Reed Diffusers - Getting The Best From Them

The scent from a reed diffuser is a delight to your olfactory senses and is completely free from smoke or any other interfering medium that can detract from the sheer pleasure of the smell. Reed diffusers emit beautiful aromas in a range of fragrances and because they need no heat to activate them, there is nothing to interfere with the pure aroma of the essential oil. Reed diffusers allow you to enjoy the scent of your chosen essential oil in its purest form, unaffected by heat or smoke.

Scented candles have long been recognised as a fabulous way of filling your home with beautiful fragrance, but while candles still have their devotees, when it comes to home fragrances, an increasing number of people are now choosing the pure aroma and convenience of a reed diffuser. So what exactly do we mean by a reed diffuser, and in what way is it different from a candle? The idea behind a reed diffuser is quite straightforward and very similar to that of an oil evaporator except that in the case of a diffuser reeds are used as a means of absorbing the fragrant oil.

A typical reed diffuser comprises a number of rattan reeds, which effectively act as the wick. Using the correct type of reeds is essential since rattan has an absorbent honeycomb structure, differing in this respect from wood or bamboo. Neither wood nor bamboo are appropriate for use in scented diffusers, because they do not allow for the proper absorbance of the scented oil.

Around a dozen slender reeds are sufficient to provide a subtle fragrance for most average size rooms. If, however, you prefer a more subtle fragrance or you are using the diffuser in a small room, such as a bathroom, you may choose to use less than this amount of reeds, thereby producing a more delicate fragrance. The reeds are placed in a container, usually a bottle or jar, into which the fragrant oil has been placed. The oil then works its way up the reeds by capillary action and is dispersed into the surrounding air through via reed stems. Since no flame or smoke is involved reed diffusers lend a room a delicate, unadulterated fragrance. But to achieve this effect you must ensure not only that you use the correct type of reeds but also that you use oil which is specifically intended for use in reed diffusers - normal fragrance oils, which you might find in an evaporator or oil burner are not suitable because they are too are too heavy and dense to work properly in a reed diffuser.

Make sure that you cut the reeds to roughly twice the height of the bottle you are using, so that half the reed is in the bottle and half out of it, while taking care to ensure your bottle is at least half full half of oil. The amount of oil you use is a matter of judgement. If you do not use enough the reed will not become properly infused with the fragrance or else the diffuser will run out prematurely. Thus a 10 inch bottle can be filled from 5 inches up to 10 inches with oil and the reeds should be cut to 20 inches.

Finally, do not be tempted to reuse reeds. After time, the fragrant oil becomes thicker, while the reeds themselves may be blocked with dust, resulting in the reeds becoming clogged up and preventing proper absorption.

Among the advantages that a reed diffuser has over scented candles and other forms of home fragrance is that they provide a continuous fragrance, unlike a candle which will only provide a scent when lit or an electrical diffuser which must be switched on. And, of course, there is no flame, and accordingly no risk of fire. They are also more convenient than electrical diffusers since you can place them wherever you wish – you are not restricted to an area which has an electrical socket nearby. There is also no need to heat the oil in a reed diffuser. The diffuser works by capillary action so you enjoy the fragrant oil in its purest form.

So, what are the benefits of fragrance diffusers and why do people use them? One of the most obvious benefits of using a reed diffuser at home is it's ability to freshen a room's atmosphere, masking any lingering stale odours. However, like other forms of home fragrances, they also have the ability to soothe away your stresses. They are one of life’s little pleasures, like a hot relaxing bath, a good book or a chilled glass of wine after a long, hard day. You don't need to justify it, just relax and enjoy!


Further information on home fragrances is available from http://www.scentedcandlestore.com where you will also find reed diffusers that your friends and relatives would love to receive from you.