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DIY: Homemade Vapour Shower Disks

January 10, 2013 By Lena

I’d personally like to thank Sarah of Frugal by Choice, Cheap by Necessity for clearing my head (and sinuses) of cold and flu-related junk.

You see, it’s just one of those things that kept popping up on Pinterest (to the tune of 1,000+ re-pins); blogged by keen DIY’ers eager to share the recipe; and tweeted like mad from believers all over the continent. And then, “Sarah’s Homemade Vapour Shower Disk Thingies” were featured on a popular television morning show. Hence, I reasoned that it was time to try the darned things out. Having suffered from back-to-back colds, tension headaches and sinus pain for most of the winter season, I needed all the help I could get.

Now I’m a believer. Not a trace of doubt in my mind. I’m in love…

(Did you just sing that? I love The Monkees.)

Here’s the deal: Sarah came up with a recipe for Vapour Shower Disks – you know, little thingies that you place in your shower which will release essential oils with the steam created from hot water. I made the disks last week and have since had the best shower experiences since cold and flu season began. Eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender oils help ease my congestion and clear my sinuses. The strength of the vapours is just strong enough to help soothe the airways without causing irritation. An unexpected bonus? The baking soda made my shower tiles gleaming white. I’m a Domestic Genius!

And… they couldn’t be simpler to make.

– Baking soda
– Water
– Pure Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lavender
– Muffin tin
– Muffin liners

Add 2.5 – 3 cups of baking soda to a bowl.  Slowly add water, a little at a time, until you’ve made a thick paste. You’ll want the mixture to feel like putty.

Spoon into a muffin tin lined with muffin liners, and bake them for 20 minutes at 350°F. Cool. Add 2-3 drops of each oil to the cooled disks. You can find essential oils at any health store or Whole Foods – if you are allergic to lavender (I know many people who are), try substituting peppermint or leaving it out altogether. When ready to use, pop them out of the liner and place anywhere at the bottom of your shower.

Et voila! The best companion to a hot shower that you’ll have this winter. I wouldn’t recommend these for use in the bath because pure, undiluted essential oils are rough on the skin. Each disk will last 1-2 showers, depending how long your showers are. Store in an airtight container and away from curious children. And there you have it – steam vapour therapy for pennies per use!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: DIY, Homemade Vapour Shower Disks, natural cough and cold remedies, natural sinus remedies

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Huguette E.

    January 10, 2013 at 9:01 am

    To be honest I’d never heard to these. Nice to know for the next time I have a cold :)

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Please try them Huguette! I often wonder if a product will actually work… this one does!

  2. courtney b

    January 10, 2013 at 9:05 am

    WOW you are so creative, thanks for sharing!

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      Haha I can’t take the credit for this, but I’ll take the credit for sharing the recipe!

  3. francine

    January 10, 2013 at 10:01 am

    will have to try these next time i have a cold. there re sooo many medicines i cant take while I’m nursing.

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Oh, I feel your pain! I was sick a few times over both pregnancies and I clearly remember how much it sucked not to be able to reach for an OTC. Try this!

  4. Mandy

    January 10, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Oooh! So easy! I am definitely going to try this out! Especially since I’m pregnant and can’t take any meds..this would definitely help if I catch a cold. Thanks for sharing! :)

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      You’re welcome! (See comment reply to Francine above, hahaha!)

  5. Kristina

    January 10, 2013 at 11:42 am

    I might just make these. Fun!

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Let me know what you think if you do!

  6. Lisa H

    January 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    What a neat practical twist to the homemade bath products idea. And can be made cheaper than drugstore alternatives (my kinda thing!)
    I had a huge crush on Davy Jones for years :o

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      EXACTLY Lisa – they literally cost pennies per use! And yeah, Davy was so cute!!!

  7. Debbie Bashford

    January 10, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    What a great DIY

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks Debbie!

  8. Emila

    January 10, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    So easy to make and Eco friendly brilliant thanks

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      You’re welcome Emila! And yes, eco-friendly – didn’t think of that!

  9. Nicole W.

    January 11, 2013 at 2:29 am

    Awesome!! I want to try :)

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Try it :)

  10. InezbyDesign

    January 11, 2013 at 11:18 am

    Anything that is called a “Thingy” I want to know about!! Someone after my own heart :) This sounds like a great idea and I can’t wait to try it out..in fact just printed it and gave it to my courier who is suffering with a cold!

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      You’re such a good person – passing cold solutions on your courier! I really thought it sounded like a good idea and that’s what motivated me to try it myself. Will be whipping up a new batch this week!

  11. Tania B

    January 11, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I love this idea. I definitely have this pinned already but I am so glad to actually hear from someone I trust that these work. Good, now I have a DIY project for myself to do this weekend!

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      Thank you Tania, do let me know what you think if you make them!

  12. Diana

    January 12, 2013 at 9:58 am

    This is a great idea. I’m going to have to try this. I just use eucalyptus oil drops while taking a shower.

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Oh, so you’ve already got the right idea Diana! And now you can use the benefits of baking soda to clean your shower floor, too :)

  13. Nancy

    January 12, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Monkee see. Monkee do.

  14. Hilary Wiseman

    January 12, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Sweet! I’ll have to try these!!

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Please do!

  15. kelly

    January 12, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    I’ve also seen these on pinterest but wasn’t sure if they would actually work. I’m glad that they do and wll have to make some myself.

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:45 pm

      Awesome! Sometimes it’s so easy to see things and want to try them out, but hold back for fear they just look good in pictures. I can vouch for these!

  16. Lee Pearson

    January 13, 2013 at 1:53 am

    I have never seen these before but I’m glad you told us about them! These are incredible! I can see how they would clear any cold because it would mix with the steam of the shower. Amazing, thank you for this post and pics

    • Lena

      January 13, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      You’re welcome Lee! The steam is key to releasing the congestion :)

  17. Michelle Chow

    January 14, 2013 at 3:14 am

    Hello, Lena. Love this simple recipe – so easy. Who knew? I suffer from congested sinuses all winter and this sounds like the best and cheapest remedy. I will give this a try. P. S. I like that Monkeys song, too.

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:51 am

      It’s funny how some of the most popular bath and beauty products can be recreated for pennies! If you give these a try, please tell me what you think, Michelle!

  18. Soozle

    January 14, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    How cool! I am in love with this simple idea! I ALMOST want to get sick just to try it out! hah

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:52 am

      OH No! Don’t say that, LOL! But make them now, so you’ll have them on hand if/when you do get sick :)

  19. Polish Jinx

    January 14, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    what an awesome idea! so cool!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:54 am

      Thanks for stopping by!

  20. drpaskall

    January 15, 2013 at 2:54 am

    Thanks, Lena! Super cool find DIY, and I can see not only making them for myself and my family (Eucalyptus -colds, Chamomile- bedtime, Lavender – migraines!), but using pretty little colored foil muffin cups, the food coloring, and making little gift jars of them ~ they are so cute!
    I recently bought a “bath bomb” that cost me more than $5.00 and wasn’t even my favorite scent. I like the shower bomb concept better, as my boys don’t bath, they shower, AND a much more affordable option. Awesome :)

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:57 am

      I love everything about your comment! Yes, they would make fantastic gifts – I can even see adding tiny crushed up petals for a rose shower disk or a lavender shower disk. And, I had no idea that lavender was good for migraines – I will definitely be trying that. Thank you!

  21. Samantha

    January 15, 2013 at 7:11 am

    This sounds brilliant! Pining & gonna share to the world! colds & flu season has been bad this year. Glad to hear that this helps :)

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:57 am

      Thank you so much Samantha!

  22. Jennifer

    January 15, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Thanks for sharing! I suffer from chronic sinusitis off and on and although I use saline flushes which help a lot, this sounds like something even easier to use! On my to do list!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

      That’s perfect Jennifer. I too was battling acute sinusitis, and that’s what motivated me to try them out. I really think you’ll find relief!

  23. lorinda

    January 16, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    Love this! I NEVER would have thought it…Thanks so much!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

      You’re very welcome Lorinda!

  24. Kim K

    January 16, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    I had pinned these awhile ago but never tried them, after seeing them here I gave them a try and they work really well. Thank you for posting this, gave me the shove I needed to try them.

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

      Oh that’s wonderful Kim! So happy they worked for you, and aren’t they just the easiest to make? Love it!

  25. Julia

    January 17, 2013 at 10:35 am

    Great DIY idea! I will have to give it a try.

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Perfect Julia! Let me know what you think :)

  26. Kat Vee

    January 18, 2013 at 12:17 am

    Wow! These look so easy to make and I think I’d benefit from this. …I like HOT showers. I’m definitely trying this

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 12:00 pm

      Me too – I can’t give up my hot showers! Both pregnancies were hard for me because I had to switch to moderately warm so I wouldn’t make the babies sweat, LOL! The shower disks will be your best friend :)

  27. Laurie B

    January 18, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Oh WOW! this is so cool! I am going to make some and definitely give some out too :) thank you very much for the great idea!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 12:00 pm

      You’re welcome Laurie! They’re a great gift, especially in cold/fly season!

  28. Jenne

    January 19, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Oh I am trying this!! My 7 year old is sick right now …I think she could use some relief!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      It’s great for kids of all ages because the vapours are so gentle :) I actually made a separate batch for my toddlers with slightly less oil – worked perfectly!

  29. Rose. P

    January 19, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    What a great idea!! I’m gonna have to try this. My girls and hubby get sick so much, this would really help them out a lot!

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      It really does! Honestly it helped me get through a cold that lingered on for weeks!

  30. Jenny

    January 20, 2013 at 2:01 am

    Great idea! definitely want to try this out

    • Lena

      January 20, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      Please do Jenny!

  31. Caitlin G-H

    January 21, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    This is genius. I am so glad to have found your blog!

    • Lena

      January 27, 2013 at 8:39 am

      Thank you Caitlin! Hope they work for you!

  32. Margarita Ibbott ~ @DownshiftingPRO

    January 22, 2013 at 10:29 am

    SOLD – I am going to try this. I love vapor anything. I often use Mentholadum to clear my nose when I sleep and soften my lips when they are chapped.

    • Lena

      January 27, 2013 at 8:39 am

      Great Margarita! Hope it works for you!

  33. Tammy Dalley

    January 24, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Im a pinterest addict and Im always on pinterest looking for DIY pins. This is one of the best ones ive seen so far. Thanks for sharing, will definitely be trying this the next time I have a sick toddler

    • Lena

      January 27, 2013 at 8:40 am

      You’re welcome Tammy – I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do!

  34. Michelle

    February 6, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Great idea for a get well gift!

    • Lena

      February 10, 2013 at 6:29 pm

      Oooh… now you’re talking!

  35. Corina

    March 11, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    I am wanting to know if adding Peppermint would help with sinus issues. I have all the Essential oils listed and Peppermint. Just an idea….wanted to get some input.

    • Lena

      March 11, 2013 at 6:49 pm

      Hi Corina – it certainly wouldn’t hurt to try. Peppermint is great for the sinuses. Perhaps try peppermint on half the disks, and see how your body reacts to it?

  36. Marilyn Henderson

    December 2, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    I don’t have any rosemary. Could I substitute peppermint for it? Or any other ideas?

    • Lena

      December 2, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      You can absolutely substitute peppermint!

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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