A shower steamer is a bath bomb for people who don't have time for a bath. It's a pressed tablet of baking soda, citric acid and fragrance oils. Wet it and it fizzes, and the scent comes up with the steam.
The usual complaint is "it was gone in two minutes." That's almost always about where it was put.
Where to put it
Not in the direct stream. Under full water pressure, a steamer dissolves almost at once and the scent goes straight down the drain.
Put it on the shower floor in a corner, or on a ledge, where it only catches splashes. You want it slowly damp, not soaked. If your shower has no good spot, set it on a small dish so it doesn't sit in a puddle.
Breathe normally. The steam does the work, and you'll notice it most in the first few minutes.
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How long one lasts
One shower, usually. Some people get two out of one by putting it in a spot that barely gets wet, then letting it dry on a dish.
Keep the rest of the pack somewhere dry, not in the shower caddy. Bathroom humidity sets off the fizz slowly and they lose their scent.
Who should be careful
- Anyone with asthma or who reacts to strong scents. Try one with the door open or the fan on first.
- Pregnant women, or anyone sensitive to essential oils. Check the ingredients.
- Everyone: they're slippery when they dissolve. Don't stand on one.
Keep them out of reach of small kids and pets. They look a lot like candy.
Ours
We have an 8-pack in a gift box, an aromatherapy 8-pack, and citrus tablets for mornings. Any of them works as an easy stocking stuffer or a small thank-you for a host.