I Finally Tried the Eucalyptus Shower Hack, and I Wish I Hadn’t Waited So Long
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good, hot shower at the end of a long day. Yet, despite the fact that I’ve figured out ways to jazz up my baths (fun bubble baths, oils, etc.), I’ve yet to do anything to upgrade my showers. Well, now my showers can get as luxurious as my baths, because I’ve finally decided to try putting eucalyptus in my shower.
I’ve heard of people using eucalyptus in the shower before, but I’d forgotten about this hack until I came across this article from a couple years ago. Since I love the smell of eucalyptus, I decided it was time to give it a shot. This hack is pretty simple — you grab a bunch of eucalyptus, tie it all up with a string or ribbon, and hang it over your showerhead. The steam from the shower releases the scent of the leaves, making your shower smell better.
To try this hack, I headed down to Trader Joe’s to grab a eucalyptus bunch, which cost me around $5 (prices may vary depending on your store). I cut off the end of the stems, and used a bit of velcro from my junk drawer to loop them into a bunch over my showerhead since I didn’t have any string.
My first shower with the eucalyptus was disappointing, to say the least. I could barely smell the leaves, even when I put my nose right up against them.
Despite knowing that I was supposed to, I realized I’d forgotten to roll out the eucalyptus beforehand to release its scent — so I rescued it from the shower and rolled it out with a wine bottle to try again. This doesn’t actually crush the leaves, which spring back relatively easily — it just flattens them enough to get the oils out.
It’s best to roll your eucalyptus bunch while it’s still in its wrapping, to help the oils stay put. However, I’d already discarded mine, so I did the next best thing and rolled it on an old plastic bag before putting it back in my shower.
This time, the steam definitely released that signature sharp-sweet scent into the air. However, since my bunch was now four days old at this point, it wasn’t as potent as I’d hoped. This tracks with other accounts I’ve read online — the scent only lasts a few days, so you have to replace your bunch fairly often if you want to keep the aroma fresh.
My final verdict on this shower hack: It’s not as potent as eucalyptus oil, but it’s definitely worth a try, especially if you get headaches from strong smells like I do. Additionally, it makes your shower look pretty, and it’s what I like to call an affordable luxury — a little thing you do for yourself that makes a big difference. I’ll definitely be picking up a new bunch whenever I’m at Trader Joe’s next.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
