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Reed diffusers are popular home fragrance products that allow aroma to continuously diffuse into the air throughout an entire room or area. Compared to scented candles, reed diffusers produce fragrances that usually last longer and don't require an open flame. While they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, all reed diffusers have 3 main components:Fragrance oil (usually a simple mixture of essential oils and a base solution)Reed sticks (which soak up the oil and disperse the scent)Vessel (usually in the form of glass bottle that holds the oil and reeds)The aromatic fragrance oil, which often contains a blend of various essential oils, is placed inside the glass vessel of the reed diffuser. Reed sticks, traditionally made from natural rattan reeds, are also placed into the vessel so that one end is submerged in the fragrance oil while the other end is exposed to the air. The reeds contain small pores that allow the fragrance oil to be absorbed and travel towards the top half of the stick. As the oil reaches the part of the reed that’s outside of the bottle, it evaporates and releases the scent molecules into the air. As a result, reed diffusers provide a constant, fresh scent that’s especially great for places like bathrooms and foyers, where you want to maintain that wonderful smell all the time without the need to keep an eye on a lighted candle.

If you want to increase the scent, just flip the sticks. Please remember to always flip diffuser reed sticks over a paper towel and to wipe bottle so no oil drips onto your table/surface.Less Sticks Mean Less ScentIn small spaces, like bathrooms, use less sticks. We find 4 (of 10) diffuser sticks work well when using lemon diffusers in our office bathrooms. If we use all the sticks, it can be overwhelming in small spaces.Reed Diffusers Replace CandlesDid you know fire codes for offices, apartments, dorms etc. make candles illegal to use? Our customers enjoy legally using reed diffusers in restricted places where candles are not allowed. Reed diffusers are a great way to enhance the smell of a room without an open flame. In fact, diffuser essential oils are flammable so keep away from open flames.Protect Your Tables & Surfaces

A simple and beginner-friendly project, DIY reed diffusers are surprisingly easy to make. Familiarizing yourself with the main components of reed diffusers and gathering the necessary items may be the most time- and effort-intensive part of the process! We dive into the components of reed diffusers below. You'll learn what's needed and how to select materials for your reed diffusers. Also, use the links in each section to easily build your own reed diffusers. Diffuser reedsAlso known as reed sticks or reed diffuser sticks, diffuser reeds allow the scented diffuser solution to disperse throughout and scent the air.When a diffuser reed is placed in the scented solution, it draws the solution up and distributes it from the end placed in the solution to the end sticking out of the container. Once the diffuser reed is fully saturated, it releases the scented solution into the air. 

A mixture of oils – depending on what scent you’re looking for – is poured into a small container. Reed sticks – long, thin strips of rattan wood or synthetic polyamide – are then put into the container also.In a reed diffuser, the mixture is absorbed into the sticks in a process known as capillary action. When the oils soak into the reeds, it diffuses into the air through evaporation – giving the room its fragrance.The natural process doesn’t involve harmful aerosols or burning products to create smells, making it a safer and more sustainable alternative to candles and spray cans for classrooms, offices and households.

A reed diffuser is as simple as they come. However, it does make use of a few scientific principles to deliver its results. The diffusion process works through evaporative force and capillary action. Evaporation is the transformation of liquid into gas, which occurs when the molecules escape into the air. Capillary action is a phenomenon in which liquid moves up through narrow spaces due to surface tension. This is what gives reeds the ability to absorb and release oil molecules.

Yes, we know..the plastic cap on the reed diffuser bottle can sometimes be screwed too tightly into the bottle. This is a necessary precaution so that the essential oils do not leak out inside its packaging. You might use your teeth, it actually works but is not the best idea - the essential and fragrance oils are not the most taste-friendly. Instead, use a small blade (be careful!) or spoon, slip it under plastic cap and slowly try to push the cap upward, slowly loosening the cap so you can easily pull it off.

Now that you know how reed diffusers work, here are some tips for making the most of your reed diffusers:Don’t use bamboo rods. The channels in bamboo are separated by nodes, which block the oils from traveling all the way up the bamboo. Use the natural reeds that come with your diffuser instead of bamboo.If you want to increase the strength of the fragrance, add more reeds to the diffuser. Keep in mind that this will mean the oil is absorbed at a faster rate, so you’ll have to replace it more often.Once the aroma starts to fade, flip over the reeds to expose the more saturated ends. Do this over a sink or trash can to catch any oil drips.If you notice your reed diffuser is getting low on oil, let it evaporate completely before refilling. It’s better to start with fresh oil than to add it to old oil. Wash out the bottle with a bit of soap and water and let it dry completely (otherwise the water will dispel the oil). Then, refill the bottle using fresh oil and add new reeds to it.On a similar note, don’t mix the fragrance oil with water in an attempt to dilute it and make it last longer. The oil and water will separate and make the reeds warp.Place your reed diffuser in an area with good air circulation, such as a hallway with high foot traffic, for maximum scent.  

Yes, we know..the plastic cap on the reed diffuser bottle can sometimes be screwed too tightly into the bottle. This is a necessary precaution so that the essential oils do not leak out inside its packaging. You might use your teeth, it actually works but is not the best idea - the essential and fragrance oils are not the most taste-friendly. Instead, use a small blade (be careful!) or spoon, slip it under plastic cap and slowly try to push the cap upward, slowly loosening the cap so you can easily pull it off.

After you purchased your first reed diffuser from Pristine Aroma, you might face some challenges especially if you are a first time reed diffuser user. In this article, we try to answer your frequently asked questions as you begin your aromatherapy journey:

Reed diffusers are a simple mixture of a base solution and fragrance oil or essential oil poured into a glass bottle.Typically, rattan reeds are placed into the mixture to draw the solution up. The solution then evaporates into the air and disperses the aroma molecules for you to smell.That's it! Most reed diffusers use 6-8 reeds. But the more reeds you add to the mixture, the stronger the scent. If the reed diffuser will be fragrancing a very large room, or you enjoy a strong scent, begin with 7-10 reeds.Keep in mind that a diffuser with lots of reeds will not last as long as a diffuser with fewer reeds.

Which Essential Oils are Best for the Reed Diffuser?Essential oils used as reed diffuser oilsThe very first question you should answer is what do you like. You will be smelling your reed diffuser oil throughout your home and you want to make sure that every time you catch a whiff, you love it.Next, you can also look for specific aromatherapy benefits that each oil may offer. For example, lavender is a popular choice because of its calming scent and microbial and therapeutic properties.You can also go to the other side and choose something to naturally boost your mood. Sweet orange is great for lifting the spirits and is very fragrant.Feel free to get crafty and mix scents together. My secret combo is actually mixing the two scents together! Lavender and sweet orange smell lovely together in my go-to, balanced blend.

Whether you are practicing aromatherapy or simply trying to freshen up your home, using a reed diffuser is a great way to enjoy your favorite scents. Reed diffusers are quite easy to make at home by putting reed sticks within a jar containing an essential oils mix. The oils are effectively “sucked” up the channels in the reeds, and when they reach the top of the reeds, the scent is dispersed throughout the room. As long as you have your essential oils and base oils, all you need are reed sticks as well as a long vase or similar container with a narrow opening.

Over time, your nose might get used to the scent of the reed diffuser which will make you think that the scent is disappearing. Don't worry as this is a common issue especially if you are staying in your room for long hours. Simply flip the reed sticks around to refresh the scent.If you find that your reed diffusers are drying out very quickly, it could be exposed to heat or direct sunlight which could increase the rate of evaporation of the diffuser blends. Find a cool and ventilated space to make your reed diffuser last longer.

It’s really important to use a bottle or jar with a narrow opening as the oil will evaporate at a slower rate than a jar with a wide opening. This means the scent will be stronger when using a bottle or jar with a narrow opening.We have tried both natural and synthetic reeds. Both work well but the fibre reed (synthetic) seems to be superior with this recipe, however if you prefer a natural alternative, rattan reed will work just fine. The rate of fragrance transmission through the reeds is good and lasts well. During our tests we discovered that fibre wicks are less prone to blocking, which allows for the essential oils to ‘travel’ and be absorbed better. The natural reeds need to be inverted in the fragrance solution ever 2-3 days. Fibre ones less often. As mentioned before, the intensity of the aroma depends on the number of sticks used - eight is an optimal number. And if you want your diffuser to have a stronger scent, just add more essential oil.

Reed diffusers are a great way to infuse your home with natural essential oils and create a relaxing atmosphere. Not only do they look beautiful, but they can also last for months without needing any attention. To get the most out of your reed diffuser, it is important to understand how they work and how you should use them correctly. In this article, we will discuss essential tips on using essential oil reed diffusers, caring for the reeds so that they last longer and ways to display them in various areas of the home. So if you want to ensure that your reed diffuser lasts as long as possible while providing maximum scent throw, read on!

However, it does mean that this will be a doddle to replicate in the comfort of your own home, and you can create personalized blends tailored to your family and the needs of your home. All this flexibility is for a fraction of the price of commercial reed diffusers.Reed diffusers generally use less fragrance than other methods, which allows them to last longer without being too overwhelming or decisive. When things are too heady, they can give you a headache, so you can exercise complete control over the strength and depth of the scent you want.The reeds work by releasing small amounts of liquid into the porous reed, wicked up the length of the reed, and then evaporates slowly from the surface of the reed.This method has a very subtle diffusion effect throughout your chosen spaces in your home in a very cost-effective way.Control can also come from choosing to use essential oils, fragrances, or both; we will look at that in much more detail shortly.

Besides having your reeds, you need two primary components to make a reed diffuser base solution.A base carrier oil or fragrance-grade Dipropylene glycol (or Glycerin)Perfumer's alcohol thins the carrier oil and promotes better absorption into the reeds. You can use Vodka with a high percentage or proof.Generally, a 1:1 ratio of carrier oil to alcohol works best, and that is what we will be using here to make 100ml of my favorite reed diffuser base solution.