What is a reed diffuser?
Typically, a reed diffuser is a small, long-necked bottle filled with essential oils. It contains long, thin strips of material – known as reed sticks – that absorb the oils and diffuse the scent around the room.
How does a reed diffuser work?
Reed diffusers are very simple to use. Remove the metal screw cap and plastic plug, and if your diffuser has a decorative metal cap, screw this back onto the bottle. Immerse your reeds into the liquid and allow them to soak up the fragrance oil. Once they have absorbed some of the oil, flip them to begin the release of the beautiful bedroom fragrance, enhancing the overall aroma of your space.
You'll need to flip your reeds regularly, ideally every few days, to keep the scent fresh and fragrant. Just keep in mind that the more you flip, the quicker the oil will evaporate.
Diffusers don't require a flame or heat source to work, making them a safe and practical way to fragrance your bedroom.
How to Use Reed Diffusers
One of the best things about reed diffusers is that they are quick and convenient to use - with minimal maintenance. You can fill up a room with your favorite fragrance in just a matter of minutes.
Here's the best way to use a new reed diffuser:
Before you set up your diffuser, place a few paper towels underneath the glass vessel in case of spills. Avoid doing this over wooden or delicate surfaces because the oil may leave stains.
If the fragrance oil comes in a separate container, the next step is to pour the oil into your vessel until it is approximately ½ to ¾ full. Don't fill it to the top, or it might overflow when you add the reeds in. Skip this step if your diffuser vessel comes with the oil already inside.
Place your reeds into the vessel so that the bottom of the sticks are submerged in the fragrance oil. The number of reeds you add determines how light or strong the scent is (we recommend starting with 6 to 8 reeds).
Give your reeds a few minutes to absorb the oil, then carefully flip them so that the dry end of the stick is in the bottle and the saturated end is in the air.
Spread your reeds out as much as possible to let air circulate between them. Allow up to 24 hours for the fragrance to fully diffuse.
Flip the reeds periodically (around once a week) to keep the scent strong.
After setting it up, a reed diffuser will typically last between 1 to 6 months, depending on the amount of aroma oil in the vessel.
Whenever you want a burst of fragrance, flip the reed sticks. Do this carefully one by one to avoid letting the fragrance oil drip out. We don't recommend doing this too often though - at most once every 2 to 3 days - because it will cause your oil to evaporate faster.
Where is the best place to put a reed diffuser?
The best place to put a reed diffuser is where the air is most dynamic.
Placing diffusers in high-up, open areas means it's better placed to take advantage of the airflow in the room.
However, don't put it near open windows and doors. Although there will be more convection and airflow to take advantage of, much of the smell will be lost outside.
How long do reed diffusers last?
On average, 100ml of diffuser oil should last between three and four months. However, its lifespan can be affected by things such as central heating, air conditioning, open and closed doors, and dehumidifiers.
The temperature of your bedroom is likely to have the most significant impact on how long your reed diffuser lasts. Warm, cozy spaces can cause the fragrance oil to disperse quickly, shortening the life of your reed diffuser, as well as rooms with low humidity. If you can, endeavor to keep the temperature of your bedroom between 18°C and 24°C for a long-lasting, luxurious fragrance.
