WHAT ARE REED DIFFUSERS AND HOW TO USE THEM
What are Reed Diffusers?
Reed diffusers are easy to use and a convenient way to get your favourite scents infused in a room. Not only do they smell wonderful, but they are also long-lasting, and are often in beautiful vessels that add a touch of elegance to your home décor.
How do they work?
Reed diffusers allow the aroma to continuously diffuse into the air, filling the room or area with its wonderful scent. Unlike scented candles and wax melts, they do not need a heat source to release the fragrance into the air, so you don’t need to keep an eye on them for fear of starting a fire. Their fragrances last a lot longer.
Reed diffusers come in a variety of shapes and sizes but fundamentally they have the same 3 main components:
- Fragrance / Essential oils (usually a mixture of the oils and a base solution)
- Reeds (these come in a variety of forms but essentially they soak up the oil and disperse the scent)
- Vessel (usually in the form of a glass bottle that holds the oil and reeds)
The reeds contain small pores that allow the fragrance oil to be absorbed and travel towards the top. As the oil reaches the part of the reed that is outside the bottle, it evaporates and releases the scent into the air. As a result, they provide a constant scent, which is especially good in high traffic areas.
Where to place your reed diffuser
It’s important to consider the size of the room you want to place your reed diffuser in. Popular places are:
- Bathroom
- Hallways
- Kitchens
- Bedrooms
- Offices
Choose an area in the room with good air circulation, but not next to open doorways, air conditioners, windows or corners. Also avoid placing near radiators or on window sills in full sunlight as the heat will cause the fragrance to evaporate faster.
A great tip is to place your reed diffuser somewhere that people walk past a lot. The motion in the room helps the air circulate more and will help spread the scent. Smaller rooms, like bathrooms and hallways, may require less reeds that larger rooms. If you want a stronger scent in a room, increase the number of reeds used in the vessel. If you want to lessen the fragrance, use less reeds.
It is recommended to place your reed diffuser on a coaster or mat. Avoid any oil dripping onto wooden, painted, varnished or plastic surfaces as it can cause damage and staining.
How long do reed diffusers last?
On average a 100ml diffuser should last between 3 to 4 months. However, this is dependent on where they are positioned, the temperature of the room, and the number of reeds used. When you notice the scent isn’t as strong it’s a good idea to flip the reeds. This is best done over a sink to avoid splashes getting on your surfaces. It is also advised to use disposable gloves or tissue paper to avoid getting the oil on to your fingers.
Over time dust and the fragrance oil can clog your reeds so you might need to replace your reeds with new ones.