Tuesday, March 20, 2018

DIY Shower Steamers for a Relaxing Bath Experience - Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

 Welcome to the March Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by My PinterventuresIf you aren't familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a monthly event that challenges us to not just be pin hoarders, but to make it happen!
This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn a small commission to help with my craft expenses (at no extra cost to you).Thank you!

This month, I chose to make Shower Steamers for a Relaxing Bath Experience. I love taking relaxing hot baths, but haven't enjoyed one since we moved into this house over six years ago. When we had our home built, we elected to have the tub removed in the master bath and replaced it with a closet for the hubby.  We do have tubs in other bathrooms but I haven't had the urge to use them that way. It just wouldn't be the same for me. But I just love the theory behind turning your shower into an aromatherapy by using shower steamers!  And I've pinned and seen quite a few different ways to make them! After checking out a few on Pinterest and the comments I read, I like this pin the best : https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38069559333718611/  It's easy to follow and right to the point! I even saw a tutorial on the Hallmark Channel that convinced me to make a few!

Shower Steamers
are a wonderful and easy way to relax and unwind in the shower! And there're so many ways to enjoy using them - just by adding different blends of essential oils in the mix!  There might be different reasons you'd want to use shower steamers, say, for instance -  if you just want to relax or need help in getting to sleep (lavender, geranium, sandalwood), or maybe ease congestion (eucalyptus, peppermint) or help you to get wide awake and energized for the day ( lemon, peppermint, bergamot, ylang ylang)!  There are so many usages just by adding certain essential oils!


Here's the basic recipe that I tweaked for my purpose of just relaxing in the shower with a fizzy, wonderful aroma:

Ingredients:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1/2 cup cornstarch
3-5 Tbsp. water in a spray bottle
80+ drops essential oil (sandalwood, lavender)
30 drops soap colorant
Molds - silicone or plastic soap molds

  • Combine the baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch in a large bowl. Use gloved hands to diminish any lumps or clumps and mix well.
  • Slowly spritz the mixture all over with water, a little bit at a time, using your gloved hand to mix together while checking to see if the mix is holding together by squeezing it in your hand.  If it doesn't hold together, it's not ready. But if it looks like damp sand or a snowball and holds together, enough water has been added. You will probably hear a bit of fizzing as you mix the water or any liquid in, for that matter. The citric acid causes the fizzing. Just make sure to gently add the water and not pour it directly in.

  • Next, add the essential oils, blending in the drops all over the mixture with gloved hands.
  • If you'd like to have your steamers a bit colorful, add drops of soap colorant at this time. Remember this is liquid too and will affect the consistency. There is a dry colorant called mica powder that provides a deeper coloring if you'd like that.  Continue mixing the solution, and squeezing until ready.
  • Then take some of the mixture and press firmly into the molds, making sure there are no air pockets or gaps. Use the back of a spoon to press and smooth down.

  • If you're using metal molds, once you press the mixture firmly into the mold and the ingredients have taken shape, you'll notice it will easily slide out - which is a good thing. Slide the shaped steamers out and place on parchment paper and allow to dry completely and get hard. Unfortunately, I left both types of molds intact overnight and found the metal ones impossible to remove the next day - no matter what I did. The plastic filled soap molds released easily onto towels. And I'm sure using silicone molds would have easily released the forms, too.

  • Store in a jar with a tight top or inside a sealed bag. Decorate if giving as a gift. Keep in a dry, cool place.
To Use: Drop one shower steamer in the shower stall away from the stream of water. Relax and sit in your hot, steamy shower, breathing in the wonderful aromatherapy benefits of the essential oil blends you chose to use! The steamer will fizz and melt. Leave what's left on the floor of your shower for your next shower, if you like!

My take away from this pin:
  • The amount of essential oil drops used is just a guide. You can add more if you like. I love sandalwood fragrance and would have liked a bolder scent of it.
  • It's best to use silicone or plastic soap molds. They're so much easier to use and release the forms.
  • Don't let metal molds dry overnight - remove the forms from the molds as soon as they're formed and easily slide out intact. Let dry completely out of the molds.
  • Use dry mica powder instead of a liquid soap colorant for a more intense shade.
  • The shower steamers should be called fizzies and not steamers. More fizz - no steam, except from the hot water.
  • Love the overall experience - my shower was very relaxing and the aroma filled the bathroom - the fragrance permeated into the bedroom, too! And the best part - I felt great! Will make more to use and give as gifts! 

To join next month's challenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ April Pinterest Challenge




Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop
Roseann - This Autoimmune Life • Kelli - The Olympic Nest
Lynne - My Family Thyme • Beverly - Across the Blvd.
Debra - Shoppe No. 5 • Pili - My Sweet Things
Julie - Sum of their StoriesGwen - Geez, Gwen!
T'onna - Sew Crafty Crochet • Kenyatta - My Design Rules
Cherryl - Farm Girl Reformed • Lisa - Blogghetti
Lauren - Mom Home Guide • Deborah - Salvage Sister & Mister
Gail - Purple Hues and Me • Terri - Our Good Life
Emily - Domestic Deadline - Maria - Tinseltown 

An InLinkz Link-up





Shop Related Products:

    

25 comments:

  1. Ooo, sounds nice. With Spring allergies hitting, the decongestant one sounds like a good idea!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Gail, what a fun idea! I just love it :)

    Happy Spring to you. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never heard of shower steamers, but I love the idea. It sounds so relaxing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never tried any sort of shower steamers but these look nice and simple to make. I love the molds you used too; they make them look so fancy! Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is such a great project to try, Gail. I love the molds you used, giving a pretty look to the steamers. I want to give this one a try!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as a shower steamers, but I love the idea of sitting in my shower, that may be the only peace and quite I could get all week! Thanks for this recipe! Pinning to try!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OK, this is why I love this Pinterest Challenge so much! You all find the coolest stuff! Shower Steamers? Who knew? I can not wait to make some of these. I have recently discovered the wonders of essential oils but no one told me anything about these. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had JUST seen these a few weeks ago but had never heard of them before! You gave great instructions and I saved the link you recommended. Lots of great tips - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wish I'd seen this when my husband was sick the other week, he'd probably be more open to trying something like this than any other essential oils remedy I've offered him!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Never heard of the shower steamers...interesting. I rarely take baths so this would wonderful! Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have Pinned this idea too. So glad you did this one because now I know it will be good for us too. I want them for the free breathing aspect during cold and allergy seasons. I think these would make nice gifts too. Sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to homemade bath stuff. It's good to know that these are more fizzy than steamy! As soon as I get some silicone molds I'm trying them out! Pinning for the extra tips :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've made bath bombs with my girls before and this sounds like a bath bomb recipe that does fizz. We've never used them like a bath steamer, but I like the idea of using it in the shower for the aroma. Will have to try it. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have never heard of shower steamers. It is so interesting that by using the different oils can wake you up or relax you or even act as a decongestant. These will make great gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is a new idea to me, but it sounds just lovely. We don't have anywhere to sit in our shower but I'm sure we could still enjoy the smell of these!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I enjoy taking baths and these could be a great addition to them. I bet they smell wonderful as well. Pinning!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Steam showers are a great way to wind down after exercise. The warmth helps to open capillaries, which allows blood to flow. This removes the metabolic waste that builds up in muscles, causing muscle soreness. A steam shower can also help improve circulation. shower cabin

    ReplyDelete
  18. The ultimate goal is to provide enough heat for your bathroom so that frequent visits and showers don’t have to be frustrating. If you need any information, check out aboutheating.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  19. To find a professional pipelines specialist, a variety of ways can be used. You may ask a friend or family member for a reference, or you could ask a local real estate agent who he or she has hired as fantastic plumbing professional. You might choose a service like plumbers in Chula Vista.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Massage is definitely a very cool thing and also very useful. seashell spa this is the best massage of my life everything just like my brother said he goes for a massage every week

    ReplyDelete
  21. Want a girl that is skillful enough to surprise you in bed? Buzz 888 companions is the place for you to get in touch with a horny babe.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very interesting recipe to try. During these beauty courses, we were taught procedures and work on modern equipment, they also showed how to make cosmetic creams, scrubs and soaps.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very simple and at the same time useful advice. Once, while visiting this spa, I noticed some creams created by myself right in the salon. Sometimes when you have time, you want to do these things with your own hands.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Not the first time I return to this interesting blog with useful tips. For those who are interested, I want to pay attention to this spa salon. I have been to the salon several times and have always been pleasantly surprised by the service and professionalism of the staff.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...