DIY Shower Steamers with Eucalyptus, Made Safely
A fizzing tablet on the shower floor fills a steamy bathroom with a fresh eucalyptus scent. They are easy to make, but they contain concentrated oil, so they need the same care as any other medicine-cabinet item.
Shower steamers are like bath bombs for people who prefer a shower. You place one on the shower floor, away from the main stream of water, and as it slowly fizzes it releases scent into the warm, damp air.
Eucalyptus is the classic choice when you have a cold. Its fresh, sharp smell has been used for blocked noses from Australia, where the trees come from, to the many countries where they are now grown. Making your own takes about 20 minutes plus a day of drying. The key is to use only a small amount of oil and to store the finished tablets as carefully as you would any other strong product.
What a shower steamer can do
The steam itself comes from your hot shower, not from the tablet. The tablet only adds scent. Mayo Clinic lists taking a steamy shower among simple self-care tips for a cough, because moist air can ease an irritated throat.
The eucalyptus smell can make a blocked nose feel clearer, even though it does not change the cold itself. Think of a steamer as a pleasant extra to a warm shower, not as a treatment.
Eucalyptus Shower Steamers
You need
- baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)200 g (1 cup)
- citric acid powder100 g (1/2 cup)
- cornstarch, optional, for firmer tablets1 tbsp
- water in a small spray bottlea few sprays
- eucalyptus essential oil16 drops (about 2 per tablet)
- silicone ice cube tray or small mold, kept only for crafts1
Method
- Put on gloves. Citric acid can sting on cuts and in the eyes. Work on a dry surface away from children and pets.
- Mix the baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch in a dry glass or metal bowl, breaking up any lumps.
- Add the eucalyptus oil drop by drop, stirring well so it spreads evenly.
- Spray the mixture lightly with water, one or two sprays at a time, stirring quickly after each. Stop when it holds together like damp sand when squeezed. Too much water makes it fizz in the bowl.
- Press the mixture firmly into the molds and leave to dry for 24 hours in a dry place.
- Turn the tablets out and store them in an airtight jar labeled clearly as not food, high up and out of reach of children and pets.
- To use, place one tablet on the shower floor or a high corner of the tray where the water splashes it lightly but does not hit it directly. Do not stand on it.
Tips
- Use them within a few weeks. Damp air in a bathroom makes them fizz away in the jar, so keep the jar in a cooler room.
- If the scent is too strong, use one drop of oil per tablet or break a tablet in half.
- A few dried eucalyptus or mint leaves pressed into the top look pretty and add a lighter scent.
What the evidence says
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that eucalyptus oil can be used to relieve cough linked to the common cold, including by inhalation. That conclusion is based on long-standing use, not on strong clinical trials, and it applies to licensed medicines with a known strength, not to homemade tablets.
We found no studies on homemade shower steamers. So enjoy them for comfort and keep your expectations modest. Rest and fluids are still the backbone of getting over a cold.
Why care with children and pets matters
The EMA says eucalyptus oil medicines must not be used in children under 30 months because of the risk of laryngeal spasm, a sudden tightening of the voice box that makes breathing hard. They must also not be used in children with a history of seizures. Inhaled forms are for children from 4 years.
Swallowing eucalyptus oil is a poisoning risk. MedlinePlus lists symptoms such as drowsiness, vomiting, wheezing, slurred speech and seizures. A tablet left on a low shelf can look like a sweet to a small child.
Pets need protecting too. Texas A&M veterinary experts list eucalyptus among essential oils that are toxic to pets, and warn that scented air can irritate a cat's airways. Keep cats and dogs out of the bathroom while a steamer is fizzing, and air the room afterward.
Questions people ask
Can I use other essential oils?
Some people use peppermint or lavender. The same rules apply: a few drops only, kept away from children, and many essential oils are toxic to pets.
Are shower steamers safe for children with a cold?
Not for babies and toddlers, and inhaled eucalyptus is not for children under 4. For older children, a plain warm, steamy bathroom without oil is the gentler choice.
Why does my steamer crumble or fizz in the jar?
It got too wet while mixing or has picked up moisture since. Use fewer sprays of water next time and store the jar away from the bathroom.
Sources
- Eucalypti aetheroleum (eucalyptus oil), herbal medicinal product — European Medicines Agency
- Eucalyptus oil overdose — MedlinePlus
- A Scent-sitive Subject: Essential Oil Diffusers and Your Cat — Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine
- Cough: When to see a doctor — Mayo Clinic
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
