1st attempt at shower steamers

[Tammyfarms]

I used Ellen Ruth's recipe which has menthol at 2%.
I see recipes online for varying amounts of 2 to 5%. 7% seems high being that the 2% in mine plus the Euc/Pepmint EOs seemed adequate.
Keep us posted on what you use and how they turn out.

I am definitely going to cut the menthol. I will update as my experiment continues.

 

[AliOop]

I also added the CA last, just like with bath bombs. It’s totally possible I used too much alcohol as the instructions are to just cover the menthol with RA to melt it. Thanks! I did weigh the alcohol as I added it so I will use less next time.

Sounds like a plan! FWIW, my shower steamers are like bath bombs... very finicky about humidity, making it hard to avoid activation when it's raining or snowing, or just plain more humid than usual. Of course, it's those rainy days when I tend to look for inside projects and think, "Oh, let's make bath bombs!"

 

[Tammyfarms]

Sounds like a plan! FWIW, my shower steamers are like bath bombs... very finicky about humidity, making it hard to avoid activation when it's raining or snowing, or just plain more humid than usual. Of course, it's those rainy days when I tend to look for inside projects and think, "Oh, let's make bath bombs!"

That makes a lot of sense. It’s currently 99% humidity outside and I expect that to continue until April or May when the snow melts. Inside, it’s around 40% as we heat primarily with wood. Do you use cornstarch, clay, or something else in addition to your baking soda and CA? I used cornstarch but am thinking next time I will use kaolin clay.

 

[AliOop]

My recipe does contain kaolin clay, I assume for hardening. Cornstarch or cream of tartar would probably work, too.

Edit: Here is the recipe I use. Unfortunately, I didn't note the source, but it was probably a blog or YT video.

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

So I made a batch similar to Ellen Ruth's recipe except no polysorbate 80 (like Kim's Moon Cake recipe except less menthol). They came out fine, and I don't see that it made any difference.
Does anyone know a reason to use the PS80? I like keeping it simple when it works.

 

[Tammyfarms]

My recipe does contain kaolin clay, I assume for hardening. Cornstarch or cream of tartar would probably work, too.

Edit: Here is the recipe I use. Unfortunately, I didn't note the source, but it was probably a blog or YT video.
View attachment 80412

Somehow I saw this post but missed the recipe. Thank you for sharing!

So I made a batch similar to Ellen Ruth's recipe except no polysorbate 80 (like Kim's Moon Cake recipe except less menthol). They came out fine, and I don't see that it made any difference.
Does anyone know a reason to use the PS80? I like keeping it simple when it works.

Great question. I haven’t tried adding PS80 as I am just starting experimenting with shower steamers. I am looking forward to hearing the answers.

 

[AliOop]

It helps the shower floor to be rinsed clean so it doesn't get slippery. Honestly, I don't think that's as big of an issue with shower steamers as it is with bath bombs, so I don't use PS80 in my steamers.

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

It helps the shower floor to be rinsed clean so it doesn't get slippery.

I'm not using any oils besides the EOs, and I can't imagine the amount in one steamer would make much of a problem. And besides, I use so much hair conditioner in the shower, I'd never notice if the floor got any more slippery! Thanks for the explanation. I'll keep on keepin' it simple.

 

[Servant4Christ]

I made more steamers and sized them at 60g per steamer to see if I like them better. They were smooth and beautiful when I made them, but this morning they look a bit bumpy.

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

I made more steamers and sized them at 60g per steamer to see if I like them better. They were smooth and beautiful when I made them, but this morning they look a bit bumpy.

I've been experimenting with different sizes and I'm finding about 40-45 gms to be about right for my length shower.
Is it humid where you are? That could be the cause of your morning bumpies.

 

[AliOop]

I made more steamers and sized them at 60g per steamer to see if I like them better. They were smooth and beautiful when I made them, but this morning they look a bit bumpy.

Is it humid where you are? That could be the cause of your morning bumpies.

Agreed, probably a humidity issue. I typically wrap my shower steamers (and bath bombs) as soon as they are hard enough to touch, or they do start activating.

 

[Servant4Christ]

Agreed, probably a humidity issue. I typically wrap my shower steamers (and bath bombs) as soon as they are hard enough to touch, or they do start activating.

Oh, I thought I had to wait 12-24hrs to allow them to dry and the alcohol smell to evaporate. This is the first batch that's gotten the bumps, but then it did start snowing again last night. For this batch I decided to add eucalyptus and spearmint EOs and surprised myself by really liking the scent. Not too Vick's, not too Wrigley's.

 

[AliOop]

Glad you found a scent that you liked! What percentages of each did you use?

Since this the the first time they got bumps, it does sound like it was caused by the extra humidity from the snow.

 

[Servant4Christ]

Glad you found a scent that you liked! What percentages of each did you use?

Since this the the first time they got bumps, it does sound like it was caused by the extra humidity from the snow.

I used 30 drops of a 3:1 blend of eucalyptus and spearmint. Next time I'll remember to weight that amount and write it down.

 

[Nonnie]

I need to make somefor home. I have one left lol.

Some packaging ideas include: simply shrink wrapping; small mylar bags with zip top and seal strip; window bakery boxes. I like the mylar if hanging them. I also use paper board tubes. I bought this tablet mold. They'll fit my tubes and hopefully just right size.