Why You Should Put a Wooden Clothespin in Your Shower

Want to make your daily shower feel a little more relaxing without spending money on expensive gadgets? One simple trick is attaching a wooden clothespin scented with essential oil to your shower.

As warm steam fills the bathroom, the scented clothespin can release a gentle fragrance. It’s inexpensive, easy to set up, and can make your shower feel more enjoyable.

Here’s how it works and how to do it safely.

Why Does This Trick Work?

Wood naturally absorbs small amounts of essential oil.

When you place a wooden clothespin near the shower, warm, humid air can help the fragrance evaporate gradually from the wood. The result is a light aroma without needing an electric diffuser.

Quick Tip: Use a plain, unfinished wooden clothespin. Plastic clothespins won’t absorb essential oils in the same way.

What You’ll Need

This hack requires only a few items:

• One wooden clothespin
• Your favorite essential oil
• A safe place to clip the clothespin near the shower

Step 1: Choose an Essential Oil

Different essential oils create different aromas.

Some popular options include:

• Lavender for a calming fragrance
• Eucalyptus for a fresh, spa-like aroma
• Peppermint for an invigorating scent
• Sweet orange or lemon for a bright citrus fragrance

Choose a scent you enjoy and start with a small amount.

Step 2: Add the Essential Oil

Place 2 to 4 drops of essential oil directly onto the wooden clothespin.

Allow the oil to soak into the wood for a minute or two before placing it near the shower.

Avoid saturating the clothespin. A small amount is usually enough to create noticeable fragrance.

Step 3: Clip It Near the Shower

Attach the clothespin somewhere that receives warm steam but isn’t directly under the water.

Possible locations include:

• Shower curtain
• Shower caddy
• Shelf near the shower
• Showerhead arm, provided it stays away from the water stream

Keeping it away from direct water helps the scent last longer and prevents the clothespin from becoming unnecessarily soaked.

Step 4: Enjoy the Aroma

As the shower heats up, warm, humid air can help release the fragrance from the wood.

You’ll usually get a gentle aroma rather than the concentrated scent produced by applying essential oil directly to your skin.

The fragrance may last for several showers before the clothespin needs to be refreshed.

How Often Should You Reapply the Oil?

The scent gradually fades over time.

You may need to add a few drops every 3 to 5 showers, depending on:

• The type of essential oil
• How much steam your shower produces
• How much oil you originally applied
• The size and absorbency of the clothespin

If the fragrance becomes difficult to notice, refresh it with a small amount of oil.

Good to Know: Citrus oils often have a lighter scent, while eucalyptus and peppermint can smell stronger and more noticeable.

Essential Oil Safety Tips

Essential oils are highly concentrated, so use them carefully.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t apply undiluted essential oils directly to your skin unless the product instructions specifically indicate that they’re appropriate.
• Keep essential oils away from children and pets.
• Avoid contact with your eyes.
• Don’t place the oil where it can drip onto your skin.
• If strong fragrances irritate you, use fewer drops or stop using the method.

Good bathroom ventilation is also important, particularly when using concentrated fragrances.

Other Ways to Create a Spa-Like Shower

The clothespin trick isn’t the only way to make your shower feel more relaxing.

You can also:

• Hang fresh eucalyptus in the shower.
• Use commercially made shower steamers according to their instructions.
• Keep the bathroom well ventilated.
• Play relaxing music during your shower.
• Keep the shower area clean and uncluttered.

Small changes can make an ordinary daily routine feel more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Adding a few drops of essential oil to a wooden clothespin is a simple, inexpensive way to introduce fragrance into your shower. Warm, humid air can help release the scent gradually, creating a pleasant atmosphere without requiring special equipment.

Whether you prefer lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, or citrus, this little shower hack takes only a minute to set up and can make your everyday routine feel a bit more spa-like.