How to Make Your Own Reed Diffuser

I’ve never been a fan of artificial fragrances, especially those chemical-filled plug-in air fresheners. They tend to overwhelm the senses and often come with a slew of questionable ingredients. For me, nothing beats the simplicity and purity of essential oils. They offer a more natural, customizable, and pleasant way to bring lovely scents into the home and they don't give me a headache.

That said, even though many of us enjoy essential oils, high-quality reed diffusers can be surprisingly pricey and the scent can be overwhelming but when you make them at home, the scent is noticeable but not overwhelmingly strong. Spending at least $20 and sometimes more from a store just doesn’t make sense when you can easily make your own for a fraction of the cost - plus, you might already have some of the materials you need at home. I’ll show you how to create your own DIY reed diffuser for a touch of natural aromatherapy in any room.

What You’ll Need to Make a Homemade Reed Diffuser

  • Glass or Ceramic Container: You’ll want something with a narrow opening at the top, which slows the evaporation of the liquid, making the scent last longer. The container should be glass or glazed ceramic so it doesn't leak or absorb oils. Take a look at thrift stores or buy a glass container online - whatever your preference is they will turn out great.
  • Essential Oils: Choose whichever essential oils you love. For my diffuser, I went with calming lavender and refreshing eucalyptus. You can mix and match oils to suit your mood or create different vibes for various rooms in your home.
  • Carrier Oil: A carrier oil is used to dilute the essential oils, allowing the scent to disperse slowly. Sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil or safflower oil are great options because they are light and won’t overpower the essential oils.
  • Reeds or Bamboo Skewers: You can buy diffuser reeds online for a reasonable price. You'll want to use at least six reeds.
  • Rubbing Alcohol: The oil will take a while to travel up the sticks, so by spraying them with rubbing alcohol before inserting them in a container, it will help speed up the process.

How to Assemble Your Reed Diffuser

  1. Mix Your Oils: To create the fragrance base, mix about 1/4 cup carrier oil with about 20 to 25 drops of essential oils together - I have a small ramekin I use for mixing. You can adjust depending on how strong you want the scent to be, experiment until you find the right balance for your space. Sometimes it's a little trial and error but you'll get your creations how you like them. Double the amounts listed if you want to make a larger batch.
  2. Fill the Container: Pour the oil mixture into your chosen container.
  3. Add the Reeds: Place the reeds or skewers into the container, allowing them to soak up the oil mixture. After a few minutes, remove them, flip them over, and insert the opposite ends into the oil. This helps to kickstart the scent diffusion process.
  4. Rotate the Reeds: Every few days to a week, rotate the reeds by flipping them over. This refreshes the scent and ensures the oil is evenly dispersed.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Reed Diffuser

  • Choose the Right Container: The narrower the neck of the container, the slower the liquid evaporates, making it last longer. A smaller opening also helps hold the reeds more securely.
  • Essential Oil Combinations: Play around with different blends of essential oils until you find a mix that speaks to you. I've included some blends below.
  • Location Matters: Reed diffusers work best in small to medium-sized spaces. Place them in areas where the air can circulate but away from direct sunlight or drafts, which can cause the oils to evaporate more quickly.

Essential Oil Combinations for Your Reed Diffuser

  • Peppermint + Wild Orange
  • Lavender + Lemon + Rosemary
  • Cinnamon + Wild Orange or • Grapefruit + Lemon + Lime
  • Lavender + Eucalyptus or • White Fir + Cypress or • Juniper Berry + Lavender
  • Bergamot + Patchouli
  • Grapefruit + Bergamot
  • Orange + Cinnamon + Clove
  • Lavender + Geranium + Lemon

By making your own reed diffuser, you not only save money but also get full control over the fragrances in your home, avoiding the artificial chemicals in store-bought options. Plus, with endless essential oil combinations to try, you can always switch things up and experiment with new aromas.