our essential oils include:
Shower steamers and shower melts are designed to dissolve completely in the shower. Citric acid acts as a natural preservative that can keep the steamers fresh for longer.
Citric acid also activates the fizzing reaction when warm water touches the shower steamer. Although having the shower steamer fizz on the floor of the shower when it gets wet isn’t necessary, it is a fun reaction! However, if you do not have citric acid to include in your recipe, your shower steamers will still turn out and work well.
Cornstarch is used as a binding agent to shower steamers. Arrowroot is a good substitute if you don’t have cornstarch on hand. Cornstarch tends to be less expensive than arrowroot powder, so it can be a better option for reducing the cost of creating your shower steamers.
Shower steamers are intended for adult use only. Essential oils are very potent and can be unsafe for young children and pets. The safety of high amounts of essential oils for children is also undetermined.
For best results, spray the silicone mold with witch hazel to prevent the shower steamers from sticking to the molds.
Pair the Shower Steamers with more DIY and Natural Body Care recipes
