What Are Reed Diffusers?

Mutiat Afolabi
5 min readApr 17, 2022

Reed diffusers are becoming increasingly popular as a cost-effective alternative to scented candles and other sources of household fragrance. Whereas a candle will wrap your house in a wave of perfume and create an environment with its golden light, reed diffusers provide a more subtle and ambient aroma when you don’t need the ambience that a candle provides. But exactly, what are reed diffusers? And how do they work? Read on to learn more about this new trend in house fragrance and discover how adaptable and powerful these one-of-a-kind home smells can be!

How Do Reed Diffusers Work?
Reed diffusers are a simple and effective way to diffuse essential oils. Reeds are dipped into a base (also known as a carrier) liquid that has been combined with scent. The many channels within the reeds allow the mixed liquid to permeate along the length of the reed, and their porous nature diffuses the aroma into the air. It’s that easy, and the outcome is a mild odour that adds to the home’s ambience.

How To Use Reed Diffusers

A reed diffuser is one of the most basic home fragrance devices. Simply immerse the reeds in the scent and you’re ready to go. Furthermore, reed diffusers leave no trace, so you can leave them to distribute smell and not worry about anything.
To get the most out of your reed diffuser, we recommend placing it somewhere with sufficient airflows, such as near a vent or a window. Good airflow guarantees that the fragrance covers the space, scenting the entire room with the fragrance of your choosing. But be careful not to put your diffuser too near together. As is, placing the scent directly in front of/next to an open window or vent may hasten its evaporation.

What Are the Benefits of a Reed Diffuser?
They’re more durable.
Reed diffusers release fragrance much more slowly than candles. A 250ml diffuser can scent an area for up to 12 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.

They have a gentler scent on your home.
Reed diffusers emit a more delicate scent than candles since they diffuse at a slower rate. They are therefore ideal for smaller spaces or places that require a more subtle aroma.

No alcohol, no flame, no aerosol, no electricity, no residue
It does not require a flame to function (hence there is no need to keep an eye on it). There are no aerosols, and it works without the need of electricity.

Are There Special Tips and Tricks to Using Reed Diffusers?
It’s also important to think about which fragrance should go in which room at your home. Because different smells work differently in different environments.

In the living room…
You can get away with something a little bit cosier — a diffuser that exudes sweetness and warmth. Our pick is Vanilla, which recreates the sweet, floral scent of freshly-pressed vanilla pods in all their plush glory — perfect to cuddle up to.

In the kitchen…
You will be fighting with many cooking smell. So, it’s best to go for something that isn’t too similar or clashes with these odours. We advise you avoid diffusers with a spicy or gourmand fragrance. Because they can intensify the cooking odours already in your kitchen. We like to use Aqua Rush in the kitchen because of its enriched opening marine accords such as a splash of yuzu and coriander to make for a surprisingly fresh ambience.

In the bathroom…
You will want something fresh and clean. It’s best to avoid fruit or berry notes because they can amplify unwanted bathroom odours and therefore, citrus and marine fragrances tend to work well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reed Diffusers
Q: How long do Reed Diffusers last?
A: Our reed diffuser oils last for months. It’s not possible to say precisely how long. They’re subject to environmental factors: closed doors, open doors, dehumidifiers, air conditioning, etc.
Pour the oil into the diffuser bottle, insert sticks. Turn over once to expose oil-moistened sticks to air. The oil will continue to wick up the sticks and scent your room for several months. Turn sticks occasionally to refresh scent~ once a week should be adequate. We recommend that you carry your reed diffusers to the kitchen sink to do this. (When the oil is finally used up, wash the bottle/vase and simply pour in an oil refill and replace the diffuser sticks.)

Q: Are Reed Diffusers environmentally friendly- “green”?
A: Our reed diffusers are very environmentally friendly. They emanate NO soot or film onto your furniture, walls and ceiling- the way candles do. (If you use an ionic air cleaner, you already know that ionic cleaners must be cleaned twice as often if you use candles in your home. Not so with reed diffusers.) Our ingredients are alcohol-free and DPG-free.

Q: Can I dilute Fragrance oil with water to make a diffuser blend?

A: No. Oil and water don’t mix. The viscosity is totally different too. You’ll end up with uneven wicking and warped reeds.

Q: Why can’t I just re-use my sticks over and over again?
A: Once the reed sticks, aka diffuser reeds, are totally saturated, the cells in the reeds eventually get somewhat clogged and lose their ability to pull the scent up into the reeds and throw the fragrance into the room. Needless to say, you definitely can’t move the reeds to a different scent of oil- because the cells will contain the previous scent of fragrance diffuser oil. You won’t get a pure scent transfer. Reeds are very inexpensive so you can replace them by having stock on hand in your favourite size.

Q: Will airing out the reeds outside “clean” them?

A: No. The reeds are saturated with oil. Oil doesn’t evaporate in the same way that water does. The molecules are far too dense. It would be somewhat like trying to “clean” your dirty clothes by hanging them on a clothesline. After a day or two, they might not smell like whatever has soiled them, but the soil is still there.

--

--

Mutiat Afolabi

Radicalle, adore la bonne musique, Virtual Assistant, personal and professional devt