This homemade Vick’s vapor shower discs recipe is quick and easy to make at home. You’ll also find great tips to make someone with a cold more comfortable.
Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs Recipe and Cold Tips
Have you seen those Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs you put in the shower to help with colds? They are expensive! Cold season is upon us and unfortunately, chances are that either we or our children will come down with a miserable cold. Even though I am not a doctor, here are a few things that can help make you more comfortable and hopefully feel better. We’re also including a recipe for Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs.
- One very helpful remedy for treating a cold is Vick’s Vapor Rub. Rub it on the person’s chest and then cover with a warm towel to help relieve a stuffy nose and cough.
- Rub a little Vick’s Vapor Rub under the person’s nose to help with a stuffy nose.
- Some people like rubbing the Vapor Rub on the bottoms of their feet and then covering with socks. Some people say that this makes them feel better.
- For adults: To help with a stuffy head, put a spoonful or two of Vick’s Vapor Rub in a pot of steaming water, hang your head over the pot and cover your head with a towel, breathing the steam. This really helps clear out clogged airways. You could use this for older children, too, but you’ll want to be very careful because you’ll be using very hot water and it’s easy to get burned if you’re not careful.
- Don’t forget chicken soup. Grandma knew it worked and studies continue to prove it again and again. Regardless whether it is homemade or store bought, chicken soup really does help relieve cold symptoms.
- Get some rest. Don’t drag sick kids along on errands or let them go to school when they are sick. People used to take colds more seriously and would go to bed with a cold because they were terrified it would turn into pneumonia. Since they had no antibiotics, pneumonia meant that there was a good chance they would die. We might not have that concern now but it’s very important that you take it easy and rest, especially if you don’t have money for doctors or medications.
We first saw this recipe for Homemade Vick’s Vapor Discs over at Frugal By Choice. There is also a similar recipe in our Dining on a Dime Cookbook for homemade bath bombs, which you could also use in the bath. Instead of using the Homemade Vick’s Vapor shower discs in the shower, you can also use a combination of eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender for a relaxing and healing bath.
Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch**
1/3-1/2 cup water (You may need to add more or less.)
15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil or 2-3 tsp. Vick’s Vapor Rub* (you can also add other oils like peppermint or camphor 15 drops each)
Mix using enough water to make a thick paste. You can pour into muffin tins lined with papers, make small balls and set on a plate or put into a silicone ice cube tray or muffin tray. Let them set for at least 12 hours or overnight to AIR dry on counter. Remove from papers or silicone trays and store in an airtight container.
When ready to use, place a disc on the floor of your shower and let the water run on it while showering.
Notes:
*Essential oils can be expensive. If you don’t want to buy a lot of oils for this recipe, you can buy 1 bottle of the generic vapor rub and just use a couple of teaspoons in this mixture instead.
**You can leave the cornstarch out of the Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs. I put it in because it helps hold them together better.
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vicks also helps with earaches.
just rub a bit into the skin on that stick up part in front of your ear canal.
It isn’t for every earache but ones that come along with colds and the flu it works wonders.
I wouldn’t advise putting this in your ear canal. Ear aches during colds occur due to fluid behind the ear ear drum (TM) or pressure due to the inflammation in the throat which doesn’t allow your Eustachian tubes to dilate properly and equalize the pressure. Both require a physician.
But I am excited to make these discs. They will come in handy this winter. Wish I would’ve seen this sooner!
Kelsey, she didn’t say put it in your ear canal. She was referring to the tragus. It’s the flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal. This will not harm your ears in any way. It’s actually a common part of the ear to get pierced.
We used to laugh and giggle and joke about Grandma breaking out the Vicks Vapo rub when we were kids, but has long since decided that Grandma really knew what she was about. Vapo rub is my favorite go-to in my medicine cabinet if someone has a stuffy nose or chest congestion. It is so much better than giving a medicine with a side-effect. Also, I frequently use a room vaporizer with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil for long lasting cold relief. Thank you so much for posting the homemade shower vapo disks.
That is so true Brenda and thanks for the reminder on putting it in the vaporizer. You can also put a pinch of Vicks in the vaporizer if you don’t have the essential oils.
I would think that the vicks would not work in a cool mist vaporizer–are you talking about a warm one?
You could try it and see. I did use mine in a warm one but I would think if essential oils work in it that the Vicks would too since they are oil based.
I use a warm mist vaporizer.
Vick’s has been the only thing that helps me when I have a cold or my allergies are acting up. I’ve used it for years, so thanks so much for the homemade recipe. REALLY appreciate it. I like the idea too of putting on feet with socks. Sounds good and helpful.
Oh, by the way how do you use the disks?
I think you can just put the disks on the floor of your shower or bathtub, run the water, and enjoy your shower.
You just lay the disc on the bottom of the shower and let the water pour on it while you are showering.
THANKS!
Another great folk remedy my mom used on me and I’ve used since is Ben-Gay for sore throats. Rub Ben-Gay liberally on a sore throat and then wrap your throat up with a soft cloth. We always used old cut-up T-shirts with a safety pin. It really helps.
This is the best! My Grama always did this. Helps throat and stuffy head at the same time.
Believe it or not – Vicks will also “draw out” infections. My parents have used it for years on infected hangnails, blisters, cuts, etc. I didn’t believe them ’til I tried it on a very teeny tiny hangnail that I pulled off. It was hurting terribly deep in my finger for days so I slathered it w/ Vicks under a band-aid for a few days and sure enough -brought it to the surface and I could drain it. Healed right up lickety-split. It was amazing.
Vicks also is good for nail fungus. Just put it on toenails each night with a pair of socks. Now it does take a while (until the whole nail grows out which could be at least 6 months) but it does work if you are patient.
I’ve heard that Vicks is good for athletes foot as well.- but it must be used consistently until symptoms are gone.
The dollar store has a generic vicks rub. Has anyone tried that? Did it work?
I don’t see why it wouldn’t if it is the same ingredients.
Yes Kathy the dollar store brand works just as good
How many disks does this make using a muffin tin?
It is hard to say. About 1 muffin tin with 12 sections. The thing is you can make these as big or small as you want. I would fill them with very little because I don’t take long showers. You can adjust how much you fill them.
Can u freeze them so they dry faster
freezing them would just make the water in them into ice. it won’t dry anything. The water inside would just melt the second you tossed it into the shower.
I just made a double batch of these but using eucalyptus and peppermint. Froze them, put them in individual zip lock bags. As they thawed they complete melted into liquid. I did not see anywhere that they must stay frozen. Am I missing something???
You don’t freeze them. You leave them on the counter to air dry. The ice cube tray is just the right size container to put them in for them to sit on the counter to dry. You can use different types of containers if you want but they need to sit out and air dry. Then when dry you can pop them in a plastic bag or container to store and keep dry until you are ready to use them.
Thank you :-)
I made these using the baking method with cornstarch in them and cannot get the paper muffin liners off without losing half the disk. Anyone else have this problem? I have made them without the cornstarch but found them to be too crumbly and was excited to try this.
Beth,
Another way to do this, as I make my own shower bombs and came across this recipe just to see what I would need for the vicks vapor rub ones… One way around this would be to use a sheet of wax paper over top of a pan sheet. Spoon them out to your desire just on top of the wax paper. Only this way you let them air dry rather than placing them in the oven. It will take them about 18-20 hours to dry completely before being used.
Same
Mine are horrible looking and semi baked, gelish on the inside. I shredded the liners, cut them off and flipped them over to let the underside dry. Baking is definitely not an option on these. I guess it’s possible if you basically turn it to warm and just circulate air around it. Disappointed, but I have a ton more supplies to try it a different method for round two!
I love this idea. I’m about to make a batch now.
I made them about 30 mins ago… and they are crumbling… The liners aren’t coming up.. I didn’t use corn starch. What do i do?
If you didn’t use cornstarch, then they will be more crumbly. You might try adding more water but the cornstarch does help bind them together.
Could you use it in a bath?
probably not.
Yes :)
I just made a batch. I used the aluminium cupcake cups amd they peal off nicely. I used vicks and some Lavender and rosemary oil. Can’t wait to try them. Also I didn’t bake mine. They are drying next to the wood stove
This is the best idea. I’m trying it for the first time and I got essential oils. The oils weren’t to expensive. I have a rep for them here in Japan. I’m excited to try them cause I was disappointed when they took them off the market. These were the best things for making your own sauna in your home. Thank you so much for putting your recipe on here for people to find.
I put mine into the oven. They sort if started to “boil”. I thought maybe it would mess up their appearance. Anyone else experience this too?
Hum that’s strange, I’ve never had that happen. Anyone else have any input?
Mine bubbles too and looked awful.
Hi all, I made these from another site, a little different recipe. My mix was never a toothpaste or poor able consistency, it was more like a thicker, stickier vicks itself. I spooned some into a mold (ice cube tray) and placed in the freezer per the instructions (again, on the other site). I am starting to wonder if this was my issue (See below), in addition to the not thin enough consistency.
I’ve noticed that even thought the scent was super strong when making and now in the bag I am storing them in, once in the shower, there isn’t a strong smell, and sometimes I do not smell them at all! It’s really disappointing, sceptically when I made a big batch of these as Christmas present.
You ladies have any advance moving forward, in terms of what I can do with my current batch to ensure these are strong enough for the people i gift them too? I appreciate any ideas you’ve got!
thanks!
Without knowing what the other recipe was or anything the only thing I can think of is you might add a few more drops of essential oil to them. Just place a some drops in the bag with them that you are storing them in. The smell may not be working for different reasons but one of them is different essential oils have different strengths. The less expensive or different brands of oil will not only smell different but the strength can really vary so you may have to adjust the amount used on any recipe.
Thanks for replying Jill. Below is the ingredients/ directions I used:
1/2 cup of Baking Soda
1 cup of cornstarch
5 table spoons of Vicks (Can use baby Vicks for a more gentle smell)
Add a teaspoon of water as your see fit. (I did 3)
Mold tray (ice cube, chocolate)
First start by getting your bowl and add in your corn starch (add a little glitter in if you want some sparkle).
Now add in your Vicks and mix it around until well combined. This will be strong smelling so maybe wear gloves if your sensitive or open a window.
Now add in your baking soda and mix well. IF you find you need more moisture add a teaspoon at a time but do not over do it or it won’t form right.
Then mold the mixture into your ice cube tray or other molding tray (these were molded in a chocolate molding tray… you can get pretty creative with shapes & themes if you want).
Then you will want to freeze them for a few hours.
Take out and pop them out of the molds. You can place then into small jars for yourself or use them as gifts.
I can see where the difference might be Stevie. You used the Vicks in place of the eucalyptus oil which would make a difference in the consistency and the pure oils would be stronger smelling than the Vicks which is diluted down with the other ingredients added.
Thanks, Never thought of the chocolate trays.. :)
THANK YOU!!! Works wonders…. can I just stay in the shower??? LOL
The eucalyptus oil in Vick’s is an anti fungal. Tests reported in Prevention indicate that it will cure about 1/3 of all athlete’s foot. Rub on twice a day for 90 days.
Yes it works really really good for nail and toe fungus. You have to rub it on faithful for quite awhile but it works as well as the meds that are made especially for that.
Vicks ointment was a staple on my grandmothers’ side table. It was one of the few (or maybe only) medicines available for sinus and cold relief at that time. Sometimes they bought a tin of mentholated ointment from the Watkins saleman. It makes me laugh to read that some health providers feel that as a medicine Vicks is ineffective and unproven. But yet it remains a “go to” in many homes. Maybe it is my wonderful childhood memories, but many nights when I toss and turn and just can’t sleep, a little Vicks on a tissue held near my nose helps me to drift off. So much is promoted about aroma therapy, but I’ll stick with Vicks! :) Hope your family feels better soon!
So funny you mentioned that today Joanie. Everyone in Tawra’s household has been really bad sick with colds and flu. I was skyping with her middle son yesterday and he was coughing but told me “Mom keeps coming in and rubbing me and rubbing me all over with Vicks.” and was rubbing his hands on his chest. He said she put it under my nose and on my feet and every where. I was laughing at his demonstration and told him I remember my mom and grandma both doing the same to me. Some things never change.
Tawra did take them to a doctor and he told her to just use Vick’s and give them lemon and honey. She tried to explain she had been doing all of that and it wasn’t working but he didn’t really listen I’m afraid.
How many shower bombs does this recipe make? I don’t want to make mine too thick or too thin. Thanks!
Don’t know exactly but you can make them about 1/2 thick and 2 in or so in diameter. This of course doesn’t have to be exact.
Is there anything you can use instead of cornstarch?
There really isn’t for what it is used for in this recipe.
Eucalyptus essential oils are not sage for children under 10. Be careful when using any essential oil around kids.
You need to be careful using most essential oils period. People have really gotten carried away with them and don’t realize they can cause as much harm as the man made ingredients they are trying to avoid and hurt you as bad or worse if you don’t know what you are doing with them.
I just made a batch of these. They turned out perfect. After they dry should I store them in a jar or can I use a zip lock bag?
You can store them in either one as long as it is an air tight container.
Is it me or has the smell of Vicks changed in recent years?
I don’t know Magdalen. I haven’t had to use it for awhile but it may have.
So I just tried this and this is on Pinterest by another person and at bottom said adapted from your recipe.
In that other recipe it said to freeze, but like the comment said as soon as you take them out they will melt. I only had them in freezer maybe 30 min. Did this ruin them? I’m going to let them air dry 24 hours and see.
Not sure Stacey but air drying them might help.
I followed this recipe for the Homemade Vick’s Vapor Shower Discs and put in Mason jar and they melted!! What did I do wrong? I kept in freezer for 2 hours they where solid. Took out and put in Mason jar and they all melted!
You shouldn’t have put them in the freezer. They need to set out and air dry then put them in an airtight container leaving on the counter or in a cabinet. The condensation from the freezer caused them to get moisture in them and melt.They don’t need to be put in freezer or fridge because there is nothing to go bad or spoil in them.
I made the shower bombs with cornstarch baking soda peppermint an eucalyptus put them in lined mini muffin tin put in freezer for round 5hrs an took out put in glass jar an next morning when my son wnt to use one they were one big goop
Diane your aren’t suppose to put them in the freezer – it just adds moisture to them. You have to let them set out to air dry for 12 hrs at least too. The recipe doesn’t say to put them in the freezer at all.
You definitely need the cornstarch and I would probably make a double batch for a 12-cup silicone muffin tin. I didn’t have cornstarch and they are flaking into a powder rather than keeping their shape. I also love Vicks so I added an extra tablespoon of that and less water. But I’ll still try the powder at the back of the shower so it doesn’t just go down the drain and see what happens!!
I usually try to get people to use our recipes exactly as they are written at least for the first time and later experiment if they want because there is a good chance the things won’t work if you adjust them and that way too you will have the first batch to compare to the recipe you are adjusting.
These turned out amazing!!! Thank you for this.
So glad they worked for yo Micki and thanks for letting us know
I have made these for years from this site they are the best, my grandkids love using them ,i always make a huge jar for their family , i use them in my shower all the time i sit it in a very small dish in the shower and it lasts longer then putting it on the floor of the shower, I double the recipe several times when making works great