By: Jill Mills Posted: Dec 28, 2023 Updated: Jan 4, 2024

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It can be hard to find relief when you are feeling under the weather. These Lavender Decongestant DIY Shower Melts can help break through the stuffiness with the bold scent of menthol and relaxing lavender essential oils.

Homemade Shower Melts

DIY shower melts are a magical addition to your daily routine. They add delightful scents to your shower, giving you an invigorating start to the day. When the water flows over them, they release a blend of essential oils and vaper into the steam, creating a personal aromatherapy experience. Made with love and care, these fragrant melts turn your ordinary shower into a spa-like getaway.

Making your own DIY shower melts are a simple and affordable way to add some sinus relief to your daily shower routine. They also make great gifts for friends and family, especially during the cold winter months when everyone could use a little extra self-care. We find these very helpful for our sinuses.

What You’ll Need

Vick’s VapoRub: You do not need to use the brand name. Any version of vapor rub will work.
Lavender Essential Oil: Any essential oil will work. Use different oils depending on what you are trying to achieve.
Cornstarch, Baking soda and Water: This is the base of the shower melts.
Purple gel food coloring: The food coloring is optional. It only adds decoration.
Silicone Mold: you can find cylinder silicone molds here.

How to Make DIY Shower Steamers

Combine: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and baking soda. Add the vapor rub until it is well mixed. The powders will be loose and crumbly, with the consistency of wet sand. Then stir in lavender essential oil. Add in water to the mixture, ½ tablespoon at a time. Mix until the mixture becomes a paste. You want to make sure you don’t add in too much water. If adding the food coloring add it at this step.

Lavender DIY Shower Steamers in the mold

Mold: Add the mixture to the molds. Place the molds in the freezer for a few hours to harden. The shower tablets can also be left out overnight to dry.

Lavender decongestant DIY Shower Steamers

Tips and Tricks for Homemade Shower Steamer Recipe

When selecting your essential oils for the aromatherapy shower steamers, consider their unique properties. For example, eucalyptus and peppermint can be very refreshing and can help with congestion, while lavender and chamomile are known for their relaxing effects.
Store your shower steamers in a cool, dry place to prevent them from melting before use.
If you want the scent to last longer, place the steamer away from the direct path of water. The slower it dissolves, the longer your shower will be filled with the beautiful aroma.
For a more intense aromatherapy experience, consider using two steamers at once. This can really elevate the whole shower experience, making it feel like a mini spa session.
Be mindful that the shower floor can become slippery after using the steamers, so exercise caution when stepping out of the shower.

If a silicone cylinder mold isn’t available, alternative options such as a muffin tin or an ice cube tray can be used. However, silicone molds are recommended for their ease of use and the simplicity they offer when popping out the shower melts.
Food coloring serves solely as a means to add color to the shower melts and is entirely optional.
When using the shower melts, position them near the drain in the shower for optimal effect.
These shower steamers are best stored in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Alternatively, if you prefer to let them air dry, they can be stored at room temperature.

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