How can i make the steam room at the ymca smell good?

Question

I go to the Y everyday before i go to school and the first thing i do to wake me up is jump in the pool and then jump right into the steam room. the negatives about this is i have to smell a hint of ***, p**s, and old people while i try to brew a sweat for about 7 minuets. i dont really mind it that much because my mind is set on the searing heat, but i still try little things to make the odd smells go away. i spray the whole place down with the hose they provide for us in the steam room, and i even put some of the soap they provide in the shower on the end of the steam emtting faucets, but that caused my eyes to wigg out after 2 minuets. On the good days it doesnt even smell at all, and theres really great days when this guy brings eucalyptus and sprays it in the room making everything minty fresh. i would get that stuff too but its 9 bucks. is there anything cheap i can get or make to create a nice smelling steam room experience?

Answer 1

You can buy Eucalyptus Oil or use some various aromatic oils (Lavender, Mint, etc) to help it smell better, and they can be very economical (especially if you make them yourself). You don't really need to use much to have an aromatic effect, especially when using steam or heat... maybe just a few drops (so a 1 oz bottle would last a long time).

You shouldn't put it on the actual steam vent as it could jam up some part of it (and the staff at the Y would probably get pissed if they found out you gunked it up).

However, you really should ask the staff if it would be okay to do that as some people are more sensitive to certain scents and they might not normally allow members to put scents into the steam room because of that. As you've already experienced by putting the soap on the steam vent, certain things being put into the air can be very irritating to some people. Of course, worst case scenario, you could use a scented body wash after your sweat that you can shower with before you head to school. Good luck!