Make Your Own Reed Diffuser at Home

Would you like to create a relaxing, inviting atmosphere in your home? You can create your own reed diffuser with any scent you like. This easy, do-it-yourself project allows you to customize the smell of your home. Also, you can save money on diffusers purchased from a store.

All you need is a bottle, some essential oils, and some reeds. Keep reading and learn a little more about Reed Diffusers, how they work, and everything else you may need to make a Reed Diffuser.

Key points

• A reed diffuser is a great way to add fragrance to a room without using candles or aerosols. The best part about them is that they can be customized to fit any space and are easy to make.
• To make a reed diffuser, you will need a glass jar, some reed sticks, and your favourite essential oil. Fill the jar with the reed sticks, then add the essential oil. The oil will soak into the reeds and diffuse into the air.
• With their essential oils, reed diffusers provide therapeutic benefits as well as aromatherapy.
• You should rotate the reeds in your diffuser every few days to maximize its effectiveness. This action will help to evenly distribute the fragrance and prevent the reeds from becoming clogged. Replace the oil every few weeks, depending on how often you use it. When ready to change fragrances, remove the old reeds and add new ones. 

What is a Reed Diffuser?

It is a simple device that uses air to distribute essential oils throughout your home, contrary to candles and plug-in air fresheners. They are great for adding fragrance and freshness to any room and are especially beneficial for reducing wrinkles, calming the mind and senses, and energizing the lungs. 

A Reed Diffuser is made by filling a glass container with fragrant oil and inserting rattan or bamboo sticks. The oil’s fragrances are then pulled up the sticks by capillary action and released into the air, filling the space with a beautiful smell.

How You Make a Homemade DIY Reed Diffuser

Making a DIY reed diffuser is a fun and easy project requiring only a few simple ingredients and materials. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about it: 

1. Choosing the Materials to be Used 

Choose a bottle with a small opening – Evaporation is one of the main ways essential oils become less potent over time. If you want your oils to last, pick a bottle with a small opening. This way, evaporation is kept to a minimum, and the aroma doesn’t become overbearing. 

Glass, ceramic, stainless steel, earthenware, and wooden receptacles are all excellent choices. Avoid using plastic containers because they react with essential oils. Also, make sure the opening is tiny! You may also opt to drill a hole in the cork of a jar’s lid. You should be able to find inexpensive glass bottles and vases in a variety of sizes at craft stores.

Get some reed sticks – Rattan reed sticks are the best choice as they diffuse odours more efficiently than bamboo skewers as oil diffusers. You can purchase them from internet sellers or specialist health stores in lengths of 10-, 12-, and 15-inch (25-, 30-, and 38-cm). 

Remember that the vase or bottle you choose must be elevated high enough to stand on the reeds. Also, using reeds, twice the height of the bottle or more, will boost the scenting capabilities of the diffuser. And when old reeds become soaked with oil, they lose their potency; thus, you should use new ones. 

Pick a fragrant essential oil that you’ll love – You want to select an essential oil that will make you feel wonderful. You may have a few favourites, but mixing and matching is OK until you find the perfect combination. Choose oils with 100% concentration; otherwise, oils will not have a strong enough scent. 

Some of the most popular essential oil pairings include lavender and peppermint, orange and vanilla, spearmint and patchouli, chamomile, and lavender. However, by taking the time to find the right combination, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of an aromatherapy treatment that is tailored specifically for you.

2. Making Your Reed Diffuser

Ingredients:

• An airtight glass jar
• ¼ cup (59.14 ml) of carrier oil for your reed diffusers such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil 
• 25-30 drops of your favourite essential oil or fragrance oil 
•  ¼ cup (59.14 ml) of Distilled water or one teaspoon (4.92 ml) of rubbing alcohol (Vodka)
• 4-8 wooden reeds sticks 
• A small metal funnel

Instructions

1. Pour a mix of ¼ cup carrier oil and 1 tbsp alcohol into your glass jar. 
2. Cover the opening with your thumb or folded paper towels and shake well.
3. Pour the  ¼ distilled water into the bottle using the small metal funnel, then shake it again.
4. Add 20–25 drops of your chosen essential oils, and stir to ensure they are dispersed evenly throughout the mixture. 
5. Stick your reeds in your vase, so they don’t submerge in oil.
6. Turn them in after a few hours to soak up more scent and disperse it better throughout the room. (Repeat when the scent begins to fade).

NOTE: Using pruning shears will ensure that the sharp tip of bamboo skewer sticks is cut off. And because bamboo skewers are too thick to cut with regular scissors, pruning shears are commonly used.

How to use Your Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers are an excellent way to enjoy your favourite fragrance without the hassle of candles. They are quick and easy to use and require very little maintenance. You can fill any room with a pleasant aroma in just a few minutes. 

The following tips will help you maximize the efficiency of your reed diffuser:

1. Put some paper towels under the glass container holding the diffuser’s liquid before you set it up. Oil can leave stains, so avoiding applying this over wood or other fragile surfaces is best.
2. Pour the fragrance oil into your vessel until it is about half full if it comes in a separate container. The reeds will cause it to overflow if you fill it to the brim. (If your diffuser vessel already has oil inside, you may skip this step.)
3. Place your reeds in the container so the oil covers the bottom of the sticks. You may then adjust the intensity of the aroma by increasing or decreasing the number of reeds.
4. When you’ve given the reeds enough time to soak up the oil, carefully turn them, so the unsaturated end is back in the bottle.
5. Make sure there is enough space between your reeds to allow air to flow. The scent may take up to 24 hours to thoroughly permeate the room.
6. To maintain a strong fragrance, turn the reeds regularly (about once a week).

NB: A reed diffuser, once set up, may release its scent for anywhere from one month to six months until the fragrance oil runs out.

To release a fresh scent, turn the reed sticks. Take each step slowly so that the oil doesn’t leak out. However, only do this once every two or three days, as doing it more frequently may speed up the rate at which your oil evaporates.

Aroma Ideas for Your Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is an excellent method to improve your mood or simply enjoy the advantages of aromatherapy. You may use your favourite fragrance or scented oil in your handmade diffuser. However, these essential oils work great in Reed diffusers.

• Lemon essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Ylang Ylang essential oil
• Bergamot essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Spearmint essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil

At 96NORTH, we have a wide range of premium scents and tastes that any customer will be satisfied with. We produce exquisitely created candles and reed diffusers with aromas that smell nice and make beautiful accents for your home. Unlike paraffin candles, our candles are vegan-friendly and do not pose any health risks.

However, some of our favourites premium fragrance flavours are:

• French Lavender
• Madagascar Vanilla
• Roasted Coffee
• Pumpkin Spice
• Tropical Coconut

DIY Reed Diffusers: How to Personalize Them

There are countless ways to personalize your reed diffuser. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Choose a bottle or jar that reflects your style. For example, a tall, slender vase would be perfect for a minimalist Reed Diffuser, while a colourful, patterned bottle would be ideal for a more eclectic look.
2. Select a scent that appeals to your tastes. If you enjoy a subtle fragrance, use fewer Reed sticks. Add more Reed sticks or other essential oils if you prefer a strong fragrance.
3. Decorate the bottle or jar to match your décor. This can be as simple as wrapping the neck of the bottle with ribbon or twine or adorning it with a few sprigs of fresh herbs or dried flowers.

With just a little creativity, you can easily create a Reed diffuser that is uniquely yours. Check out some of our beautiful premium reed diffuser collections at 96NORTH and find the perfect scent for your home. 

Best Reeds To Use In DIY Diffusers 

The best reeds for DIY diffusers are smooth and free of obstacles allowing the fragrance oil to quickly make its way up the reed, resulting in consistent and strong scent distribution. Let’s look at a few Reed varieties and how viable they are for diffuser use.

1. Rattan Reeds

Rattan reeds are a popular option, thanks to their ability to absorb and diffuse essential oils. This is made possible by the countless tiny channels running from top to bottom of the reed. However, it’s important to note that rattan reeds can become clogged over time, mainly when used with oil-based scents. If this happens, remove the reeds and soak them in a solution of warm water and vinegar. This will help to clear the channels and restore the diffuser to working order. 

2. Bamboo Reeds

Bamboo reeds, however, are not ideal for this purpose. They often have small obstacles that impede the flow of fragrance oil. Additionally, bamboo is a hardy substance that can be difficult for the aroma liquid to seep into, potentially causing clogs.

3. Fibre Reeds

Reeds consisting of synthetic materials like fibre can be utilized specifically in diffusers. That’s because their make-up and construction are tailored to disperse scents effectively. For instance, the pores’ uniformity and uniform size facilitate the saturation and ascent of the reed with the aroma solution. 

This design ensures that the aroma is spread uniformly and continuously throughout the space. In addition, you may use fibre reeds may with any liquid perfume, whether oil, water, or alcohol. As a result, they are a versatile and convenient option for anyone looking to use a diffuser.

How to Make Your Reed Diffuser Last Longer

When it comes to diffusers, the longer they last, the better. That’s why storing your diffuser in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat is necessary. It is also important to keep the oil in the water reservoir circulating and emitting vapours by periodically refilling it with fresh essential oils. Ensure you use high-quality materials when making your reed diffuser and avoid ingredients that could harm you or your pet.

Final Take

Creating a reed diffuser in your home is a great way to utilize your essential oils while creating a relaxing atmosphere. The steps above will guide you through creating a charming reed diffuser in no time. We at 96NORTH have curated a selection of beautiful, high-quality candles and reed diffusers with treasured, familiar fragrances combined with elegant undertones to captivate the senses you can choose from. Discover the perfect item for your needs today by browsing our collections!

Frequently Asked Questions