Recipe - Shower Steamers

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup citric acid
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2-3 tablespoons water
  • 10-15 drops of essential oil 
  • Instructions:
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch.
  • Mix well.
  • Slowly add water, a little at a time, and mix until the mixture has a sand-like consistency and can hold its shape when squeezed together. Add10-15 drops of your favourite essential oil and mix well.
  • Pack the mixture into silicone moulds, pressing down firmly to make sure the mixture is compacted.
  • Allow the shower steamers to dry for 24-48 hours, or until they are completely dry and hard.
  • To use, place one shower steamer on the floor of your shower, away from the direct stream of water.

 

More oil combinations

 

  • Sweet Orange and Peppermint: This combination is energizing and invigorating. It's perfect for a morning shower or when you need a boost of energy. Use a ratio of 3:1 for sweet orange to peppermint.
  • Eucalyptus and Frankincense: This combination is calming and grounding. It's great for unwinding after a long day or for a relaxing bath. Use a ratio of 1:1 for eucalyptus to frankincense.
  • Tea Tree and Jasmine: This combination is refreshing and floral. It's great for a mid-day pick-me-up or when you want to feel refreshed. Use a ratio of 3:1 for tea tree to jasmine.
  • Cassia and Vanilla: This combination is warm and comforting. It's perfect for a cozy evening bath or when you want to relax and unwind. Use a ratio of 2:1 for cassia to vanilla.
  • Geranium and Eucalyptus: This combination is floral and fresh. It's great for a refreshing and uplifting shower or bath. Use a ratio of 2:1 for geranium to eucalyptus.

 

.

BACK TO BLOG

07 May 2023

Hydro Dipping a Ceramic Canister and Making Shower Steamers | Thrift Flip DIY

What is Hydro-dipping

Hydro dipping is a popular art and craft technique that involves applying a decorative pattern or design onto a three-dimensional object, such as a ceramic canister, using water and specialized paints. The process begins by prepping the object to be dipped by cleaning and priming it. Next, a thin layer of paint is applied to the surface of the water in a container, creating a film that floats on the surface. The object is then carefully dipped into the water, allowing the film of paint to adhere to its surface.

As the object is pulled out of the water, the excess paint is removed, and the pattern or design becomes visible. Hydro dipping allows for endless creative possibilities, as different colours and patterns can be combined to create unique and visually stunning designs. This technique is popular for customizing items such as car parts, phone cases, and even shoes, but it can also be used to elevate everyday objects like vases, planters, and canisters into beautiful pieces of functional art.

 

What can be dipped

1. Ceramics (e.g., mugs, plates, vases)2. Glassware (e.g., wine glasses, jars, bottles)3. Metal objects (e.g., car parts, bike frames, tools)4. Plastic items (e.g., phone cases, game controllers, toys)5. Wood items (e.g., furniture, picture frames, guitar bodies)6. Fabrics (e.g., clothing, shoes, bags)7. 3D-printed objects (e.g., figurines, prototypes)8. Fishing gear (e.g., rods, reels, tackle boxes)9. Skateboard decks10. Helmets

This is not an exhaustive list, as hydro dipping can be done on almost any three-dimensional object as long as it can be submerged in water.

 

 

Here are the basic steps for hydro-dipping an object:

1. Preparation: The first step is to prepare the object to be dipped. This involves cleaning it thoroughly and sanding down any rough or uneven areas to ensure that the paint adheres well. If the object is made of plastic or another non-porous material, it may need to be primed with a special adhesive primer.

2. Paint preparation: Next, you need to prepare the paint for dipping. Hydro-dipping paints are usually specially formulated with a high pigment content and designed to float on the surface of the water. The paint is added to a container of water, and a special activator chemical is added to the paint, causing it to spread out and form a thin film on the surface.

3. Dipping: Once the paint is ready, it's time to dip the object. The object is carefully lowered into the water and submerged into the paint film. The paint adheres to the surface of the object, forming a unique and colourful pattern.

4. Rinsing: After the object is dipped, it needs to be rinsed with water to remove any excess paint or activator chemicals. This can be done by gently spraying the object with a hose or placing it under a gentle stream of water.

5. Drying: Finally, the object needs to be allowed to dry completely before it can be used or handled. Depending on the size and shape of the object, this may take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

 

 

What I dipped

.... you'll see a thrift flip where I transform a plain ceramic canister into a stunning piece of art using hydro-dipping techniques. Not only that, but I also make some delightful shower steamers to put inside the canister. You'll see the step-by-step process of how I create the design on the canister using hydro dipping and how I make the shower steamers from scratch. Get ready to be inspired to upcycle and create your own DIY projects with this fun and creative video!

Patch filler This is a link to the products I used - https://pxl.to/lhmamsi

 

Products Used

Rustoleum Gold Spray Paint

Rustoleum Black Spray Paint

Fiddly Bits White Spray Paint

 

 

 

 

Donna O'Donoghue

 ART