Best Way to DIY Reed Diffusers with Essential Oils

Candles are great and all, but they can be a pretty serious fire hazard if they're not handled with care. Reed diffusers, on the other hand, don't require any flames, plugs, or batteries. Their downfall: Some reed diffusers come with a hefty price tag, and many have an artificial scent. And while many top brands have a large range of vessel styles and oil aromas, buying store-bought reed diffusers can be rather limiting.

Rather than searching the aisles for an almost-perfect option, make a homemade reed diffuser instead. That way you can use a vase that best matches your aesthetic, and mix and match a variety of essential oils until you get a blend that sparks joy.

First things first: Stock up on all the supplies you need to DIY a reed diffuser. When it comes to picking a glass or ceramic vase, opt for one that has a narrow opening at the top, which slows down evaporation. Most importantly, pick the right kind of oil to use as a base. Mineral oils like sweet almond oil or safflower oil tend to be the most popular because they're thin enough to travel up the diffuser reeds (or bamboo skewers!), allowing your room to quickly fill with the scent of your choice. The rest is your call: pick from an assortment of essential oils to infuse your space with scents that fit the mood or season.

Once you round up the necessary supplies, follow this step-by-step guide to make your very own reed diffuser:

1. Pour or in 1/2 cup increments into the
2. Add 30 - 50 drops of per 1/2 cup of base oil. Remember: Some essential oils can be harmful to pets, so do your research before you add them.
3. Give the vase a good shake or stir to mix oils.
4. Stick in 5 - 8 You can also cut off the pointed ends of bamboo skewers, if you have extras on hand. Flip the reeds or skewers after one hour or when half-saturated.
5. For a stronger scent, flip reeds once every week and replace the oil mixture once a month.

Need Inspo? Mix These Essential Oils to Create Seasonal Blends

Spring

Lean on the fresh florals that springtime brings with a mix of citrus, Cedarwood, lavender, geranium, and jasmine essential oils.

Summer

Lighten up your home with a blend of lavender, magnolia, bergamot, and lemon essential oils.

Fall

Bring on the sweater weather with a mix of juniper berry, Cedarwood, balsam, cardamom, and cinnamon essential oils.

Winter

Cozy up with this warming blend of Douglas fir, Cedarwood, juniper berry, spruce, and patchouli essential oils.

For can't-miss news, expert beauty advice, genius home solutions, delicious recipes, and lots more, sign up for the Good Housekeeping newsletter.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Amanda Garrity

Editor

Amanda Garrity has over seven years of experience writing lifestyle content, including almost five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io