On many Tuesdays on my traditional Blog I like to do detailed How To, so I am sharing this here, but if you want a step-by-step with detailed photos, you can see that here. Reed diffusers are decorative air fresheners for the home that work with scented oils and reeds. The oil travels up the reeds to release fragrance into the air around them. No need to use aerosol sprays, light candles or plugin air fresheners, the process handles itself naturally.
They are popular because they allow you to make or use an endless variety of fragrances, does not use an open flame, like candles, and do not require electricity, like a melt warmer. They are simple to make and inexpensive too! If you’d like to try making your own, here are some tips and recipes showing you how to do that.
Steps to Crafting a Reed Diffuser
- Choose your container – A glass bottle or vase with a small opening is best. So canning jars are not the best to use. You can use something that is clear or decorated, the choice is yours. You want the mouth to be narrower than the base.
- Gather your reeds – you can purchase reed diffusers at home goods stores, or get a package of bamboo skewers at the dollar store. You want a reed that is at least double the height of the glass container.
- Craft an Oil Scent Blend –
- Choose a carrier oil - Mineral Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Safflower Oil are all good choices.
- Use a premixed essential oil or fragrance oil blend or create your own.
- Combine 12 drops of Essential oil blend to ¼ cup carrier oil. Add more essential oil to suit your fragrance desire.
- Add a splash of Vodka both to be a preservative, help to keep the oils combined and to assist with evaporation.
- Create the diffuser - Pour a liberal amount of scented reed diffuser oil into the glass container then stick the reeds or bamboo skewers inside. After about an hour, turn the reeds over so the other end can wick up the oil, this will help speed up the reeds ability to diffuse scent.
- Placement - Position the reed diffuser in a location that is not near electrical appliances (in case of spills) and won’t be in danger of being accidentally knocked over.
Tips
Done have a carrier oil at home, use water instead. It will evaporate faster, but it will still give your home a nice scent. Use Vodka, Essential Oils & Water. Mix approximately 12 drops of essential oils with 1/4 cup of water then add a splash of vodka. The alcohol helps the essential oils bind with the water.
Rotate the ends of the reeds or skewers once a week to refresh and prolong the fragrance.
Experiment with different scents and when you find a favorite combination, keep notes of the amounts of essential oils and carrier oil used so you can duplicate it next time. These make nice gifts too (with an attached “recipe” card).
Once you find a favorite recipe for the scent, double or triple the batch and keep the excess in a sealed glass jar until needed. This will save time as well as keep a ready supply of diffuser oil on hand.
The smaller the opening at the neck of the glass container the better, this will force the oils to travel up the wick to diffuse their scent rather than evaporating up through the neck.
Stop in tomorrow to Learn about a great Rum Punch!
