Jun 25, 2026

What Is a Shower Steamer and How Do You Use It?

If you have seen shower steamers popping up everywhere and wondered what they actually are, you are not alone. They have become one of the most popular bath and body products in Australia over the last few years, and for a good reason. Once you try one, it is hard to go back to a plain old showers.

Here is everything you need to know.

What Is a Shower Steamer?

A shower steamer is a small, fizzing tablet made with baking soda, citric acid and essential oils. When it gets wet in your shower, it starts to fizz and slowly releases essential oil vapour into the steam around you.

Think of it like a personal aromatherapy session, right there in your shower. No bath required.

Unlike a bath bomb, a shower steamer is not meant to go in a tub. It is designed to sit on your shower floor, get a little water on it, and fill your shower with scent and steam. The essential oils activate in the heat and humidity, and you breathe them in while you shower.

How Are Shower Steamers Different from Bath Bombs?

This is one of the most common questions we get, so it is worth explaining clearly.

Bath bombs dissolve in a full bathtub and are designed to moisturise and soften your skin through oils and butters in the water. Shower steamers work differently. They are made with a high concentration of essential oils because the benefits are delivered through inhalation, not through skin contact.

That also means shower steamers are not meant to be used like a bath bomb. Do not put one in the bath and expect the same result. The formulas are completely different.

The other big difference is that shower steamers are perfect for people who do not have a bathtub, or who simply prefer showers. You get all the aromatherapy benefits without needing to run a bath.

How Do You Use a Shower Steamer?

There is more than one way to use a shower steamer, and the method that works best for you will depend on your shower setup. This is something a lot of people do not realise. If your steamer does not seem to be working well, it is often the method or the shower type, not the product.

Here are four methods we recommend, plus some tips for open plan showers.

Method 1: On the Shower Floor (Most Common)

Place the steamer tablet, or a segment of it, on the shower floor away from the direct water stream. Let the water splashes from your showering slowly activate it. As it fizzes, it releases the essential oils into the air and the heat and steam carry them upward for you to breathe in.

This is the simplest method and works well in an enclosed shower or shower cabin where steam builds up around you.

Method 2: In a Bowl

Place a segment or a full steamer in a bowl. Use ceramic or glass only, not aluminium or plastic, as essential oils can react with those materials. Add a little water to the bowl to activate it, then place the bowl at head height on a ledge or shower niche, as close to your face as possible.

You can also splash some of the activated water onto your shower wall above head height and let it drip down. The warm surface of the wall helps disperse the essential oils into the air around you. This method is especially good for open plan showers where steam escapes quickly.

Method 3: In an Organza Bag at Head Height

Place the steamer or a piece of it into an organza bag and hang it from your shower head or on a shower basket at roughly head height. Splash a little water on it to activate. The steam rising from the shower will carry the scent upward and around you.

Important: make sure the steamer does not drip directly onto your skin. Shower steamers contain a high concentration of essential oils and some have menthol in them and are not made for skin contact.

Method 4: Draw on the Wall

While in the shower, wet a segment of the steamer and use it to draw or rub it across your shower wall or glass, leaving a light residue. As your shower heats up, the residue activates and releases the scent. It wipes off easily at the end of your shower.

Have a method that works well for you that we have not listed here? Let us know, we would love to hear it, try it and might even add it to this list.

What If I Have an Open Plan Shower?

The type of shower you have makes a real difference to how well a steamer works. An enclosed shower cabin is the ideal setup because the steam builds up and stays around you, concentrating the essential oil vapour so you get the full effect.

An open plan shower lets steam escape quickly, which means the essential oils travel away from you before you can breathe them in properly. If this is your situation, we recommend Method 2 above. Place the steamer in a ceramic bowl on a ledge or niche as close to head height as you can get. The bowl traps the activated oils and slows down how quickly they disperse. You may need to experiment with placement to find what works best in your space. You can also leave the bowl in the shower after you are done and it will continue to work as a natural air freshener for a day or two.

Storage and Safety Tips

Keep unused steamers in an airtight container or zip lock bag away from humidity. Bathroom steam between showers can start to activate them.
Do not use shower steamers as bath bombs or place them directly on your skin. They contain a high concentration of essential oils and most include menthol, which is too strong for direct skin contact.
Use within 3 months of purchase for the best results.
Keep away from eyes.

What Are the Benefits of Shower Steamers?

The benefits you get from a shower steamer depend entirely on the essential oils inside it. At Elena Bath and Body, every blend is formulated for a specific purpose using pure essential oils, not fragrance oils. Here is a breakdown of what different blends do and which of our steamers fit each need.

For Sinus Relief and Chest Congestion

If you are blocked up, struggling to breathe through your nose, or dealing with a cold, you need a steamer with a high menthol concentration. Not all "eucalyptus" steamers are equal, the type of eucalyptus oil and the overall oil blend make a big difference.

Our three strongest menthol steamers are:

Sinus - made with Eucalyptus Kochii and Pine essential oils and menthol. Eucalyptus Kochii is one of the highest-cineole varieties of eucalyptus, which means it is especially effective at opening the nasal passages. Pine supports the chest and respiratory system. This is our most targeted sinus blend.
Breathe - a blend of White Camphor, Peppermint, Wintergreen and Lavender, with added Menthol. Camphor is particularly good for chest congestion and helping you breathe more easily. The peppermint and wintergreen add a sharp, clearing effect. The lavender softens the blend so it is not overwhelming.
Eucalyptus and Mint - another high-menthol blend for those who want that classic strong, cooling hit that clears everything fast.

If you want to try all three together, our Easy Breathing Pack is a mixed pack of our 6 strongest mentholated steamers, a great starting point if you are new to sinus steamers or want to find your favourite.

All of these are made with a high concentration of menthol and are best used in an enclosed shower where the steam can build up around you.

For Sleep and Relaxation

Used in the evening, a calming steamer can help your body and mind relax before bed. The key here is not just lavender on its own, it is the combination of oils that makes the difference.

Lavender Sleep Easy - our most popular sleep steamer, with over 105 reviews. Made with French Lavender and Ylang Ylang essential oils. Lavender is well known for calming the nervous system, while Ylang Ylang has a sedative effect that can help lower your heart rate and ease you into sleep. Many customers tell us they notice a real difference in how quickly they fall asleep after using this one.
Sweet Dreams Pack - our curated pack of 6 relaxation steamers, each with a different calming blend. A great option if you want variety in your wind-down routine without having to choose just one.

For Anxiety and Stress Relief

Our Anxiety Shower Steamer is one of our best sellers with over 102 reviews, and it is quite different from what most people expect. It does not use chamomile or lavender as its base. Instead it is blended with Grapefruit, Mandarin, Bergamot, Rose Geranium and Clary Sage essential oils.

This combination works together to calm a racing mind, lift mood, reduce feelings of stress and nervousness, and bring a sense of balance. Clary Sage in particular is known for its ability to reduce cortisol levels and promote a feeling of calm. Bergamot is one of the most studied oils for anxiety reduction. Grapefruit and Mandarin add an uplifting quality so you feel settled but not flat.

If you have ever stood in the shower during a stressful moment and wished you could just switch your brain off for a few minutes, this is the one.

For Energy and Mental Clarity

For morning showers when you need to wake up properly, blends built around Peppermint, citrus oils and Eucalyptus work best. They stimulate the senses, improve focus and give you that mental lift that coffee takes 20 minutes to deliver.

How Long Do Shower Steamers Last?

It depends on how much water hits them, and also how much of the steamer you use at once.

Our shower steamers have a snappable design, which means you can break them into up to four pieces. This gives you control over your experience. Use a whole steamer for a full, intense aromatherapy shower, or snap off a smaller piece for a quick morning shower when you just need a little boost. The smaller the piece, the shorter it will last, but you will still get the scent and the benefit. You are essentially controlling your own dosage.

How much water hits the steamer also makes a big difference. More water contact means a stronger, more intense burst of fragrance, but the steamer will dissolve faster. Less water contact means it fizzes more slowly and lasts longer, but the scent will be gentler. The sweet spot is placing it where it gets splashed rather than saturated. If too much water hits it at once, it can dissolve before it has had a chance to properly release the essential oils into the steam, and a lot of that goodness goes straight down the drain.

As a rough guide, a full steamer used correctly will last one shower of around 10 to 20 minutes. A smaller snapped piece will last less than that but is perfect for a shorter shower.

At Elena Bath and Body, we make our steamers with a strong essential oil load so you actually feel and smell the difference from the moment it starts fizzing. Some alternative options on the market barely have any scent. Ours are made to deliver a real aromatherapy experience, not just a faint hint of fragrance.

Are Shower Steamers Safe?

Yes, when used as directed they are safe for most adults. A few things to keep in mind:

Shower steamers are for inhalation only. They are not for the bath and not for direct skin contact. The essential oil concentration is much higher than in bath products.
Keep them away from your eyes.
If young children shower with you, choose a gentler blend like lavender rather than a strong menthol blend.
If you are pregnant or have a respiratory condition, check with your healthcare provider before using essential oil products.

Our Shower Steamers at Elena Bath and Body

We make one of the largest ranges of aromatherapy shower steamers in Australia, all handmade right here in Perth, Western Australia. Everything is formulated and made by us on site, in small batches, so quality stays consistent.

Some of our most popular packs include:

Rainbow Mix - our most popular variety pack with over 265 reviews. A great way to discover what you love.
For Her -a floral and relaxing mixed pack, one of our all time bestsellers with over 236 reviews.
Sinus - our sinus steamer, with over 238 reviews.
Anxiety - our calming anxiety blend for stress relief, over 102 reviews.
Lavender Sleep Easy - our best sleep steamer for your evening wind-down routine, over 105 reviews.
Easy Breathing - a mixed pack of our strongest mentholated steamers for sinus and congestion, over 44 reviews.
Sweet Dreams - a mixed pack of 6 calming and relaxing steamers for your evening routine, over 62 reviews.

Browse the full shower steamer range here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a shower steamer in the bath?

No. Shower steamers are not the same as bath bombs. They contain a much higher concentration of essential oils and are made for inhalation in steam, not for soaking. For the bath, try one of our bath bombs instead.

How far from the water should I place my shower steamer?

Place it on the edge of the shower floor or in a corner, close enough to get splashed but not directly under the stream. You want it to fizz slowly and steadily, not dissolve all at once.

How many uses do I get from one shower steamer?

Our steamers have a snappable design so you can break them into up to four pieces and spread them across multiple showers. A full steamer used correctly lasts around 10 to 20 minutes. Smaller pieces last less time but are great for a quick shower when you do not have much time.

Can I use shower steamers every day?

Yes. Many of our customers use them daily as part of their morning or evening routine. They are a simple way to add a bit of wellness to something you are already doing.

Do shower steamers help with colds and blocked sinuses?

Our menthol and eucalyptus blends are specifically made for this. Many customers tell us they are the best natural relief they have found for sinus congestion. They will not cure a cold, but they can make you feel a lot better while you have one.

Are Elena Bath and Body shower steamers Australian made?

Yes. All of our shower steamers are handmade by us in Perth, Western Australia. We develop our own formulas and make everything in small batches on site.

What is the difference between a shower steamer and a shower bomb?

They are the same thing. Different brands use different names. Shower steamers, shower bombs, shower melts and shower tablets all refer to the same type of product.