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In this post: How to make your own DIY reed diffuser using essential oils and water.
I’ve mentioned my love of scenting our house naturally using essential oils in previous posts. I’ve even created many posts with essential oil diffuser blends for every season. In this post, I’m going to show you just how easy it is to make a DIY reed diffuser and get your house smelling all yummy!
Reed Diffuser Q&A
While there are plenty of reed diffusers in stores like Homesense and Winners – especially around the holidays – I’d much rather make my own and control the ingredients. After all, I love to have my home smell nice, but not at the expense of my family’s respiratory health!
What is a reed diffuser?
Reed diffusers are liquid air fresheners in a bottle with long sticks or reeds inserted to draw the scent up and out of the bottle into the surrounding space.
How are they used?
Reed diffusers are very simple to use – reeds are inserted into the fragrance filled liquid, which then disperses the scent into the room.
What are the elements of a reed diffuser?
They are made of:
- a bottle
- fragrance (fragrance oils or essential oils)
- water
- either alcohol or a carrier oil
- reeds or sticks
What are the benefits of using one?
Reed diffusers are generally safer to use than candles because they are flameless and they don’t require any heat, like wax melters, etc.
How many reeds should be used?
That totally depends on the size of your jar opening. Anywhere from 5-15 reeds can be used (less in a narrow bottle and more in a wide mouth mason jar type bottle).
How long will reeds last?
As I understand it, you can use the same reeds for about 6 months or so. If the fragrance is getting weak, you can add water to the bottle, or more essential oils. You can also flip the reeds over to extend their life.
What is the best carrier oil to use?
If you choose to use a carrier oil (instead of water), you want to choose a very light oil. Otherwise, the sticks will get clogged. Oils like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil will work best.
How to make a DIY Reed Diffuser
You can make a reed diffuser as fancy or as plain as you like. I just used a mason jar for mine, but you could source a narrow mouth bottle if you like that look (the narrower the neck of the bottle, the slower the oils and water will evaporate too).
I’ve kept this one – with cinnamon, orange, and cloves – on the main floor powder room counter for a couple of months now and it smells divine!
Supplies
- a jar or bottle of your choice
- 5-20 reeds (depending on the size of your jar)
- water (filtered or distilled are best)
- 1-2 tbsp rubbing alcohol (optional, but helps to combine the oil and water)
- 30-50 drops of essential oils of your choice per 1/2 cup of water
Instructions
1. Fill your jar about 3/4 with water.
2. Add the essential oils (see below for some great fragrance options).
3. Stir in the alcohol, mixing oil into the water well.
4. Insert your reeds into the jar. Flip after a few hours to soak them and disperse the scent better. Repeat when the scent begins to fade.
Remember some essential oils are bad for pets and babies. Check out which ones are safe here.
Reed Diffuser Care Instructions
Once the reeds are soaked you will need to replace them, which is also a good time to clean out your jar and start over. How often you need to do this will depend on the size of jar, amount of reeds, and oils used.
Printable DIY Reed Diffuser Instructions
DIY Reed Diffuser Instructions
Make your own reed diffuser to use with fragrance or essential oils.
Materials
- a jar of your choice
- 5-20 reeds (depending on the size of your jar)
- water (filtered or distilled are best)
- 1-2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- 30-50 drops of essential oils of your choice per 1/2 cup of water
Tools
Instructions
- Fill your jar about 3/4 with water.
- Add the essential oils (see below for some great fragrance options).
- Stir in the alcohol, mixing oil into the water well.
- Insert your reeds into the jar. Flip after a few hours to soak them and disperse the scent better. Repeat when the scent begins to fade.
My favorite scent combos
You can literally use and mix any oils you like for these diffusers. Here are a few of my favorite combos:
- Cinnamon + Clove + Orange
- Lavender + Frankincense
- Lemon + Lime + Grapefruit
- Lavender + Lemon + Rosemary
- Peppermint + Orange
- Lemon + Vanilla + Rosemary
You can also use the same blends in your DIY reed diffuser that you would in your other diffusers, just add water and alcohol as above. Here are several options:
12 of the Best Fall Essential Oil Blends For Your Diffuser
24 Best Winter Essential Oil Diffuser Blends
7 Spring Essential Oil Diffuser Blends
13 Summer Essential Oil Blends + Free Printable Diffuser Blends
10 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Sleep
Calming Essential Oils for Anxiety • 7 Blends to Use if You’re Stressed!
Have you ever made your own DIY reed diffuser? What are your favorite scents to diffuse?
Hi! Since the recipe involves water, will bacterial growth or mold formation be a concern?Thanks!
Given that there are also essential oils and rubbing alcohol in it, no it shouldn’t be an issue. But make a point to check your container if desired to make sure.
I am making my own oil diffuser with sunflower oil, orange cloves and cinnamon. How long it will last before I need to throw it away and start a new one ?
That really depends on the quality of your essential oils, and the size of your room.
Will adding alcohol in the blend cause harm on health ?