How to Use a Reed Diffuser
Reed diffusers are an excellent way to add around-the-clock scent to your home since they don’t require a power outlet or use an open flame. Below, we explain how to use a reed diffuser, offer tips for the best places to locate a reed diffuser and explain the differences between a reed diffuser and an aroma diffuser.
How to Use a Reed Diffuser
- Remove the stopper on the jar. If the oil came in a separate jar, uncap that too and pour a few ounces of oil into the diffuser. Recap the oil and store it in a cool, dry place. This will preserve the oil’s fragrance for as long as possible.
- Put the rattan reeds inside the jar and arrange them artfully. Flip them whenever you want a burst of fragrance. Do it over a trash can or sink to catch any oil drips. Keep in mind that flipping the reeds more often will cause the oil to evaporate more quickly.
- Place the diffuser out of reach of pets, children and anything that might cause it to spill over. Put a placemat or coaster underneath it to catch any oil drips if you’re worried about damaging the surface.
- Once you notice the oil has evaporated, clean out the jar with soap and water and let it dry (otherwise the water will repel the oil!). Then fill it again with a few ounces of oil and store the bottle. You’ll get a better aroma if you start fresh instead of adding to old oil.
- Change the reeds whenever you change the oil. Reeds get dusty and clogged with oil over time, and regularly replacing them will ensure you have the strongest fragrance possible.
- If you’re going on a trip or will otherwise be away from the house for a while, flip the reeds before you leave and again when you get back for a fresh-smelling home.
Where to Place a Reed Diffuser
There are many great locations for placing reed diffusers around your home. The key is to match the size of the diffuser to the size of the room: The larger the room, the larger the diffuser needs to be to spread the scent around. Here are some great places to put a reed diffuser:
Linen closet: Keep your towels and sheets smelling good by placing a reed diffuser in the linen closet with them. Make sure that the diffuser isn’t in a place where it will tip over, as getting oil stains out of fabric can be annoying. Look for a fresh, crisp scent that smells subtle and clean without overwhelming.
Bathroom: The bathroom is often the smallest (and can be the smelliest) room in the house, which makes it a perfect candidate for an around-the-clock fragrance improvement. Most surfaces in the bathroom are also oil-resistant, so you can set the diffuser on top of a toilet or countertop, though do be careful of grout.
Bedroom: Wake up in the morning with energizing citrus or wind down at night with comforting lavender by placing a reed diffuser in your bedroom. Choose a stable surface where the diffuser won’t get knocked over and put down on a coaster if you have wood furniture to protect it from discoloration and warping.
Entryway or mudroom: Come home to a great smelling house by placing your reed diffuser in an entryway or mudroom. Since these areas are high traffic, the trick is finding an out-of-the way spot where the reed diffuser won’t get knocked over by coats and bags. If you can find a good location, you’ll significantly upgrade your entryway’s scent profile.
How Is a Reed Diffuser Different from an Aroma Diffuser?
Reed and aroma diffusers both circulate scented oils in the air without heat. However, the mechanisms they use to accomplish this are a bit different. The small channels in the rattan sticks of reed diffusers absorb the oils, letting them travel up the sticks and releasing them into the room. In aroma diffusers, a bit of oil is added to a pad or to water and then exposed to air.
The main difference between reed and aroma diffusers is that aroma diffusers require access to an electrical outlet while reed diffusers do not. Aroma diffusers use the electricity to release the scented vapor into the air, spreading fragrances around the whole room. Thus, if you want to add fragrance to an area that doesn’t have a power outlet, reed diffusers are a great choice.
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