When you learn how to make reed diffusers, the first thing that will strike you is how simple and cost-effective it is. All you need to do is combine a light carrier oil like Grapeseed oil with a high-proof alcohol like Vodka, then mix in your chosen scents. You can choose to use essential oils, fragrances, or a combination. This gives you complete control of the process and keeps it as pure as possible if this is your aim.
Using the porous reeds and placing the reed diffuser in a place with some airflow allows the scents to evaporate and pervade your home. Leaving your home smelling fresh, clean, and with a heavy air of mystery that lingers in the air. Reed diffusers make excellent gifts for friends and family at a fraction of the retail price.
What Are Reed Diffusers?
Reed diffusers are one of the simplest and most effective aromatherapy products you can make at home. They are super easy and fast to assemble, and you'll have natural fragrance wafting through your house in no time.
There is no need to pay inflated prices for fancy-looking diffusers when making your own is an absolute doddle.
If you are unsure what reed diffusers are, they consist of a bottle of 'scent' into which you place several sticks like 'reeds,' which you place wherever you want fragrance. You soak the reeds in the oil solution, and they absorb the solution by capillary action. This solution then evaporates from the reed's surface, making it an excellent method for infusing essential oils into your home's air.
Their popularity has increased radically over the last 15 years, and every home and gift store now sells a version.
However, when you look back at the history of using either reeds or sticks to disperse fragrance, you can see that cultures worldwide, for at least the last two millennia, have been utilizing similar principles. It may be the newest craze, but the idea itself is ancient.
Good ideas tend to last the test of time, and a reed diffuser is undoubtedly a prime example of that. Quick to make, simple to use, why wouldn't you?
What Are The Benefits Of Making Your Own Reed Diffusers?
When you unpack a new diffuser, it is a beautiful thing. Yet, essentially it is just a bunch of reeds, a pretty bottle (with a cap that is about to become redundant), and what I always like to think is a 'magic' solution in the bottle.
I hate to be the one to demystify this and steal your joy, but these magical bottles often contain just a carrier oil, some have alcohol, and some include oil dispersants to allow the oils to penetrate the reeds more readily.
Yes, I know, THAT'S IT! Very little magic, disappointingly.
Control, Flexibility, And Cost Effectiveness
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.
Safer Than Scented Candles
Reed diffusers are safer than a burning scented candle, especially if you have a home with pets or children.
There is no need to worry like you would if a burning candle is in the room.
You need to be cautious of the toxicity of essential oils if it spills or if your minor child gets a hold of the reeds. Though with the dilution rates, you are likely to be using, you can minimize this risk anyway.
You can see the safety data of every essential oil sold by VINEVIDA on the web page for that particular essential oil. Always check them out before using any essential oils that are new to you.
How to Use Reed Diffusers
We already know that reed diffusers work by way of capillary action. This is where the solution with the essential oil is drawn up through reeds. Place it somewhere in your home with some airflow to help distribute the wonderful fragrance around your room.
You could place them by a door or a window for that beneficial airflow in fragrancing the spaces in your home.
Consider the size of your room or space when designing reed diffusers; you won't need as much essential oil for a small bathroom as a large sitting room.
Where the whole point of the method is that the solution evaporates, your reeds will eventually dry out. This is where you remove them from the bottle, flip the reeds over, and pop the other end instead. Shaking the solution in the bottle can also help enliven the fragrance's strength.
If you use a large bottle, say 250ml, you may find that your reeds eventually get blocked with dust and will no longer absorb the solution. Replace them with new reeds. It is worth buying a good number of reeds when you start, not only for this reason but also because you will realize what great gifts they make.
Place your reed diffuser on a coaster or mat to protect precious surfaces, and always place a cloth underneath, or do it on a kitchen surface when flipping the reeds and shaking the bottle.
While they are safer than burning candles, we recommend keeping them out of the way of pets and children.
I expect a 100ml reed diffuser to last for up to a month. However, with a few tricks, you can extend its lifespan to 3-4 months. I had one that lasted two years, just by cleaning the reeds and occasionally refreshing the essential oil blend. It was in a place with little airflow, contributing to it lasting so long.
Essential Oils or Fragrances for Reed Diffusers?
The easy answer here is that you can use both.
Liz looks at this in-depth in her article When To Use Fragrance Oils Versus Essential Oils.
When you begin your design process, you must consider that essential oils have chemical constituents and properties that can affect your mood and well-being. Fragrance oils smell nice.
If you want to create an aroma that will encourage relaxation and calm in your older child's bedroom, then you want to use essential oils. Because you want the properties, those essential oils bring to the mix.
If you want something super strongly scented to combat bathroom whiffs, a fragrance oil might suit the job.
There are times when you should combine both. Rose essential oil, while impressive, is also costly. But you may still want to harness essential oil's chemical constituents and properties into your reed diffuser. Here you can use a few drops of Rose essential oil and bolster it with a Rose-based fragrance to deepen and strengthen the scent profile. This gives you the very best of both worlds.
It is one of the few aromatherapy projects where I will happily intermix essential oils and fragrances because it ideally allows you to tailor a reed diffuser to your needs. It also allows you to achieve more effective results in a very cost-effective way. I will show you some examples of how to do this in the recipe sections.
Best Essential Oils For Reed Diffusers
This comes down to what ambiance and effects you are trying to achieve, so rather than focus on particular essential oils, let's look at this from the point of view of what you are trying to create.
| Desired Ambience or Properties | Recommended Essential Oils | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Calming and Relaxing |
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) |
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) |
Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.) |
| Stimulating and Enlivening |
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) |
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) |
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) |
| Focus and Concentration |
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) |
Lemon (Citrus limon L (Burm.) F. ) |
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) |
| Air Clearing and Smell Busting |
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) |
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L) |
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) |
| Get Ready For Sleep |
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) |
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) |
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) |
| Sensuous Scents for the Bedroom |
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) |
Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia) |
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) |
| Freshness |
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) |
Lemon (Citrus limon L (Burm.) F. ) |
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) |
| Citrusy and Zingy |
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) |
Lime (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) |
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) |
| Floral |
Rose Geranium (Pelargonium asperum var roseum) |
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) |
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var Motia) |
| Deep and Masculine |
Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara) |
Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) |
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) |
| Spicy and Sensuous |
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) |
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) |
Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) |
This makes it super simple to see what essential oils are best for creating a particular ambiance or harnessing specific properties to create a desired effect.
There will be more ideas in the blend recipes below.
Best Carrier Oils For Reed Diffusers
Liz has already done a fabulous article on The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Carrier Oils For Reed Diffuser, so check this out too. I'm not going to make any changes to her great recommendations, some of which were as follows:
Grapeseed Carrier Oil
Top of our list of best carrier oils for reed diffuser projects has to be grapeseed with the ideal absorption characteristics. The oil has a vaguely fruity aroma, coming, as it does, from the seeds of deliciously sweet grapes. It blends well with citrusy essential oils like Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, etc. However, be advised that citrus essential oils do tend to evaporate faster.
The oil's fruity green color is reminiscent of nature, so if the appearance of your reed diffuser is your primary concern, it is something to consider.
Apricot Kernel Oil
This golden-colored oil has a slight apricot scent and a light consistency. It flows easily and fills up the reeds with oil quickly. However, its long shelf life is Apricot Kernel's main advantage over some of the other best carrier oils for reed diffusers. The oil stays true and clears much longer than other oils.
Safety: Since Apricot kernel oil is a nut-derived oil, people with nut allergies should handle it carefully.
Moroccan Argan Oil
Moroccan Argan oil has long been renowned for its skin rejuvenation properties. But you may have a little left coming to the end of its life. It's called the 'liquid gold of Morocco' because of its golden color and natural, nutty fragrance. Nutty and herbaceous-smelling essential oils like Clary Sage go well with this carrier oil.
Rosehip Oil
The golden hue of Rosehip Oil and its relatively thin consistency makes it one of the best carrier oils for reed diffusers, but it is costly. Adding just a teaspoon to enrich grapeseed and luxury and the Rosey vibration to romantic blends.
Rosehip oil has an average shelf life of 12 – 18 months.
Fractionated Coconut Oil (MCT)
From a fragrance perspective, coconut is not one of the best carrier oils for reed diffusers, but it does have a desirable clear color and is a good consistency for the reeds. Unlike regular coconut oil, the fractionated variety is liquid at room temperature and has a low viscosity.
If you have any spare when you've finished the diffuser, storing it for future refilling is a good idea. But you might not do that once you find its benefits for your skin and hair. Great for skin moisturization, the oil is an excellent natural hair conditioner, and you can use it to remove your makeup.
Safety: Since coconut oil is nut-derived, people with nut allergies should handle it carefully.
Glycerin
In the list of the best carrier oils for reed diffusers, Glycerin is supposed to be somewhere else. You're right.
Oil is not, strictly speaking, but it is a cheap yet effective alternative from the pharmacy. It is thin enough to travel up the reeds and benefits from a certain fixative quality for the essential oils.
How to Make Reed Diffuser Bases
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.
My Favorite Reed Diffuser Base
You will need the following:
- Measuring spoons and jugs
- Stainless steel stirrer
- Funnel
- Suitable bottle for your diffuser
- Reeds
- Label
Ingredients:
- 47ml Grapeseed Carrier Oil
- 47ml High proof vodka
- Up to 6 ml of essential oils/fragrance blend.
Method:
- Measure out your ingredients into two small jugs.
- Mix the carrier oil and the alcohol but do it slowly and take your time to get them to homogenize nicely together. It is worth taking the time to do this; otherwise, they can split in the bottle.
- Add your essential oil/fragrance blend and mix it slowly and thoroughly again.
- Using a funnel, decant it into your chosen vessel or bottle.
- Label accurately and clearly with all ingredients and dates for safety purposes.
- Pop your reeds in and allow them to soak up the solution.
- Position in a place with some airflow to allow the scent to permeate the area.
TOP TIP TO GET A HEAD START: Make a weeny bit extra of the base solution, take the reeds, and place them onto a plate big enough to hold the reeds. Pour over the extra base solution and soak the reeds until they look saturated or absorbed.
Yes, it is that simple. Let's get to the exciting stuff: the essential oil and fragrance blend themselves.
How To Make Reed Diffuser Blends
We have about 6 ml of room left in a 100ml bottle for this recipe. This equates to around 120 drops of essential oils (and fragrances). This would be a dilution rate of 6% for the essential oils, which is fine, as it is not applied topically to the skin.
However, consider that if you have pets and small children and are likely to be cleaning up drips and spills, keep the dilution rate to 1% - about 20 drops of essential oils to stay safe. You can add more fragrances if you need to instead.
Depending on what essential oils you are using and the strength of their potency and fragrance, you may not need this much and can top up the difference with a little extra base solution if you wish.
Let's get to the fun stuff, the blends.
I will use a mix of essential oils and our new VINEVIDA fragrance oils, and I will make sure you can see which is which to make sure everything is clear. Fragrances will not have a Latin name, either!
Both sets of oils can be used and blended independently, so you can use the blend of essential oils or just use the blend of fragrance oils. If you decide to go with one or the other, you can double the number of drops given.
Alternatively, you can mix it all and stick with the number of drops given.
| Fresh Home Diffuser Blend | ||
|---|---|---|
|
To make 6 ml = approximately 120 drops of oils. If you want to make it with just essential oils or just fragrance oils, simply double the drops. |
||
| Essential Oils |
30 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon L (Burm.) F. ) |
30 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus) |
| Fragrance Oil |
30 drops Citrus Odor Eliminator Fragrance Oil |
30 drops Cucumber Mint Fragrance Oil |
| Safety |
Not for topical application Keep away from pets and children. Do not use it in babies rooms or nurseries. |
|
| Tropical Paradise Diffuser Blend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
To make 6 ml = approximately 120 drops of oils. If you want to make it with just essential oils or just fragrance oils, simply double the drops. |
|||
| Essential Oil |
20 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) |
25 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi) |
25 drops of Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale) |
| Fragrances |
20 drops of Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil |
20 drops of Gardenia Fragrance Oil |
20 drops of Pineapple Slices Fragrance Oil |
| Safety |
Not for topical application Keep away from pets and children. |
||
| Bathroom Buster Diffuser Blend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
To make 6 ml = approximately 120 drops of oils. If you want to make it with just essential oils or just fragrance oils, simply double the drops. |
|||
| Essential Oil |
15 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) |
30 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis L) |
15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon L (Burm.) F. ) |
| Fragrances |
30 drops of Citrus Odor Eliminator Fragrance Oil |
30 drops of Ocean Rain Fragrance Oil |
- |
| Safety |
Not for topical application Keep away from pets and children. |
||
| Dark and Moody Diffuser Blend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
To make 6 ml = approximately 120 drops of oils. If you want to make it with just essential oils or just fragrance oils, simply double the drops. |
|||
| Essential Oil |
20 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) |
20 drops of Vetiver Essential Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) |
20 drops of Copaiba Essential Oil (Copaifera officinalis) |
| Fragrances |
20 drops of Mahogany Teakwood Fragrance Oil |
20 drops of Genuine Leather Fragrance Oil |
20 drops of Kentucky Bourbon Fragrance Oil |
| Safety |
Not for topical application Keep away from pets and children. |
||
| Flirty and Floral Diffuser Blend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
To make 6 ml = approximately 120 drops of oils. If you want to make it with just essential oils or just fragrance oils, simply double the drops. |
|||
| Essential Oil |
15 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) |
30 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium asperum var roseum) |
15 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) |
| Fragrances |
10 drops of Lilac Blossom Fragrance Oil |
30 drops of Fresh Cut Roses Fragrance Oil |
20 drops of Bamboo Garden Fragrance Oil |
| Safety |
Not for topical application Keep away from pets and children. |
||
Using Reed Diffusers Safely
You need to exercise some decent common sense when making and using reed diffusers in your home.
When making your reed diffusers, it is imperative that you clearly label your product with all of the ingredients.
You don't want to be hunting in your formula book when your delightful neighbor's kid drank half the solution bottle because "it smelled like candy." You want to be able to grab the bottle and go and get them medical attention.
Label, label, label, clearly and accurately.
Also, consider if you do have plenty of smaller kids frequenting your house and shy away from the fragrances that smell of candy or cakes.
Keep out of reach of children and do not use them with essential oils in a baby's nursery or rooms they spend much time in until they are at least six months old.
Keep out of reach of pets; in case of spills upon them or ingestion by your pet, consult your veterinarian immediately.
If you include Vodka or alcohol in your diffuser, it will be a highly flammable liquid and vapor. Therefore, keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. Do not smoke around reed diffusers for this reason. Boom!
Some people suffer from perfume sensitivity, and you should be cautious when using these products. Try to stick to essential oils rather than fragrances and see how you get on with those first. Also, make a smaller amount first, test it, and use fewer drops of essential oils. It may help save waste if you can't cope with it.
I'm not usually overly sensitive; I am around beautiful fragrances all the time. However, my husband bought a car last week, and it had about four air fresheners in it, and I couldn't breathe for them. They were so overwhelming and gave me a raging headache. Three of them ended up in the boot.
What To Do If You Get Any On You
Any of the components in the reed diffuser may cause an allergic skin reaction or cause severe eye irritation.
If the product gets on your skin or hair:
- Remove all contaminated clothing and wash well with stain removers and strong detergent
- Rinse skin or hair with clean, warm water; use soapy water if it feels oily upon your skin to break down the oils.
- If skin irritation or rash occurs, get medical advice/ attention.
- If medical advice is needed, have the product container or label.
If the product gets in your eyes:
- Rinse cautiously with clean, cool water for several minutes. Cold-boiled water is ideal if you have it.
- Use an eye bath if you have one to hand.
- Remove any contact lenses, if necessary, and if you can.
- Continue rinsing until you feel it is flushed through and clear.
- If eye irritation persists, seek medical advice/attention.
- If medical advice is needed, have the product container or label.
If the product is swallowed:
- Immediately call a doctor or medical professional.
- If medical advice is needed, have the product container or label.
Re-Use, Re-Purpose, or Dispose of Responsibly
When you have finished your reed diffuser, I recommend you re-use and refill your diffuser bottles and reeds where possible. At least repurpose your bottle, especially if it is a pretty bottle. You could turn it into a bud vase.
You can compost your natural reeds if you have stuck to using natural ingredients.
However, after some time, the bottles get a bit dusty, gunky, and manky and may be fit for the bin, so make sure you dispose of any remaining contents and the container in line with your local legislation.
The Final Word
As you can see, making your reed diffusers is an absolute doddle. All you need is some appropriate carrier oil, some high-proof vodka, and some essential oils or fragrance. Oh…and of course, your reeds and a pretty bottle.
Check out all the fantastic fragrance oils you have at your disposal.
It gives you complete control over what is pervading your home's air. You choose to go completely natural and keep everything very sure if that suits you.
They are highly cost-effective and make beautiful gifts for family and friends. You can buy reeds in bulk quickly and create high-quality products for a mere fraction of the retail price.
Experiment with using just essential oils or fragrances, and then try combining them and see what you prefer. Explore which lasts the longest and works the best for your family's needs.
Remember to exercise some common sense around using them with kids and pets in the house, and always place them where there will be a little airflow to help 'move' the scent around.
What are you waiting for? Now that you know how to make reed diffusers, get stuck into all those delicious essential oils and fragrances!
