‘Tis the time of year for making your house smell like a seasonal dream. I’m a sucker for a good spicy scent in the fall, but not every candle you light or freshener you spray adds good things to the air you breathe. Instead of circulating headache-inducing artificial fragrances, enjoy your favorite aromas naturally with this super simple DIY reed diffuser.
Like I said, I’m a sucker for scents...which means I’ve tried lots of methods for diffusing natural fragrances. So believe me when I say that this one just may be the simplest yet!
Requiring only a few materials, you can put this DIY diffuser together in a matter of minutes and even style it to fit your own space. Once it’s finished, it doesn’t require a plug-in or flame, so you can leave it to release fragrance continuously without needing to keep an eye on it.
Supplies
The diffuser pulls from a light carrier oil mixed with your choice of essential oils to naturally fill the room with some of your aromas.
- Essential oils of your choice
- Light carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil
- Alcohol (vodka or rubbing alcohol) to help thin the oil and enhance the scent dispersion
- A small glass vase or jar
- Reed diffuser sticks or bamboo skewers
I used one of my favorite essential oil blends: Cassia and Wild Orange.
- Cassia, a spicy, cinnamon-scented oil can help boost the immune system, a perfect choice for cold and flu season.
- Wild Orange is a natural mood lifter and helps keep the blues away as the weather gets chillier.
Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Container
The best containers for reed diffusers are those made of glass, ceramic, or another non-porous material. They should have a narrow opening to minimize evaporation and be stable enough to not tip over easily.
Step 2: Prepare the Base
Fill about 70% of your container with the carrier oil. This oil will be the medium that helps carry the scent up the reeds.
Add a few tablespoons of alcohol. The alcohol helps thin the oil mixture and makes it easier for the fragrance to travel up the reeds.
Step 3: Add Essential Oils
For every ¼ cup of carrier oil, add about 20-30 drops of essential oil depending on how strong you want the scent to be. You can mix different essential oils to create a custom fragrance.
Step 4: Insert the Reeds
Place the reed sticks or bamboo skewers into the container. The oil will saturate the reeds and begin to evaporate into the air.
To speed this up, let the reeds sit for 1-2 hours then flip them to expose the oil-soaked ends.
Use enough reeds to fill the opening of your container. More reeds mean more fragrance but also faster evaporation.
Step 5: Wait and Refresh
Allow a few hours for the oil to travel up the reeds and start to diffuse the scent.
For a stronger scent, flip the reeds every few days to help disseminate the fragrance more effectively. Add more essential oils when the scent starts to fade.
Seasonal Scent Blends
Creating seasonal reed diffuser blends can be a delightful way to keep your home feeling fresh and in tune with the changing seasons. Here are some curated scent blend suggestions for each season:
Cozy Winter Blends
Winter scents are all about warmth and comfort, using spices and woodsy notes to create a cozy atmosphere.
Winter Warmth
- Cinnamon: 10 drops
- Cedarwood: 8 drops
- Orange: 7 drops
- Vanilla: 5 drops (or use a vanilla-infused carrier oil)
Fireside Evening
- Sandalwood: 10 drops
- Frankincense: 8 drops
- Myrrh: 5 drops
- Patchouli: 2 drops
Bright Spring Fragrances
Spring blends often feature floral and citrus notes, evoking the freshness of new blooms and crisp air.
Spring Blossom
- Lavender: 10 drops
- Rosemary: 8 drops
- Lemon: 5 drops
- Peppermint: 2 drops
Morning Dew
- Jasmine: 8 drops (use jasmine absolute)
- Lime: 7 drops
- Bergamot: 5 drops
- Cypress: 3 drops
Refreshing Summer Scents
Summer is all about bright, refreshing, and tropical aromas that remind you of vacation and sunny days.
Tropical Breeze
- Coconut: 10 drops (use a coconut-scented carrier oil)
- Mango: 8 drops (use fragrance oil as essential oil is not available)
- Lime: 5 drops
Cool Citrus
- Grapefruit: 10 drops
- Lemon: 8 drops
- Mint: 5 drops
Fall Blends
Autumn scents layer earthy, spicy, and sweet notes reminiscent of falling leaves and harvest time.
Autumn Spice
- Cinnamon: 10 drops
- Ginger: 7 drops
- Nutmeg: 5 drops
- Orange: 5 drops
Woodland Retreat
- Pine: 10 drops
- Cedarwood: 7 drops
- Juniper Berry: 5 drops
- Sage: 3 drops
Feel free to adjust the number of drops according to your scent strength preference, and enjoy experimenting with these blends to find your perfect seasonal aroma.
FAQ
The most commonly used base oils for reed diffusers are those that are light and have a neutral scent, such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or safflower oil. These oils carry the essential oils well and don’t have a strong odor of their own.
Typically, you should add about 20-30 drops of essential oil per ¼ cup of carrier oil. This can be adjusted based on how strong you want the scent to be.
If your reed diffuser isn’t emitting as much scent as you expected, it could be due to: the size of the room (larger rooms may need more reeds or a stronger scent concentration), the amount and type of essential oil used, and the frequency of flipping the reeds. Also, ensure the carrier oil you are using is not too thick.
Reeds can be reused, but their ability to absorb and diffuse the oil diminishes over time. It's best to replace them once they are completely saturated and/or when you notice the scent is no longer dispersing effectively, typically every 2-3 months.
