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If you’ve heard of bath bombs but find yourself wondering, what is a shower steamer?, you’re not alone.

Even after making shower steamers at Ashbury Bloom for six years, we still regularly hear questions like, “What does a shower steamer do?” “Where do I put a shower steamer? ”

We actually started making shower steamers because our customers kept asking for them.

At the time, bath bombs were already part of our collection. But we began hearing from customers who wanted something they could enjoy in the shower. We introduced our first shower steamers in 2020, and what happened next surprised us: they quickly became one of our best-selling products.

Today, we make shower steamers almost every day in our Ontario studio.

After years of formulating, pressing and using them—and hearing feedback from both customers and retailers—we’ve learned that a good shower steamer is about more than making something that fizzes and smells nice. How it’s formulated, how densely it’s pressed and even where you place it in your shower can make a noticeable difference in the experience.

Here’s what we’ve learned.

What Is a Shower Steamer?

A shower steamer is a compressed, aromatic tablet designed to fizz when exposed to water in your shower.

Rather than placing it in a bathtub like a bath bomb, you put a shower steamer on the shower floor. Small amounts of water activate the tablet, and as it fizzes and gradually dissolves, its aroma is released into the warm, steamy environment around you.

Think of it as a simple way to add an aromatic ritual to a shower you were already going to take.

That’s one of the reasons we believe shower steamers have become so popular with our customers.

A bath can require filling the tub and setting aside time to soak. Some people add a candle or other bath products and turn the experience into a longer self-care ritual.

A shower steamer requires very little preparation.

Put one on the shower floor, turn on your shower and go about your normal routine.

We’ve also found that shower steamers appeal to a broad range of customers, including many male customers, and to people who simply don’t take baths very often.

How Does a Shower Steamer Work?

Water is what activates a shower steamer.

Once drops of water reach the tablet, it begins to fizz and gradually dissolve, releasing its aromatic ingredients into the shower environment.

But there’s an important detail that many first-time users miss:

A shower steamer should not sit directly underneath the shower stream.

If a constant stream of water is hitting it, the steamer can dissolve much faster than intended. Instead, position it off to the side where it will be exposed to splashes and smaller amounts of water.

Placement makes a surprisingly big difference.

We recommend keeping the steamer away from the drain as well. You want it to have time to activate and release its aroma rather than quickly dissolving and washing away.

How to Use a Shower Steamer

Using one is simple, but these few steps can help you get a better experience.

1. Run your shower for a short time first.
   Allow the bathroom to become warm and steamy before placing your shower steamer.
2. Place the steamer on the shower floor.
   Choose an area where it will receive some water, but not the full force of the shower stream.
3. Keep it away from the drain.
   This gives the steamer more opportunity to fizz gradually instead of immediately washing away.
4. Let the water activate it.
   As drops of water reach the steamer, it will begin to fizz and release its scent.
5. Enjoy your shower as usual.
   There isn’t another complicated step or ritual required.

One unexpected piece of feedback we’ve heard from customers is that some enjoy leaving the bathroom door open after their shower because they like how the lingering aroma travels beyond the bathroom.

Where Should You Put a Shower Steamer?

The best location is usually on the shower floor, off to the side of the direct water stream and away from the drain.

Every shower is a little different, so you may need to experiment with placement.

Too little water and the steamer may not activate sufficiently.

Too much water and it can disappear very quickly.

The goal is somewhere in between: enough splashing water to keep the steamer fizzing gradually.

Why Does My Shower Steamer Dissolve So Quickly?

This is one of the most common questions we’ve heard over the years.

Often, the problem isn’t necessarily the shower steamer. It’s where it has been placed.

If you put a steamer directly underneath running water, it can dissolve very quickly.

Move it farther away from the stream and allow splashes of water to activate it instead.

But we’ve also learned through manufacturing thousands of shower steamers that the way a steamer is made matters too.

When we first started making them, we didn’t realize how much factors such as humidity and compression would affect the finished product.

Humidity in our studio can play a significant role in the stability of a shower steamer during production. As our production grew, we also invested in a dedicated shower-steamer press. Compressing the mixture firmly creates a harder, more densely packed steamer that is designed to dissolve more gradually when used correctly.

This is one of those small manufacturing details that isn’t obvious when you’re simply looking at a finished shower steamer.

After six years of making them, we’ve learned that creating a shower steamer is a balancing act: it needs to activate readily enough to release its aroma but shouldn’t disappear immediately after touching water.

Why We Use Menthol Crystals in Our Shower Steamers

One of the ingredients that is particularly important in our formulation is menthol crystals.

Menthol is an expensive ingredient, which is one reason it isn’t necessarily found in every shower steamer on the market. We choose to include it because we find that it adds a distinctive cooling aromatic sensation and gives our shower steamers what we describe in the studio as an extra “boost.”

For us, menthol is about the sensory experience it contributes to the shower.

Essential Oils and the Shower Experience

We also formulate our shower steamers with pure essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance.

That decision is part of the broader Ashbury Bloom philosophy around the ingredients we choose for our products.

Scent is particularly important with a shower steamer because the product sits at your feet while the aromatic experience needs to be noticeable higher up in the shower. As makers, we’ve learned that creating the right essential-oil blend is about balance. One note shouldn’t overpower everything else.

We think of it more simply: scent can help create an enjoyable atmosphere and turn an everyday shower into a more intentional ritual.

Choosing a Shower Steamer for Your Routine

One of the things we’ve learned from our customers is that people don’t necessarily want the same aromatic experience at every point in their day.

That influenced how we developed the Ashbury Bloom shower steamer collection.

Wake Up — Citrus

This is our morning shower steamer.

We created Wake Up with a bright citrus profile for those mornings when getting started feels a little harder than usual. It’s the scent experience we’d reach for at the beginning of the day.

Breathe — Peppermint

Breathe has become our best-selling shower steamer.

Its fresh peppermint profile and menthol create a distinctly cool, refreshing shower experience. Customers often gravitate toward this one when they’re looking for a particularly fresh-feeling scent.

Keep Calm — Lavender

Keep Calm was created with the end of the day in mind.

Its lavender aroma makes it our choice for those after-work or evening showers when you want the atmosphere to feel quieter and more relaxed.

Focus — Rosemary

Focus was designed for those moments when you have a lot on your mind and want a fresh aromatic reset.

Its rosemary scent gives it a herbal profile that is quite different from our citrus, peppermint and lavender varieties.

Warm Up — Pine & Orange

Warm Up is our seasonal winter shower steamer.

We blend pine and orange essential oils to create a scent that feels particularly suited to winter—a combination of fresh evergreen and bright citrus.

Because Warm Up is seasonal, availability is limited to our winter collection.

Shower Steamer vs. Bath Bomb: What’s the Difference?

They may look similar, and both fizz when exposed to water, but we don’t consider shower steamers and bath bombs interchangeable products.

Our bath bombs are formulated differently because you’re going to sit in the water containing those ingredients.

We carefully choose ingredients that complement that type of bath experience, and our bath bombs include botanical details such as herbs and flowers. The goal is very different from a shower steamer.

For us, the biggest practical difference comes down to time and routine.

A bath bomb is something you might reach for when you have time to fill the bathtub, soak and make a longer ritual out of it.

A shower steamer works when you have ten things to do and you’re taking a shower anyway.

And after years of selling both products, we think that convenience is a major part of why shower steamers have become so popular.

Can You Break a Shower Steamer in Half?

Technically, you can. We’ve learned that some customers do this because they want to save half for another shower.

However, we don’t recommend it.

Our steamers are designed to be used as a complete tablet so that you experience the intended amount of aroma during your shower. Breaking one in half means you’re also reducing the amount being activated.

If you want the full experience, use the whole steamer and control how quickly it dissolves through proper placement rather than by cutting it in half.

How Long Does a Shower Steamer Last?

There’s no universal answer because the rate at which a shower steamer dissolves depends on several factors, including:

• how much water reaches it;
• whether it’s sitting directly under the shower stream;
• the design and water pressure of your shower;
• the size and density of the steamer; and
• how the product was formulated and pressed.

That’s why we don’t think “How many minutes does it last?” is always the most useful question.

A better question is: Is the steamer receiving the right amount of water?

If yours is disappearing almost immediately, try moving it farther from the shower stream before assuming something is wrong with the product.

How Should You Store Shower Steamers?

Moisture is the enemy before you’re ready to use them.

We’ve seen first-hand during production how strongly humidity can affect shower steamers, so storage matters.

Keep unused shower steamers in their packaging or in an airtight container in a cool, dry location. Avoid leaving unwrapped steamers exposed in a humid bathroom for long periods.

Proper storage also helps preserve their aroma until you’re ready to use them.

Are Shower Steamers Safe?

Shower steamers should always be used according to their intended purpose and the directions provided by their maker.

They are designed for the shower floor—not as bath bombs and not for direct application to the skin. Avoid direct contact with the eyes, and remember that essential oils and menthol can be strong aromatic ingredients.

Individual sensitivities vary. If you’re sensitive to fragrances or essential oils, have respiratory concerns, are pregnant, or have another health-related reason to be cautious about aromatic products, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional before use.

And because a tablet is sitting on the shower floor, always be mindful of where you step.

Six Years of Making Shower Steamers Changed Our Expectations

When Ashbury Bloom began, handmade soap was at the heart of our small business.

We never expected shower steamers to become one of the products we would make and sell most often.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Customers originally asked us to make them. We listened, introduced them in 2020 and watched them grow into one of our best-selling product categories.

Six years later, we’re producing shower steamers almost every day.

We’ve installed stronger ventilation in our studio to handle the aromatic environment created during larger production runs. We’ve invested in specialized pressing equipment. We’ve learned how much humidity matters, how compression affects the finished steamer and how carefully different aromatic notes need to be balanced.

We’ve also heard from customers who were initially reluctant to try ours because they’d previously purchased shower steamers that dissolved too quickly or didn’t create much of an experience. Hearing those customers come back and tell us they were glad they gave ours a try has been particularly meaningful.

Retailers have given us another perspective. They appreciate being able to see the steamers through the packaging, and the format also makes them easy to incorporate into gift boxes and self-care collections.

All of those experiences have taught us something important:

A shower steamer may look like a very simple product, but making a good one isn’t quite as simple as it looks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Steamers

What does a shower steamer do?

A shower steamer fizzes when activated by water and releases aromatic ingredients into the warm shower environment. It’s designed to add a scent experience to an ordinary shower without requiring a bath.

Where do I put a shower steamer?

Place it on the shower floor away from the direct stream of water and away from the drain. It should receive enough splashing water to activate gradually.

Do I put a shower steamer directly under the water?

No. Constant running water can make it dissolve too quickly. Move it off to the side where it receives intermittent splashes instead.

Is a shower steamer the same as a bath bomb?

No. Bath bombs are formulated to dissolve in a bathtub where your body is in contact with the bathwater. Shower steamers are designed to sit on the shower floor and create an aromatic experience while you shower.

Can I use a shower steamer in the bath?

No. Use products according to their intended purpose. If you want something for a bath, choose a properly formulated bath bomb or bath product instead.

Do shower steamers touch your skin?

They’re not designed to be rubbed onto the body or used as a skincare product. Place the steamer on the shower floor and allow water to activate it.

Why did my shower steamer disappear so quickly?

The most common reason is too much water. Try positioning it farther from the direct shower stream and away from the drain.

Should I use a whole shower steamer?

That’s what we recommend. Although some customers tell us they split theirs in half, using the complete steamer provides the aromatic experience it was designed to deliver.

A Simple Ritual for People Who Don’t Always Have Time for a Bath

We still love bath bombs. There’s something special about filling a bathtub, slowing down and making time for a longer ritual.

But that’s not always realistic.

Sometimes you have ten minutes before work. Sometimes you’re tired at the end of the day. Sometimes you don’t have a bathtub at all.

That’s where we think shower steamers have found their place.

They’re simple, quick and easy to incorporate into something you’re already doing.

And perhaps that’s the biggest lesson we’ve learned since making our first batch in 2020: self-care doesn’t always have to be elaborate to feel intentional.

Explore Ashbury Bloom Shower Steamers