Feeling stuffed up can make even the easiest tasks feel like a struggle, but there’s a simple, natural way to get some relief—right in your shower. These DIY Shower Steamers for Congestion are a quick and effective way to clear a stuffy nose and feel refreshed. Made with essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, and lemon, these steamers release soothing, fragrant steam when they get wet, helping open up your airways while giving you a mini spa moment.
Natural Home Remedies have been around for centuries, helping people stay healthy with simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Whether it’s soothing a sore throat with honey and lemon or using aloe vera to calm irritated skin, these remedies are a natural, chemical-free way to handle everyday issues. By adding these natural remedies to your routine, you can tap into the power of nature to support your health in a gentle, holistic way.

Congestion occurs when the nasal passages or airways become swollen and filled with excess mucus, often as a result of inflammation or an infection like a cold or sinusitis. It can make breathing difficult and may lead to discomfort or pressure in the face.
Common symptoms of congestion include a stuffy or runny nose, difficulty breathing through the nose, sinus pain or pressure, and sometimes a reduced sense of taste or smell. Congestion can also lead to coughing or a feeling of fullness in the ears, depending on its severity.
What are shower steamers, and how do they work?
Shower steamers are small, tablet-like products that make your shower feel like a mini spa session. Made with essential oils and natural ingredients, they dissolve in water and release calming or energizing scents into the steam around you. Using one is easy—just place it on the shower floor, but out of the direct water stream, so it lasts through your shower.

The heat and steam activate the essential oils, helping to relieve stress, clear up sinuses, or boost your mood based on the scent you choose. They’re an easy and fun way to turn your shower into a relaxing ritual.
Sinus and Headache Home Remedies
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil for Headaches
- Natural Sinus Headache Relief Recipe
- Peppermint Oil for Sinus Pain
- Home Remedies for Sinus Infection Symptoms
What ingredients do I need to make DIY shower steamers for congestion?
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need for your shower steamers:
- Eucalyptus Leaves: Eucalyptus leaves are a key ingredient for DIY shower steamers that help with congestion, thanks to their natural decongestant properties. They’re packed with eucalyptol, which clears nasal passages, eases breathing, reduces inflammation, and helps break up mucus.
- Lavender Flowers: Lavender flowers are a key ingredient in DIY shower steamers for congestion relief. With calming and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender can help soothe irritated airways and ease congestion. When combined with steam, it releases natural oils that not only make breathing easier but also promote relaxation.
- Epsom Salts: Epsom salts are a must-have ingredient in DIY shower steamers for congestion relief, thanks to how they boost the steamers’ therapeutic effects. Made of magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts help relax muscles and ease inflammation, which is especially helpful when congestion comes from sinus pressure or tension. They also assist in detoxifying the body and calming irritated nasal passages when paired with steam.

- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a must-have ingredient in DIY shower steamers for congestion relief, thanks to its versatility and reactive properties. It works with citric acid to create the fizzing effect when it hits water, which helps release essential oils and other soothing ingredients into the steam.
- Water: Water plays a key role in making DIY shower steamers by holding all the ingredients together. With just the right amount, it helps shape the steamers into solid, easy-to-use forms that are simple to store. It also kicks off the chemical reaction between baking soda and citric acid, creating that signature fizz when the steamer hits warm shower water.
- Essential Oils: Essential oils are the key ingredient in DIY shower steamers, especially for relieving congestion. They’re what give steamers their therapeutic aroma and make them both effective and enjoyable. Oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree are well-known for their decongestant powers, helping to clear stuffy noses and make breathing easier when you’re dealing with colds or allergies.
Why is Eucalyptus So Good for Congestion?
Eucalyptus is one of the best essential oils for clearing up congestion. Its natural compound, eucalyptol, helps reduce inflammation and loosen mucus, making it easier to breathe when you’re dealing with a cold or allergies. When used in shower steamers, the refreshing scent mixes with the steam to give you quick relief from stuffy noses and irritated sinuses.

On top of that, eucalyptus helps you relax and clear your mind, adding a calming touch to your shower routine. With its powerful benefits, it’s a go-to for any congestion-relief solution.
How Do I Use Shower Steamers?
Using shower steamers is an easy and fun way to upgrade your shower experience. Just pop the steamer on the floor of your shower—keep it out of the direct water stream but close enough so it activates with the splashes and steam. Once the warm water hits it, the steamer will start fizzing and releasing soothing essential oils into the air.

Take a deep breath and enjoy the calming aromas! Just a heads-up: don’t put the steamer in standing water, or it’ll dissolve too fast. And remember, these are for aromatherapy only—don’t use them on your skin. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll turn your everyday shower into a relaxing, spa-like escape.
How Long Do Homemade Shower Steamers Last?
Homemade shower steamers can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how you store them. To keep them fresh, make sure to use an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them away from moisture and sunlight. Humidity can make them activate too soon or lose their strength, so a cool, dry spot is your best bet.

When stored the right way, most shower steamers will stay fragrant and fizzy for about 2-3 months. After that, the essential oil scents might fade a bit, but they’ll still make your shower feel great.

DIY Shower Steamers for Congestion
Relieve stuffy noses with these easy-to-make DIY shower steamers! Follow our simple recipe and transform your shower into a soothing experience when congested.
Materials
- 2 Tablespoons Eucalyptus Leaves
- 2 Tablespoons Lavender Flowers
- ½ Cup Epsom Salts
- ½ Cup Baking Soda
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Water
- 10-15 Drops Essential Oils
Instructions
- Combine the Epsom salt and baking soda together in a bowl.
- Add in the drops of essential oil and mix thoroughly.
- Grind up the leaves until it is a fine powder.
- Slowly add in water. You do not want it to be soaking wet, just slightly wet. If it is too wet, it will not harden properly. So be sure to go slow.
- Put the mixture into your silicone mold. Let it sit overnight or until it is hard.
- Take out of the mold and put in the shower and allow to dissolve.
Notes
Essential oils are optional. Eucalyptus is a great one to help with sinus relief.