Next time you feel stuffed up, or you’re getting that icky-sicky feeling, whip up a batch of these cold kicking shower melts to bring you some relief!
Updated Images as of May 2019: As one of my most popular posts, this little recipe for DIY Cold Kicking Shower Melts, was long overdue for a spruce up and some new images! Plus, I was out of shower melts and decided to do new pics the next time I whipped up a batch… so here we are!
This cold and flu season seems to be determined to kick my ass! I’m fighting another round and I am so SICK AND TIRED of being sick and tired! I’m taking matters into my own hands, after I heard of shower melts, I decided to get all kinds of essential-oiled-up around here!
I’ve got my diffuser going non stop and I whipped up a batch of these cold shower melts that pack one heck of a wallop that clear my sinuses in the morning!
These cold kicking shower melts are the perfect combination of peppermint and eucalyptus. They dissolve in the shower releasing those essential oils into the steam!
Why peppermint and eucalyptus oils?
Peppermint oil is great for clearing respiratory tract, it can improve mental focus, and will give you an energy boost. Eucalyptus oil works as an expectorant and helps cleanse your body of toxins and harmful microorganisms that can make you feel sick.
Put the two of them together with a little steam in the shower and you’ll be feeling a whole lot better in no time!
What You Need to Make DIY Decongestant Shower Melts
- 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon Witch Hazel (optional)
- Food Coloring (optional)
- Water – 3 to 4 tablespoons to start, more will likely be needed
- ice cube tray or silicone molds
- medium size bowl
- mixing spoon
Nope, no baking soda or citric acid–these are all about decongesting your chest and not about fizzy-fun!
Step #1 –
Add your cornstarch, essential oils, witch hazel and food coloring to medium sized bowl and stir. It will be very powdery and clumpy.
Step #2 –
Add a tiny amount of water, starting with 3 Tablespoons. Mix well… it will start as a dry, crumbly mixture. Add water a few drops at a time to the mixing bowl and combine well. Then a few more drops and mix some more.
Repeat until you get JUST past the crumbly point and the color is mixed in. If the mixture gets too wet, add a little more cornstarch.
Step #3 –
Spoon the mixture into the silicon molds or ice cube trays (you can also use muffin tins or bath bomb molds). Gently tap / shake to work out the bubbles. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
Store your cold kicking shower melts is a cool dry place or back in the freezer until you need one! Then just toss it on the floor of your shower in the hot water and steam for some peppermint and eucalyptus relief!
It’s like a vapor rub and menthol crystal -laced shower. I love it.
Frequently Asked Questions about these Cold Kicking Shower Melts:
What size silicone mold should you use?
You can use any size mold you’d like. You only need one that fits about a tablespoon of the “goop”.
Do I need to reduce the amount of essential oils if a pre-teen or child are use the melts?
It’s not necessary. The essential oils are diluted in the steam and are safe for all ages.
Can I use baking soda instead of cornstarch?
No it has to be cornstarch. Baking soda would react and dissolve in the water while you’re mixing the ingredients.
About how many melts does this recipe make?
I got about 2 dozen out of this recipe.
Is the mix supposed to be powdery/clumpy when it goes in the mold or is it supposed to be more of a wet or sticky paste?
It should be clumpy when stirred, but smooth out when you let it settle. If its too dry, then you should be able to smoosh it and add a few more drops of water.
Why the witch hazel? You said optional but do you use?
I do use it! Witch hazel is good for so many things, but its also a really effective way to get the essential oils to combine well with the dry ingredients.
How long do they last if you don’t freeze them?
These melts NEED to be frozen until you’re ready to use them. The freezer keeps them solid, otherwise they sort of melt into goo.
Can I use these in the bath, like a bath bomb?
There are a lot of Essential Oils called for in these melts. If you want to put it in the bath, I’d use only one and also include at least 1/4 cup of epsom salts to help dilute the oil concentration. Use cautiously!!
The power of essential oils really are amazing! The next time you feel stuffed up, or you’re getting that icky-sicky feeling, whip up a batch of these cold kicking shower melts and they’ll help bring you some relief!
*This advice is based on my experience with essential oils and the research that I’ve done. This information is my opinion and should not replace the advice of a doctor.
When it comes to your health and well being, I always recommend that you do your own research. If you’re interested in leaning more about essential oils, I’d love to talk with you!
Send me an email at [email protected]
Pin this essential oil DIY for later:
If you love this easy homemade shower melts project, be sure to pin it to your favorite DIY ideas board on Pinterest! I’d be truly grateful for that. It’s how this site grows and helps support my ability to bring you great DIYs like this.
Cold Kicking Shower Melts
Next time you feel stuffed up, or you're getting that icky-sicky feeling, whip up a batch of these cold kicking shower melts to bring you some relief!
Materials
- 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 Tablespoon Witch Hazel (optional)
- Food Coloring (optional)
- Water – 3 to 4 tablespoons to start, more will likely be needed
Tools
- ice cube tray or silicone molds
- medium size bowl
- mixing spoon
Instructions
- Add your cornstarch, essential oils, witch hazel and food coloring to medium sized mixing bowl. Stir. It will be very powdery and clumpy.
- Add water, starting with 3 Tablespoons. Mix well… it will start as a dry, crumbly mixture. Add water a few drops at a time and mix well. Then a few more drops and mix some more.
- Repeat until you get JUST past the crumbly point and the color is mixed in. If the mixture gets too wet, add a little more cornstarch.
- Spoon the paste into the ice cube tray or silicone mold. Gently tap / shake to work out the bubbles. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
Notes
Store your cold kicking shower melts is a cool dry place or back in the freezer until you need one! Then just toss it on the floor of your shower for some peppermint and eucalyptus relief!
I have a few co-workers who would benefit from one of these right now. Everyone around here is sharing a cold. These are great!
I have everything except the eucalyptus eo! I’ll be making these soon.
What a great idea! I’m just starting to get into the oils and love this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sounds amazing! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
These shower melts are just an awesome idea. I love the idea of the Pure Essential Oils! So rejuvenating! If you would like to link them up at Sunday Fitness and Food Link-Up we would love to have you. I bet there some Wellness fans who would love to see it! Have a great Sunday! Pinning!
Wow! This is a wonderful idea & something I am definitely going to try. I love eucalyptus & peppermint oil & I can only imagine how beneficial they would be prepared this way & combined with steam of a shower. I have pinned & tweeted this 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing it at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-up at http://www.marathonsandmotivation.com
These look easy to make and I LOVE using peppermint and eucalyptus to clear my head! Thanks for sharing!
I love them! They are a perfect homemade gift!
If you have time, I would love for you to come and share this post over at the Really Crafty link party that is live right now! (http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/welcome-to-really-crafty-link-party-6.html).
Pinned! Def want to try!
I bet these smell amazing and help open up the nasal passages. I love my oils!
I love when I see an awesome recipe and I already have all the ingredients!
You should come link up at our Bloggers Spotlight party, we pin everything to our group board and have two separate link-ups, one for posts and one devoted to pins so you get even more exposure!
http://www.raisingfairiesandknights.com/category/bloggers-spotlight/
thanks for linking up!!
About what size are the individual heart molds? Thanks!
Hi Jeanne! It holds about a tablespoon of the “Goop” I’m guessing its about an ounce.
Hi! Do I need to cut the amount of essential oils in half if making for a 12 year old?
Hi Tresha! You shouldn’t need to since they’re diluted into the steam.
Great recipe! Pinned and thanks for sharing at#OMHGWW!
Stopping by from Sunday’s Best linkup. I am so glad you shared this post. I have allergies. The symptoms are similar to a cold. I love shower soothers. I will be tweeting and pinning this. Thanks for sharing
These are great! Perfect for this time of year! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
I love this; it would be great for my allergies, too! Thanks from all of us at Throwback Thursday for linking up to us this week! We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring next week. 🙂
Mollie
sorry you’re sick. I hate being sick, too, and these are just the thing for when I get a sinus infection (hopefully not for a while!) Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
I have a MONSTER of a cold right now, I need some of these – pinning for later so when I feel like a human again….I can make some to have on hand!
This is so good!! will definitely come in handy .. Im quite prone to bad colds 🙁 We are so happy to say that you have been featured on our link party #SaucySaturday!
Thanks Jennifer! Will try this. Can I use baking soda instead of corn starch? Not sure if it works the same.
No it has to be cornstarch. Baking soda would react and dissolve in the water
Thanks! So this helps it not melt away too quick so you get the essential oil effect longer in the shower. Got it. Thanks for the quick response.
About how many melts does this recipe make?
I was able to make about 2 dozen!
Hi, is the mix supposed to be powdery/clumpy when it goes in the mold or is it supposed to be more of a wet or sticky paste? I’m working on these tonight and put some in a little powdery. If they don’t stick, you think I could rework with more water after they’ve been frozen?
It should be clumpy when stirred, but smooth out when you let it settle. If its too dry, then you should be able to smoosh it and add a few more drops of water.
This has the oddest consistency… I hope I got it right! I played around with it (more water, more cornstarch) and finally came up with something that couldn’t decide if it was liquid or solid. It was the most bizarre thing! They’re in the freezer now. Hope they turn out!
They really do have a weird consistency! I remember doing science “experiments” in grade school with water and cornstarch 🙂
it’s called. non-newtonian fluid. It isliquid if touch it slowly, but if you put more pressure on it, you push three particles together causing it to be more solid like…sorry…science teacher 🙂
No, thank you. I knew there was a name for it! It was very interesting to work with.
So freezing these doesn’t make them crumble? Do you then store at room temp?
Sorry for the questions. I made lots of baking soda & citric acid blazed shower fizzy tabs with essential oils as Christmas gifts but my spouse now has a sinus infection and I’m getting over a stomach bug! I just want to make sure before I try to make these tomorrow in my silicone molds that I do so to get the most benefit!
Thanks!
I just let mine in the freezer and grab one or 2 to throw in the shower when I need them
I’ll have to try your recipe! It sounds wonderful!
Visiting via Made by You Monday!.
Have a Lovely Day!
Wow – we needed this at our house – fighting the cold monster. I didn’t know these were so easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the recipe Jennifer. I can’t wait to make these. Having these on hand will make a cold a little less of a bummer. lol
Just made these for my Daughter she has bad allergies and a possible sinus infection. The smell great thanks for sharing.
I’d probably add coconut oil to help solidify and a touch of lemon oil. Both are antibacterial and antiviral plus lemons. helps sore throats and also helps cleanse toxins. Coconut oil also helps keep your skin healthy and soft. Just my two cents if anyone wants to alter if it doesnt hold its shape very well. Keep them frozen or refrigerated until time to use.
It’s not really recommended to use carrier oils with shower melts because they’ll make the shower floor too slippery. Besides, it won’t help your skin because it would just be going down the drain. Maybe you’re thinking of bath bombs…
I think I added too much water because after freezing, I removed from the freezer and they went back to the same slurry. Would it be better left out to dry?
I’m nt sure how long that would take to be honest. You could certainly try it though! I leave mine in the freezer, and just take out 1 or 2 as needed right before showering 🙂
Why the wirch hazel? You said optional but do you use?
I do use it! Witch hazel is good for so many things, but its also a really effective way to get the essential oils to combine well with the dry ingredients.
Great idea I’ve been buying them but love the idea of controlling what is in them.
These seem great! I have to try!
I’m excited about whipping some of these up and giving them a try. My husband gets so plugged up, I’m hoping they’ll help him. Maybe I’ll just make his square! Thank you for sharing on Party in Your PJ’s.
I’ve never made shower melts but, need to try this. Thanks for sharing your post with us at the Inspiration Spotlight party @DearCreatives. Pinned & sharing.
Jennifer, these shower melts look so cute, and they are great for all the people who like me don’t have a bathtub! I have featured you at the Friday Favorites linky party this week. Come check it out! https://be-alice.blogspot.com/2018/03/friday-favorites-week-414.html Hope you pop by and visit again this week 🙂
Is there a cornstarch free way to make this. I have a corn allergy
I’m not sure that there is an equivalent to corn starch…. What do you use to replace cornstarch in recipes?
Arrowroot flour/starch is a common cornstarch replacement.
I msde some yesterday. Tried taking one out of mold – had to use a knife to loosen edges. And I took one out of freezer, set it on a paper towel for a few minutes and it turned into sort of a jelly blob in a few minutes! 😂
Wondering if you could use baking soda instead of corn starch?
But I LOVE the aroma!
You probably need more corn starch. It should be almost doughy in consistency. I keep mine in the freezer and just toss one in the shower right before I turn on the water. I haven’t experimented with baking soda, and have no idea how that would work…. but I might give it a try this weekend!
We can’t get ours out of the mold without them breaking. Need more water you think? They look “wet” and are doughy – but brittle when moved.
What kind of mold are you using? You could try a little more water, but I think it may be that your mold is too stiff. Softer silicone molds tend to work best
How long do they last if you don’t freeze them? (Living in a small dorm with only a mini fridge)
What if I used only witch hazel hazel and no water? Would it lengthen shelf life?
The freezer keeps them solid, otherwise they sort of melt into goo. If you’re going to do witch hazel instead of water, try adding just a few drops at a time unti you can just sort of work the ingredients together. Sort of like a really stiff dough.
This looks so good! This would be a nice get well gift too!
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
They’ll last at least 6 months as long as you need them in the freezer 🙂
I made these great molds and passed them out. Someone asked if they can use them in the bath? Is this possible or will it irritate the skin?
HI Nikita!
There are a lot of Essential Oils called for in these melts. If you want to put it in the bath, I’d use only one and also include at least 1/4 of epsom salts to help dilute the oil concentration. Use cautiously!!
I just made these for Christmas gifts but think I maybe added too much water. They have been out of the freezer for about 15 minutes and are still solid but are slowly starting to melt. Would it be possible to let them melt over night and add more corn starch to the mixture in the morning/reuse the sludge I already have?
Probably. But note, these are meant to stay frozen unless you’re ready to use it. They’re not “shelf stable”.
Can I add coconut oil as a stabilizer so that they don’t have to be frozen, but will still dissolve in the shower?