At Old Whaling Co., every shower steamer is crafted with care by our team right here in our Charleston, South Carolina production warehouse. From mixing and pressing to bagging and boxing, each step is thoughtfully done to ensure a high-quality, consistent product that brings a spa experience to your shower. Our dedicated production crew takes pride in creating these small but powerful self-care essentials, and we’re excited to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite shower steamers come to life!
Mixing the Main Ingredients
Our shower steamers are crafted with just five simple, high-quality ingredients, each chosen to deliver the ultimate aromatherapy experience in every shower. The process begins with a key base ingredient: baking soda. This component helps create the fizzing, scent-releasing effect that makes our steamers so effective. Our process kicks off as our Production Manager, Cam, pours a full bag of baking soda into the industrial mixer, a moment that marks the start of transforming raw ingredients into something special.
Next, she carefully adds a pre-measured blend of Epsom salt and citric acid from a large container, an essential combo that plays a key role in both the performance and preservation of each shower steamer. The Epsom salt lends structure to the steamer, helping it stay firm and intact until the moment it meets water. Meanwhile, citric acid not only activates the fizzing reaction when exposed to moisture, but also acts as a natural preservative. This helps ensure your shower steamers stay fresh, clean, and effective for longer- free from bacteria, and ready to deliver a relaxing aromatherapy experience whenever you need it. This duo may not look like much at first glance, but together they help give our shower steamers their signature strength and longevity.
The final step before activating the mixing machine is the delicate addition of fragrance. As the scent is poured in, the entire warehouse fills with the first hint of what’s to come: a wave of French Lavender, refreshing Seaweed & Sea Salt, or zesty Seaside Citrine, depending on the batch. Our team measures with intention, always keeping in mind that more liquid is added when we introduce the water during mixing.
With everything measured and ready, Cam switches on our industrial mixer, compared by our team to a giant KitchenAid. Under her trained eye, she starts the timer and our machine begins to blend the ingredients. It’s a key moment where precision meets process, and where the real magic of crafting our shower steamers begins.
After about 15 seconds of mixing, it’s time to add water! This step is a deceptively small part that plays a crucial role. Just the right amount of water is needed, giving the dry ingredients the subtle moisture they need to create the perfect moldable texture. By introducing water while the ingredients are already in motion, we ensure moisture blends evenly throughout the mixture. Every turn of the mixer distributes the ingredients so that each finished shower steamer delivers the same consistent, immersive experience.
Moving to the Press
Once mixing is complete, the large machine is guided to a lift. The drum is raised and the malleable mixture is dished evenly into tubs and distributed to each team member.
Each station has a scale, hydraulic press, a shower steamer mold, and a measuring cup. The mold, scale, and measuring cup assure our team that each shower steamer is pressed the same weight and size so four of them can fit in each package. The scoop is used to gently pour the mixture into the mold until it reaches the specific weight and size needed.
After the mold is filled, it is set on the press’s platform until the top half of the mold attached to the press is centered over the opening where the mixture was poured. With one quick click of a button using a hand on either side of the press, pressure forces the top half of the mold down, causing the powder inside the mold to become compacted and form the round tablet shape. After releasing the buttons, the top half of the mold retracts.
The mold is pulled off of the press, and a wooden dowel rod attached to a wooden base is used to pop the solid steamer out. This step requires a soft grip, because the fresh shower steamers are still soft and can easily break.
Once each shower steamer is perfectly pressed, it’s carefully transferred to a drying rack, where it rests for several days to fully solidify. This slow process allows the steamers to cure, locking in their shape, fragrance, and fizzy potential. After fully drying, our team hand-bags each steamer in sets of four, paying close attention to presentation. The sets are then tucked into sturdy boxes, designed to keep them dry, safe, and beautifully preserved until they reach your hands.
Made with Love and Care
Every step of our shower steamer production process, from ingredient measuring to final packaging, is a reflection of the quality and care we pour into every product. Our team works with precision and pride, wearing proper safety gear and following high-standard practices for cleanliness. At Old Whaling Co., we believe the details matter, and that’s what makes our shower steamers a small but powerful part of your daily self-care routine. You can find our shower steamers on display in our retail shops downtown Charleston, or order them online to try them yourself!
