While the holidays may be behind us, unfortunately, cold and flu season is not. To soothe those sniffles, sore throats, and sneezing fits, we recommend taking a steamy shower complete with a DIY shower melt. While these are ideal for cold and flu season, you can absolutely use them anytime to create a spa-like experience in your own bathroom. Let’s get started!
What is a Shower Melt?
These are simply tablets that dissolve while you’re taking a shower to create therapeutic steam of eucalyptus and peppermint to soothe your sinuses.
How to Use Shower Melts
Using a shower melt is so simple, all you do is place one at the foot of your shower in a stream of water, and as it gets wet and dissolves, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the essential oils. These melts typically last about five minutes. (Pro tip, just make sure not to use a shower melt in place of a bath bomb!)
What’s the Deal with Eucalyptus?
We’re glad you asked! There are a ton of medicines that contain eucalyptus to treat coughs and common cold symptoms, and it can also be found in lozenges and vapor rubs. Herbalists often recommend using eucalyptus because of its ability to relieve congestion and loosen phlegm.
Why Shower Melts?
Shower melts are super practical because not everybody finds baths relaxing nor does everyone have a bathtub to soak in.
If you’re experiencing common cold symptoms the steam and aroma are a double whammy of relief, making it the perfect way to start or end your day.
Another benefit is that steam carries essential oils to your skin which is moisturizing, unclogs pores, softens sebum, increases circulation, and reduces congestion.
Without further ado, here is how to make your very own shower melts courtesy of A Life Adjacent.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 80 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1/2 tbsp menthol crystals or 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1/8 tsp spirulina powder or green mica (optional)
- Spearmint or eucalyptus leaves (optional)
Equipment
- Spray bottle filled with alcohol
- Round silicone mold
- Non-metallic mixing bowl
- Nitrile or latex gloves
- Airtight jar for storage
Instructions
- Before you begin, crush your menthol crystals into a fine powder. Large chunks of menthol in your shower melts won’t dissolve as quickly, and they also just won’t look as nice. To do this, place your menthol into a baggie and use a heavy object such as a rolling pin to crush.
- Combine all dry ingredients. Place baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), crushed menthol crystals, and natural colorant in your mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.
- Add eucalyptus essential oil. If not using menthol, add peppermint oil as well. Be sure to even disperse your oils throughout the mixture. Then, whisk well to combine.
- Spritz the mixture with a few sprays of alcohol to moisten it. Then, don your gloves and knead the mixture briefly to combine all the ingredients together.
- Grab a small handful of shower melt “dough” and squeeze it to assess the texture. If it sticks together like damp sand, it’s ready to mold. If it crumbles or falls apart, add a few more sprays of alcohol until you get the right texture. Be careful not to add too much moisture – see the tips section for help.
- Now, it’s time to mold your shower melts. Before you begin, spoon or sprinkle a small amount of spearmint or eucalyptus leaves into the bottom of each mold, if desired.
- Pack the mixture tightly into your silicone molds. If at any point the mixture starts to dry out too much, simply spritz a bit more alcohol until it stays together.
- Once you’re finished, smooth out the tops and leave your steamers to dry for at least 24 hours. However, if you live in a humid area, they may need more time. You’ll know they’re ready when they feel dry and hard to the touch.
- Once dry, carefully remove your melts from the mold. Gently peel back the silicone and push on the base of the shower melt. It should pop out easily.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.