Last Modified 18 March 2024 |
First Added 17 October 2019
How to Use a Reed Diffuser
Reed diffusers are a fabulous way to continually fragrance your home. These flame free diffusers breathe a beautiful scent naturally into the air, whilst looking effortlessly chic.
This home fragrance solution asks little of you and takes care of itself. However, knowing how to use a reed diffuser effectively can help you get the most out of it. Read on for more advice and top tips on how to add a glorious aroma in your home.
How does a reed diffuser work?
Reed diffusers are very simple to use. Remove the metal screw cap and plastic plug, and if your diffuser has a decorative metal cap, screw this back onto the bottle. Immerse your reeds into the liquid and allow them to soak up the oil. Once they have absorbed some of the oil, flip them to begin the release of the beautiful home fragrance, enhancing the overall aroma of your space.
You’ll need to flip your reeds regularly, ideally every few days, to keep the scent fresh and fragrant. Just keep in mind that the more you flip, the quicker the oil will evaporate.
Diffusers don’t require a flame or heat source for them to work, making them a safe and practical way to fragrance your home.
Where’s the best place for a reed diffuser?
Motion in the room and general movement in the air will help circulate the scent and disperse the fragrance, so it’s best to place it in a high traffic area that will help move the scent around.
Avoid placing your reed diffuser near air conditioning units or next to an external door where the fragrance will be lost. Heat from radiators can also cause the fragrance to evaporate faster, so avoid positioning it near one if you can.
How long do reed diffusers last?
On average, 100ml of diffuser oil should last between three and four months. However, its lifespan can be affected by things such as central heating, air conditioning, open and closed doors, and dehumidifiers.
What do the reeds do?
The reeds soak up the oil and diffuse the scent along its entire length, releasing the beautiful fragrance into the room. The reeds are porous which helps control the rate the fragrance is released.
If you want to make the fragrance more apparent in a room, increase the number of reeds you use. If you want to lessen the fragrance, remove a reed or two.
We recommend replacing the reeds every so often as they can become saturated and clogged, which reduces their ability to work properly. Every time you use a new scent, purchase new reeds too.
How to make reed diffuser oil
First, choose your base oil – among the most common are fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil or safflower oil. Bear in mind that thin oils are more effective, helping the oil soak up the reeds and diffuse the scent. If you’re using a glass reed diffuser base, make sure you’re happy with the colour of your base oil.
The next step in making your reed diffuser oil is to add essential oils for extra fragrance. Why not try lavender and jasmine for a relaxing bedtime aroma, or cedarwood and patchouli for a cosy scent? When browsing for your perfect fragrance, remember that some essential oils can be harmful to pets, so research accordingly.
Once you’ve made your choices, here’s how to make reed diffuser oil in three simple steps:
1. Add enough base oil to fill your reed diffuser to approximately two thirds full.
2. Measure the total amount of base oil used to accurately calculate how much essential oil to include.
3. For every 120ml of base oil you use, add up to 50 drops of essential oil in your preferred scent. Et voila!
How to make a reed diffuser smell stronger
There are many factors that affect the strength of your reed diffuser, from where it’s placed in your home to how often you refresh it. If the scent has become somewhat lacklustre, try these easy tips to increase your reed diffuser’s aroma:
1. Add extra reeds to your diffuser
2. Flip the reeds regularly
3. Place the diffuser in a high traffic area of your home, such as a hallway
4. Replace your reeds entirely
5. Top up your oil, or replace it (be sure to replace the reeds too if you do).
Are reed diffusers safe?
Reed diffusers are a safe and flame free fragrance option for your home. Avoiding the need for heat or aerosols, they can be a safer alternative to candles, wax melts, or room sprays.
Despite being flame free, reed diffuser oil is flammable so keeping the diffuser out of the reach of children and pets is advisable. Opting for non-toxic essential oils will increase the safety of your reed diffuser. If anyone in your household suffers from respiratory issues, we’d recommend exercising caution with any home fragrance.
Care tips
To preserve your beautiful home, use a coaster or matt underneath your reed diffuser as oil drips can cause damage to wooden, painted, varnished or plastic surfaces. It’s also a good idea to flip the reeds over a sink.
If you decide the change the oil, make sure you change the reeds too. Not only can reeds get dusty and clogged over time, but mixing old fragrance on the reeds with new diffuser oil can lead to a less than perfect scent.
Fragrance is an essential part of any luxurious bedroom, almost as important as finding your perfect luxury bed frame. For more tips on bringing lasting luxury to your boudoir, discover our six simple steps to creating a sleep sanctuary you’ll adore.