I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I suffer from chronic sinus congestion and headaches. And for my fellow sufferers, I feel your pain- literally! I love to use the steam of a hot shower to open everything up. So when I came across these silicone butter molds at a thrift store, I wondered if I could use them for DIY shower melts?
You can often find old food/candy molds at thrift stores, and I imagine that most people would be hesitant to use them for something edible.
But for making DIY all-natural body care products? They’d be perfect for that!
After I spent a whopping $1.00 on these particular butter molds, I brought the box home and opened it up. Inside were six different silicone/flexible molds, all in different shapes.
When paired with the right all-natural ingredients, they would be PERFECT for making shower melts, right?
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Shower Melt Recipe with Essential Oils
I could have just as easily created bath fizzies, too- those require some sort of shaping mold, as well. But I was bound and determined to sooth my sinuses with an all-natural sinus decongestant.
So, after puttering around online looking at different methods of making them, I gathered the following ingredients:
- Baking soda;
- Witch Hazel; and
- Essential oils for sinus congestion (such as eucalyptus or a specialty blend).
First, I blended 1 cup of baking soda with 4 tablespoons of witch hazel.
And yes, since I’m a scientist by trade, I use graduated cylinder/beaker shaped measuring cups!
Then, I added 5-7 drops each of my essential oils sinus congestion. I love the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint, so that’s what I went with.
You could certainly try different amounts and combinations of oils, too.
Alternatively, I could have also replaced some of my witch hazel with this petroleum-free vapor rub since the measurements don’t have to be exact.
You just need a really thick paste that is crumbly (not runny) to make these shower melts in your molds.
Shower Melts for Sinus Congestion
With everything mixed together in my glass measuring cup, I pressed the shower tab paste into my butter molds. I compressed the paste as much as possible to not only ensure compact shower melts, but to also get in the nooks and crannies of each cavity.
And the aroma from the essential oils for sinuses is truly wonderful (in my opinion)!
Finally, I left my butter molds alone and untouched for a minimum of 24 hours. When the shower tabs were good and dry, I gently popped them out from the molds.
And they came out (relatively) perfect! The paste held together nicely and the use of witch hazel (instead of water) seemed to dry more quickly.
To use my shower melts, I’ll set a couple on a metal soap dish in my shower. As the steam and water dissolves them, they’ll release that wonderful aroma from the essential oils!
DIY Shower Melts in Silicone Butter Molds
What a wonderful way to repurpose some food molds or silicone butter molds from the thrift store, eh?
I recommend using a soap dish to keep them from becoming a hazardous slip factor. Plus, I’m blind as a bat without my glasses, and white shower melts will blend into my shower floor!
And feel free to add a few additional drops of oil on each shower melt before using, too. I think I may try to find some Camphor oil for my next batch.
These natural decongestant shower melts can be stored for several months in an airtight container, like a mason jar! You could certainly use these as a gift, or just tuck them in your bathroom cabinet to easy retrieval.
Either way, pairing up essential oils for sinus congestion with silicone butter molds is a great way to create some DIY shower melts!
Now to think up other possibilities using essential oils; I mean, they’re expensive and I want to use them as much as I can! And if you’re a sinus sufferer, I’d love to hear how you manage the pressure and pain!
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea with a thrift store find, then you’ll love these drawer sachets that are made with shirt pockets!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
What an awesome idea! I’ve never even heard of shower melts. I’m definitely trying this as I periodically suffer from sinus problems as well. How do they melt? Do you put them on the floor of your shower and just let them melt away?
Yes, they just dissolve in the steam and water. 🙂 I actually make suggestions in my blog post about how to set them in the shower, what to set them on, etc.
I love this idea, Sarah. Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Thanks, Cecilia!
Oh shame Sarah, sinuses are no fun at all. I love your idea of using thrifty butter molds to make some shower melts though. They look so pretty. Have you tried adding some tea tree oil?
I should try some tea tree- and camphor! I have some tea tree oil leftover from another project- good idea!
Thanks Sarah, I’m definitely trying this! What a great idea,
Oooohhh… maybe I’ll get crafty this weekend!
Thanks for the awesome inspiration!
I’ve never heard of shower melts for decongestion. However, I LOVE the idea. I have sinus issues myself. I may even have the ingredients (but not the molds) already. Now to go out and find some molds that will work. I think I have some soap molds, but I think something more flexible would work better, maybe. Thanks so much for the idea. I can’t wait to try them out!!
Thank you, Hope!
This is awesome! I love DIY beauty products especially bath bombs, sugar scrubs, and now this! It’s definitely something that I’d make at home! Thanks for the idea and the recipe!
Thanks, Jocelyn!!
What a great way to get unique designs and add a little pretty to your medicine! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial with us at Merry Monday this week!
Thank you so very much!
I could definitely use something like these. I suffer from major allergies in the spring and working outdoors is no fun at all!
Uggh, allergies!!!
This is very, very clever. Enjoyed the post!
Thank you, Wendy!
What a great idea. I don’t think my sinus problems are chronic, but they can be frequent at times. I have never thought to use these…and I even used to have a steam shower in our last house! I don’t blame you for not wanting to use those molds for anything edible…they were pretty scary! Thanks for being such a regular contributor to Celebrate Your Story!
Thank you so much, Chloe!
Great idea, Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle!
Thanks, Sharon!
These are too pretty to be used at all Sarah! You should keep them in a pretty jar for decoration. But on second thought we don’t want you suffering so good idea to make these. I wish I could help but I have no remedies.
I will never be able to pass up the antique molds again Great craft Sadie.
Thank you so much!
I have those two exact butter molds! I found mine years ago at a thrift store on the central coast of CA. I used them to make butter molds for a ladies luncheon. I think they thought I have 3 heads…maybe shower melts is a better use now days. 😀
Hahaha!! I think they’d make for lovely hand-soaps, too…in case your ladies’ luncheons ever need favors. 🙂
SO perfect. I need to make these as my allergies are terrible right now.
And thanks again for linking to Waste not Wednesday!
I will be looking for molds while thrifting! Love this idea. My sister believes in vapor rub so she might love that formula! Thanks so much!
Awesome!! Thanks, Vickie!
Do you need to freeze them ?
Not to my knowledge- just store them in an air tight container!
What is the benefit of using witch hazel over water?
Good question, Kari- I had read other recipes that used witch hazel because it dried “harder” than water…but water might work, too! (I’m just not sure since I didn’t try it.)
Great idea for sinus shower melts. i am in week 3 down for the count right now! i have some old ice molds that might work too, made of silicone. thanks for the post!