In high school, my friends and I developed a strong affinity for Lush and their bath bombs; however, being at a small New England boarding school meant that the bath tub, though in existence, was not to be used without a prior hazmat cleaning. Now, I find myself enjoying city living in an apartment. For most, that means a small bath tub, or more likely than not—just a shower. So, if you only have a shower (or just prefer them to baths), but crave an aromatic, luxurious spa-like experience in your own bathroom, then learning how to make your own non-toxic fizzing shower “bomb” is right up your alley! This DIY experiment is simple and quick—taking less than 30 minutes. After all, who isn’t looking for a fun way to shake up their usual downtime with some self-love and pampering? Making your own fizzing shower cubes demonstrates how the subtle and therapeutic properties of essential oils can merge with basic kitchen chemistry and be packaged into a convenient delivery method. Plus, you get to customize your own essential oil blends and experiment with what scents appeal to you!
DIY Aromatherapeutic Non-Toxic Fizzing Shower Bombs
Materials
–2 cups of baking soda (any brand)
–1/2 cup of water
–Essential oils of your choice
–Silicone ice trays, small cupcake tins…whatever mold you desire (I prefer silicone because it is more flexible and easier to work with!)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl, combine the baking soda and water. Mix them into a paste.
3. Spoon the paste into the molds, and smooth the tops off with your fingers.
4. Place the pan in the oven and bake the cubes for 20 minutes at 350° F. Alternative to using the oven: Place the paste mixture into the molds and set aside for 12-24 hours. Ensure that they dry completely.
5. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the cubes to cool completely. The tablets will continue to dry as they cool.
6. Now, add 8-10 drops of your chosen essential oils to the cooled “cubes” and store them in an airtight container, like a mason jar, which looks cute in the bathroom! Do note that you can also store the cooled cubes in an airtight container and add the essential oils to each cube before desired use!
To Use: Use one disc per shower. Keep in mind that less is more with essential oils and aromatherapy. Place the essential oil infused cube on the shower floor so it gets wet, but is not in the immediate shower stream. Moisture and water is the catalyst for the acid-base reaction transformation. So, relax and breathe deep!
Despite my adolescent infatuation with Lush, I have since discovered that the beloved bath bombs I once purchased are filled with questionable ingredients. Ambiguously labeled as “fragrance” or “perfume,” most bath bombs are made with propylene glycol and FD&C Blue #1 and Green #3 dyes. Some research even suggests that Green #3 may be derived from or tested on animals. Yikes! But beyond that, who wants to bathe in a chemical stewpot? Not me. So, I decided that I am better off making my own shower fizzies and I’d encourage other educated consumers to do the same. Some of my top picks for a non-toxic, customized essential oil shower bomb? For relaxing, my go-to blend of oils is lavender and ylang ylang. You can practically feel the stress melt away in a steamy shower with such a relaxing scent combination! I also enjoy experimenting with Rosemary, Rosalina, and Tea Tree when I am down-and-out with annoying allergies or a cold. Other essential oils, such as Green Myrtle and Peppermint, are invigorating while having the added benefit of breaking up congested nasal passages and soothing pain. I encourage you to create your own blends and have fun with it!
Ready to jump in and try making some of these shower bombs yourself? Or perhaps for someone else? 🙂
These DIY bath fizzies make an awesomely creative (and cheap!) homemade gift!
Also by Leigh: DIY Vegan Healing Balm
How to Create Your Own Aromatherapy Mood Blends
Related: 3 DIY Beauty Products with Common Ingredients
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Photo: Pixabay
