Let’s say you have been hearing about all the wonderful effects of hanging eucalyptus in your bathroom and decided to take the plunge  to add some to your showerhead. Now, you only have one question: how long does it last, and when do I need to replace it? It can be easy to psych yourself out thinking that your bundle needs replacing much sooner than it actually does or to forget that it is a living item that will eventually need a successor and leave it sitting in your shower for months on end. However, there are a few key ways to tell when your bundle is ready for a substitute. Let’s take a look at those signals as well as some ways to keep your eucalyptus bundle looking luscious for as long as possible! 

How do I know when to replace my eucalyptus bundle?

There are a few major signs of when it is time to replace your eucalyptus bundle with a fresh bouquet to grace your shower and release pleasing and therapeutic aromas. 

The biggest one is the most obvious; if you can no longer smell your fresh eucalyptus bundle, it’s probably time to replace it. The crisp, woodsy scent of eucalyptus comes from the release of oils from the leaves and as the fragrance dissipates, the oils from the leaves are gradually being depleted. As the oils are the source of the benefits which range from reducing blood pressure and stress to acting as a decongestant and antiseptic, you want to replace the bundle once the oils have been used up. Otherwise, you won’t be receiving any of its benefits, not to mention that you will be unable to enjoy its distinct and cleansing smell. 

A second sign that it is time to remove your current bundle is if you spot mold on the eucalyptus leaves. Mold typically grows as a result of an overexposure to moisture, which can easily happen in the often-wet shower environment. However, as long as you keep the bundle out of the direct line of water spewing from the showerhead, you should be able to avoid this issue. 

Finally, browning of the leaves is another signal that the lifespan of your eucalyptus bundle is drawing to a close. A brown spot here or there is to be expected over time, but once a bundle begins to make the transition from majority green and vibrant to a duller, browner shade, it’s time to find a new bundle. The brown spots hint at the decay of the leaves and can also indicate a fungus that is destroying the bundle. Either way, extensive browning means that your bundle is ready to exit the shower and be replaced by a new bundle, whether that is eucalyptus, lavender, myrtle, rosemary, or a combination! 

How can I make my eucalyptus bundle last longer?

While it is inevitable that you will have to replace your eucalyptus bundle at some point, there are a few strategies you can use to maximize its longevity. For reference, the average eucalyptus cutting will remain fragrant and viable for 3-4 weeks with the strongest scent present during the first week. 

The best place to start is by caring for your eucalyptus bundle properly as soon as you receive it. This will give your bundle the foundation it needs to allow the scent to remain as long as possible and promote the health of the whole bundle. 

When working with fresh eucalyptus, there are a few steps to follow for optimal results. Once you receive your eucalyptus, make sure to take it out of the box as soon as possible and trim the stems a short amount (1 inch is a good place to start). By trimming the ends of the stems, you are reopening the plant to receive water and nutrients by removing any air bubbles and creating a fresh passageway. 

The next step is to place your bundle in cool water to allow the plant to drink up and stock up on water in order to release its scent for as long as possible. Leaving the stems in water overnight is a good length of time for the process to take place.

Now, you are almost ready to hang the bundle in your shower. The next step is to roll out the eucalyptus leaves with some sort of spherical object in order to release the oils within the leaves which hold the familiar fragrance. While this will slightly shorten the life of the eucalyptus bundle, it will prepare your bundle well for its placement in a wet environment like the shower. When it comes time to place your bundle in the shower, make sure to place it outside of direct water flow. Coming into frequent contact with water will make your eucalyptus bundle lose its scent more quickly and can even contribute to the growth of mold spores on the leaves.

Additionally, if your bathroom has a window with bright sunlight, it is ideal to keep the eucalyptus away from the direct impact of the light. This can also dry out the eucalyptus and cause its scent to dissipate faster. 

To further prolong the lifespan of the eucalyptus scent in your bathroom, you can lightly mist your eucalyptus bundle to help it remain hydrated. You can add a drop of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil to the mister to help the fragrance to last even longer with an extra dose of its essential oil adding to the natural scent of the leaves themselves. You may be interested in trying out the eucalyptus spray in tandem with a eucalyptus cutting or bundle in order to maximize the eucalyptus scent in your bathroom.

Finally, as time goes on, you may find that you need to repeat the beginning steps of trimming the stems and placing the stems in water overnight. This will refresh the eucalyptus and help it to last as long as possible and continue to enhance your bathroom. 

What will happen if I don’t replace my eucalyptus bundle?

After reading this, you may be wondering if there is some ill-effect from leaving your eucalyptus bundle up for too long. Will it start to release toxins or have some other bad effect? The answer to this is no. The worst thing that will happen is that you will have an eyesore once the leaves have completely browned or molded and the best case scenario is that you will have a useless bundle of eucalyptus that no longer smells and is past its prime. At some point, the leaves will become dry and brittle and may begin to fall off into your shower. For all these reasons, it’s a good idea to dispose of your eucalyptus bundle and replace it with a new one after noticing the signs mentioned above, but don’t worry that it will cause harmful effects if you are a little late.

Whether you are ready to buy your first shower bundle or replace the one you currently have, Self-Care Shower has a large selection of options for you! At Self-Care Shower, we offer a wide variety of options in eucalyptus bundles for your shower ranging from the original eucalyptus bundle to other scents such as  lavender and eucalyptus combination! No matter what you choose, you can refresh your bathroom with a Self-Care Shower bundle, sustainably hand-picked and grown in the United States.

Image Sources:

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