Make A Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers are great for small spaces and rooms where you may not have easy access to a wall outlet. They’re perfect for bathrooms, foyers, and closets!

It only takes a few ingredients, and you probably have most (if not everything) you need already in your kitchen. There are so many great reasons to make your own reed diffuser:

• Much less expensive than buying one, and they work great!
• Almost anything (with a narrow neck) works as a vase– match your décor!
• Create your own custom scent.
• It’s really simple. Just mix 3 ingredients together and you’re done.
• Great for small rooms where a plug-in diffuser just isn’t practical- perfect for bathrooms!
• Makes a great gift too!

Making A Reed Diffuser

It’s simple. All you need is…

• A glass container with a narrow opening (to slow evaporation)
• 1/4 cup of a light oil like apricot kernel oil or safflower oil
• 15-20 drops essential oil
• 2 Tbsp of alcohol to help oils travel up reeds (vodka works great)
• Reed sticks

First You Need A Container

Any narrow-opening container made of an essential-oil-safe material can be turned into a reed diffuser. Glass, ceramic, earthenware, wood, or stainless steel all work great. Look around your home, you probably already have something that will work. Other great places to find a vase or jar for your reed diffuser?

• Garage sales
• Consignment stores
• Goodwill or other thrift stores
• Craft stores (Michaels, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby)

The How To:

• Add 1/4 cup of a light oil (like apricot kernel oil or safflower oil) to a glass measuring cup
• Add 2 Tbsp of alcohol to the measuring cup. The alcohol is to help thin out the oils and help oils travel up reeds. Cheap vodka works great!
• Add 15-20 drops essential oil
• Use one of the reeds to stir the oil and alcohol mixture. Stir well until the essential oils and carrier oil are somewhat well dispersed in the alcohol.
• Pour the oil and alcohol mixture into your chosen container
• Bundle the reeds and insert them into the neck of the vase
• Fan the reeds out

The oil will saturate into reeds, and as it wicks up the reeds, it will release the aroma into the air. It will take a few days for the reeds to absorb the oil. Flip sticks every few days to refresh scent. Replace the oil-alcohol mixture once it evaporates and replace the reed sticks about once a month.

Some Favorite Essential Oil Blends

The following blends are perfect for using in this reed diffuser:

• 10 drops Eucalyptus + 10 drops Spearmint
• 6 drops Grapefruit + 6 drops Orange + 4 drops Lemon + 2 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Geranium + 9 drops Lavender + 6 drops Orange
• 9 drops Lavender + 6 drops Clary Sage + 6 drops Orange
• 6 drops Lemongrass + 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Eucalyptus
• 6 drops Tangerine + 6 drops Spearmint + 6 drops Lemongrass
• 3 drops Geranium + 6 drops Lavender + 9 drops Lime
• 12 drops Lemon +3 drops Frankincense + 3 drops Ylang Ylang
• 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Lemon + 6 drops Rosemary
• 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Lemon + 6 drops Peppermint
• 6 drops Lemon + 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Grapefruit

Source: One Essential Community